Mark Wrathall wrote:

Paul wrote:

We are going to have to do something about dwg files.
Too much of my time is taken up converting them to something
everybody can read. Namely a gif. Not everyone has ACAD
and ACAD dwg files do not export or import from version to

version.

Especially backwards. Same goes for DXF and to a lessor
extent IGES.

I thought we had agreed on IntelliCAD2000 as a viewer? It is legal

freeware

from the Cadopia http://www.cadopia.com/register.asp. The password is
MADISON.

Advantages:
It's free
It deals with the various versions of AutoCAD .DWG and DXF format better
than autoCAD.
It's free
It does basic 3D (surfaces, no solids) but not very well.

Disadvantages:
It doesn't handle the period/comma swap used in some european languages

like

german very well. (decimal comma, period for thousands and separating
variables).
Not perfectly stable, but easily good enough for use as a viewer.
13Mb download.
On my installation, the help file must be opened separatly.
Poor font support.

I installed i on my PC at work and have been very happy with it as a

viewer

and for quick sketches. With it I have been able to open all the DXF's

and

DWG's sent on this newsletter (except a couple which others also had

trouble

with).
Mark Wrathall
www.rotary.microcosman.com

Getting everybody to download it is very problematic.
Not to mention the Linux and Apple users out there.
What is the matter with screen capture and gifs.
gifs can be viewed with all email programs.

Paul Lamar

I agree that GIF's are a good solution for many, if not most, of the smaller
detail drawings posted here, but for specific tasks, such as the 1:1
printable version of the LeMans PP housing that Jerry was asking for, or
larger more complex drawings (like the fully annotated PSRU mount plate
drawing), a CAD drawing is required.

IntelliCAD provides the functionality to cover the basic ACRE's
drawing/viewing needs of any WIN users willing to do a 13mb download. Is
there not an AutoCAD .DWG/DXF format compatable CAD program available under
Linux? How many solely apple users are there here, who have no existing way
to view a DWG/DXF?

This is now a huge group right? 1000+ people? If we wait for 100%
compliance, we will never have a drawing standard other than GIF.
Mark Wrathall

A dwg file won't do you much good unless you have a cad
program that can read it. That is even more to expect.  That is everybody
have a cad program and know how to use it.

Paul Lamar
 
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