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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Kelvin Lamport Feb 11, 2011 9:33 AM (in response to Sharon Benedict)The Save As > Adobe Illustrator files (*.ai) isn't suitable?
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Ryan Horst Feb 11, 2011 9:34 AM (in response to Sharon Benedict)The best way is to make a drawing in solidworks and save as a pdf. The only way to get a vector format is from the 2d drawing file.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Charles Culp Feb 13, 2011 10:49 AM (in response to Sharon Benedict)Sharon,
You want a 3D view of the model? If so, then I suggest utilizing the PhotoView 360 software to make a nice rendering. With those options you can make the resolution anything you need to match your end output. PV360 will render the image using advanced lighting and raytracing, so it takes a while to compute. It also requires SolidWorks Professional, or a stand-alone plug-in license.
You can save SolidWorks sketches as vectors. You can save SolidWorks drawings as vectors. You will only get the edges though, none of the shading. So if you have a SolidWorks drawing open, you can get those lines as an .ai file.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Ranjiet Menon Nov 4, 2012 12:08 PM (in response to Charles Culp)Hey guys,
I am trying to do the exact opposite of what is mentioned in this post.....I have an AI file created using AI CS6, but when I try to import the file into SolidWorks, I get an error saying SolidWorks can import files created using Illustrator CS3 or later.
I am using SW 2012 SP4 and AI CS6.
Any thoughts on what I am doing wrong, or how to fix this issue would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks in advnce!!!
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Sandra Albuquerque Nov 14, 2012 8:48 AM (in response to Ranjiet Menon)Ranjiet, I'm having the same problem as you, but I'm running SW 2012 SP5 and the 64-bit version of both SW and AI. Here's the reply I got from SW:
"This is a reproducible issue, the Adobe file can be imported into SolidWorks if Adobe CS4 or CS5 is installed. The issue is with Adobe CS6. I will be updating this SR with a SPR trouble report. In the meantime, please export the file out of Adobe CS6 using the DXF option and then import it in to SolidWorks.
Here is a copy of the SPR that will be created.
SPR 678415 Error: Adobe illustrator version CS3 or later installation is required to import an Adobe Illustrator file to SolidWorks even with Adobe illustrator CS6 installed."
As you may already know, back saving to an earlier version using AI CS6 won't work.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Leif Buckley Aug 16, 2011 2:57 PM (in response to Sharon Benedict)Hi Sharon, I have to use this routine every day, for me "export .ai" is worthless as it will segment the entire image once you open it in Illustrator. I create a drawing of the angle I want, crank up the image quality and then save as ".DFX" 1 to 1. When I open this file in Illustrator, I only have to remove the lines that are leftover from the Drawing Sheet (i.e. the info box).
Hope that helps.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Lenny Bucholz Sep 15, 2011 3:07 PM (in response to Leif Buckley)Leif Buckley wrote:
".DFX" 1 to 1. When I open this file in Illustrator, I only have to remove the lines that are leftover from the Drawing Sheet (i.e. the info box).
Hope that helps.
Lief here is a tip.
before you save the dxf, go to properties of the drawing sheet and deselect the display sheet format box, then it's just a plain sheet of paper with no title block to delete in illustrator.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Marc Herrera Sep 15, 2011 8:31 PM (in response to Leif Buckley)I was thanking him for "this problem is worthy of being brought up to thier development team". Sorry if I offended you.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Marc Herrera Sep 14, 2011 2:29 AM (in response to Sharon Benedict)Hi Sharon,
I have the same problem. So every person giving you an answer has no knowledge about the difference between a bitmap file vs a vector file, so most of the above answers are useless. I've tried exporting to an illustrator file for use in our user manuals. It seems to work, but when I zoom in on the exported .ai file I find jagged lines and worst non of the lines are joined at any end points. It seems to just throw away any of the configured drawing assembly/exploded view information (that I would like to be able to selectively pull apart) and flatten the file. This is about the same result as printing as a PDF file.
