AutoCAD system formats: DXF, DXB, DWG

 

When exporting 2D drawing into one of the AutoCAD system format (DXF, DXB or DWG) specify the following parameters:

AutoCAD version;

Convert Lines to, Convert hatches to. These parameters determine into which AutoCAD system elements T-FLEX CAD lines and hatches will be converted;

Convert dimensions to. For T-FLEX CAD dimensions, one can select one of the following export options:

Dimensions. In this way of converting dimensions, T-FLEX CAD dimension parameters  are  translated  into  AutoCAD dimension   parameters.  This   may   suffer some loss of dimension text data that is not supported by AutoCAD (for example, tolerances containing letters in their notation). Converting some dimensions not supported by AutoCAD could also create additional strokes, notations and text unrelated to the AutoCAD dimension, used for accurate representation of the respective T-FLEX CAD dimension. For example, this is possible when exporting certain dimensions with the text put on a bent leader or on a leader extension.

Dimensions and Text. Selecting this option also makes AutoCAD dimensions (sometimes, with additional lines). However, the textual fields of the resulting dimensions get hidden by AutoCAD. Instead, those get objects of the type "Text" inserted that appear as T-FLEX CAD dimensions yet are not related to the AutoCAD dimension.

Lines and Text. In this case, AutoCAD dimensions are not created in the conversion. The T-FLEX CAD dimension images are translated as lines and text.

Text Conversion. This is the group of parameters defining the method of exporting text:

Convert Text. This parameter defines the method of converting elements of the type "String text": to text or to line strokes in AutoCAD;

Convert Multitext. This parameter defines the method of converting "Multiline text", "Paragraph text" and "Table" text types. Three options are available in the combo box:

To Multitext. T-FLEX CAD text of the specified types is converted to AutoCAD multi-text (mtext). Subscripts, superscripts, GD&T symbols which are part of T-FLEX CAD text content, are not translated to AutoCAD. The contents of T-FLEX CAD tables is written in one column. The fractions contained in T-FLEX CAD text are converted correctly only upon the condition that those do not use nested fractions;

To Text and Lines. T-FLEX CAD text is exported to ordinary AutoCAD text and lines;

Select. During the conversion, T-FLEX CAD text is checked for presence of tables, fractions, subscripts, superscript, GD&T symbols, roughnesses, etc. If any of those entities is found, then the text is exported into ordinary AutoCAD text and lines. Otherwise, the text is converted to AutoCAD multi-text.

Code Page. This parameter allows selecting the desired text encoding. The default encoding corresponds to the language used in T-FLEX CAD. When exporting a file that contains characters of a language other than that used in T-FLEX CAD, you may need to change encoding.

Convert splines into. Parameter that controls the transfer of graphic lines-splines from GRB file to the AutoCad file:

Polylines. Spline is created as a polyline with division into segments.

Polylines with interpolation by arcs. Segments of the spline are replaced by arcs where it is possible.

Tolerance. This parameter specifies allowable offset of the location of polyline points from the original spline.

Images. Images are exported without additional options.

Export only to the space of the model. When this parameter is enabled, the export is carried out to the tab “Model”, but the pages are not created in the file (layouts).

If the drawing being exported uses SHX fonts missing in AutoCAD, you can add those to AutoCAD by copying those fonts into its working directory.

Do not create blocks for pages. The drawing will be exported without blocks creation.

The earlier versions of T-FLEX CAD (8.0 and prior), a different export/import mechanism was used for exchanging data with the AutoCAD formats. The old mechanism did not support AutoCAD 2004/2005 files format and the binary *.DXB format. When exporting a T-FLEX CAD drawing into AutoCAD, one could not select specific pages of a drawing that needed to be exported. Besides, the conversion method of T-FLEX CAD elements into AutoCAD elements that was used in the old mechanism might not always deliver correct translation of all drawing elements. Nevertheless, the old data exchange mechanism had its own advantages. For example, it supported selection of the operating system for exporting (for data exchange with old AutoCAD versions), as well as a text conversion method.

To use the old mechanism of data exchange with AutoCAD format for exporting, you would need to check an additional flag Use Version 8 Algorithm. This mechanism can be used only in the 32-bit version of T-FLEX CAD. Activating the flag enables the parameters of the old mechanism and blocks the parameters inherent solely to the new mechanism T-FLEX CAD. Described below are the parameters pertaining solely to the old export mechanism:

Convert Dimensions to. T-FLEX CAD dimensions conversion into AutoCAD elements in the old mechanism differs from the mechanism of the version 10. The following options are available:

Dimensions. When exporting a dimension, an AutoCAD block is created in which all strokes and text are added that were related to the dimension. This block "links" to the AutoCAD dimension. A shortcoming of such approach is the fact that the dimension appearance may change significantly when regenerating in AutoCAD.

Lines and Text. In this method, no AutoCAD dimensions are created; instead, all T-FLEX CAD dimension data translates into lines and text.

Text Conversion\Convert Text. This parameter determines into what AutoCAD system elements the T-FLEX CAD text will be converted:

To Text. The original drawing text will be translated into AutoCAD text. The "Code Page" parameter allows selecting the desired text encoding;

To Lines. The original T-FLEX CAD text are converted into a set of line strokes.

Operating System. This parameter allows selecting the type of an operating system: DOS or Windows. Default is Windows; however, if the file is being exported into an older AutoCAD version running DOS, you should change the radio group setting.

When using the old data exchange mechanism, you cannot select an AutoCAD version higher than 2000.