AS8 problems importing DXF and DWG

[Anonymous]

I have today spent 8 hours trying to read both DXF and DWG format files into
AS8.

These files have been produced on AutoCAD LT 2000 and were saved as R14 DXF
and R14 DWG files.

I await further copies from my somewhat pissed off customer who is now
saving me a set in every possible combination in the hope that we find
something that works.

The fundamental problem is that text in the file at their end, after I have
imported it at my end, turns into uneditable line entities grouped together,
which are completely bloody useless. Talk about two steps forward and three
steps back, I give up!

I can load the DXF files into my old original trusty copy of Drafix CAD 4.0,
but my mouse button finger is worn out with all the floating point errors
that occur, but interestingly when I finally get the file imported the test
IS editable.

What gives AutoDesk?

I need a solution to this ASAP.

I actually thought that AS8 would be an improvement on AS6, what a fool I
was, I can't afford to waste time like this, I'm going to have to spend
tomorrow reinstalling AS6 so at least I can get some work done!

Over to you......

Barry

User since Drafix 1.0, oh for the good old days!


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[Anonymous]

Update

Being in the real world with a deadline to meet I installed my copy of QC7
which, surprise, surprise, loaded the R14 files more or less without a
hitch. At least then I could save as QuickCAD files which I can load into
AS8 without a problem. And I can now edit the text.

I give up.

Whatever made me think that AutoDesk would write software that would import
their own proprietary file format?

Come on AutoDesk let's at least have a response on this, I will post one of
the files to the Customer Files section. I've got nothing to hide.

Barry

"Barry Higginbottom" wrote in message
news:A08446AD57401411775E00F4D54D102E@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> I have today spent 8 hours trying to read both DXF and DWG format files
into
> AS8.
>
> These files have been produced on AutoCAD LT 2000 and were saved as R14
DXF
> and R14 DWG files.
>
> I await further copies from my somewhat pissed off customer who is now
> saving me a set in every possible combination in the hope that we find
> something that works.
>
> The fundamental problem is that text in the file at their end, after I
have
> imported it at my end, turns into uneditable line entities grouped
together,
> which are completely bloody useless. Talk about two steps forward and
three
> steps back, I give up!
>
> I can load the DXF files into my old original trusty copy of Drafix CAD
4.0,
> but my mouse button finger is worn out with all the floating point errors
> that occur, but interestingly when I finally get the file imported the
test
> IS editable.
>
> What gives AutoDesk?
>
> I need a solution to this ASAP.
>
> I actually thought that AS8 would be an improvement on AS6, what a fool I
> was, I can't afford to waste time like this, I'm going to have to spend
> tomorrow reinstalling AS6 so at least I can get some work done!
>
> Over to you......
>
> Barry
>
> User since Drafix 1.0, oh for the good old days!
>
>
> ---
> Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
> Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
> Version: 6.0.313 / Virus Database: 174 - Release Date: 02/01/2002
>
>


---
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free.
Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com).
Version: 6.0.313 / Virus Database: 174 - Release Date: 02/01/2002

[Anonymous]

> Whatever made me think that AutoDesk would write software that would import
> their own proprietary file format?

When you consider that an R7 skf file can't be read by R6, you shouldn't
be too surprised, Barry.

[Anonymous]

Harvey

> When you consider that an R7 skf file can't be read by R6, you shouldn't
> be too surprised, Barry.

I know, I know, but the thing is I've got to eat humble pie now, 'cos I've
figured out how to get it to work!

Why, oh why wasn't it mentioned in the readme file (and I have checked) that
there is now yet another option on dwg file import to map shx files to true
type.

I ask myself, if it wasn't needed before why is it needed now, must be just
another way to catch folks out!

Ah well, after nearly 20 years of using computer software you think I'd know
by now to RTFM!

At least I would if I had one, only comes as a PDF with the AS8 upgrade.

BTW AS7 can read AS8 files, is this progress?

Tara for now.

Barry

[Anonymous]

Well, I've only got to eat half a humble pie!

Mapping shx to true type might work with R14 dwg files but it don't work
with R14 dxfs.

Trying to import the same drawing but this time using its DXF format comes
up with a dialog

"Open Shape File"

The file name box is prompting for te______.pfb with a file type of .shx
Huh?

The only way out is to hit the Cancel Button which then gets me into a loop
of selecting SHX files until I guess the right one (in this case TXT)

So, Mr AutoDesk what's a te______.pfb file when its at home?

And where do I get one from?

Barry (Confused)

"Barry Higginbottom" wrote in message
news:DD420598C9D16A38C471A7CB939D4950@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> Harvey
>
> > When you consider that an R7 skf file can't be read by R6, you shouldn't
> > be too surprised, Barry.
>
> I know, I know, but the thing is I've got to eat humble pie now, 'cos I've
> figured out how to get it to work!
>
> Why, oh why wasn't it mentioned in the readme file (and I have checked)
that
> there is now yet another option on dwg file import to map shx files to
true
> type.
>
> I ask myself, if it wasn't needed before why is it needed now, must be
just
> another way to catch folks out!
>
> Ah well, after nearly 20 years of using computer software you think I'd
know
> by now to RTFM!
>
> At least I would if I had one, only comes as a PDF with the AS8 upgrade.
>
> BTW AS7 can read AS8 files, is this progress?
>
> Tara for now.
>
> Barry
>
>

[Anonymous]

Dear Confused

Every version of Drafix and AutoSketch opened DWG and DXF files in different
ways, one even keeps AutoCAD dimension entities in one piece sometimes, but
then I am not telling you anything you do not already know.

