Illustrator conversion to DXF (CAD)

Howdy,
At my work, we are producing DXF(CAD) files from Illustrator and having a couple of issues.
1) Vector objects are joined in Illustrator, but becoming unjoined/unconnected in the converted DXF.
     For sure these vector objects are "joined" in the Illustrator file and even "compound" Illustrator objects become unjoined
We need connected CAD objects to run CNC machines. Right now, people have to go into the DXF and manually rejoin the CAD data.
Does anyone have any new ideas on how to fix this? I know we can try some DXF converters. (Cadmover, Curvefit, CimLite)
Is there something better than anchor points in Illustrator for force joined geometry?
Is this just an Illustrator converting issue with no real good fix. If so, how do I put a request into Adobe to fix this.
2) Converting Illustrator curves/splines into arcs, is this possible.
     Again the answer is to probably use a DXF converter, but is there any other ideas on how to get good clean arcs out of illustrator from splines/curves with Bezier handles.
     I know there is a program called Bezarc but it is unsupported now.
Can Illustrator convert splines into arcs before the conversion? Or, can Illustrator convert all the polylines(lines with massive points) to arcs.
Thanks everyone,
Peter

Hello Mylenium. I managed to get it sorted by adding points to the curve. Attached are 3 screen shots. 1 - showing the nice clean Illustrator curve. 2 - showing the angular result and 3 - showing the result when I added lots of point to the curve.
You would think Illustrator would automatically generate the correct curve when outputting to dxf! I found a plugin that I might try called EXDXF-Pro3-mac-en-3011

Similar Messages

Why does Illustrator CC screw up my DXF CAD layers?

I have all the lines, polygons, etc. on their desired layers in the CAD file; then when I import the dxf into Illustrator, it disorganizes it but putting all the objects into random layers. Why does this happen? I'm using Auto CAD 2014 LT.

This won't help, but Illustrator's origins as a Postscript vector application have never meshed well with drafting packages, in my experience. The constructs and conventions of the two platforms don't match up well, and Illustrator's interpretation of CAD-originated data has always been somewhere south of reliable, even at the single-layer level, let alone all structural aspects.
Perhaps someone else will come along with a more positive lesson which produces a result closer to your need, but as far as I'm concerned, a workflow built around bringing CAD into Illustrator is ill-advised.

My Illustrator CC show Dxf files as Text files...

My Illustrator CC identify my dxf files as text files...
even they are valid dxf files as Acrobat or Rhino are able to open them...
Any hints ?
Many Thanks

Hi,
It's generated as an export by a tierce Application...I'm trying to get from the editor to which version their Dxf is supposed to be compliant.
JM

Adobe Illustrator CS4 pictures to CAD files

Hi,
I´ve made 2D drawings i CS4, now I would like to have them in .dxf or .dwg format. I don´t have any CAD program, when i "export" the .ai file to .dxf or .dwg they changes - they dont look the same anymore. Is there any plug-in program to overcome this problem or is there any CAD program that can import the .ai drawings without any changes. I want the .dxf to look exactly as the.ai. I have a pc and work in Windows.
Please help me...
Christel

Download a copy an installer for CS4 from the links on this page:
Other downloads

Illustrator Conversion & Images

I'm trying to transition from InDeisgn to Illustrator. Nothing against ID but id like to pick up on my AI skills a bit.
Most of my work requires a lot of imagery from web links. For example i'll get a link with 8 different images from a house. I can then copy each image directly from the web and paste directly into 8 individual frames/rectangles in InDesign. A simple fit and center fills the frame perfectly. I know cut and paste isn't ideal but for the low quality of printing required, its very expedient.
I can't seem to find anything as simple and expedient in Illustrator. Is there a way to paste directly int a preset rectangle or frame. It seems every time I try, i paste a full size image as a new frame and then have to scale.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated.

kpow,
You can just place and resize the images as desired.
If you want to give them frames, you can use the Rectangle Tool and just drag between opposite corners; Smart Guides are your friends, (saying anchor when you are there). This will give you a separate vector path. You can select both image and path and Group them.

