Lively discussions on the graphic arts and publishing — in print or on the web

Franca · 02-24-2005, 07:04 AM

Until today I have not had trouble importing DWG and AI files into Corel Draw, but my version is getting a tad aged and I may be bumping up against the one and only reason to upgrade.... Can anyone open one DWG (AutoCAD or similar) and one AI file for me and save them out as ... well, something I can open. ;-) CDR version 9 or earlier, or EPS, or even AI 7 or earlier? Let me know if you're willing to try and I'll e-mail a zip file. Thanks!

groucho · 02-24-2005, 10:10 AM

Franca, my software is probably as old as yours.<G> But there's a caveat about DWG files, you may need to manually specify line types (color, stroke) during the conversion process. AutoCAD used to save the shapes (the lines) and have the user assign one of 16 "pens" to each line, since the pen stroke was made by the pen plotter and NOT in the software. One hopes the new DWG standards have a way to carry this information internally--but it is something you might want to check up on.

You might also find some DWG filters and converters online as freebies or free trials.

Franca · 02-24-2005, 01:41 PM

Oh, I truly hate CAD files and all their little itty bitty lines. In the past I've actually had to edit them but this one I just need to get printed out somehow - if I could only get the darned thing open. I've thought of one more thing to try; if it doesn't work I'll see if there are any freebie DWG converters. It's really odd that I can't open the AI file - I'm almost wondering if it's corrupt.

Stephen Owades · 02-24-2005, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Franca

Until today I have not had trouble importing DWG and AI files into Corel Draw, but my version is getting a tad aged and I may be bumping up against the one and only reason to upgrade.... Can anyone open one DWG (AutoCAD or similar) and one AI file for me and save them out as ... well, something I can open. ;-) CDR version 9 or earlier, or EPS, or even AI 7 or earlier? Let me know if you're willing to try and I'll e-mail a zip file. Thanks!

I can take a look at your files here with Illustrator CS, which supposedly imports DWG files. Send via email to owades (at) alum (dot) mit (dot) edu.

Franca · 02-24-2005, 04:25 PM

Thank you, Stephen! I've handled the DWG file, but the AI file still has me stumped so it will be coming to a mailbox near you very soon. :-)

DTP Guy · 02-25-2005, 07:00 AM

Late onto this one, but I have got a copy of CorelDRAW 12 and Illustrator CS, so I think I'll be able to help if Stephen can't.

Franca · 02-25-2005, 09:44 AM

Thanks, Brian - Stephen got me all fixed up. It was interesting - he said that he had to use Illustrator 10 instead of CS in order to save all the way back to Illustrator 7 format. Apparently the original was an Illustrator 9 file - a bit too new for Draw 9 to comprehend. I have Draw 12 right here in my office, but I've been so happy with Draw 9 that the Draw 12 box remains unopened ... any comments on Draw 12 vs. earlier versions while we're on the subject?

DTP Guy · 02-26-2005, 01:19 AM

Glad that you were fixed up.

Interesting that you have Draw 12 and not even been tempted to install it yet <g> I can't wait, usually.

It has been such a long time that I have looked at version 9 that I really cannot offer much of an insight now. I do know that 10 was a bit flaky and 11 was better in terms of stability. 12 on my system seems rock-solid and I find that using it is very natural.

Some things have changed. You can now make an object a symbol for re-use elsewhere in the document, stopping it from being re-saved each time. This has meant that the older way of using symbols from previous versions has changed. On your version, for instance, symbols probably means access to the symbols fonts. In version 12, you have to access them from the fonts menu. That caused a stir when 12 first appeared, I remember. There is the usual set of features that have been added as versions have appeared.

This matrix (pdf file) may help:

http://www.corel.com/content/pdf/cdg...ion_matrix.pdf

Franca · 02-26-2005, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Interesting that you have Draw 12 and not even been tempted to install it yet <g> I can't wait, usually.

Some unfortunate upgrades over the years have cured me of that impulse. Versions 10 and 11 are also shelfware in my office - snubbing version 10 was a conscious decision due to user complaints. I just couldn't be bothered with 11 and 12; I had too many other items higher up on the to-do list and version 9 suited my needs. But I guess I'm a bit more motivated now. Thanks for the matrix link. Very useful!

