File Conversion

[Ragley]

Hello to all.

 

First post, and lets hope that someone can please help!

 

I use AutoCad 2010 64bit for Win 7, but I've just undertaken a design project for a company that are still using AutoCad R13.

 

2010 doesn't appear to be able to save down in R13 DWG format, however, it can save in R12 DXF format.

 

When I save down and open the R12 DXF file in 2010, or the customer opens it in R13, the drawing text is complete giberish, and a large number of lines are displaced.

 

Is there a way of performing this task that will give me good results.

 

Regards

Ragley

[David Bethel]

I do it on a regular basis and it is a very painful, taxing and seldom fully successful operation. DWG Convert also leaves a lot to be desired when it come backwards compatibility. Text conversions and invalid symbol names are my biggest headaches. I couldn't tell you how many lockups and crashes I go through with some of my customer's files. Sorry. -David

[ReMark]

Maybe it is due to the use of multiline text? Did R12 have that feature? Or maybe it's due to the use of TrueType fonts?

[David Bethel]

Mark,

 

I find it more to do with true type fonts and font substitutes. Even if you just go back to 2000, the issues pop up. MTEXT converts to regular TEXT fairly well and has for many years.

 

Invalid font names can also be a problem. -David

[fuccaro]

Years ago I used Dwg gateway, by Solidworks (I think). It claims that it can open/save dwg files from/to any autocad version. But I must admit that I never tried to save in R13 format.

[David Bethel]

Years ago I used Dwg gateway, by Solidworks (I think). It claims that it can open/save dwg files from/to any autocad version. But I must admit that I never tried to save in R13 format.

 

Like most others, DWG Gateway stopped development of their converter once AutoDesk started giving away DWGConvert. So for 2008-2007 and lower there are several converters. For 2010-2009 I've not found any alternatives. I hope someone does find one. -David