Reduce File size on CAD DXF file opened in AI

CS3, Windows XP.
I get DXF CAD files from our Engineering Department. I open them in AI and save them as AI files. Then I place them in InDesign. Then I export a PDF for uploading to my website.
The problem is that every seam in the CAD drawing is 5 or 6 lines. Every screw head is shown. This makes for a large PDF file. There are several drawings in each manual so the PDF is sometimes over 20 meg. It also takes a while for the image to draw as you go from page to page.
Is there anyway (short of spending hours removing lines and screwheads in AI) to simplify the drawings from CAD? Does CS4 have any capabilities in this area?
JAG

If you have multiple identical (or, more likely, nearly identical) paths overlapping, you can probably eliminate that part of the problem with the export settings in the CAD program (which you don't specify). Look for settings to not include hidden lines (assuming you are exporting from flattend 3D models).
Most CAD programs have a collection of export options, and there are multiple "flavors" of DXF. Someone needs to know what they're doing on each end of the export/import workflow.
After getting a reasonable file into AI, try selecting all (excluding Text) and applying the Simplify command with curve accuracy set to 100%.
Once you get the details ironed out, consider recording an Action to automate the steps that work best. For example, I routinely import DXF files exported from CATIA models and the apply an Action that:
Selects all text objects.
Inverts the selection.
Ungroups.
Removes compound paths.
Simplifies paths.
Applies a uniform stroke weight with rounded end caps and joins.
Selects all.
Scales.
Selects all Text objects.
Sets font, size, and weight.
Deselects.
In a consistent workflow, importing the DXFs and doing most of the optimization (as much as it can be optimized) is pretty much a few clicks affair. Dealing with CAD files when you cannot control the export end (as when receiving them from multiple different vendors and softwares) is always a bit of a chore because of the variables.
JET

$300 For 2 Photoshop/Illustrator scripts- Applescript Preffered

I have been meaning to write these myself for months, but have been too busy, so we're trying to hire someone.
We would prefer these to be mostly Applescript, because I know Applescript and will be able to modify/maintain them, but we might consider all Javascript if there are no bites on Applescript.
There are probably bits in here that are not accessible to Applescript, that would need to be in Javascript. I think color overlays are not in the scripting dictionary and need to be figured out with scripting listener. That's fine, as necessary, to call Javascript from an Applescript. We just want it to be in Aplescript as much as possible.
If you're interested, please contact me:
[personal info removed by moderator]
I assume that if you're interested, you'd want more information. We can provide example files in the "before" and finished states, talk or email about any questions you have, and I also have examples of some steps of the scripts functioning for reference.
Here is the outline of the two scripts:
Script 1: Assign Color Overlay
Overview:
This script would need to do the following in Adobe Photoshop. The script will be run from a command key.
Script Steps:
1. Ideally, read the current swatches on the swatch pallet in Photoshop. If this is a pain/impossible, then we’re open to getting this info from somewhere else. We can save out the info needed as a .csv or .txt and the script can just load it from there.
2. When the script is run, it presents a dialog with a list of the colors from the swatch pallet. The user chooses a color from the list.
3. It applies the color selected as a "Color Overlay" Layer Effect to the currently selected layer. If the layer already has a color overlay effect, it updates it to the selected color. The color overlay effect is applied with the “Screen” blending mode.
4. It changes the layer name to the name of the color that was selected
Script 2: Save Files and Convert Photoshop File to Spot Color Raster EPS
Overview:
The script will save out the active Photoshop file in multiple copies in different ways, place data on the clipboard, and then use Illustrator to convert one of the Photoshop files to a different format.
The open file when the script is run will always be a Photoshop file with layers, with the topmost layers named by colors as specified by the above “Script 1.” The files can have an arbitrary number of layers, but will all be in this format:
first layer [Some Color Name]
arbitrary number of additional layers, each with color names
Shirt [ <- this is a solid color layer]
Art [<- this is a single group containing arbitrary layers]
Script Steps:
1. The active file is saved out exactly as it is. When the script’s run, it presents a save dialog. The operator chooses the save folder location and file name. I will refer to this as “The Save Folder” The script will then check to see if there’s an “Art” folder in The Save Folder. If there is, it saves the file there. If not, it creates the “Art” folder and saves it there. If the file already exists, it automatically overwrites and does not provide a dialog about it.
2. Another copy is saved using “Save For Web. The original file was at 300 dpi and this copy is saved out bicubic down sampled to 72 dpi with the same inch dimensions. The save settings are {JPEG – High, Progressive – off, Optimized – on, Embed Color profile – off, Quality – 72, Blur – 0, Matte – none, Convert To sRGB – yes} This one has the same file name as the first copy (except for the file extension) and is saved in The Save Folder.
3. A flat copy of the art at the same dimensions but downsampled to 18 dpi is placed on the clipboard.
4. An intermediate file for Illustrator conversion is saved. This should probably be saved in a new folder in The Save Folder called “Intermediate Files.” This folder needs to be checked for and created only if necessary. The file should have a naming scheme such as “Intermediate File” & [existing file name]. This file is identical to file 1, except:
- the shirt layer and art folder are removed. This should probably be scripted as deleting the layer named “shirt” and everything below it in the file.
- all the color overlays are removed (or turned off)
5. Close the file.
6. Open the intermediate file in Illustrator with the “Convert Layers to Objects” option.
7. Select All
8. Edit -> Edit Colors -> Convert to Greyscale
9. Cycle through each layer one at a time and change the fill color to the swatch from an open Illustrator swatchbook called “Current Inks” with the same name as the layer name.
To clarify this previous step, our artists will be working off the same .ASE color swatchbook in both Photoshop and Illustrator. In Photoshop, the colors from this .ASE will be used as color overlays on layers. The file needs to be imported to Illustrator and have the same colors applied as fill colors of the raster objects that were the Photoshop layers. The color information is being conveyed from Photoshop to Illustrator through the layer names in Photoshop.
10. Save this file to The Save Folder as a .AI with the same name and “CONV”
11. Delete the intermediate file.

