Import DXF doesn't work on Alias design 2018 version

[Anonymous]

Please thank you to help me because I can not use the import file function with DXF or DWG. And I absolutly need this function in order to save time and to be competitive cost-effective ! All my 2D construction with curves were create in Illustrator CC, the last version. I test with a old version and same problem with Illustrator CS6...

On the 2017 version, it seems Autodesk forgot to put this function. But on 2018, the file is here but each time the comment is :

"Errors detected during translation, DWG files were not retrieved."

I try with many many many different possibilites, but all did not work...

[bob55]

Is there any way we can get a sample file.

[Anonymous]

I need a great help from a fantastic Alias designer who would like to give me 2 minutes to explain me how I can import a precious 2D vectorial curves made on Illistrator CC. I have not example because it is confidential. But easy to apply : you draw a basic curve on illustrator. You export in DXF. On Alias, if you try to import this curve (Illustrator File) you can not...

You can read this message after : ERRORS DETECTED DURING TRANSLATIONS, DWG FILES WERE NOT RETRIEVED

Why why why ???

[Anonymous]

Hi Bob, I'm french so sorry for my english which is not fluently. So the import file do not work on Alias Design 2018.

And, as you could imagine, it is a serious handicap for me. If this function works correctly on the 2019 version, I could try to use this solution.

It seems there is a strange problem because Alias 2018 can export vectorial curves with the illustrator file and we can open and read correctly this exportation. But Alias can not open the DXF and DWG files from Illustrator.... So I using the Image plane but the precision is not correct, not enough...

Do you have a reply or a soluition ?

[systembolaget]

Adobe Illustrator DXF/DWG export has always been buggy. Better use AutoCAD. You can, however, export an Illustrator file in the very old Illustrator 88 format and then import that into Alias with Import > File > …

Mind you, you will have to use an Illustrator script to split all paths at all anchor points because otherwise, the curves are not usable in Alias to obtain regular NURBS surfaces. You find such a script here.

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for your reply Systembolaget.
But I try following different advices on your links and each time the reply is :
An I/O error has occurred
Error(s) occurred detected during translation.

EPS, AI, DWG, DXF… all 2D files had the same problem.

Export Alias Design 2018 to Illustrator CC = OK perfect
Import 2D curves to Alias Design 2018 = NO POSSIBLE

WHY ?

On Mac or Windows, has anyone ever had this aberration ? And knows a solution ?

Of course I can use the Image Plane possibility, but definitely not exact !!

[systembolaget · Accepted solution]

That's very odd. See the attached files.

I saved the single layer Illustrator file in Illustrator 8 format and then imported it into Alias without any special setting. Works right out of the box. Maybe it is an Alias 2018 bug? We are using Alias 2016 still.

[Anonymous]

Yes I saw your example. Before no problems : between Illustrator CS6 and Alias Design 2015, very nice...

Unfortunatly, I had to change my old OS on Mac, and of course I need change all versions of Illustrator and Alias...

Now buggy between both.

I need from Autodesk a tutorial to show me how I could resolve this problem without to download very old versions.

If not : why to continue to pay maintenance and support for new versions ???

Thank you for your help and your time !

[bob55]

I'm able to import the .ai file into Alias 2019 via drag-and-drop.  I also did some testing with a file from illustrator with some curves in ti exported as DXF and DWG.  I found ALias 2019 was able to read the DXF file but not the DWG file.

[Anonymous]

Hi Bob, thank you so much ! I'm going to test with the 2019 version and I keep you inform.

If you work for or with Autodesk, thank you to ask them why they forgot a solution to import easy all 2D files -Ai/EPS/DXF/DWG from Illustrator ALL VERSIONS ? They have to understand that all stylists, creatives, designers are working with 2D and 3D. We need to use vectorial curves and we need a bridge (like before on previous versions) to work with fluidity and freedom between 3D <=> 2D

[systembolaget]

While Alias should be able to import an .ai file, and it does (apparently only your Alias version 2018 has an issue with that, although people I know don't), you should take note that Illustrator's DXF/DWG export has always been unreliable. If you need DXF/DWG instead of .ai, it is far better to use AutoCAD.

[Anonymous]

The same problem with Alias 2017. They did not buid a correctif to open Ai files.

I have not Autocad.

I know that the DXF from illustrator is not perfect but it is a good guide to build nurbs. Much better than JPEG or any pictures... Bob told me to try with Alias 2019.

[systembolaget · Accepted solution]

Alias 2017 opens .ai files, when stripped of any fills, effects, etc. and the document was saved in Illustrator 8 format or older. The DXF/DWG output from Illustrator is very buggy and unreliable and it has always been. Sometimes people are lucky. The ball is in Adobe's court. See the many complaints and problems users had for almost 20 years; which is why a proper DXF/DWG exporting software is much better. Or simply use the Illustrator 8 format export. I have an old version of Alias no longer maintained from 2001 - and even that opens Illustrator 8 files.

My suspicion is that your Illustrator file is not saved properly or not stripped of fills, effects, etc. which makes it not readable. Without a file example, we will never know.

[Anonymous]

Wonderful : you just save me !!!!  You are right : without text, fills, effects = only single curves. Your save with old Illustrator 8. After easy import file illustrator on Alias 2018. I will save a precious time thank you so much Systembolaget