DWG import/export again!!!

[Nigel P]

OK, I'm still trying to crack the best way of sharing VW files via dwgs. I'm a set designer & I grew up on Minicad and have always worked on design layers and rarely use classes. I use viewports to assemble different configurations of a layout, ie different layouts of furniture, scenery etc. I now work in 2010 Spotlight/Designer on an Imac. I tend to export my layers as dwg layers. Colleagues then add in lights sound etc on different layers and we can share a master plan. However if I export selected or any viewport/sheets my layers export as classes and colleagues end up with all the information on one layer. Any ideas anyone?

BTW I still seem to end up with massive files when I import/export dwgs even with the 2D conversion preference on low - ie a 4mb file can go up to 10mb or more on both import & export. help!!!

[Kevin McAllister]

I have had a similar workflow on projects. I have found that its more about managing what you're importing and exporting.

I would suggest building a test file and swapping your layers and classes (ie. everything you would normally put on a layer, make a class, and vice versa). I have had fairly good luck working this way when exchanging files using DWG. It can also be helpful to limit the number of classes you are importing/exporting after the initial exchange. I tend to only send or import changed items from then on.

One of the best things about using classes for import/export of DWG is the ability to add a prefix to the imported classes. If you uses this consistently, then layers from a given consultant can easily be grouped. Its a bit of a different mindset from layers, but it actually works better in many respects, especially if you do anything at all in 3D.

Also I recommend using a viewer to check what you are exporting. I have been using the Solidworks viewer to look at exported DWG files. Its free and works well.

Hope this helps,

Kevin

[Bob Holtzmann]

I've been looking for a good free DWG file editor for cleaning up linework and autocad layers. So far there isn't any for the Mac -- yet.

This is worth checking out:

http://www.3ds.com/products/draftsight/draftsight-overview/#vid1

And I hear that Dassault will soon release a Mac version.

At any rate, I'd rather have a free or inexpensive DWG editor than buying Autocad, which for me means paying for unneeded annoyances.