DTP Guy · 02-28-2005, 01:14 AM

You're welcome.

Jump in and get your feet wet. I think you'll like it!

02-24-2005, 07:04 AM	#1
Franca Staff Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Monterey Bay area, CA Posts: 1,997	Help, Pretty Please? Until today I have not had trouble importing DWG and AI files into Corel Draw, but my version is getting a tad aged and I may be bumping up against the one and only reason to upgrade.... Can anyone open one DWG (AutoCAD or similar) and one AI file for me and save them out as ... well, something I can open. ;-) CDR version 9 or earlier, or EPS, or even AI 7 or earlier? Let me know if you're willing to try and I'll e-mail a zip file. Thanks! __________________ .. ..Franca .. Last edited by Franca; 02-24-2005 at 07:26 AM.

02-24-2005, 01:41 PM	#3
Franca Staff Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Monterey Bay area, CA Posts: 1,997	Oh, I truly hate CAD files and all their little itty bitty lines. In the past I've actually had to edit them but this one I just need to get printed out somehow - if I could only get the darned thing open. I've thought of one more thing to try; if it doesn't work I'll see if there are any freebie DWG converters. It's really odd that I can't open the AI file - I'm almost wondering if it's corrupt. __________________ .. ..Franca ..

02-24-2005, 04:25 PM	#5
Franca Staff Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Monterey Bay area, CA Posts: 1,997	Thank you, Stephen! I've handled the DWG file, but the AI file still has me stumped so it will be coming to a mailbox near you very soon. :-) __________________ .. ..Franca ..

02-25-2005, 07:00 AM	#6
DTP Guy Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Milton Keynes, United Kingdom Posts: 156	Late onto this one, but I have got a copy of CorelDRAW 12 and Illustrator CS, so I think I'll be able to help if Stephen can't. __________________ DTP Guy a.k.a Brian Smithson

02-25-2005, 09:44 AM	#7
Franca Staff Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Monterey Bay area, CA Posts: 1,997	Thanks, Brian - Stephen got me all fixed up. It was interesting - he said that he had to use Illustrator 10 instead of CS in order to save all the way back to Illustrator 7 format. Apparently the original was an Illustrator 9 file - a bit too new for Draw 9 to comprehend. I have Draw 12 right here in my office, but I've been so happy with Draw 9 that the Draw 12 box remains unopened ... any comments on Draw 12 vs. earlier versions while we're on the subject? __________________ .. ..Franca ..

02-24-2005, 10:10 AM	#2
groucho Staff Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 420	Franca, my software is probably as old as yours.<G> But there's a caveat about DWG files, you may need to manually specify line types (color, stroke) during the conversion process. AutoCAD used to save the shapes (the lines) and have the user assign one of 16 "pens" to each line, since the pen stroke was made by the pen plotter and NOT in the software. One hopes the new DWG standards have a way to carry this information internally--but it is something you might want to check up on. You might also find some DWG filters and converters online as freebies or free trials.

02-26-2005, 01:19 AM	#8
DTP Guy Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Milton Keynes, United Kingdom Posts: 156	Glad that you were fixed up. Interesting that you have Draw 12 and not even been tempted to install it yet <g> I can't wait, usually. It has been such a long time that I have looked at version 9 that I really cannot offer much of an insight now. I do know that 10 was a bit flaky and 11 was better in terms of stability. 12 on my system seems rock-solid and I find that using it is very natural. Some things have changed. You can now make an object a symbol for re-use elsewhere in the document, stopping it from being re-saved each time. This has meant that the older way of using symbols from previous versions has changed. On your version, for instance, symbols probably means access to the symbols fonts. In version 12, you have to access them from the fonts menu. That caused a stir when 12 first appeared, I remember. There is the usual set of features that have been added as versions have appeared. This matrix (pdf file) may help: http://www.corel.com/content/pdf/cdg...ion_matrix.pdf __________________ DTP Guy a.k.a Brian Smithson

02-28-2005, 01:14 AM	#10
DTP Guy Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Milton Keynes, United Kingdom Posts: 156	You're welcome. Jump in and get your feet wet. I think you'll like it! __________________ DTP Guy a.k.a Brian Smithson

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