AutoCAD - Object enablers for ViaCAD

[diesellam]

I have an AutoCAD on my end with the object enablers installed.  I can view everything in the plumbing 3d DWG file without any problem because of it.

My consultant who doesn't own AutoCAD but owns a program called "ViaCAD"

He can view the DWG file in this ViaCAD program without any problem; however, when it comes to the plumbing related 3d DWG file which requires the object enablers installed, most of the components are missing after he opens it up.

My question is:

Is there any other alternative method available so that he can view everything in this plumbing 3d DWG file without using the object enabler plug-in in AutoCAD?

Thanks in advance.

[ The subject line of this post has been edited for clarity by @handjonathan Original:  Object enablers for other CAD program? ]

[rkmcswain]

You should be able to export out the DWG, which will essentially explode any non-core objects down to core AutoCAD objects.

[diesellam]

The plumbing CAD file itself is 3d DWG file.

I can open it in AutoCAD without any problem because I have the object enablers installed.  That's why I don't have components missing problem.

My consultant can open it but with all of the components missing because his program "ViaCAD" does NOT have the object enablers installed. 

My question is:

What can my consultant do so that he can view this plumbing 3d DWG file in ViaCAD WITHOUT any components missing.

[rkmcswain]

@diesellam wrote:

My question is:

What can my consultant do so that he can view this plumbing 3d DWG file in ViaCAD WITHOUT any components missing.

Probably nothing.

What exactly are these objects when you open the drawing in AutoCAD with the object enablers?

Let's say the object type(s) are "pipes" and "fixtures". Unless "ViaCAD" has the code to understand "pipes" and "fixtures", it's not possible. This is why I suggested converting the "pipes" and "fixtures" to objects that "ViaCAD" *can* understand, such as lines, arcs, polylines, hatch, etc.

[diesellam]

That's a good idea.

Let me forward this to my plumbing detailer and see if he can do something about this.

Thanks for your suggestion.

[TheCADnoob]

We deal with this occasionally and to varying degrees. 

Have you tried loading it to the Autodesk online viewer? https://viewer.autodesk.com/designviews

If you need to send them the DWG you can used the EXPORTTOAUTOCAD command as well. 

[diesellam]

Well, the problem is that he only has VisCAD and he does all of his wall framing work in this software.

So he has to be able to see everything in this plumbing CAD file when he imports it into his model, then he can double check which pipe or riser is clashing into his wall framing members.

If just looking at it visually in AutoCAD viewer, it doesn't do him any good.

Plumbing CAD file is always tricky. Especially if it's generated in CADmep, then you have to have the object enablers installed or otherwise most of the components will be missing / invisible in the file.

[RobDraw]

If he is limiting himself like that, then the only choice is for you to provide a usable file. I'm wondering why he hasn't anticipated this before taking on the project.

You can convert it for him a couple of different ways. (One of which he could provide for himself.) Drawing TrueView free from Autodesk, should be able to make the files usable for him. It would be better for him to do the conversion. That way, he is assured of getting it the way he needs it. You could also try vector PDFs converted back to .dwg or export it as mentioned by others.

[pendean]

@diesellam There is no fix for non-AutoCAD users. Sorry.

Best you can do is to dumb down the file as suggested by others, or you both start using the same software for this project(s).

There is not much else you can do here.

[diesellam]

Thanks for all of the suggestions.  He ended up asking for the 2d DWG file of just the plumbing risers so that he can at least see if they are into the wall framing members in the plan view.