AutoCAD DWG font translation

Question

When I open a PowerCADD drawing, saved as DWG^?, in AutoCAD (ACad), the fonts always default to ‘standard’. Is this normal and if so is there an easy way to reformat the fonts in AutoCAD to make the drawing look better?

Requirements

Miinimum: PowerCADD 2000 (v5) and PowerDWG v5 with Mac OS^? 9 or newer
Recommended: PowerCADD v7 (included PowerDWG v7) and Mac OS X

Note: PowerCADD v7 and the related PowerDWG v7 translator external do a MUCH improved job handling fonts. Proportional and non-proportional fonts are supported, as are Bold and underline type faces. There are other numerous improvements which make PowerDWG v7 (and PowerCADD v7) much more user friendly when it comes to mapping fonts for In and Out bound DWG translations.

Background

What you are seeing when opening the PowerCADD 2000 *.DWG file in AutoCAD is in deed 'normal'.

In preparation of translating PowerCADD to AutoCAD, one must first recognize that AutoCAD does not have calligraphy like the "real world". It has polygon's in the shape of letters. That's why ACAD calls they shape (.shx) files. These shaped letters are square - same height as width - totally unlike a proportionate font like the Helvetica that you are using. Further, the text justification options of ACAD is different from that of PowerCADD and the Mac OS in general. While recent updates to AutoCAD can make use of TrueType, OpenType and Postscript fonts the legacy of .shx files to mimic fonts is still commonly used.

What to do

All *.DWG files saved from PowerCADD 2000, or if you used a mono-spaced font such as Monaco in PowerCADD v6 or PowerCADD v7, have the following font attributes when opened in AutoCAD:

• Font Style = PC_Mono_Text
• Font Name / Type Face = Courier New

This is consistent for ALL fonts, regardless of what font style (ie. bold) or font family (ie. times) was used in your PowerCADD 2000 drawing. If you PowerCADD v6 or PowerCADD v7 drawing used styles such as Bold or underline, then they are mapped to an appropriate proportional or fixed width font in AutoCAD with the style entact (note that not every font style is supported). For example Arial or Helvetica Bold in PowerCADD becomes Arial Bold in AutoCAD.

As such, the fastest and easiest method is to update the font style in AutoCAD. If you're familiar with AutoCAD, simply use the Font Styles... command and change the Font Style and Name noted above to anything you like. If you're not familiar with AutoCAD, click here to read our free step by step guide to illustrate the process.

If you're still having problems you may want to take advantage of our File Translation Services.

We hope that helps
caddpower.com

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If you found this article or the website in general to be helpful, educational or a time and money saver you can show your support. Thank you ~ Brian (huc) Huculak

DWG or DXF Files dimmed in Open Dialog

Question

I tried to open an AutoCAD DWG^? file using the PowerDWG translator. However the file is dimmed (grayed out) when I choose File^? menu > Open in PowerCADD. If I double click on the file I receive an error dialog box stating the file cannot be opened the PowerDWG translator. What's going on? I've used the PowerDWG translator before and didn't have any problems. How do I get the file open?

Requirements

Minimum: PowerCADD v6 and PowerDWG v6 and Mac OS^? X or OS 9
Recommedned: PowerCADD v7 (includes PowerDWG v7) and Mac OS X Tiger or newer

Background

In order to open AutoCAD DWG files in PowerCADD you need the PowerDWG Translator External (XTNL) installed and loaded when PowerCADD is launched.

If you're using PowerCADD v6, then remember PowerDWG is a separate add-on to PowerCADD. It's also important to note to simple facts about the PowerDWG 6.1.1 Translator:

1. The PowerDWG translator reads and writes to release 10 through release 2000 *.DWG files.
2. The files must have the correct three letter 'dwg' suffix (example: filename.dwg) in order for the file to be displayed in the File menu -> Open... dialog
3. DXF^? files follow the same general guidelines

If you're using PowerCADD v7, then the PowerDWG Translator was included with your original PowerCADD purchase. It's also important to note to simple facts about the PowerDWG 7 Translator:

1. The PowerDWG translator reads and writes to release 10 through release 2006 *.DWG files.
2. The files must have the correct three letter 'dwg' suffix (example:filename.dwg) in order for the file to be displayed in the File menu -> Open... dialog
3. DXF files follow the same general guidelines

What To Do

There are two basic causes and approaches to the problem. The first, most common problem, is a file does not have the correct three letter file suffix. The second is the file might be an AutoCAD 2004 file and you're using PowerCADD v6 with PowerDWG v6. We'll cover both aspects next.

