RiscCAD Reference Manual
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Appendix 2 - RiscDXF
About DXF files
DXF files are used in the computer industry as a standard format for transferring graphical information. A DXF file contains information about the drawing it represents, and a description of all the objects in the file.
Converting RiscCAD files to DXF
To load RiscDXF double-click on the program icon and the RiscDXF window will open. Drag a RiscCAD drawing onto the source icon, large white square next to the word Source. The destination icon will change to a DXF file. Enter the required name for the DXF file in the destination field, then drag the DXF icon to the directory where the DXF file is to be saved. Click on Start to begin the conversion.
RiscDXF does not multi-task when processing files.
If Explode text is on text will be converted to component lines. This enables the file to be loaded into !Draw where the text will be displayed exactly as it was on the RiscCAD drawing. If this is off text is output using the Text command in the DXF file.
If Explode symbols is on the internal RiscCAD symbols will be exploded into their component objects. If this is off symbols are placed in the DXF file as BLOCK definitions with the symbol references placed in the DXF file as INSERT commands.
A scale value may be entered by which the CAD file is scaled. This value may be less than 1 to reduce the size of the file.
DXF files are always generated in millimetres, the Inches radio button has no effect.
Converting DXF files to RiscCAD
DXF files must have theit filetype correctly set to DXF (&DEA) before they can be converted. Files from PC systems may be filetyped as DOS and should be changed.
Drag a DXF file onto the source icon. This is the large white square next to the word Source. The destination icon will change to a RiscCAD file. Enter the required name for the file in the destination field, then drag the RiscCAD icon to the directory where the file is to be saved.
Click on Start to begin the conversion.
The Explode text and Explode symbols switches have no effect for this conversion.
Some PC CAD systems generate DXF files in inches rather than millimetres. The Millimetres and Inches radio buttons specify the format within the DXF file.
A scale value may be entered by which the imported objects are scaled. This value may be less than 1 to reduce the size of the drawing.
Batch processing
RiscDXF can process the entire contents of a directory, converting each file in the source directory into the opposite format in the destination directory.
Drag the source directory onto the Source icon. The destination file will change to a directory. Enter the required directory name and drag the destination icon to the directory where the files are to be saved, or drag a directory icon onto the Destination icon to set the output directory.
During batch processing all files will use the same settings set in the RiscDXF window.
Click on the Start button to begin batch processing.
RiscDXF will only scan the source directory. Nested directories will not be scanned.
RiscDXF does not check for the existence of files in the destination directory. Any files which already exist and have the same name as a file in the source directory will be overwritten without warning.
Notes on converting DXF files
DXF files do not support any form of flood fill. This means the internal symbols such as the filled dot will be output without the fill.
Owing to the many different ways in which dimensions are applied by different programs dimensions saved to a DXF will be exploded into their component parts. RiscDXF will ignore any DIMENSION command inside a DXF file.
All POLYLINE segments are imported as straight lines.
RiscDXF does not import line styles or weights from the DXF file.
Some of the more recent PC CAD systems have difficulty importing DXF files. In this case a DXF file may also be produced using one of the output drivers supplied and plotting to a file.
PC CAD systems do not allow spaces in layer names. These are automatically removed by RiscDXF and do not have to be removed in RiscCAD.
Importing RiscDXF files into Draw
The DXF import section of the !Draw application only accepts simple DXF files. It presently ignores the rotation value of text and blocks. It is recommended that the Explode text and Explode symbols switches are on if the DXF file is to be imported into !Draw.
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