CAD-WMF-XaraX

[Katsu]

The objects imported from WMF file (exported from AutoCad) into XaraX
are originally separated line segments which cannot be filled in colors.
Happened finding a way to fill the color as;
1) select all the objectes
2) Add shapes>Convert line to shape
3) Break shape
then the parts are now closed objects which you can fill the color.
attached file shows further how I filled the color.

I'm not sure if someone already introduced this but sending herewith for
those who are interested.
Katsu

[Katsu]

The objects imported from WMF file (exported from AutoCad) into XaraX
are originally separated line segments which cannot be filled in colors.
Happened finding a way to fill the color as;
1) select all the objectes
2) Add shapes>Convert line to shape
3) Break shape
then the parts are now closed objects which you can fill the color.
attached file shows further how I filled the color.

I'm not sure if someone already introduced this but sending herewith for
those who are interested.
Katsu

[jens g.r. benthien]

yup, this is one way to do it. If your CAD software offers *.ai export, you will have closed lines on import into Xara X.

Another alternative is to set up a PostScript Printer, print the document to a file (*.ps or *.eps format), open this file with Ghostscript and GSview and convert it to *.ai vector format. Though the *.wmf format is great to interchange CAD files, it lacks some features of some CAD applications: some arcs will not be imported, generating many error messages.

The reason for your tiny line segments: your CAD application doesn't use NURBS for export, just lines like the AutoCAD 12, 13, 14, 2000 format. Even an arc or circle will be fragmented into short lines...<sigh>.

jens g.r. benthien
designer
http://www.sacalobra.de

----------//--
If you don't know how to dream you'll never be a designer.
----------//--

[gwpriester]

There are a lot of AutoCadd users out there and this is very useful advice indeed.

Gary

Gary Priester

Moderator Person


<a href="http://www.gwpriester.com">
www.gwpriester.com </a>


<a href="http://www.xaraxone.com">
The Xara Xone </a>

[molucca]

AutoSketch solid fills import into Xara X as objects. You will get the associated line drawing as well. Rich

[alan e.]

CADpro drafting software exports to .wmf and it's not expensive software (30$) but there's no demo for download :-(
But it has xarax like interface...

http://cadprosoftware.com/index.html

[Katsu]

Thanks for all the responses.

I do not use CAD application but sometime need to use the data shown in documents.
Coloring the certain parts will be needed to show the importance. The data is mainly
created by AutoCad.

Dear Rich, I'm very interested if AutoSketch does work so. Please explain what format
exported from AutoSketch to be imported into Xara X? I owned AutoSketch Release 2.1
which was very long time ago and cannot work with my current PC. However if latest
version work more easier for my purpose, then I will try it again.

Katsu

[molucca]

I use version 7. There is a later version. I export to WMF. Clipboard transfers don't work very well. You don't get the scaling correct, but WMF works fine. You get the solid fills as objects, and the lines used to define the fills. Basically, you point to a closed area to get the fill. It does read some of the ACAD formats although some thing are not editable. I have used lots of those drawings in Xara X. Rich

[Katsu]

Dear Rich, thanks. I will try but seems AutoSketch is not available here in Japan. Visted AutoDesk web site but not sure if they can accept orders outside of USA.
Regards. Katsu

[jens g.r. benthien]

I think if AutoCAD can do some business they will ship their products to ANY country.

BTW, you might try QCAD. As far as I know it's a Japanese Product, and best of all: it's free. It runs on Linux, Unix, Windows.

http://www.qcad.org/index.php3

jens g.r. benthien
designer
http://www.sacalobra.de

----------//--
If you don't know how to dream you'll never be a designer.
----------//--