If you are a subscriber of Visio Plan 2, you can import a .dwg or .dxf file from AutoCAD versions 2007 through 2017. If you are not a subscriber, make sure to save the file as an AutoCAD 2007 .dwg or .dxf file before importing.
If the Visio page scale is what you want, and you want the AutoCAD file to fit, then click Custom Scale. Change the scale of the AutoCAD drawing to accommodate the page. If you are unsure of what the result will look like, click Apply before clicking OK. Doing that will update the preview image before importing the file.
If necessary, click the Layer tab and change the properties of the layers. Then click OK to insert the drawing. You can always unlock the drawing and change AutoCAD layer properties later if you want.
I have a block, with all my standard scales that I use in it (imperial scales, site and architectural), and all my setting and layers, and insert it into a drawing when I want the layers, or scales (or linetypes, or dim types, or mleaders... everything). If I purge a drawing (though that doesn't purge scales for some reason), I reinsert that block to get what I else need. It works well- for everything but viewport scales.
That method seems to import some of them- but it doesn't import all my viewport scales from that block. And I am constantly spending time having to recreate them in a drawing when they don't import. Pain in the neck.
One can set, under tools/options, "default scales", but I can't see that that has any impact in what scales are available. I don't even know what that setting is for. You can enter everything in- but it doesn't seem to change anything at all. Seems like I should be able to enter in the scales I use somewhere, and they should be readily available in every drawing, all the time. Not the case.
So- I know this must be a basic question, but I am stumped, and tired of trying to figure this out. Say I am working in a site plan drawing. Say it doesn't have the viewport scales I want. Say it doesn't have 1/8" = 1'-0". But I need it. I could easily create it (which is my usual m.o.), but how do I ALWAYS have it available or be able to import it quickly? Importing a block with that scale in it I thought USED to work great, now it doesn't (or I am imagining that it ever did). It feels like a setting is off- or unit settings between DWG files are different so only some scales get transported (though I've checked, settings seem to be the same). I don't know.
Thanks for the input Pendean- I think I figure it out. I did not understand the function of the tools/options/default scale list, or how it could be applied to a drawing if the drawing did not have those scales. Or how to import scales from other drawings that had them (which I've learned I no longer need to do).
What I figured out this morning was to that to apply this list to a drawing that did not have them, was to select a viewport on any tab in that drawing, right click on the scale list on the lower right, select custom (like I was going to make a new custom layer), and then select reset. Then chose Imperial scales (what I use), and that action inserts my default list into the drawing. It doesn't wipe out any that are being used, but it adds all the default ones, and erases erratic ones. Its exactly what I was looking for.
None of that is in Autocad Help, as far as I can see. And- I will discontinue the practice of trying to insert them with a block (which usually worked great, but something about this drawing made it stumble).
In regards to using a block to manage things like layer names, dim styles, leader styles, and text styles- I appreciate your critique of my methods. Yes, I totally "purge all" often and have for years. I have never experienced a downside to that practice that I know of , and find it keeps my drawings cleaner and less prone to problems, and most of all it allows me a much better handle on layer management and keeping layer names up to date in multiple projects. That's a big deal for me, as I am constantly work to improve my layer naming and use it extenstively to manage complex drawings. I start with many, and as the project commences, thin that down. At then end of a project, unused layer names are completely weeded out. If I need a few back, I just reinsert the block. Easy as pie, no issues or collisions.
Yes, I start all drawings with what I hope are well designed templates. However, layers in particular need constant updating as I revise how I do drawings, or make new types, or working on older projects or as I integrate other consultants layers. I can't be bothered with going into all those templates to constantly update dimension scales, layers, and text styles. So- I have a block for introducing those items, what I hope is a well designed one and one I've used for ten years at least (always improving it), and it works great. I have never seen or experienced a downside- I'm not quite sure why you'd consider it bad practice, but understand you have more expertise than I.
