Converting Acad Files to Other Formats Using Visio:

Converting Acad Files to Other Formats Using Visio:
(For use with AutoCAD® / Autodesk® software & Microsoft Visio): Once the file is open in Visio, simply save as a SVG file.
1.) Save your current AutoCAD version to “Down” to AutoCAD2000
2.) A Dialog Box will pop-up and lead you through the process:
3.) Set your Visio Paper Size and Scale:
4.) Set your Visio Paper Size and Scale:
5.) Once you have you imported file you may need to make some adjustments.
6.) Go through a few of the dialog boxes (shown below) to make those adjustments.
7.) Once the conversion is done your file should look reasonable.
(Keep in Mind not all objects, bitmaps, or photos will convert properly as shown below):
8.) You will now go to “File and Save As”
9.) Pick the File version you need to “Save As” (in this case it will be the SVG file).
10.) You should now have your SVG File. Please Check with your customer to ensure the files are working with the proper
software using this format.
Once your drawings or files have been created, you have the option to send out you parts to be printed, or to
use other software to convert, or save your 3D file in a usable format.
The other working file formats from AutoCAD® / Autodesk® software are listed below:
DWG – This is the standard file format for all AutoCAD drawing file (*1).
DXF – (Drawing Exchange Format), this format is used to “Share” data with other drawing programs.
EXPORTED FORMATS:
DWF, or 3D DWF – (Drawing Web Format), this format is used to “Share” data over the internet.
DWFx, or 3D DWFx – (Drawing Web Format “Extra”), this format was also used to “Share” data over the
internet, based on the newer versions of software such as Windows-8 or Word 2010.
FBX – (Drawing Exchange Format), format use to be determined.
WMF – (Windows Metafile), this format is used to create simple lines arcs and misc. shape directly from
AutoCAD and has no technical data associated with the file once created.
SAT – or ACIS (ACIS) format use to be determined.
STL – (Lithography) “This is the MAIN format used to export files in a usable 3D format” (*2).
EPS – (Encapsulated) format use to be determined.
Dxx – (DXX Extract) format use to be determined.
BMP – (Bitmap) this format is used to create simple lines arcs and misc. shapes directly from AutoCAD
inside programs such as Paint, Acrobat Adobe, Photoshop, etc., etc… and again has no technical data
associated with the file once created.
DWG – (BLOCK) Again, based on a “Drawing Part, within an assembly drawing” this is the standard
file format for all AutoCAD drawing file (*1).
DGN – (Bentley V8), this is the format used to “Share” data with “MicroStation” users.
DGN – (Bentley V7), this is the format used to “Share” data with “MicroStation” users.
IGS – (IGES), this is the format used to “Share” 3D data using ANSI/ASME formats.
STP – (STEP), this format is also used to “Share” 3D data using ISO format.
Notes:
(*1)
DWG’s can be saved in several different formats. These formats range over a 15 to 18 year period,
basically from AutoCAD Rev14 (1997) up to the current 2014/2015 DWG format (or Rev20).
(*2)
STL’s seem to work best for sharing files, with companies that use 3D printing, or with importing into
other software that can be used with 3D printing such as Google SketchUp, or MakerBot. I believe
these files also will import into the Pro/E (Pro-Engineer) Creo drawing program. In addition, if anyone
is using AutoCAD-MEP® (Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing), Autodesk® Inventor, or the Cloud
software (such as Autodesk® Fusion), they will have the option to save files as STEP (STP) files
You will 1st have to save your current AutoCAD down a few versions, (I saved to ACAD2000) and then imported, or opened
the AutoCAD file in Visio.
SVG– (Scalable Vector Graphics) “Save As Option from Visio”