There is also a another possibility -- the file was corrupted during internet file transfer, particularly if the file was sent via email. If you suspect that is the problem (or have tried these two options and the problem still persists) please read this article on our website if you received the file via email.

We'd also be remiss if we didn't mention that, after updating a version of PowerCADD v6, a manual update of the PowerDWG v6 Translator XTNL is also required. If there are multiple installations of PowerCADD on a computer, it's easy to loose track of which ones have or have not been updated. When all else fails, do a clean install / update to PowerCADD and PowerDWG -- we've caught ourselves forgetting on more than occasion to install the PowerDWG external and being confused when we couldn't open any DWG files |:) In PowerCADD v7 this isn't an issue since the PowerDWG Translator External is bundled with the application.

Option 1: Rename the file:
The simple solution/fix is to check the file name. It must have a DWG suffix. For example filename.dwg (filenames and suffix's are not case sensitive). If the file does not have a *.dwg suffix, PowerCADD will not display that file in the File menu > Open... dialog. The filenames will be dimmed as shown here:

Typically renaming the file by adding *.dwg will correct the problem. To rename the file, do this:

1. click once on the file icon in the Finder
2. press the Return key. The text is selected and ready to edit.
3. the text of the file name will be selected.
4. add .dwg at the end of the file name (note there is a dot before dwg)
5. press the Return key

The file is now renamed and should appear in the File menu > Open... dialog . Proceed to open and translate the file as ususal.

Hint: If you try to double click a dwg file which does NOT have a *.dwg suffix, PowerCADD may try to open it and will display this warning dialog:

[inline:PowerDWGwontopen02.jpg]

This is a bit misleading as even if the file is a DWG version that the Translator can open, that warning dialog still appears. To correct the problem simply rename the file as described earlier.

Option Two: An Incompatible Drawing: PowerCADD v6 only

This condition only applies if you are using PowerCADD v6 and PowerDWG v6. PowerCADD v7 can open AutoCAD release 10 through release 2006 file formats. Upgrading to PowerCADD 7 will correct the issue and is the most effective solution in the long run.

If, after adding the *.dwg suffix you see this error message when opening the file then you have an AutoCAD v2004 DWG file which the translator cannot open.

[inline:PowerDWGwontopen03.jpg]

If this is the case, the best thing to do is contact the original file author and have them perform a Save As in AutoCAD where they can specify Save As R2000/LT2000 by simply selecting it from the drop down menu. Alternatively, we can take care of the translation for you . This isn't an uncommon problem even when sending files back and forth between consultants using AutoCAD. Not everyone uses the latest version of AutoCAD and older versions cannot open AutoCAD r2004 files. The problem and solution is the same for them as it is for folks using PowerCADD and PowerDWG.

Confirming if you have an AutoCAD r2004 or R2000 file:
How do you tell the difference between an AutoCAD r2000 verses r2004 file? If you suspect there is a file version problem, it's very easy to check manually even if you don't have a copy of AutoCAD. This technique works for both Mac OS and Windows Users. Mac OS X users can use TextEdit, Mac OS 9 users can use SimpleText and Windows users can use Note Pad or Word Pad. Of course, you can use any other type of word processor you like too, on any platform.