Thanks Paul- and I'll check out the LISP routine as well (I'm dusting off all my old LISP routines from the old days when I had full Autocad, glad its been added to LT for sure! Just used the trusty old FLATTEN routine to convert a sketchup drawing to a 2D DWG)
I believe this is a bug but I've been wrong before. So my understanding of how this should works is when you import page setup it should pull in Device name, Plotter, Plot Size, etc from a dwg or dwt file to overwrite (or add-to) the existing layout page(s). The problem I've encountered is the Import Page Setups are coming up blank (dwg or dwt) even though they show values in the source files....see pics below.
I've found a workaround by right clicking Layout Tab and selecting From Template. This allows me to add the source file as a new tab then I can use that layout setting to override the existing by the Set Current option...then I delete the source file tab. I really don't want to go through all these extra steps when there is a standard feature so I'm grateful for your help
EDIT: I forgot to answer your question "..nowhere it mentioned that youhave to create a new page setup in order for import to work...", when in PAGESETUP hover over the buttons that you see to find out what they do
hello, none of this helps me and i dont understand how this worked for you. I created a layout in which i saved in a previous drawing. When i go to page set up in new drawing i can see the DWT file and select it but nothing appears, same imagine as the one on the right from the original thread.
I am having trouble importing a DWG block (from AutoCAD 2018) into sketchup pro 2018. I have read prior posts and seen that saving the AC drawing in an earlier format (2013), and exporting the block again, should help solve this. However, this has not worked.
So numb nuts over here (me) has worked it out. I have to open the exported block and save as earlier version. Thanks for the help anyway guys. It is a bit of a schlep, mind. Hopefully Trimble will make Sketchup more compatible with AC 2018 soon!
You may encounter a situation where you want to export a layout view as a model space drawing. You can do so by following these steps: At the bottom of the drawing area, click the Layout tab of the layout you want to export. Right-click the tab, and...
I have the same problem, but from Fusion360 and also from Vectric VCarve Desktop. When I export from Vacarve to DXF or SVG and import it to Lightburn it is a facto 1000 which it is bigger. I have stopped exporting to DXF and SVG and use AI instead, that works. It started with the last update of Lightburn.
I've had to import an Autocad Civil 3d file for the first time. I managed to get most of it imported successfully, but none of the topo lines are showing elevations in the Object Info palette. I see the elevations when I open the file in Autocad LT.
Then, you can build a site model from the data if desired. If you do that, you'll want to crop the site model to the Tee shape so Vectorworks doesn't fill in the gaps with fake data. Overall, the .dwg file you shared was set up nicely and works well.
@jeff prince Thanks, this worked great for the topo! Unfortunately all of the roads, buildings, etc are on the zero elevation now. Please let me know if there's an easy fix -- if not I may need to work on this in ACAD (meh).
This plug-in no doubt can import sketchup model to CAD. But when the model is called in into the CAD software, the model scale is messed-up. So basically you can't do anything on the model except you have to re-draw again. But, I found in the sketchup software, you can actually to EXPORT the sketchup model into CAD model and the scale is still same from the original model.
I imported a 2021 Sketchup into AutoCAD 2023 and it works fine, no issues. It imports and turnes it into a block. I wish it would list all the blocks its importing, give us the option to choose which blocks to bring in, and also give us the option to smoothen meshes of some of selected blocks.
There are several possible issues.1. SKP file version is beyond 2014-2019. (You can save the SKP file to a version supported by the app)2. SKP file path contains non-English characters. (You can update the path to contain English only characters)3. Some other issues...
Are you sure the dwg is drawn around 0,0? Isn't there a relative or temporary UCS that makes it look centered whereas it's not? It dosen'r make sense; I've done that for years with no issues at all since Acad 2004.
1. Just type UCS and hit enter twice. That should get you back to the real world UCS. Then you can draw a line and type in 0,0. That end of the line is the origin. How does it relate to your drawing? Make sure all layers are on. Select all (ctrl-A). Move. Pick a nice point in your drawing (the corner, the center, that lamp post...) type 0,0; that point will move to 0,0.
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