In the previous article, four file formats supported by ZWCAD Flex were introduced (DWG, DWF/DWFx, DWS, DWT). These four file formats can be directly opened in ZWCAD Flex, and you can execute the SAVE or SAVEAS command to export the drawing file in these formats.
In addition, there are other formats of files that can be imported into drawing, and you can also export the drawing in these formats.
WMF (Windows Metafile) is a Windows metafile that stores drawing information for graphics and is commonly used for data exchange on image clipboard.
Use the IMPORT and WMFIN commands to insert the WMF file into drawing as a block reference. You can set WMF file import options (solid fill and wide line display) through the WMFOPTS command.
Use the EXPORT and WMFOUT commands to export the selected objects in drawing as a WMF file. WMF file exporting does not support solid fill and gradient fill, both will be lost. The WMF file exporting also does not support SHX fonts, and content using SHX fonts will be converted to polylines and cannot be edited as text.
SAT files are 3D models saved in Spatial's ACIS solid modeling format, containing 3D geometric information, and are commonly used for 3D data exchange in CAD softwares.
Use the IMPORT and ACISIN commands to insert the objects contained in SAT file into drawing.
Use the EXPORT and ACISOUT commands to export 3D solids in drawing to SAT file. SAT file exporting supports regions and 3D solids, and other objects such as lines, curves, and text will not be exported to SAT files.
DGN is a specialized file format for MicroStation, which can be further divided into V7 DGN and V8 DGN formats, which contain one or more design models. The conversion between DGN and DWG files is commonly used for design communication of large engineering drawings.
Import DGN Files
Execute the IMPORT and DGNIMPORT commands to import data from DGN file into a drawing.
DGN Reference
If you want to convert DGN reference to block reference in DWG file, check Import to current drawing; If you want to convert DGN reference to external reference in DWG file, uncheck Import into current drawing.
Object Conversion
After importing DGN file into DWG file, DGN elements will be converted into relevant DWG objects.
| DGN Elements | Conversion Instructions |
|---|---|
| Geometric elements | Convert to geometric objects, complex patterns may not be fully converted |
| Layer | Convert to layer, invalid DGN characters in layer names will be converted to spaces |
| Color | Convert to RGB true color or index color |
| Line type | Convert to DWG linetype |
| Unit | Convert to block |
| Text | Convert to single line or multi line text, missing fonts will be converted to alternative fonts specified by FONTALT |
| Table | Convert to block |
| Field | Among them, fields such as creation date, save date, print date, author, file name, file size, etc. will still be converted as fields, and the remaining fields will be converted to text |
| Raster image | Convert to raster images, supporting BMP, CAL, TIF, PNG, TGA, JPG, PCX, GIF, RLC, BIL, PCT formats |
| DGN reference | Convert to DWG reference |
| DGN design model | Convert to DWG model |
| DGN drawing model | Convert to DWG layout |
Export DGN Files
Execute the EXPORT and DGNEXPORT commands to export current drawing file as a DGN file. You need to specify export settings, and detailed information can be accessed at Export DGN Settings.
DWG Reference
Export the DWG external reference of current drawing, which can be exported separately as multiple DGN files or all imported into one DGN file.
Object Conversion
After importing a DWG file into a DGN file, the DWG objects will be converted into relevant DGN elements.
| DWG Objects | Conversion Instructions |
|---|---|
| Geometric objects | Convert to geometric elements, retaining only the starting width for polylines with different widths |
| Layer | Convert to layer, invalid DWG characters in layer names will be converted to spaces |
| Color | Convert to DGN index color |
| Line type | Convert to DGN linetype, does not support custom linetypes |
| Block | Convert to shared unit, flexi block will lose its action |
| Text | Convert to text, TrueType and SHX fonts will be exported as Engineering fonts to MicroStation V7 |
| Table | Convert to line and text |
| Dimension | Convert to dimension |
| Field | Among them, fields such as creation date, save date, print date, author, file name, file size, etc. will still be converted as fields, and the remaining fields will be converted to text |
| Raster image | Convert to raster images, supporting BMP, CAL, TIF, PNG, TGA, JPG, PCX, GIF, RLC, BIL formats |
| DWG reference | Convert to DGN reference |
| DWG model | Convert to DGN design model |
| DWG layout | Convert to DGN drawing model, where V7 format only supports one model |
PDF (Portable Document Format) is a portable document format. It can preserve the original format, font, image, and layout of documents, and can be browsed in the same layout on any software, hardware, and operating system. It can be used for sharing and transferring graphic files.
Import PDF File
Execute the IMPORT command or PDFIMPORT command to input the geometry, raster images, fill, and TrueType text from PDF file into current drawing.
·Linear objects, splines, and solid fills will be converted to 2D solids, polylines, or hatches.
· Nonlinear objects may be converted to polylines, splines, arcs, or elliptical arcs.
· The point object will be converted to a zero length polyline.
· TrueType fonts will be converted to similar fonts, and SHX fonts will be converted to geometric objects.
· The raster image will be attached as an external reference and saved in PNG format to the path specified by the PDFIMPORTIMAGEPATH system variable.
· Composite objects such as tables, dimensions, and leaders will be converted into individual objects.
Export PDF File
Execute the PLOT command or PUBLISH command to export the model space or layout of drawing file as a PDF file.
· The PLOT command supports exporting model space or individual layout as PDF file.
· The PUBLISH command supports exporting the model space or layout of one or more drawing files to PDF files.
