Need help importing dxf to DCAD

[2Bits]

I cannot figure out how to do what to me seems extremely simple.
I have a Illustrator file, single layer that I want to import into DCAD. Exporting from Illustrator as a .dxf and importing that doesn't work. So I tried loading either the .dwg or .dxf from Illustrator into progeCad 2008 and then exporting as a R12 dxf file. There are no solids in this drawing, basically a wireframe outline (2d). DCAD reports no objects ignored, skipped etc, but there is nothing displayed even though there is a dxf layer created. I also made sure on export from progeCad that there was only one layer to export. DCAM will load or should I say display part of it (only lines). I've tried a number of different formats/versions with no luck.

This is extremely fustrating, the files I'm trying to work with, exist in a pdf to that are to scale and I simply use Illustrator to trace out the object on a new layer and then eventually create the dxf and or drw file to import into CAD. I really need to come up with a solution.

fyi: Running Partmaster Pro Level 3

Thanks for any help in this matter.
Mark

[2Bits]

** Update **
I am green at this and 2 days at using this software package so I'm not sure why this is happening, but!

Illustrator file exported to .dxf, convert with progeCad to R12 .dxf (my Illustrator doesn't have the option to go back that far). Scale is 1 to 1 and the part is only 11 inches tall.
Create new file in DCAD, paper size is A4 blank. Import dxf file, appears to show nothing. However! zooming out to the extent the paper is now a dot, I find my drawing. Set under properties to resize paper to drawing and click regen, and now I have the drawing with in the 'paper'. So I may have this sort of resolved.

Am I missing a step or option so this doesn't happen?
Thanks,
Mark

[harley4ever]

Its always best to match drawing extents when importing a file in. It will center your drawing.

[2Bits]

Thats the odd part, it was checked, didn't seem to matter.

[harley4ever]

Are you going to view-properties-page setup-then move the drop down box on the paper tab to match drawing extents?

[2Bits]

The steps you mention have a option to resize paper - checked.
On the import Advanced screen, Extend paper size based on drawing extents - checked.

[Switcher]

I bet Illustrator is saving as pixels, & not inches.

Right click on the DXF that you made inside Illustrator, then open that DXF inside Windows Notepad, look to see If the numbers are very large, should be close to 11" or less.


.

[2Bits]

I did catch that it was pixels and switched it to inches. The contents of the file appears to be inches.

Actually, this is a non issue? I'm converting with progeCAD from the Illustrator dxf to a R12 dxf because DCAD won't read a newer format. Why is that anyway??

[2Bits]

This is rediculous, the last drawing I imported had curves etc just have to deal with resizing when importing. I'm now trying to import looking for a resolution to this inital oversize issue, a dxf of an object that is a rectangle 4 inches wide by 10 inches tall with 4 inner rectangles with curved corners and the corners are missing. Why?

** UPDATE **
Boy, I need to walk away from this for awhile. So I went back to Illustrator on this new file. The main defaults were in points, switched it to inches. Reexported to AutoCAD 2000, not 2007, this made a difference for some reason initially. Loaded into progeCAD, zoomed in, made sure all lines were closed, exported to R12 dxf file and all the corners (curves) are there! Still shouldn't be this involved and I now get a warning when it loads in DCAD that the drawing extents exceeds the paper size. I then go back to View, Properties and click resize, then Regen and I'm ready to go.

Now that I just typed this out, it just dawned on me that I checked the option to apply the A4 template on import, it gives a resize error, and after I manually resize it, I lose the template because it's now just barely bigger than the extents of the drawing. In other words, even though the object is taller than the drawing, the resize trims the width as well.

Wow, I can't be the only one that's run into this? Or am I the only one doing something wrong or just that different?

[sqatch]

I have a problem with dxf exports as well. I have found that the line width needs to be set to 0.00" and store curve data needs to be off. This seems to have put an end to the truncated curves and radiuses. For the most part dcad seems to import most dxf files just fine. Sorry I cant be of much help I do not know Illustrator at all. Hang in there we are all just one mouse click away from greatness or failure.

[2Bits]

I also wanted to mention now that my blood pressure dropped

That aside from this problem I'm having, either creating from scratch or once I get a file imported, I've managed to get several parts though not complex all the way into DCAM and generated gcode without issue. I found it very easy to follow and I'm quite impressed with it, especially for a newbie like me doing hobby projects.