Imported DXF files have shapes broken into line segments

[SqueeGee]

I'm importing files that are only available as DXF's. When they come into CorelDraw(I'm running X5 but also have the same issue in X3), some shapes come in fine while others are broken into multiple segments. I've tried combining the segments and auto closing the curve but that doesn't always work correctly. The only workaround I've found so far is manually combining nodes at open segments. There's got to be a better solution and I'm really hoping that someone here will share it!

 

[SqueeGee]

Afternoon bump.

 

[GAC05]

got a small sample with the problem you can post up to take a look at?

wayne k
guam usa

 

[GAC05]

This is old but there might be some help here:
http://coreldraw.com/forums/t/10032.aspx

wayne k
guam usa

 

[Techman]

Some dfx files use the autocad format. They come in as line segments instead of arcs.

You join them using the weld command. And you can export them as arcs using a tool called dfxtools that will come out with the proper curves.

 

[swplus]

I use x3 and those AutoCad files are a real pain. I was welding everything togther, trying to get rid of duplicate line segments...bashing my head against the wall. I realised it's quicker and easier to just recreate all of the shapes and replace the mess that is there.

 

[Bobby H]

AutoCAD uses a completely different approach to drawing objects than CorelDRAW. Everything is basically rendered as line segments rather than a bunch of closed paths.

For example, to draw a brick wall AutoCAD will make the "texture" as a bunch of 2 point open line segments. In CorelDRAW you would create a bunch of closed rectangles organized into a repeating pattern.

With projects that need a high degree of precision, I'll lock down imported AutoCAD artwork on one layer (after getting it sized to the right scale) and then draw new, clean, closed paths over the top of it. I often do this when reproducing building elevations.

A quick and dirty approach: take the artwork into Adobe Illustrator. Give the open path lines a certain amount of stroke width. Enough that all the gaps between open paths are filled. You have a few options to choose at this point. You can expand all those line strokes, weld them together then break them apart to individually color the resulting closed path objects. Or you can use smart fill tools to create new objects. CorelDRAW has some of the same capability, but seems a little more crash-prone when doing stuff like this.

 

[natedawg9640]

you'll find the same problem importing autocad files into a variety of other programs as well.

 

[petepaz]

we have this same problem and have no solution other then recreating the file or welding it. which ever we feel will go quicker. dxf, dwg or any kind of cad file will do this and not good for artwork/reproduction

 

[Tony Teveris]

If you have Omega 4.0 we will but it all together, the next release will be even better

 

[Rick]

If you can contact the person who gave you the file, they can convert that into a polyline and it will be together. It may be faceted depending on the steps that are called out, the more steps, the smoother the arc.