Free DWG converter anyone?

[Methuselah]

Anyone know of a free dwg converter thats external (not a plugin) and can convert intelligent entities (like the ones found in version 2000 and up) to blocks or simple lines and circles? The dwg's need to be in R12 or
R13 format if possible.

I really need your help on this one, as there are many issues when opening old R12 dxf's in 2006 LT and resaving them as the R12 dxf. Its a real headache as we need the files in R12 so our viewer can read them. We are buying seats of AutoView towards the beginning of next year, but that doesn't do anything for us right now.

Thanks
Methuselah

P.S. One more thing, when we save Solidworks drawings as dwg with GD&T symbols in them the GD&T symbols dissapear when we save as a pre-2000 version of AutoCAD. I know the GD&T symbol is highly intelligent, but why doesn't AutoCAD convert it to just lines and text?

[f700es]

A9 Tech has a free dwg converter. Not sure that it will do what you want but it is free and a small program so worth a shot. Good luck .


http://www.a9tech.com/products/a9converter/

[Methuselah]

Wow thanks f7... :D

btw.. nice avatar... lol tones your posts down a bit :P

EDIT: I imagine it was written far after 1995... as even though it can convert to ancient pre-1995 versions, our viewer won't read the files. It creates a general protection fault. I was planning on installing Visual Basic .NET and checking out its executable. We'll just have to see what happens.... 8)

[f700es]

Wow thanks f7... :D

btw.. nice avatar... lol tones your posts down a bit :P

Thanks. That is an image from a Canadian goth band. They have a very cool flash based website. Their music is a little off for me but a nice site non the less.

http://www.nothingandnowhere.com/index2.php

The other avatar had run it course ;)

[B-Monty]

DWG Gateway has worked for me

[Methuselah]

DWG Gateway isn't compatible with LT.

Oh, and that website has got to be one of the coolest I've ever seen. They really did an excellent job, especially with the image galleries...

althought your avatar reminds me of ET, lol :roll:

[rkmcswain]

Anyone know of a free dwg converter thats external (not a plugin) and can convert intelligent entities (like the ones found in version 2000 and up) to blocks or simple lines and circles? The dwg's need to be in R12 or
R13 format if possible.

See http://autodesk.blogs.com/between_the_lines/2005/07/standalone_batc.html and http://rkmcswain.blogspot.com/2005/06/dwg-file-viewers-utilities.html

[Methuselah]

Thanks man, I signed up for the beta testing... Maybe now I can get AutoCAD to put in those special commands I've always wanted... :D