AutoCAD - DWG to DXF

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DWG to DXF

Printed From: CAD Forum
Category: EN
Forum Name: AutoCAD
Forum Description: Discussion about AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, viewers, DWG and DWF formats, Design Review, AutoCAD 360, add-ons
URL: https://www.cadforum.cz/forum_en/forum_posts.asp?TID=9032
Printed Date: 18.May.2026 at 19:20

Topic: DWG to DXF

Posted By: kenjg
Subject: DWG to DXF
Date Posted: 08.Mar.2013 at 05:28

Hello All,

I was giving the task of converting DWG files to DXF. Here's what I have quesiton on.

1. The DWG file was created with certain formats such as text, arrow, lines types as well as the drawing being in a diff scale, ex: 2:1. Later changed to 1:1 for the DXF file.

2. When I convert the file, which was straight forward, no I lost all my settings as describes above. For ex: I have some dims with tolerances, but now gone.

3. I think I might know the answer but I'm going to ask anyways. Is there an EASY way of changing the DWG to DXF without losing any formats?

I'm sure more info is needed, please ask.

Thanks

KenJG

Replies:

Posted By: John Connor
Date Posted: 08.Mar.2013 at 15:06

Easy way? There's AutoDesk's way and then there is.........nothing else. AutoDesk created the DXF file format and everyone adopted it.

Who are you exchanging drawings with and what program are they using that you are required to save to the DXF file format?

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"Humans have a strength that cannot be measured. This is John Connor. If you are reading this, you are the resistance."

<<AutoCAD 2015>>

Posted By: kenjg
Date Posted: 08.Mar.2013 at 15:22

Hello John,

I need to convert my DWG to DXF files for the machinist who requires these to be in the DXF format. I'm not familiar with what programs they use. My main issue as stated before is that when I re-size the drawing back to 1:1 scale and update the size of text, arrows, lines etc. I lose some dimension settings. I then need to add back in some formatting of these which basically means I'm re-dimensioning the drawing again.

What I would like to do is when I resise the drawing ALL the data remains the same.

For ex: I have a dim with plus or minus dim, but when I update the dimension with the correct text size I lose those dims.

Thanks & Regards

KenJG

Posted By: heinsite
Date Posted: 09.Mar.2013 at 12:13

Ken, wait... what? You're drawing isn't full scale to start with? Not 1:1?! That's a no-no if so. It might also be your problem. Everything should always be drawn as if it's real size... even if you're dimensioning something out to the moon; it should be real scale... 238,900 miles (384,400 km).

When you change the drawing scale in Model space you're not affecting the size of the drawing linework at all. Real units are still in play. What's really happening is that the scale is there for Annotative scaling of annotative objects such as text notes or dimensions. You can provide dimensions, notes, and other object in model space at 1:1 if you want (and if the machinist wants), but they will be large objects quite possibly. But you can also put dimensions, notes, etc in at other scales for yourself for your own uses. If you don't want the machinist to see them you can use a variety of tricks to do that.

If we're still missing the point, post a couple sample files showing what you're doing and what's happening. I have a feeling the solution may be simple but we're missing a couple pieces of key info.

Dave.

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Dave Hein, P.E.
Hawaii District Engineer
Kona International Airport
AutoCAD Certified Professional
Autodesk Expert Elite

Posted By: kenjg
Date Posted: 10.Mar.2013 at 17:06

Hello Dave,

Thank you very much for the info. First of all, I just started ACAD drawings just about 6 months ago. Previously I just used to edit drawings here and there, very simple stuff. Now I'm taking full responsibility of doing them myself which is not easy , but not to hard either.

I first did the drawings at 1:1 scaling. Since some of the parts are small I re-sized them for printing purposes as well as for the machinist. We recently switch to a new machinist and he requires them 1:1 and in DXF format. The DWG to DXF was no problem but the dims -(lines, arrows, tolerances etc.) seem to reset themselves when I do an update to also reduce to the size to match the 1:1 scale drawing. I know I can change ALL the dim settings manually. So my big questions how can I do this when I re-size the drawing.

I have attached a screenshot of a drawing converted to DXF and not re-sized and the other re-sized 1:1

Hope this helps.

uploads/314221/Downloads.rar" rel="nofollow - uploads/314221/Downloads.rar

Best Regards

KenJG

Posted By: heinsite
Date Posted: 10.Mar.2013 at 22:39

Hi, Ken!

You might be over thinking this. I wouldn't accuse you of anything like that if I wasn't guilty of it myself sometimes. But here's the thing: I don't think you need to worry about the model space scales when sending the DXF file to your machinist. The 1:1 and 1:10 (which is what I used for dimensioning the drawing) don't make a difference - don't change the model - if you've drawn everything full scale. The scales are just there to make annotation easy.

I used a DIMSTYLE modified from one of my typical ones and did dimensioning with the model scale set to 1:10. From what I can see this will print this full part quite easily on ANSI A paper (or larger).

I redrew the part and dimensioned it to match your tolerance settings. No critique from me on that because I'm not familiar with machine work ... but I duplicated what you did as best I could. I mapped each dimension object to both 1:1 and 1:10 scales. What you'll see in the attachment is probably what bothered you too... things look "good" at 1:10 but really small and useless at 1:1. But the real dimensions of the DXF model (check them with MEASUREGEOM) don't change regardless of the scale setting. This is the important part. Without knowing what your machinist is doing or what software he's using at least this tells you the part should be the right size.

Let us know if that last assumption is incorrect.

Dave.

uploads/35918/machinist.zip" rel="nofollow - uploads/35918/machinist.zip

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Dave Hein, P.E.
Hawaii District Engineer
Kona International Airport
AutoCAD Certified Professional
Autodesk Expert Elite

Posted By: kenjg
Date Posted: 12.Mar.2013 at 16:45

Hello Dave,

I will look more into this issue and let you know how/what etc things come out. Thanks a million for your reply and advice. Take care and see you soon with more "Q's".

KenJG

AutoCad 2009

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