DXF code to make an Ellipse, HELP!

[keberle]

I am a newbie in making DXF files. I have created a simple file to test the file syntax but can't get this simple ellipse file to work. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

0

SECTION

2

ENTITIES

0

ELLIPSE

8

0

10

629.4185943561319

20

564.6465625762273

30

0.0

11

0.0

21

-182.0310286257299

31

0.0

210

0.0

220

0.0

230

1.0

40

0.3696612519921331

41

0.0

42

6.283185307179586

0

ENDSEC

0

EOF

[rocheey]

The format of the file looks .... "early-ish".... like v12 or something.

 

For the heck of it, I tried exporting a v2000 dxf with only the ellipse, and got the acad dictionary references (AcDbEntity/AcDbEllipse). I tried exporting as version 12, and it came back exported as a polyline.

 

In try and avoid, at all costs, having to insert a dictionary section into my own dxf files.- but it looks like its generating a "bad group code" error if you leave the reference out.

[keberle]

Thanks for the information!

 

I generated a simple ellipse in AutoCad and saved as a DXF to look at the code. There were many lines of codes, some appear to be standard or template settings and such.

 

Can you tell me more about the dictionary settings or do you have a sample that gives the bare minimium required for the extra information that needs to be included in the DXF to allow the ellipse to be created?

[keberle]

Just to let you know, the sample code I sent generated by an Excel spreadsheet that I am using to automate some simple drawings. I wanted to have the bare minimum amount of DXF coding to keep the spreadsheet simple.

[ASMI]

Example of minimal DXF list for ellipse:

 

(entmake '((0 . "ELLIPSE")
   (100 . "AcDbEntity")
   (100 . "AcDbEllipse")
   (10 1704.87 780.189 0.0)
   (11 -446.288 319.677 0.0)
   (40 . 0.442176)))

 

Look DXF reference for details.

[keberle]

I copied and pasted your text to run in AutoCad 2008 and the LISP routine ran fine.

 

I then tried to make an equivalent entry in a DXF file as shown below. I get an error message "Undefined group code 10 for object". I don't understand this. The code seems dead-simple and should work but I don't know where the error could be. Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

 

  
0
SECTION
 2
ENTITIES
 0
ELLIPSE
100
AcDbEntity
100
AcDbEllipse
10
5.542505223636108
20
5.117784716298604
30
0.0
11
0.0
21
4.120124803269405
31
0.0
210
0.0
220
0.0
230
1.0
40
0.4307358650946463
41
3.141592653589793
42
6.283185307179586
 0
ENDSEC
 0
EOF

[keberle]

Also many of our users have only AutoCad LT so creating a LISP routine is not a solution. The DXF route seems the only solution so far.

 

Are there any "editors" that help with creating DXF files, other than simple text editors?

[Kevin Brown]

Keberle did you ever get a resolution to this difficulty ? It sounds much the same problem that I have.