In Mac OS X the easy way to confirm it is in fact an R2004 file is to Drag and Drop the *.DWG file onto the Text Edit Application Icon. If the first word in the file is AC1018 you in fact do have an R2004 file. This picture is an example of what you would see:

[inline:PowerDWGwontopen04.jpg]

In Mac OS X the easy way to confirm a file was saved as R2000 (aside from the fact the translator can open it) is again to drop the file onto TextEdit. The first word would read AC1015 and here's an example of how that would look:

[inline:PowerDWGwontopen05.jpg]

We realize there appears to be little logic in what the first few characters read. Really -- does it make sense that an AutoCAD 2000 file would have AC1018 in the first line or would AC2000 make more sense? You be the judge, but in our view it's just one more example of the AutoDESK Wily E. Coyote approach to problem solving.

Still having problems?

If you've tried all these techniques and have reviewed the related links noted at the start of this article, all still isn't lost. You may want to take a look at our fee based File Translation or CADDcare services. The solution to the problem may be as simple as a phone call or email.

We hope that helps explain what's going on, why, and how you can work the problem with relatively little effort.

We hope that helps
caddpower.com

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If you found this article or the website in general to be helpful, educational or a time and money saver you can show your support. Thank you ~ Brian (huc) Huculak

Flatten a Multi Layer DWG file into a single layer

Question

How do I flatten a multi-layer *.DWG^? file into a single layer in PowerCADD?

Requirements

PowerCADD v7 , version 7.02 or newer recommended to use Move to Layer
PowerCADD v6 or newer to use Import...
Any version of PowerCADD to use Copy/Paste

Background

Typically AutoCAD DWG files contain data on multiple layers. While typically it's important and desirable to retain the layer structure, there can be times when it's convenient to have all that data flattened to a single layer in PowerCADD.

What To Do

All of the methods we'll describe here are available in PowerCADD v7 -- and some methods are available in PowerCADD v6 or earlier versions as noted at the start of this article.

Method 1: copy and paste
This method is available to all versions of PowerCADD. Simply translate the *.DWG file, then:

1. Turn Edit All Layers ON in the Layers Window
2. Choose Select All and choose Edit menu > Cut
3. Choose Edit menu > Paste
4. All the data is flattened to a single layer

If you wanted the data in a different file (perhaps your own drawing) simply activate that drawing before choose Paste and the data is inserted onto the active layer in the active drawing.

Method 2: Import the file
This method is available to PowerCADD v6 and v7 users. To translate the *.DWG file into a single layer:

1. Open the drawing you'd like the *.DWG file to appear in
2. Make the layer in the drawing the *.DWG data should be on Active
3. Choose File^? menu > Import... and choose the desired *.DWG file
4. Specify your translation settings in the Incoming DWG Settings Dialog and press Ok
5. Result: the multi-layer *.DWG file is collapsed onto the active layer specified in step (2)

Method 3: Use Move To Layer
This method is available in PowerCADD v7 only. The technique can be applied to any drawings with objects you'd like to now appear on a single layer. In the case of translating a *.DWG file, you could use this technique to flatten the drawing after you translate it but before pasting it or referencing it into your primary drawing. You could also use this technique after you've combined the multi-layer DWG file into your drawing and now you want it on a single layer.

1. Turn on the layers in the drawing to be flattened
2. Choose Edit menu > Select All (Cmd+A)
3. Choose Arrange menu > Move to Layer > The Layer name you want the data on
4. Result: all the selected objects are moved to the specified layer

Note: In step 3 you could also press Control + Click (or Right Click with a multi-button mouse) on any object, then choose Move to Layer from the contextual menu -- the results would be the same.

We hope that helps
caddpower.com

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If you found this article or the website in general to be helpful, educational or a time and money saver you can show your support. Thank you ~ Brian (huc) Huculak

Paper and Model Space :: PowerDWG

Question

I know the PowerDWG translator will translate information from AutoCAD Paper OR Model Space but the manual says I need to perform two translations. It is possible to translate both Paper and Model Space at the same time?

Requirements

Minimum: PowerCADD v6 and PowerDWG v6 with Mac OS^? X or Mac OS 9
Recommended: PowerCADD v7 and Mac OS X (PCadd 7.01 and OS X 10.4.4 or newer recommended)

Background

In AutoCAD, information can be drawn in one of two drawing spaces. Model Space typically contains the primary object data used to create the content of a drawing: for example all the information in an architectural plan or site plan. Paper Space typically contains all the secondary object data used to describe things like the title block, notes or related annonations in a drawing.

