Importing DXF files into Illustrator: Difference between revisions
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DXF files are often referred to as "unitless" and there are frequent problems when importing them into other software. Adobe Illustrator, as software primarily used for design, likes to work in [[wikipedia:Point_(typography)|Points]] and subsequently often tries to import DXF files as if drawn in points. | DXF files are often referred to as "unitless" and there are frequent problems when importing them into other software. Adobe Illustrator, as software primarily used for design, likes to work in [[wikipedia:Point_(typography)|Points]] (defined as 1/72 of an inch) and subsequently often tries to import DXF files as if drawn in points. | ||
This will cause problems with the size of your design - parts will come out approximately 1/3 of their intended size. | This will cause problems with the size of your design - parts will come out approximately 1/3 of their intended size. | ||
Latest revision as of 12:47, 4 January 2024
DXF files are often referred to as "unitless" and there are frequent problems when importing them into other software. Adobe Illustrator, as software primarily used for design, likes to work in Points (defined as 1/72 of an inch) and subsequently often tries to import DXF files as if drawn in points.
This will cause problems with the size of your design - parts will come out approximately 1/3 of their intended size.
Selecting the Correct Scale
- The DXF/DWG Options page appears when you open a DXF file in Illustrator.
- Select Original Size
- Set the scale units dropdown box to millimeters (or whatever unit your original file was drawn in)
- Set the Scale text box to 1.
- Set the Unit(s) text box to 1.
- Click OK.
Grouping Objects
Often lines are not grouped or joined together. Before moving objects around you may wish to select them using the Selection tool (shortcut key V) and then group them together (Ctrl+G). These grouped objects and lines will now move together as one, preventing accidental misalignment during the nesting process.