Unfortunately one of my profs insists on having us submit our CAD files in Autocad format.. specifically to be able to be opened in ACAD '09 Student Edition which is what the syllabus stresses.

I am NOT about to spend 2 hours clunking around to produce something which is going to take me half an hour tops in Shark.. These are only 2D / orthographic views by the way.

I tried to save a simple DXF and DWG file to be opened but only the dimension text came out. Can you please help me figure out how to properly export an ACAD-compatible file from Shark FX?

Thank you.

Hi I'm trying to export a simple plan, front elevation and end view including dimensions, section views, etc. No 3d data.

When I exported out of Shark build 853, the files I saved were DXF and DWG R2009.

When I opened this up in Autocad Student Edition (on a school lab pc), nothing showed up except the dimension lines.

It really is a pain to develop drawings in ACAD, and while I can do it, it is so frustratingly, ridiculously clunky with more steps than I need to do the same thing that would take only one operation in a program like Shark. I'm not bashing Autodesk, because I have always been a big fan of maya and 3ds.

So you think that ACAD SE cannot an imported file?

Never heard of the TrueView program, but I will definitely try that. Thank you!

Also can you please elaborate on what is meant by "Draw views"?

How did you create your view plan, front etc draw from scratch or did you use the model to sheet tool on a 3d part?

Can you post a sample file? Or the dxf file you exported. Or email me ([email protected]) and I will open in Trueview


Thanks

Jason

I know how you feel. I kind of have a love-hate affair with ACAD -- especially 2008. Now that i am on 2009 (at work) it "feels" easier to use for 3D purposes. But, since i cannot afford a $5,000 program and am not going into debt to do so and not going to addict myself to my employer's program and risk losing ability to do my art/hobby were i to lose this job, i steadfastly keep my exposure to ACAD ONLY at work, or to verify problems exist or don't exist in VC.

What i dread about taking out-of-pocket CAD courses is many are so insistent on ACAD, rather than ACAD-compatible apps that meet data interchange. SOMEone should set up courses that get proper funding (indudstry sources, through proper tax-write-offs?) to persuade some on- or off-campus exposure to those who want apps not coming from mega giants....)

As for my previous 3D-solid issue of December, it went away with ACAD 2009, so i have to be grateful for whatever driver or dll there was in 2009 that 2008 sorely missed or was corrupted.

If ACAD 2009 SE is unable to import it could be that it is to prevent people from sharing files between the cheaper, student editions and whatever the cheap(er) commercial firms (ongoing concerns) are using. Autodesk wants companies that use their products to pay a much higher price than getting on with a student or Lite version.

While i support/don't mind friendly competition, i thoroughly at the subatomic level despise companies that go out of their way to (*)block smaller firms that just want to play, too. People should have choices, and tho ViaCAD hasn't got ALL the bells and whistles i would like, i stand by VCP because Punch! Software gives me/us CHOICE. And, it's 3D tools were spot on for what i needed and am still learning. TCad would have cost over $1000 to get only some of what VC 2D3D offered at a lesser price, and ACAD was "clunky" and strange in ways, too.

But, you should -- if you can -- drag that instructor of yours into the light and show him/her VCP. If enough instructors are cajoled into opening up and stop being sticklers just because Adesk may have 90% of the market sewn up in its pocket, then maybe, just maybe students will learn to have a bag of tools from multiple vendors. It might even be good for Adesk if it helps them avoid class actions and other suits.

Like Jack Nicholson asked in one of his movies (Witches?) "Can't we all just gettt alonnnnggg?" hehehe....

Rant/stress-level off...

The test files open fine in TrueView, and other programs. So I would think that maybe the student version of Autocad is the not opening the files correctly or maybe a long shot is

My other thought is maybe you are getting bit by the color of the lines not showing up in autocad. The lines you drew are 38,0,0 if you are opening up on a black autocad screen they might not display.


As a side note you can download another free viewer called edrawings can view dwg,dxf, and other formats 2d, and 3d and it works on mac.


wouldn't want you to have to use ac if you can avoid it...:)

Regards

Jason

Just jumping on this thread , excuse me if I am off track as I have not read the full thread. I have found autocad can only open shark files once exported as dxf 2000 files in the past , hope that helps ???

Good to hear, I have never seen an issue with dxf, dwg files from Shark/ViaCAD into Acad, but I guess it has something to do with the student version.

Regards

Jason

Some peers of mine at school like ACAD a lot, but then I ask them if they have ever used any other cad program.. They ALWAYS so no. So there you have it.