DXF/DWG: FAQ

Import

 
  • Question:
    In export/import loops, the format of the model is modified  at the re-import in V5.
  • Answer:
    The format is modified because V5 computes the best possible format to adjust it to the model.
 
  • Question:
    In export/import loops, some line types are lost.
  • Answer: the mapping of the line types is not complete:
    • For line types between 1 and 8, there is an automatic mapping between AutoCAD and V5 line types. The line type is kept during export/import loops.
    • For line types over 8, there is no automatic mapping between AutoCAD and V5 line types. Those line types are exported to DXF with a continuous graphic representation and a name such as CATIA9, CATIA10, etc. Those names enable you to identify them in the DXF file.
    • You can enhance the mapping in the Standard editor.
 
  • Question:
    How are associative dimensions dealt with?
  • Answer:
    They are not supported.
 
  • Question:
    There is some inconsistency between graphic and semantic import:
  • Answer:
    There may be an inconsistency between the results of dimensions imported with
    the semantic preserving option and with the graphic preserving option.
    This is generally due to an inconsistency in the DXF/DWG file itself
    (the aspect is different in AutoCAD14 and AutoCAD2000).
    This happens with files that have not been generated with AutoCAD.
    Usually, the graphic mode should be used, but only the author of the file can confirm it. 
 
  • Question:
    The R of a radius dimension is a conglomerate of a P with a small \:
  • Answer:
    The DXF model is probably the result of a graphic export.
    In this case, texts are no real texts but geometry.
 
  • Question:
    There is a problem of alignment of DIMtext to DIMline:
  • Answer:
    This occurs while opening a DXF file created with ANSI standard using an ISO standard (or vice-versa).
    • Since V5R9, texts of dimensions without overloaded text and without tolerance are imported directly as
      DIMtext instead of texts with positional link, avoiding thus the problem of positioning.
    • Since V5R14, you can select the required Drawing standard in the Settings.
 
  • Question:
    Hatches: The result of import is a geometry instead of a filled area:
  • Answer:
    The original DXF/DWG file does not contain real hatches but geometry
    (or old R12 hatches, i.e. blocks). Real hatches are mapped automatically.
 
  • Question:
    Fonts: Problems with è, é, à ... characters:

  • Answer:

    • True Type fonts on Windows provide the same fonts in your system and AutoCAD.
  • Question:
    Fonts: Texts are larger than their frame:
  • Answer:
    a ratio is available in the TextFontMapping section of the DXF standard.
    Check the Report file in order to identify the fonts that were mapped to default or incorrectly mapped and correct the DXF standard in consequence.
  • Question:
    LineTypes: DXF lineTypes become CONTINUOUS:
  • Answer:
    the mapping between DXF and V5 linetypes is available in the Line Type Mapping section of the DXF standard. Check the Report file in order to identify the linetypes that were mapped to default (continuous) or incorrectly mapped and correct the DXF standard in consequence.
  • Question:
    Arrows and rectangle are missing when importing a Text with Leader from AutoCAD. The width of the polyline is not correctly processed:
  • Answer:
    Arrow heads are not supported.

    The rectangle will be imported by improving the mapping of thick DXF polylines in the corresponding section of the DXF standard with ThickPolylineMapping/CreateAreaFill and
    ThickPolylineMapping/MinThicknessForAreaFill.
    When the width of the polyline is not null:

    • CreateAreaFill=yes authorizes the area fill creation. In this case, if width is greater than the value of MinThicknessForAreaFill, an area fill that represents the exact geometry of the thick polyline is created.
    • CreateAreaFill=No, or if width is lower than the value of MinThicknessForAreaFill, the lines and arcs are created with a line thickness mapped from the polyline width.

    The value taken for the width is the greater one of startWidth or endWidth for each segment of the polyline.
    The standard values of the parameters above will avoid the missing rectangle.
    The report file indicates how the thick polylines are mapped.
Limitations:
  • When an area fill is created, the linetype of the polyline is not taken into account. This applies only when the width is greater than the value of MinThicknessForAreaFill given in the DXF standard.
  • When no area fill is created, in the case of polyline with constant width, arcs or lines will be created for each segment, but no CATIA polyline.
 
  • Question:
    The entities visible are not those expected:
  • Answer:
    • All DXF/DWG invisible layers are gathered in a V5 filter named Invisible Imported Layers.
    • All DXF/DWG visible layers are gathered in a V5 filter named Visible Imported Layers.

    If the expected entities are not visible, activate the Visible Imported Layers filter, or if too many entities are visible, activate the Invisible Imported Layers filter. 

 

Export

 
  • Question:
    In export/import loops, coordinates of points have changed.
  • Answer:
    The export does not yet support views. The geometry of each view is transferred as seen in the input sheet axis system. In this case, the coordinates that were seen in the view axis system are not kept: we get coordinates in the sheet axis system.
 
  • Question:
    I export a view with a scale 2:1, with geometry in it. The result is not a view with a scale 2:1 but geometry twice as big as the input geometry.
  • Answer:
    The export does not yet support views. The geometry of each view is transferred as seen in the input sheet axis system. In this case, the scale of the view has been applied to the geometry.
 
  • Question:
    How are associative dimensions dealt with?
  • Answer:
    They are not supported.