I'm going to play with the DXF options. I did figured out that if you export one part at a time rather then an overlapping assembled configured view it retains usable .ai features.
It's a battle with our engineers. "Why can you use the the drawings we give you?" My answer is always "the illustrations in the manuals have to be paired down to their bare essentials (simplified look). The rule of any Graphic Designer is to comunicate with as little "ink" as possible!
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
John Layne Sep 14, 2011 3:22 AM (in response to Marc Herrera)Marc Herrera wrote:
Hi Sharon,
I have the same problem. So every person giving you an answer has no knowledge about the difference between a bitmap file vs a vector file, so most of the above answers are useless.
Geeze what a way to alienate people.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Marc Herrera Sep 15, 2011 2:41 PM (in response to John Layne)Don't have time to play nice. I have 15 manuals and 5 over worked graphic artist and vendors. And "alienate" is not in my vocabulary at the moment.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Roland Schwarz Sep 15, 2011 3:04 PM (in response to Marc Herrera)You would have more time to play nice if you actually knew more and pretended less. Previous posters recommended DXF and PDF. Both are vector formats that I have successfully imported into AI. (Yes, other people besides you know the difference).
As mentioned, exporting is best done from a drawing. No trees or kittens will die if you make a temporary drawing to accomplish this aim.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Marc Herrera Sep 16, 2011 12:33 PM (in response to Roland Schwarz)I apologize for my harshness in the beginning of my post, but please re-read the second sentence. Opening it in illustrator is the easy part. I need it as a "compound path" in order to work with it traditionally. The original post from Sharon came very close to my problem "...to figure out the best way to export a model into a high-res, vector drawing, editable in Adobe Illustrator". Mark Biasotti understood what my problem was and addressed it superbly.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Lenny Bucholz Sep 16, 2011 12:59 PM (in response to Marc Herrera)of course Mark B knows your pain he is an Industrial Designer, worked for IDEO and had the same issues.
It's that whole graphic to geometry and geom to graghic delema, there just aren't any raster to vector programs out there that are worth a crap!!!!! so why do you think SW would be any different, same issue these days with a scanned stl file to make it a surface or solid model again they all suck!
it's just like designers don't like engineers and visa versa and model makers don't like designers and engineers because they always have to save there.............. Just kidding Mark you know I love ya!
so you all know Mark and I worked together back in the day.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Marc Herrera Sep 16, 2011 2:23 PM (in response to Lenny Bucholz)One of our engineers actually worked or contracted for IDEO (Steve X.) and yes I irritated him off a few times. As for SW being different... wishful thinking I guess? So I just hunkered down on SW and started creating my own configurations/views my self. And I convinced my superiors to ad an additional SW licence jut for the "Art Dept". This how important our user manuals are to us. Most of the manuals are tailored for each of our "B to B" clients. If this issue was some how bridged, SW or Adobe would make a killing and maybe put a few production artist out of work.
I did find a little work around. If I just exported one part at a time rather then a the whole assembled overlapping "layered part" it keeps the path/lines as a compound path in Illustrator. We have a in-staff interior designer that uses AutoCAD and she pointed out that it's because of the layers.
PS I have few thing to learn when posting
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Lenny Bucholz Sep 16, 2011 2:36 PM (in response to Marc Herrera)Marc Herrera wrote:
PS I have few thing to learn when posting
Its all good..... some just get their undies in a bundle to quickly, not that I haven't been in your shoes before on here.
us machinst types tend to do that.
have a great weekend and GO PACK GO!!!!
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Rob Rodríguez Sep 16, 2011 2:39 PM (in response to Marc Herrera)Hi Marc,
If you're that heavy into manual creation you may want to have a look at 3dvia composer http://www.solidworks.com/sw/products/documentation-software-3DVIA-Composer.htm
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Marc Herrera Sep 16, 2011 2:45 PM (in response to Rob Rodríguez)I just opened up the link... AND WOW! This looks promising! Thanks.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Roland Schwarz Sep 16, 2011 1:33 PM (in response to Marc Herrera)Sorry. I must have misunderstood you when you said "every person giving you an answer has no knowledge about the difference between a bitmap file vs a vector file". Gotta work on my reasoning skills, so I can better connect the dots between "my imported vector files are crapola" and "other people don't know the difference between raster and vector".
