This page has been updated. For the latest version, visit: http://rkmcswain.blogspot.com/2006/08/drawing-viewers.html

Since Autodesk quit providing a free application to view it's own DWG files, there has been a demand for said application. Plenty of other software vendors have provided a solution for this need.

1. Autodesk does offer a DWG viewer, but it's only available bundled with their DWF Composer $
   
   
2. guthrie CAD Viewer $
   
   
3. Bentley View FREE
   
   
4. Cimmetry Systems $
   
   
5. Informative Graphics $ and FREE versions.
   
   
6. AutoDWG $
   
   
7. Trix Systems $
   

---

DWG Conversion...

Note that Solidworks offers an add-on to "Open and edit any DWG file using any version of AutoCAD". For example, install this utility and you can open AutoCAD version 2004 drawings using AutoCAD 2000. Read what Autodesk has to say about this utility.

Autodesk also offers their own Batch Drawing Converter that will "convert any AutoCAD or AutoCAD-based drawing file to AutoCAD Release 14, AutoCAD 2000, AutoCAD 2000i, AutoCAD 2002, AutoCAD 2004, AutoCAD 2005, and AutoCAD 2006 file formats..."

Labels: Viewers

---

PermaLink       Posted 6/09/2005 06:01:00 AM      Comments (4)

Here is a step by step process for creating a "blow up detail" in paper space. This is one method that works well for civil drawings where you need a circular shaped, larger scale view.

1. In model space, draw a circle around the area you want to blow up. Preferably an even number radius.
Example 75' radius circle
2. Divide the circle radius size by the horizontal scale, this gives you the viewport circle size.
Example 75/100 = 0.75
3. Next, determine the scale for the detail blow up, and divide the horizontal scale by this value
Example: if you want a 20 scale detail, so divide 100/20 = 5.0
4. Multiply the answer in #2 by the factor in #3. This is the 1:1 viewport size in paper space.
Example 5.0 * 0.75 = 3.75
5. Switch to your layout and draw a circle. Use the size calculated in step #4
6. Convert this circle to a viewport, using the MVIEW command, Object option.
7. Change to model space inside this new viewport and perform a Zoom Center, using the center of the circle in model space as
the center point, and using a scale factor that equals the scale you chose in step 3.
Example: Zoom;C;1/20XP
8. At this point, the viewport will show you exactly what you circled in model space. Switch back to paper space, and lock the viewport.

Labels: Tips

---

PermaLink       Posted 6/06/2005 12:49:00 PM      Comments (0)