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Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

(OP)
What is the export capabilities of SW 2005 to AutoCAD?   We are looking at getting a SW installation but will need newly created drawings to be able to be exported to our existing Autocad drawing system to allow updates on older drawings.  What formats are supported?

RE: Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

DXF
Also, SolidWorks 2005 Office Prof comes with DWGEditor (AutoCAD emulator).

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

RE: Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

(OP)
does it still have the save as .dwg option and if so which versions does it support.  We are running an older Autocad 2000 install.

RE: Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

I just checked the options on save as dwg file and the supported revisions are R12,R13, R14, 2000-2002

RE: Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

(OP)
thanks

RE: Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

DWGEditor will go back to v2.5, up to 2004.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

RE: Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

SW also now has the free DWGateway which is a plug-in for AutoCAD that allows any version of AutoCAD to read/write to any version of AutoCAD.  (ie.  you have AutoCAD R2000 and someone sends you an AutoCAD R2005 file.  The DWGateway allows you to open the file in AutoCAD R2000).

RE: Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

Please let me throw in a related question:

How do you convert a Solidworks drawing that is multi-sheet into Autocad 2000?

When I try to do this, the current drawing tab goes into the Autocad model tab and no tabs are created for the other sheets. You have to make a separate dwg file for each sheet. I tried selecting all of the tabs but it didn't work.

RE: Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

Use the Task Scheduler. That allows ALL sheets to be converted ... same with DXF


Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies FAQ731-376
Making the best use of this Forum.  FAQ559-716
How to get answers to your SW questions.  FAQ559-1091
Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of.  FAQ559-520

RE: Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

...just my .02, I shutter when I hear someone wanting to convert from SolidWorks to AutoCAD. IMHO, waste of time. But, that's just me. I will still help however I can.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP1.1 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

RE: Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

Chris thanks for you post.....It just blows me away why AutoDesk has such a foot hold in the MCAD community.

Best Regards,

Heckler

Do you trust you intuition or go with the flow?

RE: Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

Sorry about acting so ignorant, but I looked all through help and the menus for "Task Scheduler" and could not find anything. What have I missed?

RE: Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

For some mysterious reason it is not mentioned in the SW Help files.

Go to Start > All Programs > SolidWorks ???? > SolidWorks Task Scheduler. It has its own Help files.


Eng-Tips.com Forum Policies FAQ731-376
Making the best use of this Forum.  FAQ559-716
How to get answers to your SW questions.  FAQ559-1091
Helpful SW websites every user should be aware of.  FAQ559-520

RE: Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

jlwoodward What SolidWorks package are you using and what version?

Task Scheduler did not come out till version 2004 and then I believe you had to have at least the Office package to get it.

RE: Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

Thanks. That explains it. We have SW2005 but not the Office package.

RE: Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

You are correct.  The task scheduler "does not" come with the standard SW install.  I'm using the lone seat of SW here, and everyone else is at varying revs of AutoCad.  The premise from my end is to save out PDFs of the drawings so everyone can view the files (this helps emulate the current practice), and to create a geometry only (no dimensions) version at 1:1 of the file in a dwg or dxf format so the other users can open the file and at least check things.  The danger (as always) is that the files will be used and detailed in Acad somewhere, and not make it back to model if changes are required.  Nobody else here know SW enough to handle what I'm doing, so in this type of environment you need to have files out there that can be opened/checked incase the individual is not around to handle the SW editting.  Once people start to see the functionality of SW, you can set yourself up for a bottleneck (or job security)....

John

RE: Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

Same situation here. People will not learn SW unless it is forced on them. I started out making the models in SW and then detailing them in Autocad. It seemed easier this way but you really have a problem if you make a change. Now I am starting to detail in SW and using pdfs if anyone wants a copy. At this time it is cumbersome to import the dimensions because there is so much clutter and moving around that you have to do, so I use reference dimensions. I might change my mind later. I am still learning.

RE: Export to AutoCAD in SW 2005

Running two CAD software at a company can be a headache. IMO, it is more efficiant to use only one. We standardized on SolidWorks. I setup standards and administer all templates for all users. There is a few that brought in AutoCAD and want to combine the two, but they are on their own. I will not support it. There is no document/file  control with two CAD's. Whenever mangement wants me to support them, I show them how files work with both CAD vs one. Afterwards they back off from me, but let the engineers continue to use both.
We have configuration management with major aerospace/military customers, and we have to follow strict guidelines.
So, if someone here wants to design in ACAD, and send it to me for SolidWorks modelling, I will not use it. And if someone wants a file imported into ACAD from SW, I don't give it to them. I stick to my standards.
Sorry for rambling.

Chris
Sr. Mechanical Designer, CAD
SolidWorks 05 SP2.0 / PDMWorks 05
ctopher's home site

FAQ559-1100
FAQ559-716

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