Importing, exploding and dimensioning objects

[Proctor]

Hello: I have a .wmf file that I import and then explode.

I dimension the length of the object;

 

After, I delete it and then i do the import of the same file again.

I dimension the length of that same object, but this time it's different.

 

In fact, each time I do this, it's different and I don't know why.

 

How can I make sure that the length comes in the same each time? I'm not sure what i'm doing wrong.

 

thanks,

Proctor

[SLW210]

What are you trying to import (what created the file)? What are your insert units? If you know what the length should be then you scale it.

 

To control the display of solid fills and wide lines in WMF files

1.Click Blocks & References tabImport panelWMF File. At the Command prompt, enter wmfin.

2.In the Import WMF dialog box, click Tools Options.

3.In the WMF In Options dialog box, select or clear Wire Frame (No Fills) and Wide Lines to set the display of solid fills and wide lines. By default, these options are on.

4.Click OK.

5.Import the WMF file in the normal manner.

[SLW210]

Also from Help

 

•WMF In Options Dialog Box

 

Controls whether metafiles maintain relative line widths and whether they are imported as wireframes or solid objects.

[Proctor]

SLW210: Thanks for your help.

 

I tried your suggestions but am still having the issue. I'm trying to import windows metafile files. Here's the exact steps I'm doing:

 

1) From the menu bar I select Insert->External file->Window Metafile->Select File->Open

2) In the command prompt, it asks me the following:

Specify insertion point (I click anywhere in model space)

3) Enter X scale factor (I hit enter)

4) Enter Y scale factor (I hit enter again)

5) Specify rotation angle(I hit enter one last time)

 

After doing this, I rarely can see the file....until I do a zoom extents. I'm not sure why this is.

 

At any rate, I then see the file and explode it. I dimension it.

The next time I do the same steps with the same file and the dimensions are different.

 

I don't understand - shouldn't they always come in the same?

 

Thanks for your help....

Proctor

[SLW210]

What are you trying to import (what created the file)? What are your insert units? If you know what the length should be then you scale it.

 

You still need to answer my questions.

 

I may be wrong, but I am pretty sure wmf does not store the scale factor. I know when you wmfout then wmfin the same object with AutoCAD you have to rescale. This method was used to explode polylines.

[Proctor]

Hello: I'm trying to import a windows metafile file (.wmf) that was created in Illustrator as a .pdf and exported as a .wmf. My insertion units are set to inches.

 

Also, can you please tell me how to rescale by knowing the length? I'd like to try that....

 

Thanks again,

Proctor

[ReMark]

The SCALE command has an option called REFERENCE. From your AutoCAD Help file...

 

"Scaling by reference uses an existing distance as a basis for the new size. Scaling by reference uses an existing distance as a basis for the new size. To scale by reference, specify the current distance and then the new desired size."

[Proctor]

Thank you for showing me how to use Reference when scaling. I was able to use this to make each imported item identical.

 

I'm still confused why it just doesn't import the same....but at least I have a way to make it work now.

 

Thanks again,

Proctor

[SLW210]

The SCALE command has an option called REFERENCE. From your AutoCAD Help file...

 

"Scaling by reference uses an existing distance as a basis for the new size. Scaling by reference uses an existing distance as a basis for the new size. To scale by reference, specify the current distance and then the new desired size."

 

Alternatively, you can resort to math. If a line is supposed to be 2 and you measure it as 1, then you 2/1 or scale x 2, if you need a line of 2 and you measure 3, then 2/3 or scale x 0.666667.

 

I prefer the scale Reference method myself, work with a little while and it will be automatic.

[Proctor]

That's also good to know...thank you for explaining that to me.

 

Proctor

[eldon]

I'm still confused why it just doesn't import the same.

 

Don't be confused, it is the way AutoCAD works. It seems to be a factor of the screen size, so do not rely on a WMF importing to a consistent size.

 

At least the geometry is consistent as a whole.

[Proctor]

Oh...I see. I'm glad you explained that to me. I was thinking maybe it couuld have something to do with the screen size. It's good just to know that it's nothing I'm doing wrong.

 

Thanks!

Proctor