AutoCAD 2020 scale issues when importing solidworks files

[steveLR82G]

With AutoCAD 2020, imported solidworks objects are SERIOUSLY reduced in scale.  For example, a 3" screw imports to being 5/64" long.

As far as I can tell, there is no setting that either changed to cause this, or that I can change to correct this.

Obviously, i can scale blocks once they are imported, but I never had to do that before, and it is certainly inconvenient.  Any ideas?

[natasha.l]

Hello @steveLR82G, 

Did you test this in AutoCAD 2019 to check if this is happening only in the 2020 version? 

[steveLR82G]

Yes.  Objects which imported correctly in 2019 are now importing incorrectly.  It is definitely a new "feature."

[steveLR82G · Accepted solution]

UPDATE:

The scale issue only happens with the original object placed into the drawing.  If I delete THAT object, then insert the block created, the scale is correct.

So, it's still a new "feature", but it has an easy, albeit annoying work-around.

[Anonymous]

Hey, I have run into the same problem coming from Solidworks files too. I stumbled upon the INSERT technique, and thought that was the only way! I found a slightly faster way do make the scale correct I think? When you import the model, select the geometry and look to the "Block Reference" properties window. You can change the scale right there in the: Scale X, Scale Y, Scale Z, under the Geometry tab. You can also see what the scale is; and in my case its .0254 for X,Y,Z. If you multiply .0254 by 39.3701 (1 mm = 0.0393701 inch), you get 1.00000054, IE: 1"... SO I change all three scales from: .0254 to 1, and the part measures correctly. No clue as to why its scaled as such; seeing as the part in SW is set to inches and the drawing units in ACAD are as well. Perplexing, and annoying. 

I have even dug into the INSUNITS commands and have had no success. That could be my limited knowledge, but it seems like this should be an easy command to execute. 

[jporter]

Has there been any update on a fix for this or is the workaround still the only solution? 

Thanks, 

[cadffm]

Without seeing facts in this Thread (facts = source and target drawing = two dwg files):

I am sure for 99% we can explain it and so you will able to understand how to change it.

But i need two sample files (target&source) to check what the settings are.

If you want to know what happen, upload a sample and tell me which product you using [Dialog, command: ABOUT] i'm waiting.

[Anonymous]

This says it is solved but it is not solved. 

Importing a Solidworks assembly it has the block scale set to .0254

I have attached an assembly for testing.

Start Acad 2020 and type import, pick Solidworks file types, the name of the assembly is case18x54.sldasm

These this model comes in scaled .0254 its actual size.

please help if possible.

[Anonymous]

[dhoder8Y82J]

Same issue here using 2020.1

[pendean]

What is your dwg's DWGUNITS setting?
And it's INSUNITS setting?

Ask at the SolidWorks community forums for guidance on exporting to 1:1 scale, there is little you can do about any of it inside AutoCAD today if the above selections don't address it except to correct the scaling yourself.

[steveLR82G]

Both are set at "1"

As has been stated earlier, the problem is that when it IMPORTS the object, it inserts it at some odd scale (0.029 or something like that.)  If I delete the inserted object, then re-insert it from the block menu, the scale is fine.

[pendean]

2020.1.3 is the latest version, try that. If needed, roll back to 2019.1.2 or move to R2021.1 to test as well.

Then... you'll need to start a support ticket then https://knowledge.autodesk.com/contact-support
And report the issue to Autodesk here https://www.autodesk.com/company/contact-us/product-feedback

Then wait.

[steveLR82G]

I'm NOT rolling back to 2019, and our office hasn't yet installed 2021.

This ISN'T that much of a problem.  It is obviously a glitch in the programming, but it is easily circumvented.  It's not a debilitating problem, just an annoyance that I felt the developers should be aware of.

Please stop trying to "fix' this for me.

[dhoder8Y82J]

Same here, SolidWorks assembly comes in at 0.0254. Delete the imported block, re-insert it comes in at correct 1:1 scale

DWGUNITS = 1

INSUNITS = 1

[cadffm]

@Anonymous 

Sorry for my very late answer, didn't saw your answer/files.

I checked the issue today

1. If all settings for units on SW side is set to feet/inch, it is unusual that Autodesk use METER as unit for that model.

But this problem was also present in older versions, like 2019.

(Just tested in 2019 because the SW files are not supported in 2018 or older.)

2. You're right, since 2020 the import works really a different way.

The created block is still set to meter, but with the right size(in meter).

Since 2020 Acad uses a sysvar to scale the block reference.

For usual this variable is for import process of other files and blocks with unit setting "unitless".

 But a SW file is not a DWG, not a Block, and the created block is not unitless.

So it is unusual for the first look,

and it isn't working this way in 2019.

The variable i am talk about is INSUNITSDEFSOURCE.

Please try it confirm(or not) my statement.

Take a look to the Help[F1] if not familiar with insunitsdefsource (/insunitsdeftarget).

It is a system setting, not file dependent.

Set InsunitsDefSource to 1 

Also available in your options

https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2021/ENU/?guid=GUID-2E780292-7D34-4A34-8CCC-82363D4F9092

Import  SW sample from above.

If i am right, the result should be

Block with unit meter,

Blockreference XYZ Skaling 1,1,1

Hoping that i checked it correct,

feedback welcome.

[cadffm]

---

@cadffm  wrote:

Set InsunitsDefSource to 1 

---

Sorry!! I mean METER = 6

[seanmV8WWH]

Does any one have an update on this? This should not be marked with a "solution", unless I am missing something here? There is a band aid suggested above by changing the geometry scale of the inserted block for X, Y, Z to 1, but nothing else seems to fix this (drawing units, block units, etc.) Another band aid I have been doing is scaling to a manufacturer spec: scale>basepoint>reference>[dimension from manufacturer spec]. Hopefully Autodesk is not ignoring this issue.

I am using Autocad MEP 2022.

[cadffm]

Perhaps you didn't read my answer(s) above?

I can't see informations about insunitdefsource in your post.

I just explained how it works, i didn't test it with the current newest Autocad version.

I think it works still this way.

What version you are running?

Command: About

Autocad Product version

[cadffm]

"Hopefully Autodesk is not ignoring this issue."

Issue or just a change of the import workflow, i don't know.

Ask Autodesk! (If you using AutoCAD update 2022.1)

Start a support case with a link to thia Thread and ask about it.