Autocad DXFIN problem/solution
07-06-2004, 09:33 AM
#1
Autocad DXFIN problem/solution
Autocad DXFIN problem/solution
I get asked a few Autocad related questions off camera here, and came upon a solution to one which bothered me for several weeks. Herewith is the results.
Every so often at the request of a customer, there is a need to set in a glow engine into the three views of some plans for a model aircraft. The vendor you receive the DXF file for that glow engine from may have done it on CheapCAD, ScrewyCAD or Non-Compatible with everyone else CAD. If the vendor inserted a host of drawing attributes using a different version it also happens. Your CAD system brings in the DXF file just fine, but once you exit the drawing editor and come back, it then the engine looks poor. Lines for it are suddenly gone, and a host of other things. The "why" for this was brought up at the Autodesk forum recently, and the standard responces came forth, except for one fellow. Much too tedious to explain why the predictable things happen here, but he broke with the routine and now what you see if what you can use too. This may work in a few other CAD systems also to resolve the drawing errors, but
Try this manner:
Start your AutoCAD drawing session:
Create a whole new drawing (like TEMP or TEMPO) with nothing on it.
Type in the standard DXFIN and call up the problem file (like ENGINE.DXF) wherever it may lie. Do not zoom or otherwise fiddle with it, as we do not want to introduce further conflicting attributes.
Type in: SAVEAS, then save it as the file TEMP, ENGINE or TEMPO in the file format you are normally running. Do not SAVEAS another format or release even if you have that option.
Type in: WBLOCK (otherwise known as being WriteBLOCK out), use a new file name, block name: (none)
ENTER,
Type in: 0,0,0 as base point, then when it asks for select objects
Type in: ALL
Everything should dissapear, which is ok.
Go to and open the file you just created via WBLOCK. Most Windows systems will now permit multiple open drawing files.
Do not save your original new file, but destroy it instead.
Use the newly created.
Much of this routine has to do with drawing orders, selections, creations of lines and text by the original parties, etc. This slightly modified routine will in many instances cure the problem DXF files. Even the staff at Autodesk was giving the older methods, and indicating there to be something wrong with the installation of the Autocad software.
Wm.
I get asked a few Autocad related questions off camera here, and came upon a solution to one which bothered me for several weeks. Herewith is the results.
Every so often at the request of a customer, there is a need to set in a glow engine into the three views of some plans for a model aircraft. The vendor you receive the DXF file for that glow engine from may have done it on CheapCAD, ScrewyCAD or Non-Compatible with everyone else CAD. If the vendor inserted a host of drawing attributes using a different version it also happens. Your CAD system brings in the DXF file just fine, but once you exit the drawing editor and come back, it then the engine looks poor. Lines for it are suddenly gone, and a host of other things. The "why" for this was brought up at the Autodesk forum recently, and the standard responces came forth, except for one fellow. Much too tedious to explain why the predictable things happen here, but he broke with the routine and now what you see if what you can use too. This may work in a few other CAD systems also to resolve the drawing errors, but
Try this manner:
Start your AutoCAD drawing session:
Create a whole new drawing (like TEMP or TEMPO) with nothing on it.
Type in the standard DXFIN and call up the problem file (like ENGINE.DXF) wherever it may lie. Do not zoom or otherwise fiddle with it, as we do not want to introduce further conflicting attributes.
Type in: SAVEAS, then save it as the file TEMP, ENGINE or TEMPO in the file format you are normally running. Do not SAVEAS another format or release even if you have that option.
Type in: WBLOCK (otherwise known as being WriteBLOCK out), use a new file name, block name: (none)
ENTER,
Type in: 0,0,0 as base point, then when it asks for select objects
Type in: ALL
Everything should dissapear, which is ok.
Go to and open the file you just created via WBLOCK. Most Windows systems will now permit multiple open drawing files.
Do not save your original new file, but destroy it instead.
Use the newly created.
Much of this routine has to do with drawing orders, selections, creations of lines and text by the original parties, etc. This slightly modified routine will in many instances cure the problem DXF files. Even the staff at Autodesk was giving the older methods, and indicating there to be something wrong with the installation of the Autocad software.
Wm.
