Hi Lance Prior,
There is a bit of a trick to this. To begin with, remember that AutoCAD is still largely regarded as a legacy 2D CAD design system mainly used by architects and in the building/survey industries. So many CAD systems automatically think 2D when reading Autodesk AutoCAD DWG or DXF files. At CADDIT we use
progeCAD to create AutoCAD files.
T-FLEX CAD will read everything up to AutoCAD 2009 DWG file format.
There is some background needed to understand how to use AutoCAD files in T-FLEX models, however:
- A single T-FLEX file (*.grb) can contain several Windows. Windows can be either 2D or 3D, and basically are views for a design. 2D Windows can contain complete detail drawings with title block, border, etc
- AutoCAD DWG model space geometry (like a spline) will be imported to the 2D Window, so one needs to be open (see below)
- Geometry can be "copied" (via Windows clipboard) from the 2D Window and "pasted" into a sketch on the 3D Window.
A Quick Tutorial How to do this:- Open a new 3D model file in T-FLEX.
- "Split" the 3D design Window into 2: from the main Menu click Window -> "Split Horizontally". When asked what kind of new Window to "Create", select the "2D" button. T-FLEX should now appear as below:
- From the main menu "File" -> "Import.." -> select DWG file
NOTE: Make sure the "Create new Document" option in OFF (UNCLICKED) in the DWG import options that are shown, then click OK. - The 2D Geometry will be displayed in the default view of the Drawing Window
- Left click (select) this view's border in the 2D Window to make the view active (this is required even if a drawing Window only has one view). The surrounding 2D Window area border outlines black, showing that it is now likewise active.
- Right click on your imported spline - it will turn red and all the node points will be shown. Select "copy" from down the Context Menu that opens
- Left click on the 3D Window above and select a plane for your T-FLEX sketch
- When you enter Sketch mode on the plane, press CTRL-V to "paste" the spline into your sketch. Select a location on the sketch to place the spline as shown below:
- Save the sketch and exit Sketch mode (Green check box). The spline may now be used to extrude an open surface or anything else 3D like a normal sketch.
I hope this helps! The "copy" and "paste" is required because AutoCAD files are usually considered 2D information that will be imported into the 2D working Window if one exists.