When you open a DWG file in PowerCADD containing both Model and Paper Space information, the Incoming DWG Settings dialog box displays two radio buttons at the top of the dialog as shown here:

The PowerDWG Translator can translation information both Model and Paper Space and typically it requires two translations to get all the content. One translation for Model Space and another for Paper Space. Then the two drawings must be copied and pasted together to form a single drawing.

However, it is possible to translate both Model and Paper Space objects at the same time.

Caution: this is a hidden and UNSUPPORTED feature so proceed carefully. While we've generally have had excellent success, we have also found the odd file which has not translated correctly using this hidden feature. Please proceed with caution and examine the resulting translation carefully. In the cases where we've had problems, the condition has been very obvious. The process described in the manual, to translate Model and Paper Space separately is the official, fully supported method.

What To Do

To translate AutoCAD Model and Paper Space information at the same time using the PowerDWG translator, do this:

1. Choose File^? menu > Open... to open the DWG file in PowerCADD
2. The data will be processed and the DWG Incoming Settings dialog will open with a preview of your drawing
3. At the top of the screen, click the Model Space radio button
4. Make the desired translation settings for scale, paper size, etc. in the body of the Incoming Settings dialog
5. Press Option and click OK
6. The DWG file will be processed and the resulting translation will contain both Model and Paper Space objects.

Notes:

• In step 3, if the Paper Space radio button is dimmed, then your drawing only contains information in Model Space and that radio button is selected by default
• In step 3, you can preview the data in Paper Space by clicking the Paper Space radio button prior to proceeding with the translation. We recommend previewing the data so you have a sense of what the finished translation should look like
• In step 3, the Model Space radio button must be selected if you intend to translate both Model and Paper Space information at the same time

For more information on using the PowerDWG translator, the PowerCADD user manual has examples which are worth taking the time to review.

We hope that helps
caddpower.com

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If you found this article or the website in general to be helpful, educational or a time and money saver you can show your support. Thank you ~ Brian (huc) Huculak

Read/Write Version Support: PowerDWG7

Question

What release version (version) of AutoCAD does the PowerDWG Translator support?

Requirements

PowerCADD version 7 and Mac OS^? X Tiger (10.4.4) or newer recommended

Answer

Read/Opens
The PowerDWG Translator reads (opens) AutoCAD release 10 through release 2006 *.DWG files.

Writes/Saves
The PowerDWG Translator writes (saves) to AutoCAD release 10 through release 2000 *.DWG files. The lack of formal support to write (save) to AutoCAD release 2006 isn't critical since newer versions of AutoCAD (example release 2006) can open older versions of the *DWG file format (example release 2000)

We hope that helps
caddpower.com

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If you found this article or the website in general to be helpful, educational or a time and money saver you can show your support. Thank you ~ Brian (huc) Huculak

Xref and View Port Support :: PowerDWG

Question

Does the PowerDWG translator support AutoCAD Xrefs and View Ports?

Requirements

PowerCADD version 7 and Mac OS^? X Tiger (10.4.4) or newer recommended

Answers

Xrefs
No, the PowerDWG Translator, bundled with PowerCADD v7, does not support AutoCAD Xrefs. Each AutoCAD Xref is a unique file and it would have to be translated separately. Ttranslating each file separately isn't recommended as the files typically don't contain a common reference set of objects to reassemble them in the right location. The best solution is to have the AutoCAD user perform a Bind Xrefs command to create a single, self contained file, then translate the bound file.

View Ports
No, the PowerDWG Translator, bundled with PowerCADD v7, does not support AutoCAD View Ports. The PowerDWG Translator lets you see and translate all data in Model Space, which is the true drawing environment in AutoCAD containing the actual objects used in the file. You can also translate any data in Paper Space separately using the PowerDWG Translator and reassemble the two files in PowerCADD later if necessary.

We hope that helps
caddpower.com

------
If you found this article or the website in general to be helpful, educational or a time and money saver you can show your support. Thank you ~ Brian (huc) Huculak