@Jongware -- thanks for your thoughts! I hated to think that I was going to be on the plank all by myself here... :-)
@TomT-shirts -- no worries. Given your articulate RFP, I suspected that something was amiss here, not the least of which was the fact that the numbers seemed to have been misinterpreted, I knew what was happening and probably why it was happening before I posted, so I was just trying to diplomatically (or not?!?) trying to alert both parties of a problem. You are (in my opinion and I think others' as well) perfectly fine in posting the listing here. How else would anyone know about your need and a possible opportunity for folks here that are able to help? SO that's all good. Where I (at least) felt the problem was/is is the continuing of the "transaction" "on-forum", which you clearly explained how that happened. Empathetic to your potential public disclosure of additional private information (as noted by @Jongware) is why I thought that it might be a good idea to step up and implicitly suggest taking it off-forum, not even knowing "how" it happened on your end. Also good points by @Jongware about the closure of such threads, something that I never really thought about.
So, at least from my perspective, keep 'em coming (at least the projects and questions :-)) and please do let everyone know that you were well taken care of by the folks here on this forum by a comment afterwards to "close" the thread as suggested by @Jongware. A pretty smart group they are (myself humbly excluded).
And -- best of luck on your project!!!! :-)

Currency conversion display in the report

Hi,
I've a report which displays Vendor Name, sold to party, Sold-To-Party No, Bstnk, Buyer No,Distribution Channel, Division, LI/PO Number, Sales Order,Order Description,audat,vdatu,vbeln,aemenge,aewavwr, kwert, aenetwr, stwae, etc fields in output for a given range of dates. mostly these fields r taken frm S902 n VBAK.
At the bottom of this report i need to keep a currency conversion display as for sy-datum.
Ex: FROM --> TO     EXCHANGE RATE/CONVERSION FACTOR        DATE
      CAD --> USD      0.95776                     1:1                                 20.02.2009
      EUR --> USD      1.44484                     1:1                                 20.02.2009
      JPY --> USD      95.88647                10,000:1                            20.02.2009.
for this purpose earlier they used function-pool RSAQEXCE in other program.
i exactly dont know wther this one is std program r query. in this they used func mod "convert_to_local_currency" also.
please let me know how sh i pass my output internal table to get desired output like this.
Please respond qk.

Hi Raja,
Please note reply from Hari.
Note: Most of the currency conversion FMS won't work if u try to run in SE37
But the same FMs works when u execute from program. Please try to use these FMs for conversion.
U just have to pass source amount, source and target currencies and date.
Thanks,
Vinod.