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Richard DoyleSep 15, 2011 3:07 PM (in response to Marc Herrera)
Hi Marc,
Please do your best to be kind to others on the forum. Some of your responses have been quite negative in tone, especially considering that you have asked for help here.
Richard Doyle
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Marc Herrera Sep 15, 2011 3:20 PM (in response to Richard Doyle)Hi Richard,
I'll play like "David Banner or Bruce" next post.
My Apologies
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
1-4EQZK9 Sep 14, 2011 9:04 AM (in response to Sharon Benedict)Sharon and all,
The best way would be to open the saved DXF from SW into Illustrator.
I'm going to look into this issue and probably file an SPR because if you select the drawing views and then use Edit>copy to illustrator, it only vectorizes the annotations and hatching but not the geometry - this is wrong, and I'm going to try to convince development that we need ALL of it. Cross your fingers and wish me luck
Regards
Mark
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Marc Herrera Sep 15, 2011 2:46 PM (in response to 1-4EQZK9)Thank you...
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Alin Vargatu Sep 16, 2011 2:43 PM (in response to Sharon Benedict)Rob is right. Give 3DVIA Composer a try. You can take advantage of the free 30 days trial.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Marc Herrera Sep 16, 2011 2:55 PM (in response to Alin Vargatu)Srew the trial! I just shot an email to our dept head a request to purchase and I'm looking for tutorials. Please don't tell me how long this 3DdivaComposer has been around...
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Rob Rodríguez Sep 16, 2011 2:58 PM (in response to Marc Herrera)I'm not sure but it's been 3-4 years anyway. It's a nice product from the usage I've had with it. I think it's price has limited it's ability to really penetrate the market.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Marc Herrera Sep 16, 2011 3:06 PM (in response to Rob Rodríguez)Dam. Their making me download the Trial first. Then contact our SW dealer. Then call our engineering consultant who happens to be a SW instructor. Really!
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Alin Vargatu Sep 16, 2011 3:11 PM (in response to Marc Herrera)The good news is that the program is really easy to learn. Plus your engineers and designers are going to love you, because you will bug them less in the future.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Ryan Horst Sep 16, 2011 3:13 PM (in response to Marc Herrera)I currently use 3dvia composer and we have liked it so far! It definitely is pricey, but it seems to be worth the money. Good luck finding much in the way of training manuals, tutorials, or any type of advanced help. They are slowly releasing stuff but we've had it for a year now and I basically had to teach myself.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Alin Vargatu Sep 19, 2011 10:04 AM (in response to Ryan Horst)Hi Ryan,
There is avery good training course available, including a must have manual.
CLICK HERE for more details.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Scott Baugh Sep 16, 2011 3:16 PM (in response to Marc Herrera)I downloaded the trial and within 3 weeks I made a full animation showing the Mold machine dropping parts and I was able to describe the process. I had more time to work on it, I might be able to do much more. Only problem I had starting out was File saving and size issues. VAR helped me get passed that hurdle.
Regards,
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Roland Schwarz Sep 19, 2011 10:25 AM (in response to Sharon Benedict)I realized that my previous export to AI method is probably a bit different than most. Typically, I did not rely on the SW-generated PDF (available via Save As --> PDF). I had generated PDFs using various print engines. Sometimes I printed to PostScript and then converteed to PDF (using GhostView, which is free). Sometimes I used other print-to-PDF utilities.
