4.4.2.2. Export

If you wish to send your work to your colleagues who use other CAD systems, for example, this is the simplest method you can use.

In File menu - Export specify a file name and file type.

If you select any of the dwg or dxf file formats, you can customize the export settings in the appearing dialog.

The following options are available:

Explode

You can export objects to other CAD programs in an exploded format (with lines). Select the objects you want to explode: walls, opening dimensions, all dimensions, texts and hatches.

The aim of this function is the following:

To offer the option to print drawings in AutoCAD^® where the printed drawing will correspond 100% to that printed from ARCHLine.XP^® . In this case, for example, it will not be a problem if certain fonts are missing from the other computer.

Wall components

You can explode walls in such a way that their main constituents (contour lines, hatches, doors, windows and opening dimensions) are placed on separate layers.

The aim of this function:

You can continue drawings in AutoCAD^® using the groupings applied on the layers.

Example: create a Wall contour line layer and use this layer for wall contours.

File version

You can choose from the released AutoCAD^® versions. The exported file will be compatible with the selected AutoCAD^® version. This way the exported file can be used by users with previous AutoCAD^® versions.

Scale

You can rescale your drawing by setting a scale.

The aim of this function:

You can export your units of measurement to AutoCAD^®.

AutoCAD^® will use mm in the exported drawing, so dimensioning will also use mm. You can define your units of measurement in ARCHLine.XP, e.g. if you set m, dimensions defined so far will be displayed in meters. This way dimensions in AutoCAD^® will be given in m and mm (the program will display the values set in ARCHLine.XP^® multiplied by 1000). To solve this problem, make sure to type 0.001 in the Scale factor field.

Convert multiline texts

AutoCAD^® can use one-line and multiple-line texts. When exporting, you can define whether you want to export ARCHLine.XP^® ’s multiple-line text as multiple one-line texts or as a single multiple-line text.

Experience shows that it is advisable to use multiple one-line texts.

Exporting buildings

In the case of multiple buildings, you can define which building to export. With the building to be exported, you can also export the terrain of the plan. If you select the All building option, the terrain will also be exported to the AutoCAD^® file.

Export as 3D model

You can specify whether you would like to export the plan view or the 3D model of the selected item. This way you can create plan view what contains special 3D elements

Others

Using these options you can enhance the appearance of your drawing elements in other CAD applications.

• Export dimension measured value as text:the measured values of a dimension will be exported as fix values. This means that the dimension value of an element in AutoCAD^® will not change automatically if you modify its size, for example.

• Ignore invisible layers and its items: invisible layers and the elements belonging to these layers will be ignored during the export.

• Export group IDs as attribute: the ID numbers of groups will be exported as block attributes (you can see them among the block attributes).

• Create log and audit files: during the export of a drawing two additional files can be created; a log file with the <filename>.log file name format and an audit file with the <filename>.aud file name format. The both files may include useful information for ARCHLine.XP^® developers. Send these files along with the original end exported drawings to your local distributor if you find some errors in the exported file.

Other export settings are available in the File menu - Preferences - Dxf and dwg export settings dialog.

The following options are available:

Export of hatches

You can define hatch conversion rules between ARCHLine.XP^® and AutoCAD^® hatches. You can

• add new rule by clicking the New button,

• delete a selected rule by clicking the Delete button,

• modify a hatch pattern in the by clicking the button,

• modify a pattern proxy mode by clicking the button. You can select either the Export as solid or the Explode options. Both selections will ignore the hatch conversion and only the ARCHLine hatch patterns will be exported in exploded or solid state. If you export exploded ARCHLine hatch patterns, the size of your exported file may increase substantially.

Export of the patterns which are not in the list

Because of the differences between CAD applications you may not find the proper rule for a hatch conversion or you simply do not want to create rules one by one.

In that case you can export ARCHLine style hatches.

• as exploded elements (Explode)

• as solids (Export as solid)

• as a hatch with the selected hatch pattern (Select a pattern). With this selection you can also specify the scale and rotation of the selected pattern.

Dimension arrowhead export settings:

Similar to the hatch conversion rules you can define conversion rules between ARCHLine and AutoCAD^® arrowheads. You can add new rule to the list by the New button, delete a selected rule by the Delete button, or change an existing conversion rule by the buttons.