However, even as developers we have a copy of every version of these
programs on our computers just in case one does not to a transfer properly,
then we move down to the next. Drafix 4.1 and 6.01 seem to do the best and
even V6 to V7 treat files with XREF differently.

The problem could be blamed on Sketch but deep down Sketch is trying to open
formats that change the rules all too frequently. Apart from that every
other software manufacturer seem to have their own versions of DWG and DXF
files so I see multiple copies of Sketch on a computer as a fact of life.

Also, we have copies of LT and ACAD and often Sketch may do a better job of
opening a file than LT, so where's the justice in that?

Also Confused.

"Barry Higginbottom" wrote in message
news:E2ED8B6ABCDE032DAEB813A8424A956C@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> Well, I've only got to eat half a humble pie!
>
> Mapping shx to true type might work with R14 dwg files but it don't work
> with R14 dxfs.
>
> Trying to import the same drawing but this time using its DXF format comes
> up with a dialog
>
> "Open Shape File"
>
> The file name box is prompting for te______.pfb with a file type of .shx
> Huh?
>
> The only way out is to hit the Cancel Button which then gets me into a
loop
> of selecting SHX files until I guess the right one (in this case TXT)
>
> So, Mr AutoDesk what's a te______.pfb file when its at home?
>
> And where do I get one from?
>
> Barry (Confused)
>
> "Barry Higginbottom" wrote in message
> news:DD420598C9D16A38C471A7CB939D4950@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > Harvey
> >
> > > When you consider that an R7 skf file can't be read by R6, you
shouldn't
> > > be too surprised, Barry.
> >
> > I know, I know, but the thing is I've got to eat humble pie now, 'cos
I've
> > figured out how to get it to work!
> >
> > Why, oh why wasn't it mentioned in the readme file (and I have checked)
> that
> > there is now yet another option on dwg file import to map shx files to
> true
> > type.
> >
> > I ask myself, if it wasn't needed before why is it needed now, must be
> just
> > another way to catch folks out!
> >
> > Ah well, after nearly 20 years of using computer software you think I'd
> know
> > by now to RTFM!
> >
> > At least I would if I had one, only comes as a PDF with the AS8 upgrade.
> >
> > BTW AS7 can read AS8 files, is this progress?
> >
> > Tara for now.
> >
> > Barry
> >
> >
>
>

[Anonymous]

Very, Very Interesting Barry !

We all appreciate the hard work you have put in so far. I doubt anyone on "top
of the hill" is even listening.

What ever happens, We will >continue< to wonder if any of the problems you
describe and those you find "workarounds" for will be fixed in the NEXT version
v9.

Looking back... I do not see any posting from an A-desk authority since
12-20-2001. So, they could still be on holiday vacation or maybe they are done
with sketch for another 2 or so years.

I'm not normally this crabby, but the things you describe just should not be
showing up period.

Barry Higginbottom wrote:

> Well, I've only got to eat half a humble pie!
>
> Mapping shx to true type might work with R14 dwg files but it don't work
> with R14 dxfs.
>
> Trying to import the same drawing but this time using its DXF format comes
> up with a dialog
>
> "Open Shape File"
>
> The file name box is prompting for te______.pfb with a file type of .shx
> Huh?
>
> The only way out is to hit the Cancel Button which then gets me into a loop
> of selecting SHX files until I guess the right one (in this case TXT)
>
> So, Mr AutoDesk what's a te______.pfb file when its at home?
>
> And where do I get one from?
>
> Barry (Confused)
>
> "Barry Higginbottom" wrote in message
> news:DD420598C9D16A38C471A7CB939D4950@in.WebX.maYIadrTaRb...
> > Harvey
> >
> > > When you consider that an R7 skf file can't be read by R6, you shouldn't
> > > be too surprised, Barry.
> >
> > I know, I know, but the thing is I've got to eat humble pie now, 'cos I've
> > figured out how to get it to work!
> >
> > Why, oh why wasn't it mentioned in the readme file (and I have checked)
> that
> > there is now yet another option on dwg file import to map shx files to
> true
> > type.
> >
> > I ask myself, if it wasn't needed before why is it needed now, must be
> just
> > another way to catch folks out!
> >
> > Ah well, after nearly 20 years of using computer software you think I'd
> know
> > by now to RTFM!
> >
> > At least I would if I had one, only comes as a PDF with the AS8 upgrade.
> >
> > BTW AS7 can read AS8 files, is this progress?
> >
> > Tara for now.
> >
> > Barry
> >
> >