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IndustryArena Forum > CAD Software > Solidworks > importing from Adobe illustrator
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
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    333

    importing from Adobe illustrator

    hi guys, I need to import a capital letter (in a certain font) from adobe illustrator into solidworks. Give it dimensions and then machine it. I tried exporting from Illustrator as a dxf then opening in solidworks. I cannot get it to work. Is it even possible? Could some one walk me through the process?

    thanks
    in advance

    Mark

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    57
    Did you convert the text to path in AI? If not then when you saved it as a dxf it may not save it as lines and curves but just embedded rich text.

  3. #3
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    Jan 2006
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    Thanks for the reply Trevis. I did not convert the text to path. I have not used illustrator
    Before this. How do you do that?
    Thanks again
    Mark

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    57
    Here is a link that I think describes what to do better than I can.
    I usually use other programs but the same basic idea is the same in them all.

    Using Adobe Illustrator How to Convert Text to Outlines

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
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    333
    Thank you very much. I appreciate the help. I will give it a try tomorrow
    Mark

  6. #6
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    Jan 2006
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    ok, so I got it converted to path and imported it into sw. It was imported as a block not a normal sketch like I am used to seeing so editing it is not what I would have expected. Are there any different steps to take once in sw to work with it like a normal sketch?

    thanks again for the help.

    Mark

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Posts
    57
    Mark

    Would you attach the AI and DXF file that your using?
    I'd like to take a look to see what might be going on.
    Thanks

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    333
    Quote Originally Posted by trevis1st View Post
    Mark

    Would you attach the AI and DXF file that your using?
    I'd like to take a look to see what might be going on.
    Thanks
    thanks a lot, I appreciate that. I could not attach them for some reason. Would you ming either pm`ming me your email address or emailing me

    [email protected]

    and then I can email them to you.

    Thanks again, I do appreciate your help with this.
    Mark
    Attached Files Attached Files

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
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    333
    well it attached the dxf just not the ai file

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    101
    can't you just open the illustrator file in SW? That's how I do it at work. Or is there something I'm missing in what you're trying to do?

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
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    333
    This is the first time I have done it. I ended up getting it to work by importing the dxf then exploding the block. It worked well. Next time I will try to import the AI file.

    Thanks

    Mark

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Aug 2010
    Posts
    101
    Quote Originally Posted by fourperf View Post
    This is the first time I have done it. I ended up getting it to work by importing the dxf then exploding the block. It worked well. Next time I will try to import the AI file.

    Thanks

    Mark
    It might depend on your version of SW, but I know in 2010 and 2011 I could just open the AI file directly. Simply by changing the file format I was browsing for from .sldprt to .AI. I've done it quite a few times in the past few months with the projects we do.

  13. #13
    Convert the test to paths in AI. Check the help doc to see how to do this. Then export the converted AI file as a .DWG file and save it on your harddrive. You can set the zero point in AI and it will stay the same in SW.

    Then go into SW and open the .DWG file you saved from AI. Use the normal open command and check .DWG as the file type in the pull down menu.

    When you see the SW options be sure and open the AI file as a New Part!

    Then go through the options for openeing all the way to the end being SURE to select the correct measuring system for your part (inches or mm). The part will open easy as pie the only drawback being the curves will all be splines. If that's a problem you'll have to redraw the part in SW.
    www.wilkins-knives.com

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