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I'm trying to get my application to output a DXF file, for ACAD to import, but it's not happening.
I've got some code which exports the file from my application, and the file is fine when opened in various DXF/DWG viewers - obviously ACAD is a bit more picky.
My test output file (just a rectangle) is very sparse - it only has TABLES and ENTITIES sections. But according to the notes the code was created from, that shouldn't matter, missing stuff will just get defaulted. I suspect the file might be a bit too sparse for AutoCAD's liking.
Anybody know much about this? Or can point me in the direction of a good online resource. I already have the AutoCAD2008 DXF file format doc, but it doesn't tell me which bits I need and which I can do without.
Any assistance gratefully received.
James
could you not save the file as an earlier autocad dxf format? none of the programs I use the 2008 version for export.
James where are you taking the file from?
Second what leggyblonde said. Older dxf formats seem a lot more universal. Go for as old as you can, they are usually simpler, too.
Thanks for the responses (thought this might be a bit niche even for here)
The DXF is generated from my own code, so unfortunately it's not as simple as choosing a different dxf format. I need to know what I need to write out to the file such that AutoCAD will understand it.
I'll happily export it as any dxf format that'll work 😀
(2008 is the only format definition I've been able to scrounge from t'internet)
Because I'm creating the file myself, I'm not generating all the extra guff that a proper AutoCAD dxf contains. AutoCAD should use default values for any settings not specified in my file. But I think there must be some of that guff that I do need, that other DXF viewers aren't fussed about...
When I did this I drew a line (making a note of the vertices so that I could recognise them in a text file), exported it as a dxf file then wrote the program to recreate this file with the new vertices. Then I repeated the process for circles, text etc until I had a library of routines.
Autocad being prissy, whatever next Catia accused of being expensive..