Conversion factors missing

Hi we have an issue loading the data from dso to cube.
We are loading 2 data sources (2lis_11_vaitm, 2lis_13_vditm)data in to ods then in to cube. In the UR of ods to cube we wrote some logic to convert to local currency.
When I load the data of vaitm in to ods and then update to cube works fine. But when I load the data of vditm and update to cube am getting the below error:
Maintain conversion factors for USD / (currency type M
Maintain conversion factors for CAD / (currency type M
Can any one please advice what is this means , I loaded lots of data with currency conversion to many different currencies in BI , Only few data packs are giving me this error. Where to maintain the conversion factors ? and what date should i maintain ?
Please advice

pls let me know how this is fixed..i am facing the same issue..

Dimension tool plugin necessary for Illustrator ?

Hello,
unfortunatley my company bought CS4, but a few employees also sometimes need to add dimensions to drawings similar like in CAD software for engineer drawings possible.
But it looks like that it is NOT working with Illustrator CS4. (although written in Wikipedia, that illustrator closes gap between CAD and pixel basing software.)
Is there any possibility to install plugin for Illustrator or is Illustrator having such tool ?
Thanks for helping !
Jan

I have an AI Javascript that I built for my own convenience, which creates simple linear dimension callouts, as described here.
It is dependendent upon two Graphic Styles and one Paragraph Style which can be added to your documents (or templates) by copying / pasting from the .ai file that is included in the download .zip. However...
It is little unbelievable that Adobe, eliminated dimension tool from Illustrator. Why ?
Illustrator never had dimension tools.
although written in Wikipedia, that illustrator closes gap between CAD and pixel basing software
Whomever wrote that should be horse-whipped. (Or worse, forced to do techish commercial drawing with Illustrator in a roomful of others who are using either Canvas or CorelDraw.) That is probably the worst mis-characterization of what Illustrator is that I have ever heard.
Did my company buy the wrong software ?
Probably. If dimension tools and a few other very common features necessary for techish illustration are a frequent need, absolutely. Illustrator not only lacks ordinary dimension tools, it also lacks:
Reliable snaps.
User-defined drawing scales.
Connector lines.
Callout objects.
Live shape primitives (rectangles, polygons, ellipses, arcs) with geometric parameters (corner radii, etc.) that can be adjusted after creation.
Proper corner rounding / chamfering commands.
Any feature assist for mechanically corrrect perspective construction.
Is there any other software from adope, which is able to work on .jpg picture and using dimensioning, too ?
JPEG is just a lossy compression format for raster images. I don't know what it, in particular, would have to do with what you have described so far (using a mainstream drawing program to make attractive commercial illustration based on line work exported from CAD software).
But unlike most of its direct competitors these days, Illustrator does not provide any features (other than the ability to apply Photoshop filters) for actually editing raster images. It can import a raster image (JPEG or other) and manipulate it as an object (rotate it, scale it, mask it, etc.). But there are no pixel-editing features.
You have not very well described what your company's needs are. But just given your mention of dimension tools as being important and your need for something to "bridge" between working product drawings and commercial product illustration, I dare say you would be far better off with Canvas, Corel Draw, or Corel Designer.
Unlike its competitors, Illustrator has always treated anything the least bit "techish" as if it's something to fear. It's competitors embrace it as what it is: a huge segment of the overall mainstream commercial illustration world. And it isn't just this seeming "technical" vs. "paper doily" aversion. Much of it is simply the fact that Illustrator has never kept up with its competitors in straighforward, no-nonsense path drawing features. Illustrator has always sat too fat-and-lazy on its Adobe label for market share.
People (including myself) do technical/commercial illustration in Illustrator all the time. Most commerical product illustration is of that nature. But in doing so, they constantly employ tedious, cumbersome, and time-wasteful workarounds for the pathetically weak feature set of Illustrator--or they buy add-ons which cost half what they paid for Illustrator all over again. (I've never understood that mindset. No matter how well-done the plug-in, it's never as cleanly-integrated with the overall program as built-in features; and you have to put up with everything that goes along with mission-critical dependency upon add-ons from small third-party providers.)
JET

Invoice in Foriegn Currency

Hi all
The loading of invoices has failed due to the following error
Maintain conversion factors for CAD / GBP (currency Type M)
I have looked in the DSO and it seems that this is the first invoice in CAD (Canadian Dollars) curreny that we have loaded. We have invoices in USD and EUR loading OK in the past.
TCURR contains the correct exchange rate for CAD to GBP and vice versa with the right date. Is there anything else that needs setting up for CAD on BW that will make the load work.
Regards
Asif

