Batch convert from newer to older DXF version

[DRoam]

I'm an Inventor guy, not near as fluent with AutoCAD. I have a tool that exports all of our plasma-cut parts from Inventor to DXF. Problem is, since we upgraded to Inventor 2020, the DXFs are exported in 2019 DXF format, which our plasma software can't read, and I haven't been able to find a way to export to an older version.

So, my best hope is to batch-convert all of the 2019 DXF files to something older (preferably 2007).

I'm not at all familiar with writing or running LISP routines or any kind of scripts in AutoCAD, so if that is the best way, I would need a lot of help both writing the script and running it.

Thanks in advance for any help.

PS, right now I only have AutoCAD 2017 installed, but I can install AutoCAD 2020 if necessary for this conversion.

[rkmcswain]

One of these links might help.

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-forum/batch-convert-latest-verion-dxf-to-v2000-dxf/td-p/55403...

https://www.autodwg.com/dwg_dxf_converter/

In any case, be sure to operate on a backup copy of your files.

[cadffm]

1. dxf2019 is impossible, dxf2018 is the newest (ACAD2018/2019/2020/?)

2. "I have a tool..."

    Then you should edit this tool if it's your own, or change the setup for another file-format, if it is a third part program.

(Is your program? API? Code? ..)

[DRoam]

Hi @rkmcswain, thanks for the suggestions. Have you used AutoDWG? Want to be sure it's safe before I try and run it.

[DRoam]

---

@cadffm wrote:

1. dxf2019 is impossible, dxf2018 is the newest (ACAD2018/2019/2020/?)

2. "I have a tool..."

    Then you should edit this tool if it's your own, or change the setup for another file-format, if it is a third part program.

(Is your program? API? Code? ..)

---

My mistake, you're correct, it's exporting in 2018 DXF, not 2019.

It is via the API. And the only way (as far as I'm aware) to export specific faces via the API in Inventor is by executing the "GeomToDXFCommand" command definition, which does not accept any arguments (except file name, by posting as a private event before executing).

If you know of another way to export faces or control export version, please do share it in the other thread I created in the Inventor forum: Inventor Forum: API "Export Face As DXF" in previous version?

Thanks.

[rkmcswain]

@DRoam - Sorry, I have not used it lately. 

[JohnHyslop]

In Inventor 2020

I'm assuming you are exporting a flat pattern or flat shape? it is so simply to do this.

Left click on the face you want to export as dxf, when highlighted right click and select

"Export face as"  you'll get the file name prompt but don't save it yet... go to Options ( to the left of Save )

then select file version you want to save as you can go all the way back to version R12, make sure the 2 boxes

Pack and Go & Customize DWG/DXF are unticked.... select Next then make sure Data Scaling box is set to

Base View Scale - Model Space then Finish ( you can also save configuration if you want 🙂 )

Hope this helps

[JohnHyslop]

You can also right click flat pattern in browser "save copy as" select save as type " dxf , put in file name

select save and this window will pop up... the rest is easy.. 🙂 No aditional software required...

[DRoam]

John, thanks for the suggestions but I'm programmatically exporting DXFs for several parts at the same time via the API. I'm familiar with how to change those options when exporting a single face or sheet metal part manually, but those options are not available when exporting via the API, hence my need to batch-convert after the fact.

[DRoam · Accepted solution]

Curtis Waguespack suggested a workaround on my thread in the Inventor forum that I think will work for us. It's not ideal, but it's better than going back to manually exporting our DXFs one by one.

I'll leave this thread open in case someone can provide a good suggestion for how to convert DXFs -- that may still come in handy in a pinch if we end up with a bunch of DXFs in the newer format.

[Ed__Jobe]

ScriptPro is another option. It even comes with sample scripts for saving to 2007 dxf. For help, run the program and click on the help button to open the readme.