Including images when exporting fro VW10 to autocad!

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Permalink Reply by B. Clint Alderman on March 17, 2011 at 11:29am

John, I have used AutoCAD. As usual, the answer is "it depends."

I've not tried to do what you are trying to yet, but AutoCAD can import images. Other DWG apps such as Bricscad can also. The "depends" would be what version of AutoCAD and it's ability to use images and if 2D or 3D views are needed. I've only used images in 2D views with AutoCAD and Bricscad.

I hope someone can give you some reliable round-trip advice. Until then, you can download some CAD programs to figure out a workflow. DraftSight is free. It is limited to 2D. Or you can download a 30-day trial of Bricscad, which is very close to AutoCAD in many respects. It's also quite cheap compared to AutoCAD and it has some 3D capabilities.

I'm just learning VW to use on signage projects - so tell us if and when you figure this out.

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Permalink Reply by John Keating on March 18, 2011 at 7:44am

Thanks for the reply, B. Clint!

The AutoCAD version is 2006. Each time they open my exported VW drawings, the image file doesn't open automatically. I believe I'm doing everything correctly at my end so basically what I'm trying to find out is whether the end user needs to play with their settings. I find that a lot (not all) of AutoCad users, working in an exclusive AutoCad only environment, tend to be using the programme the same way for years and are not aware of whats required when thrown a curve ball such as importing files from other programmes and formats.

 

Hopefully, I'll find a solution and if I do, I'll certainly let you know.

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Permalink Reply by B. Clint Alderman on March 18, 2011 at 8:19am

John, yes, most "program problems" are really "user workflow issues". I'm having a few of those today learning VW!

There are numerous ways to accomplish the same goal in AutoCAD. It's common for long-time AC users to have a very limited grasp of AC. They stick to a routine and freak out at any deviation. Without knowing their workflow or experience level, from my POV, there's no way for me to know what the fix is.

Would it work to send the image file(s) separately and let them manage how it's imported into AutoCAD? I suspect AC and VW handle images differently enough for things to be lost in translation.

AutoCAD has a good Image Manager (not sure what they call it in 2006) dialog which controls the link to the actual image files. I'd be curious to know if the image is showing up in the Image Manager, but with a missing link. If that's the case, the fix should be for the AutoCAD user to simply edit the link in the Image Manager and browse to the file location of the image you sent to them. BTW, my AC preference was to have the images in the same folder as the DWG file and use a relative reference rather than an absolute. There's a good chance it would be positioned correctly and to scale.

If the Image Manager does not show any image reference, then the reference was stripped during conversion. But, the AutoCAD user could reinsert the image via the Image Manager. I know that's not ideal. They will need to know the correct layout. You should send them a PDF of your intended design.

One general principal to consider is if they need your drawing for true collaboration, or if they just need to see the information. If they just need to see it, PDF is your trusted friend. I think AC 2006 can import your PDF to their DWG file. If it's collaboration, that's much harder even if you were both using AC due to differences between versions. And even more so with unique office CAD standards.

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