AutoCad export to DXF aama or DXF astm

[Anonymous]

Hi,

Is it possible to export AutoCAD files to DXF AAMA or DXF ASTM format?

Those formats are mainly used in fashion industry.

Thank you in advance,

Stelle

[pendean]

Nope.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

welcome @Anonymous.autodesk.com!

>> export AutoCAD files to DXF AAMA or DXF ASTM format?

A DXF-format does not have sub-formats. It's called just "DXF" and the only option you have is to chose the release of the DXF.

Where do you get that format naming from? Which software needs that? And what happens when you send an AutoCAD DXF file to that software?

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Thank you Alfred,

DXF aama (American Apparel Manufacturers Association) and DXF astm is mainly used in fashion industry.

And for example in Modaris pattern-making program it is not possible to import regular DXF file from AutoCad.

You will get error- 'not possible to import'.

It is something related with layers.

DXF aama and DXF astm are named both as filename.dxf, but the content is little bit different.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

I see that you are visiting as a new member. Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

AutoCAD does create DXF files in ASCII or BINARY formats but does not write a native format that you are looking to find.

I did find this website that offers some conversions from DXF so perhaps exporting the DWF from AutoCAD and then converting it using one of these utilities will get you to your goal.

AutoCAD can also export in a variety of other formats. Are there others that would work for you?

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous,

I am checking back to see if my post or others helped you with your problem. Please add a post with how you decide to proceed and your results so other Community members may benefit.

Please hit the Accept as Solution button if a post or posts solves your issue or answers your question.

[Anonymous]

I think you can export into AAMA format from AutoCAD. The only difference between dxf and dxf-aama is the layers and units. 

I'm still working on figuring out the exact procedure, but basically put the components on the correct layer.  Note that the outline must be a closed polyline on layer 1.  A block is created using the "block" command, which allows you to select the units and entities included in the block.  The block must be on a non cutting layer.  It almost must be saved as .dxf r12 version only.  Again I'm still working on getting this to work correctly, but I should get it worked out soon.  Definitely will post any more updates on this soon.  A lot of this info comes from here

Good Luck!

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

I got it to work, but I can't say for sure that is a true AAMA file type.  The program that I tried this with is Formaris from Lectra, I think that it is the same as Modaris just specialized for furniture. 

1. Construct your drawing in autocad obeying the layer designations as follows

CURRENT_LAYER=0
BOUNDARY_LINE=1  (Contour Line)
TURN_POINTS=2
CURVE_POINTS=3
NOTCHES=4
GRADE_REFERENCE_LINES=5
MIRROR_LINE=6
GRAIN_LINE=7
INTERNAL_LINES=8
STRIPE_REFERENCE_LINES=9
PLAID_REFERENCE_LINES=10
INTERNAL_CUT_OUTS=11
CUTTER_INSTRUCTIONS=12
FIRST_DRILL_HOLES=13
SEW_LINES=14
SECOND_DRILL_HOLES=15
TEXT=19
DEF_BLOCK_NOTCH=HBD_TAC

Rules to follow: Outline is a solid polyline, drill holes and notches are points

2. Save your drawing as .dxf r12

3. Open My computer, then C:Drive, Lectra, then files.  Under files create a new folder named IMPORT.  Under Import create another folder named for the pattern you just created.

4. Drag and drop your .dxf file into this new folder you just created along with the 2 .txt files that I've attached.

5.Open a new model in the modaris/formaris and name it whatever you like.  Click File, IMPORT.  You should see a list of file types....aama, astma, dxf...

6. Right click on the dxf one and click on NEW ALIAS.  On the left side of the window that opens, type the name of the folder your pattern is in under inside the import folder.  Then on the right side click the browse button that looks like three periods  ...     

7. This links the location, now just click on the dxf under the import window, which will expand it open to where you can see all your folders.  Click the appropriate folder, which will expand and show all saved .dxf patterns within it.  Choose the one you want to import and click okay.

Notes-  Once you create the new alias for a new folder, you will not have to do that again, only if it is a newly created folder will you have to do this.

            The .txt file I have attached named cnvparam, allows Lectra to read your drawings in inches.  If you use millimeters, you don't need this. 

Hope this helps you! 

[john.vellek]

Hi @Anonymous

It looks like @Anonymous put in some time on this solution for you. Please reward the post with an Accept as Solution if it did the trick for you.

[diego.galeano]

Hi

Could you please tell me what Modaris version are you using?

Also, where can I read about those two TXT files. I've not been able to find anything about them, where to put them, what should they contain, how can I adapt them to my dxf file, etc.