ZWCAD Flex provides a printer configuration (.pc5) for exporting PDF files. Different printer configurations have different qualities and file sizes, and you can choose according to your needs.
| Printer Configuration | Printing Properties |
|---|---|
| DWG to PDF.pc5 | Common configurations used in earlier versions |
| ZWCAD PDF(General Documentation).pc5 | Conventional configuration, basically suitable for use |
| ZWCAD PDF(High Quality Print).pc5 | Export PDF files with high-quality display effects |
| ZWCAD PDF(Smallest File).pc5 | Export PDF files with minimal memory |
| ZWCAD PDF(Web and Mobile).pc5 | Export PDF files that support hyperlinks for mobile devices and web browsers |
After exporting the PDF file, some text may differ from the original text in drawing due to font replacement. If you want to avoid this situation, you can convert the text into geometrics before exporting.
SXF is a CAD data exchange standard developed and standardized by the Japanese government, mainly used domestically in Japan. ZWCAD supports importing SXF files or exporting DWG files as SXF files.
SXF files include two extensions, SFC and P21.
· Use the SXFIN command to input the SXF file into current drawing.
· Use the SXF2DWG command to convert SXF files to DWG files.
· Use the SXFOUT and SXFOUT-P21 commands to export DWG drawings as SXF files.
· Use the DWG2SXF command to convert DWG files to SXF files.
IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) is an open file format used in Building Information Modeling (BIM), which contains information about the geometry, materials, schedules, quantities, and spatial relationships of buildings. IFC, as a standard for storing and exchanging building data, includes IFC2X3, IFC4, IFC4X2, and IFC4X3 formats, allowing for the sharing of building information model data between different applications.
Execute the IMPORT or IFCIMPORT command to input an IFC file into a drawing, which will open the IFC Structure Panel. You can also execute the IFCSTRUCTUREPANEL command to open the IFC Structure Panel.
· Display hierarchical structure and component properties in the IFC structure panel
· The selected components in structural tree can be quickly located and viewed in drawing area
· The selected object in drawing window can be quickly located and viewed in tree view
· Component checkbox controls the display or hiding of components
After importing the IFC file, IFC components will be inserted into current drawing as block references.
After importing the IFC file, specific layers will be added to the drawing, which will be the default style and named based on entity category name of IFC component. For example, if IFCFOOTING is an entity category, the corresponding layer name is FOOTING; The IFCSITE entity category corresponds to a layer named SITE.
STEP files are commonly used 3D model data formats in mechanical manufacturing, including STE, STP, STEP formats, which contain manufacturing information, physical properties, and material information. Importing STEP files into drawing files can convert 3D data into DWG objects, enabling sharing and communication of 3D data between different software.
JWW files are CAD drawing formats created and saved by JWCAD, which are widely used in Japan. ZWCAD can convert drawings in JWW format to general drawing formats such as DWG.
Executing the JWWIMPORT command can import the JWW file into current drawing, and the entities and dependent named objects will be imported together. You can edit, modify the drawing, and save it in DWG format.
Execute the IMPORT or STEPIMPORT command to import STEP file as an external reference into current drawing.
DXF is a web graphic format for DWG files, which occupies less memory and stores graphic information such as layers, hyperlinks, colors, line weights, and scales. It is commonly used for sharing graphic data. DWFx is a type of DXF format that is formatted using Microsoft's XML Paper Specification (XPS).
Execute the PLOT or PUBLISH command to export the model space or layout of drawing file as a 3D DWG or DWFx file.
· The PLOT command supports exporting model space or individual layouts to a DXF or DWFx file, selecting DWF6 ePlot.pc5 or DWFx ePlot (XPS Compatible).pc5 for exporting.
· The PUBLISH command supports exporting model space or layout of one or more drawing files to a single page or multi page DXF/DWFx file.
DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) is an open standard drawing exchange format. Compared to DWG and DXF formats, it may lack some advanced features of DWG, but it can be read and edited by almost all CAD software. It is commonly used for transferring and viewing drawing data.
Execute the SAVE or SAVEAS command to export the drawing file to a DXF file.
DXF and DWG files can be converted to each other without any loss of content, structure, or quality, and the conversion is also done through SAVE or SAVEAS command.
STL (STereoLithography) is a 3D model file format. It only describes the geometric shape of surface through triangular patches, without including material and color information, and is used for rapid prototyping, 3D printing, and computer-aided manufacturing.
Execute the EXPORT and STLOUT commands to export the selected entities or seamless meshes in drawing as STL files.
Raster images, also known as bitmaps or dot maps, are displayed through numerous pixel points. On the one hand, it can well record images with rich and irregular colors, but if the raster image is continuously enlarged, it will see pixel grids one by one, leading to image distortion.
In ZWCAD Flex, graphic files can be exported as raster images in formats such as BMP, JPG, PNG, TIF, etc.
| Format | Feature |
|---|---|
| BMP | Lossless save format, but the file occupies a large amount of memory, suitable for situations that pursue high image quality. |
| PNG | Near lossless save format, slightly inferior to BMP's fidelity, can retain transparency. |
| JPG | It is also in JPEG format, with a good balance between memory and quality. It saves higher image quality with very little memory, but the quality is slightly inferior to PNG. |
| TIF | It is also in TIFF format, supporting different color modes, paths, transparency, and channels, commonly used for publishing and printing. |
· Execute the EXPORT and BMPOUT commands to export the specified objects in the drawing as BMP files.
· Execute the EXPORT and PNGOUT commands to export the specified objects in the drawing as PNG files.
· Execute the EXPORT and JPGOUT commands to export the specified objects in the drawing as JPG files.
· Execute the EXPORT and TIFOUT commands to export the specified objects in the drawing as TIF files.
The export range of raster images is the model space viewport display range, with consistent background color.
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