If saving to PDF is not yielding good quality, try other methods to generate PDF. They are not all created equal.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Chris Atkin Dec 19, 2011 7:27 PM (in response to Sharon Benedict)This may a bit late for you, but i thought i would post this hopeing it might help at least someone else. I find solidworks is really great for design labels and inlays for our equipment, but so far i have yet to find a printer (i mean a graphics company) that can open a solidworks file. Typically I have been sending our printer a pdf drawing and after many complaints by the printers we eventually get something acceptable. However today, as luck would have it, i needed to have another batch of machine name plates made up and I decided that i want to put this issue to bed once and for all. As it turns out, there is a way to export vectors form solidworks to illustrator. I did this with Illuistrator CS5. If you want to try it, you can download a 30 day trial from Adobe.
Here are the steps:
1. Open your model file, and select "Save As" then ".dxf" file and select the "options" button. Here is where you can get in trouble. Illustrator says it can open 2006 and older files, but it doesn't at least when you export form solidworks. However it works perfectly if select R14 version. (other versions may work too, I didn't try them all). You will get another dialogue and i just select my view that i want and i'm done with the solidworks part.
2. now open illustrator, and open your file.
3. Now heres the second trick, don't click too quickly. after you select your file, a DXF/DWG option dialog will appear. Under scale, leave it at 100%, but below that, it defulats as 1 unit = 1 Point, you need to change that so that 1 unit = 1 inch. once you do that your image will appear. I then change my art pad to match the drawing size. Also, if this is something that is goign to be cut (ie a label), i usually move my border or cutting edges to another layer that I label as "cuts" and keep the graphics on a seperate layer. The only word of warning is that your text will be imported as splines instead of text. The other thing that i do is change the light weight to the smallest (i think .25pt). Then fill in my text as neccessary. Just be carefull when your editing because since its vector graphics, its real easy to drag an edge around.
Its pretty easy after you do it once of twice.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Vikas Jindal Aug 20, 2012 1:22 PM (in response to Sharon Benedict)I tried looking into this, but as per my knowledge there is no option to export solidwork drawings into a 2-d vector format.
The best solution for the problem will be to save every sheet into jpeg format using high resolution. For that before saving the file go to the options section and increase the dpi value. The more value you choose, your response will be slow but the resolution will be great.
For the people who are talking about the 3-Dvia, i am sorry my friend but I found it as a peice of crap. it takes 5-10 secs to zoom in or out for an assembly and not at all user friendly, I will recommend soliworks to improvise and fix the issues.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Jeff Holliday Aug 20, 2012 4:55 PM (in response to Vikas Jindal)A solidWorks drawing is in vector format. You can save the file as an Adobe Illustrator file (.ai). It should then be able to be opened and used in vector format by anyone with Illustrator which is a very recognized standard.
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Re: export to vector format for editting in Illustrator
Cameron Nicholson Jul 31, 2013 7:15 PM (in response to Sharon Benedict)I have found saving as AI. works 90% of the time. By 90% I mean the other 10% of the time when I open the AI. file in Illustrator it isn't vectors. It has turned itself into one or a series of bitmaps.
If this happens I save as a DXF, which usually creates more paths inside Illustrator but hasn't failed me yet (so long as I can open it).
When I can't open the the DXF in Illustrator (PC says it doesn't have enough RAM to open) I have only found one work around.
- When creating the drawing in SW scale the assembly/part to 1:1 or larger (the bigger the better). Make sure the you change the sheet size to fit the entire drawing view(s) inside.
- Set the display style of the drawing view(s) to 'hidden lines removed' Save as AI. (If hidden lines aren't removed and its a shaded view then it will not save as a vector).
- Afer opening the file in Illustrator and finding it is still a bitmap file you can live trace it. Because the drawing is so big it should trace relatively close to what your after as an end result. Might need to adjust the live trace options to suit. (I change the px areas between 0 - 10px. This gives a tighter, higher quality line).
- Expand the trace and ungroup the image
- Adjust the line weights (if required) eg. 0.05pt
- Scale down to the correct size your after and copy into the document.
I have found the end result almost mirrors that of one that has saved perfectly from SW to AI