"" From now on I will keep all of our 75,000+ drawings in
both dwg and dxf format as it's an open standard.""
No need or both, the dxf format would suit your purposes if you wish to keep the data electronically, but then again that is your choice. Personally, I have no trouble keeping the DWG format, but if you do, you still have options.
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"" I'm sure there are quite a few people out there who use DGN files and are quite happy that the specification has been released. ""
And I repeat, "cool, name two"
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"" Also how exactly do you know the level of data complexity in a PDF file? ""
Very true, I have not delved ito the complexity of the format. I have though delved into the complexity of the amount of data that can be retrieved from each format and for us it's not apples and oranges, it's apples and candy wrappers. I can not extract nearly the amount of data from a PDF as I can a DWG. But if you're so sold on the complexity of PDF format, then there's your answer, convert it to PDF and everything is golden, right? Or maybe you too must admit that the two are not comparable for data extraction?
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"" you're not qualified to say "the vast majority of average users could give a flip if the format is compatible with MSTA". Do you really know what every firm in the world is doing or wants to do with their data? ""
Probably not, but I do know what a significant percentage of US companies are actually DOING. They are increasingly going to a DWG format, (as you have stated it is the industry standard) while even Bentley is moving AWAY from the DGN format in favor of writing to several formats. So Bentley's release of the format is just o much smoke after a fire, "Here let me throw in my nickle, so now you have to throw in your $100 bill.
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"" if everyone is working from the same specification then there really shouldn't be that much room for error. ""
Oh cmon, and the tooth fairy will leave a quarter under your pillow too. Not a dozen posts ago someone (you I think) claimed that it would not impact Autodesk market base because AutoCAD would be so much better than the clones. Now you're saying they will be the same. Just today I opened a powerpoint file made with the latest version of MS PowerPoint in Corel Presentations 12 (according to their propaganda it should have been error free) the result was unusable. The same format can NOT overcome sloppy programing.
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"" Internet Explorer as they do in Firefox ""
So you're saying that IE and Firefox run ALL applications identically, completely error free with no gaps and/or glitches?? I've never pulled the trigger on a Firefox system, but from what I read on forums by Firefox users that isn't the general experience.
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"" That's the only thing I can see ""
Then it's a problem with your eyes. I have no trouble at all with sharing unless it is a detriment to my profitability. If you frequent the swamp, you will know that I have shared what little I have to offer freely in hopes of a mutual benefit.
Sharing the DWG format will be a detriment to Autodesk profitability. It will reduce Autodesk's resources for future development, and flood the DWG database with cruddy little "almost" clones like the PDF market has become. ONLY those wishing to undermine AutoDESK's control of the market could possibly benefit.
I've asked several times what possible benefits either AutoDESK or I would gain from the release of the format. So far the closest thing to answer has been, "It's my data I should have access". Would you care to offer just one benefit I would gain that would not be offset by the level garbage that would result?
But hey, that's just me.
Randall Culp
Civil-Structural Design Technician
(aka CADaver)