Hi,
Check the following links.
/people/rasim.manavoglu/blog/2007/04/30/currency-currency-currency
https://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/scn/go/portal/prtroot/docs/library/uuid/600157ec-44e5-2b10-abb0-dc9d06ba6c2f
https://www.sdn.sap.com/irj/sdn/wiki?path=/display/bi/currency%2btranslation%2bin%2bbex
Cheers,
Sree

Currency error - very urgent

Hi Friends
When I try to enter an order, this is the error that I get....
Statistics: The currency from in CAD for date 02/11/2008 could not be determined...
Today only I'm getting this error...earlier I could eneter the orders without any errors...
Will appreciate your hel.
Thanks

Please let me know what is the currency of the document you are trying to post? Please mention how your CAD is maintained. Example: If CAD is maintained against USD and you are trying to convert EUR, then a rate should exist for EUR and USD conversion for the CAD amount to be determined.
Please check these settings also.
Please let us know in detail what order you are trying to create
Karthik

Pre-newbie help! Computer guidance needed so wanted to ask the pros (you)

Hi all,
I am a jewelry designer - have been for over 25 years (pencil to paper) and want expand my knowledge and learn Illustrator and Photoshop. I want to come out of the dark ages regarding HOW I design to become more efficient AND hopefully increase my marketability. I need a new computer so figured now was a perfect time to ask the experts in this field as to what system would be a good into place to start. Laptop preferred so I can learn wherever I am. I figure by the time I am doing well, it may be time to upgrade. Cost is a factor but I realize I am going to need to invest a little more on the front end to get the proper equipment.
While I am here, where is a good place to start regarding which illustrator to go with.
I thank you in advance for your help.
Jill

I am a designer for a larger Mfg company - not just someone who tinkers in her own studio (although that part is the best). Hand drawings can be scanned in and traced. It is a way to get a more accurate diamond weight and estimated metal weight to determine whether it is what is wanted BEFORE it is given to our CAD team. All of which are imperative to fit within certain price point targets. Details (scroll thickness, wall thickness, prong details, etc) are made much more clear for the CAD operator who may or may not have any design background. It will also allow me to start with one element and take that element to make a pendant. Then copy that exact element to lay out earrings (maybe flip for a left and right). Then copy further to lay our a bracelet....whatever it may be. Any tweaking that I want to do can be more automatic then re-drawing everything in order to compare. .
In addition, computers (illustration, Photoshop and certainly CAD - typically Rhino/Matrix in the US) are mainstream - unlike when I started. Not as many people hand draw so I am lucky in that regard. Certainly not as many people carve and cast wax as they once did to make a model. The CAD is loaded into a 3D printer, cast and voila - a master model.
I may or may not want to move to higher caliber companies as I continue to develop my career. Many of the larger companies I casually have my eye on ALL require Illustrator/Photoshop of their designer. Some actually say that CAD is encouraged but not necessary. Seems backwards to me but.....what do I know//
That's basically it in a nutshell. The schooling I am not really concerned about. I am looking for guidance on a suitable system that I will need at home (because I need a new computer anyway) that would allow me to have what I need eventually loading these systems on and learning what I hope to learn.

Release all compound paths at the same time?

Platform: PC/Windows XP SP2
Adobe: Illustrator CS3 (13.0.2)
Is it possible to release all compound paths in an illustration at the same time (and if so - how)?
I receive drawings from engineering in either PDF or CGM format, which I edit in Illustrator and save as AI. I have to release compound paths in order to delete specific parts of the drawing.
This isn't difficult, but it is very time-consuming because the CGM(or PDF)-to-Illustrator conversion results in quite a few compound paths.
Thanks - I appreciate your help,
Dan

Are they all compound paths or are some of them compound shapes?
Try release/expand compound shape?

How to convert a motion path in After Effects to CNC G-code

Hello! Is there a way to convert a motion path in After Effects to CNC G-code?

Copy&paste position as path to Illustrator
Save AI/ DXF/ whatever file
Import into your routing software
Mylenium

Illustrator conversion to DXF (CAD)

Similar Messages

Maybe you are looking for