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    Exporting to AutoCad, and preserving layers

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    • G Offline
      Goggin
      last edited by

      I read the help section on this, but I can't figure it out.

      When I export to AutoCad, my architect tells me all the layers get collapsed into one. Is there a setting I need to use to preserve the layers? They all show up fine in SketchUp when I import from AutoCad.

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      • AnssiA Offline
        Anssi
        last edited by

        What happens to layers depends on your export type.

        When you export your whole 3D model, layers remain intact.

        A 2D hidden line export generates a projected 2D line drawing of your view, and has the option of generating DWG layers according to the visual appearance of the lines. I am not a programmer, but I think that in this case it is not possible to unequivocally determine what layer a line should belong to, as it can, for instance, be a border between entities that belong to different layers.

        It works the same in AutoCad itself too. 2D projections created from 3D views or exported as DXB and reimported are on a single layer.

        The workaround would be to export one layer at a time and reassemble the layer structure in AutoCad.

        Anssi

        securi adversus homines, securi adversus deos rem difficillimam adsecuti sunt, ut illis ne voto quidem opus esset

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        • G Offline
          Goggin
          last edited by

          @anssi said:

          What happens to layers depends on your export type.

          When you export your whole 3D model, layers remain intact.

          A 2D hidden line export generates a projected 2D line drawing of your view, and has the option of generating DWG layers according to the visual appearance of the lines. I am not a programmer, but I think that in this case it is not possible to unequivocally determine what layer a line should belong to, as it can, for instance, be a border between entities that belong to different layers.

          It works the same in AutoCad itself too. 2D projections created from 3D views or exported as DXB and reimported are on a single layer.

          The workaround would be to export one layer at a time and reassemble the layer structure in AutoCad.

          Anssi

          Ah, I see. So, if I just do a 3-D export instead of 2-D, I should preserve the layers? Is there any advantage to doing the workaround you mention in the last paragraph instead of a 3-D export?

          I don't have AutoCad, so I don't actually see the results of my export, I just hear what my architect tells me-- her office is not near my residence.

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