insert dxf from illustrator mixes up inches and mm

[Anonymous]

You probably already know this, but just in case, for the record: 

Even if the units are set as 1 unit = 1mm on dxf export from Illustrator, Fusion360 imports it as if 1 unit was 1 inch. 
I have mm set as default units in Fusion, and the ''current units' on top left of the Fusion file is also mm. 

If I run the same file through Autocad and set the units as mm there, it does import at correct scale. 

Running Fusion2.0.1870 (with the new offline insert dxf) on Mac.

Best, 

~FIlip

[Anonymous]

You probably already know this, but just in case, for the record: 

Even if the units are set as 1 unit = 1mm on dxf export from Illustrator, Fusion360 imports it as if 1 unit was 1 inch. 
I have mm set as default units in Fusion, and the ''current units' on top left of the Fusion file is also mm. 

If I run the same file through Autocad and set the units as mm there, it does import at correct scale. 

Running Fusion2.0.1870 (with the new offline insert dxf) on Mac.

Best, 

~FIlip

[Phil.E]

It sounds like Illustrator is not flagging the units correctly then. Can you provide two files by attaching them here, first the Illustrator DXF and second the ACAD DXF of the same exact file so we can see the difference?

Thanks,

[Phil.E]

It sounds like Illustrator is not flagging the units correctly then. Can you provide two files by attaching them here, first the Illustrator DXF and second the ACAD DXF of the same exact file so we can see the difference?

Thanks,

[fangfr]

Hi @Anonymous,

I tried to use Adobe Illustator (2015.2.0 Release) to new a simple .ai file in which there only is a line. And, export separately it to two DXF files (one is in Inches, the other is in MM). And then, open them with a text editor (e.g. Notepad++). I discover an interesting issue. The units blocks in two files both are:

$INSUNITS
70
1
9

 

This means that the units in two files both are Inches, regardless of selecting which units when export. So, I think that there could be a defect in Illustrator exporting to DXF. 

[fangfr]

Hi @Anonymous,

I tried to use Adobe Illustator (2015.2.0 Release) to new a simple .ai file in which there only is a line. And, export separately it to two DXF files (one is in Inches, the other is in MM). And then, open them with a text editor (e.g. Notepad++). I discover an interesting issue. The units blocks in two files both are:

$INSUNITS
70
1
9

 

This means that the units in two files both are Inches, regardless of selecting which units when export. So, I think that there could be a defect in Illustrator exporting to DXF. 

[Phil.E]

I tried to search the Adobe Illustrator forum to see if it's a known issue for them, but was blocked because I don't have an Adobe user ID.

https://forums.adobe.com/community/illustrator

If you do, or want to register with them, you could try posting on their forum about this issue.

Thanks,

[Phil.E]

I tried to search the Adobe Illustrator forum to see if it's a known issue for them, but was blocked because I don't have an Adobe user ID.

https://forums.adobe.com/community/illustrator

If you do, or want to register with them, you could try posting on their forum about this issue.

Thanks,

[fangfr]

I have posted a question onto Adobe Illustrator Forum. Hope we can get feedback as soon as possible. 

https://forums.adobe.com/message/8428713#8428713

[fangfr]

I have posted a question onto Adobe Illustrator Forum. Hope we can get feedback as soon as possible. 

https://forums.adobe.com/message/8428713#8428713

[Anonymous]

Kudos to @fangfr and @Phil.E!
(I need to revamp my notification settings. Had no clue there was movement here.)

This would definitely explain the trouble. 
So workaround for now is a roundtrip to ACAD and UNIT command to enforce mm. 
Works great. 

Cheers, 
~F. 

[Anonymous]

Kudos to @fangfr and @Phil.E!
(I need to revamp my notification settings. Had no clue there was movement here.)

This would definitely explain the trouble. 
So workaround for now is a roundtrip to ACAD and UNIT command to enforce mm. 
Works great. 

Cheers, 
~F. 

[YoavFriedlander]

VERY SIMPLE SOLUTION! 

before opening the DXF in Adobe Illustrator go to the software itself (Illustrator) and hit CMD+K / Control+K (for windows) 

go to the UNITS tab and change your GENERAL units to the ones you were using in AUTOCAD / FUSION 360 etc. 

now open your DXF 

and you are welcome 😉 

[YoavFriedlander]

VERY SIMPLE SOLUTION! 

before opening the DXF in Adobe Illustrator go to the software itself (Illustrator) and hit CMD+K / Control+K (for windows) 

go to the UNITS tab and change your GENERAL units to the ones you were using in AUTOCAD / FUSION 360 etc. 

now open your DXF 

and you are welcome 😉 

[Anonymous]

Hi @YoavFriedlander. Thanks for the tip, but in this thread we were dealing with import of Illustrator dxf into Fusion, and not the other way around.

BTW In the newest Fusion, you can specify units on dxf import - so this whole thread is not needed anymore. 

[Anonymous]

Hi @YoavFriedlander. Thanks for the tip, but in this thread we were dealing with import of Illustrator dxf into Fusion, and not the other way around.

BTW In the newest Fusion, you can specify units on dxf import - so this whole thread is not needed anymore. 

[YoavFriedlander]

Oh shoot!

I saw other complaints and mixed it all up! I should find where people had
troubles and post it there 🙂 sorry everyone

[YoavFriedlander]

Oh shoot!

I saw other complaints and mixed it all up! I should find where people had
troubles and post it there 🙂 sorry everyone

[Phil.E · Accepted solution]

Hi,

@YoavFriedlander Thanks for posting anyway. Glad to see you are interested in helping the community with solutions!

@Anonymous Thanks and you are correct, but only when using "Insert > Insert DXF". There is no unit control via upload/translation workflows, but as you may have noticed, it's far easier to simply insert DXF at the point you need it, while sketching.

Regards,

[Phil.E · Accepted solution]

Hi,

@YoavFriedlander Thanks for posting anyway. Glad to see you are interested in helping the community with solutions!

@Anonymous Thanks and you are correct, but only when using "Insert > Insert DXF". There is no unit control via upload/translation workflows, but as you may have noticed, it's far easier to simply insert DXF at the point you need it, while sketching.

Regards,