This is a pretty basic question but I need to know.
We export many of our alignment etc C3D drawings to AutoCAD before sharing them with other subs (depending on whether they are using AutoCAD 2002 LT, MicroStation, etc.)
We have a habit of renaming the file before sending it, removing the ACAD- prefix and restoring the original file name.
So my question is, when looking at two idential file names, how does one determine if its C3D or just vanila AutoCAD? Is there a way in (file) Explorer or upon opening with C3D can I quiry something? (I don't want to resort to checking alignment entities are C3D and not just arcs and lines.).
Thanks
John
John7,
Since we have many styles and settings set up in our template drawing, the lack of said styles would indicate that the drawing has been exported.
all the styles would be standard and all the settings layer zero if it was a acad export.
Dan
We've adopted a different technique. Our drawings start with a 'C3D-' prefix for our Civil 3D design files, and we remove the prefix for any exported files. It really helps keep them straight for us.
The one thing to look at is in Civil3D the surfaces, corridors, and such are grouped together like a block or xref when picked. After the export these items become individual entities.
So basically, afaik and the consensus here, the answer to your question is no.
There is no way to tell in windows explorer without opening the drawing and looking at either objects in the drawing or styles. If anyone can tell me otherwise I would be very interested.
Personally, when I export a drawing I always leave the ACAD prefix, and add the year to it too. So you end up with a file called 'ACAD2004...' or 'ACAD2002...' etc. Then you know what you've got. (But this requires everyone in the office to do the same thing.....)
Mark Green
Working on Civil 3D in Canada
@Anonymous wrote:This is a pretty basic question but I need to know.
We export many of our alignment etc C3D drawings to AutoCAD before sharing them with other subs (depending on whether they are using AutoCAD 2002 LT, MicroStation, etc.)
We have a habit of renaming the file before sending it, removing the ACAD- prefix and restoring the original file name.
So my question is, when looking at two idential file names, how does one determine if its C3D or just vanila AutoCAD? Is there a way in (file) Explorer or upon opening with C3D can I quiry something? (I don't want to resort to checking alignment entities are C3D and not just arcs and lines.).
Thanks
John
Two identical files names with different content = recipe for potential disaster....!!!!!!
neilyj (No connection with Autodesk other than using the products in the real world)
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A sure way is to open each drawing and use QSELECT to see if any C3D objects show up. Another approach might be to use Design Center to list all the blocks in the files. You would need to run some tests to determine what blocks appear in a C3D dwg vs. a C3D dwg that has been converted to ACAD.
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