Doing a real estate sign with the house & floorplans on it. The architect has them in AutoCad- Anyone know if AutoCad can export to an .ai file or maybe pdf so I can import it into my layout which will then be prepared to print on an Edge or Summa?
I'm dealing with the contractor who doesn't understand graphics files, so I haven't been able to ask the architect direct(yet)
Thanks!
Posted by SteveDefibaugh (Member # 2245) on :
Hi Alan I have R14 I work in and it can export as EPS or BMP.I can't find where it can export as AI. though.Hope this helps. Steve
Posted by Bob Stephens (Member # 858) on :
Autocad uses a .DXF file extension and most programs can import a .dxf file. Its one of the older vector file formats in existance
Posted by TransLab (Member # 470) on :
CAD is a bitch to import files from. even when you do export the file as an .eps file, every line segment and piece of crosshatch (fill) comes in as a seperate (hairline)segment, you end up with a group of 20,000 objects or so. I've had better success printing the file from CAD to Adobe distiller, then importing the .pdf file into corel. If you send the file I'll take a boo at it. Have autocad 14 & autocad 2002
[ July 10, 2003, 06:55 AM: Message edited by: TransLab ]
Posted by AlanD (Member # 1461) on :
Thanks for the info so far!...Also considering the option of having the printed plans scanned to the proper size and just print from that instead of juggling file formats between the different companies.
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
My experience has matched Mike's when it comes to importing .dxf files into Corel. The last time, I finally used a scanned print of the AutoCad file as a template to recreate the detail I wanted to use in Corel. There was so much additional info I didn't need in the AutoCad file itself and it was so hard to separate it. The drawing sizes were so large because of the fact each segment is a separate object that, even with a gig of RAM, some files crashed Corel on import.
A friend who uses Illustrator constantly says it is much easier in the Adobe line of products--of course, he also has AutoCad Lite for just those times it won't import. I now have Illustrator 10 but have not had to use any AutoCad files lately. I have thought of purchasing AutoCad Lite just for the purpose of being able to open those files but I do not have that kind of discretionary income at this time.
[ July 09, 2003, 02:07 PM: Message edited by: David Harding ]
Posted by Glenn S. Harris (Member # 2190) on :
If AtuoCad can ecport a bitmap that seems like it would be the way to go. Just make sure it's at a high enough resolution.
Posted by Bill Biggs (Member # 18) on :
I have had similar experiences with auto cad dxf files, However if you have outline capabilities sometimes you can select outline and weld in signlab to create closed graphics, also signlab has a close graphics button that sometimes works. your best bet is a scan and print if you are going to edge anyway, take a print and scan at 300 dpi and go to photopaint brighten, etc and make a bmp or tif out of it Bill PS: or just get out your projector and brushes and paint it! LOL
[ July 09, 2003, 07:15 PM: Message edited by: Bill Biggs ]
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
Projector???
Of all the varied tasks I have performed in a sign shop in the days B.C. (Before Computer), I hated projector work the most. I cannot tell you how many thousands of letters I have drawn in that darkened room–only because I HAD to. I made several master fonts at 2" height so I could blow them up to 24" in one attempt and only have to clean up the distortion, square the lines, make the strokes uniform, refashion the curves to flow once per letter, thereby spending less time in that dreary dungeon.
When I sold my first company and formed this one twenty years ago, I swore I would never own another opaque projector. I’ve held good to my word on that.
I know you're talking about painting the floor plan, not letter patterns but...
Projector??? Bill, wash your mouth out with soap! GOLWTIC (Gagging Out Loud With Tongue In Cheek)
Posted by Mark Sheflo (Member # 3608) on :
I have had success importing the native autocad DWG format into Corel 10. It took me a few tries to find the right settings, but it did work for me a few times.
