topic DWG -> PLN -> DWG in Collaboration with other software

DWG -> PLN -> DWG

Anonymous — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:20:34 GMT

One of our clients requests we use their own border and label/stamp (DWG file) which is linked to their archiving system in AutoCAD. The border and label is made up of blocks which are links to this system.

My problem is how do I export drawings created in ArchiCAD, together with the border and label as a DWG file without the border or label losing its block feature?

We currently save drawings as DWG files, open them one by one in AutoCAD and import the border and label and edit the label in AutoCAD. It’s a timewaster and rather annoying, but I haven’t been able to find a solution.

Any suggestions?

Sujey

Re: DWG -> PLN -> DWG

Eduardo Rolon — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:46:20 GMT

Link as a xref in the Master Layout? The label is placed in the individual layouts. If done correctly when you publish from AC everyting should come out +/- ok.

Re: DWG -> PLN -> DWG

Anonymous — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:44:32 GMT

Thanks for the tips.

I've attempted to attach an Xref in the master layout window, but the option isn't available.

Is it even possible to attach XREFS in the master layout? ifso, how?

Sujey

Re: DWG -> PLN -> DWG

Eduardo Rolon — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 12:55:32 GMT

Attach the Xref to a Worksheet
Place the Worksheet in the Master Layout

Re: DWG -> PLN -> DWG

Djordje — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 17:21:20 GMT

Is their title block in Model or Paper space?

If Paper space, just open it - it will create its own Master.

Re: DWG -> PLN -> DWG

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 06:57:33 GMT

It must be paper space since opening the file creates masters in the layout section. Does this mean I can publish the layouts as DWG without disturbing the blocks?

Re: DWG -> PLN -> DWG

Eduardo Rolon — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 11:05:40 GMT

Try it, see what happens, report success if everything works.

Re: DWG -> PLN -> DWG

Anonymous — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:24:07 GMT

SUCCESS!

..after a bit of tweaking of the translator.

Opened dwg file directly in Archicad
They appeared in the layout book
Published layout as dwg
result: dwg remains 'undisturbed'

Re: DWG -> PLN -> DWG

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 05:33:37 GMT

I thought I would bump this thread instead of starting a new one as we are dealing with a very similar situation — the client has provided our office with their standard title block which is saved as an attributed DWG block. We are under stern instruction not to explode this title block under any circumstances.

I've learned that you can import DWG blocks as GDL Library Parts and then export those Library Parts back into AutoCAD as blocks again by using the DWG Translator. I'm assuming that's what Sujey has done here. My problem is that I can't seem to make this loop without ArchiCAD perverting the appearance of the original title block!

The main issue here is the fonts. You choose a DWG Translator to import your blocks with, or to place as an external drawing, or to attach as an Xref. Although I've been able to set up a Font-style conversion table to successfully translate other text, it seems that text imported from DWG blocks is completely insensitive to any sort of table definition. If ArchiCAD can't find a font by the same name in your font library the translator automatically defaults to the 'Replace Missing Fonts with:' font. Since the client's title block is composed of at least three different fonts which are not in the list, I can't help but taint the whole thing just by opening it.

What I want to know is if there is a way to import or link a block to the layout by any means, and have it come out looking the same on the other end. If possible, by circumnavigating any in-between DWG translation. I had minor results by placing an Xref in a worksheet and then creating a source view from each layout sheet. Font styles came in correctly, even though the position was slightly off. And technically, it's not a block anymore, it's an Xref. And the title block is showing up in model space with the rest of the plans. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Re: DWG -> PLN -> DWG

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 06:44:39 GMT

dirty wrote:
...And technically, it's not a block anymore, it's an Xref. And the title block is showing up in model space with the rest of the plans. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

Since the problem is the embedded fonts you will have a problem retaining the original block (as you've discovered) but you might be able to fake it by creating a 2D library part. Use the block (exploded) or the xREF as the source for the lines and text and then copy/paste into the symbol window of the part. While this is breaking the strict instructions it should allow you to export the title block as an AutoCAD block so the recipient should be none the wiser as long as you are careful to check the result against the source.

Re: DWG -> PLN -> DWG

Anonymous — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 20:28:28 GMT

Matthew wrote:
dirty wrote:
...And technically, it's not a block anymore, it's an Xref. And the title block is showing up in model space with the rest of the plans. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
Since the problem is the embedded fonts you will have a problem retaining the original block (as you've discovered) but you might be able to fake it by creating a 2D library part. Use the block (exploded) or the xREF as the source for the lines and text and then copy/paste into the symbol window of the part. While this is breaking the strict instructions it should allow you to export the title block as an AutoCAD block so the recipient should be none the wiser as long as you are careful to check the result against the source.

Thanks for the reply. I was kind of hoping there would be a more seamless built-in solution that wouldn't depend on my visual guesswork to make the appearances match. The unfortunate part of font substitutions during translation is that the relationship of the text lettering to the text box handles or grips varies from font to font. I may be able to switch up the 'Replace Missing Fonts with:' font on import to tell me in reverse how the location of a specific AutoCAD font relates to its given ArchiCAD replacement on a one-to-one basis. I'll play around some more with this today.

A separate issue is that the client requests all blocks to be stored on the 0 layer with their sub-components being stored on their respective individual layers. I don't know how to fake that kind of layer structuring by using ArchiCAD Library Parts alone.

Re: DWG -> PLN -> DWG

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 01:59:15 GMT

Well, I sort of gave up after I realized the polylines in the border had individual line thicknesses assigned to them and there was no way I was going to be able to fake this in a convincing way. I took a tip from another thread here and downloaded a free DWG editing program: Dassault Draft Sight (Mac friendly!). I was able to open my ArchiCAD output and attach the title block block without hurting it! It's got all the correct layering, line thicknesses, fonts, and even attribute editing so I can manually change the attributed text fields. I think I still might try to make a GDL-object/block out of these because I don't really feel like manually typing in a title for each layout sheet. That's what autotext is for.

Re: DWG -> PLN -> DWG

Anonymous — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 04:41:37 GMT

Yes, I think you've been given an impossible spec which makes some sense within the context of AutoCAD but creates more problems than it solves outside that walled garden. FWIW I don't think Revit can do any better with this. I think your best solution is just to make sure that your title blocks match theirs exactly but using ArchiCAD native methods.

The only alternative would be to export the layouts as DWG from ArchiCAD and xRef them into AutoCAD paperspace with their precious block in place and charge extra for the trouble.