Any help will be appreciated.

thanks.

[Anonymous]

Hi Diego, we are using Formaris V5.  In my earlier post I mentioned that you import as dxf.  Yes you do import it as a dxf r12, but create a new alias under aama tab instead of the dxf one, I've found that it works best.  the only text file (.txt) file you need is attached at the bottom of my other post.  just copy and paste into the same folder as your dxf files that are being imported.  This is for accurate scaling from inches to metric, which is what formaris/modaris uses.  If all of your dxf files are in metric(millimeters) units, then the text file is not required.  A few rules for success....

follow the layer convention, ie, all perimeter cut lines should be on layer 1, notches on layer 4, text and dimensions on layer 19.

make sure the part perimeter is a closed, joined polyline.  

Add the title block to the part

create a block with the part and the title in it.

save as dxf r12

create your import file path and folder in modaris

for inches, have the cnvparameters text file inside your file folder with the dxfs

Let me know if you have any problems, I'm attaching a sample dwg and dxf for you to see the way a part should be.

Blocking the parts allows you to have multiple parts in one drawing, instead of having a file for each little part.

[diego.galeano]

Thank you very much for your reply and thank you very much for the attached dxf so now I know that this can be done.

I could import your dxf into Modaris with no problem, however I've been sent several dxf files from other sources and those do not work and Modaris crashes.

I'm sure on my dxf files the "rules for success" were not followed specially the layer names and I was wondering if the DXF.TXT file could be modified so that is why I asked you where to find documentation about that file.

So my alternatives are trying to find out how to modify that dxf.txt file and see if it works or import those dxf into AutoCad and start making them follow your "rules for success", but I'm not good with AutoCad yet.

If you have any document about this I will greatly appreciate it, but anyway you've been very helpful and I thank you.

Best regards.

Diego.Galeano at gmail.com

[Anonymous]

You can attach your file and I can set it up to work if you'd like.  Then I can tell you what went wrong.  

[diego.galeano]

Thanks for the offer.

I'm attaching two dxf files.  

I greatly appreciate if you could tell me the way to get them into modaris.

Thank you very much.

Regards

Diego.Galeano at gmail.com

[Anonymous]

Here is one I just did.  I only did one size of each part.  What I did to make it work.

Step 1    exploded all the blocks so I could work on the parts

Step 2    all external cut lines moved to layer 1

step 3    all the little #33's I moved to the text layer, layer 19

step 4    the internal tint lines?  I moved to layer 8, which is non-cut internal lines

step 5     The points I changed to drill holes, which is layer 13.  not sure if they are drill holes, but that what I made them into, change if needed

Step 6    The heart shaped cutout was moved to layer 11, which cut internal lines

step 7    Give each part its own little title block, and gave each part a unique name

step 8    block each part with its title block 

step 9 select all blocks and make sure they are on layer 0, all blocks have to have a unique name, no duplicates.

step 10   save as dxf r12

I'm attaching the dwg, the dxf, and a document for the layers

You cannot change the layer convention.  dxf aama was developed for an industry standard with these fixed layers

ALL DXF AAMAs WILL USE THE SAME LAYER ASSIGNMENTS.  The outside source of your patterns should be told which layers

to use so you do not have to change them every time.  You can have multiple parts in a single block, meaning you could make the whole file one single block, but if the machine has an error, instead of restarting at the last part cut, it will start cutting from the very beginning and recut parts it already cut.

Check it out and see what you think.

[diego.galeano]

Thank you very much.

Same as before I could import that dxf into Modaris with no problem.

If the dxf follows the rules it can be imported with no problems.

Thank you very much for your help.

Best regards.

Diego.Galeano at gmail.com

[Lee_Marable]

Hi Dkhayes117,

I have found this thread incredibly useful as I have been having the same problem. Are you able to tell me if the attached .dxf will open in Modaris/Formaris - I am trying to send to a manufacturer, but I don't have Modaris installed on the computer I am using to test if the files I have saved will work - many thanks in advance!

[Lee_Marable]

Sorry, I am new to this forum and I can't seem to get the DXF to attach... any tips?

[Anonymous]

Yes I can check it out for you and see if it is a viable file.  As far as the attachment, I'm not sure.  Should be able to click on browse under 'attachments' and select the file to upload.  Should work as simple as that?

[Lee_Marable]

Thanks. However, I'm still having problems with attachments, it seems to let me attach the DWG version but not the DXF - don't suppose you have an email address or some other way I could send it to you?