Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 2/3/2008

Question
I am trying to get drawings into AutoCAD 2000 from Freehand 10.

FIRST-

From looking around it looks like Illustrator CS3 can make DXF files.

My available route now is:
Freehand 10 - export - Illustrator 7
Illustrator 7 - open into - Illustrator CS3
              (?) (Unverified possibility - I can also get to Illustrator 8 to try to get to CS3)
Illustrator CS3 - export (?) - DXF
              (?) (Unknown function)
DXF - opens in - AutoCAD  (?)
              (?) (I am aware that there are different levels of DXF and AutoCAD and that incompatibilities may exist)

Is there something off in this path?
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SECOND-

I am running into problems with getting to a test of the path.

1)  I have tried emailing my Illustrator 7 file out to FedEx/Kinkos but it is loaded into the email as a text file. It reads in the body of the email as lines of text. I pull the file out of the Sent email and it is a Simple Text file that will not open because it is too big. Why can't I email Illustrator files?

2)  I can get the file onto a Zip Disk but FedEx/Kinkos no longer supports zip disks.

3)  I can send my Freehand 10 file but it is not available at FedEx/Kinkos.

4)  I see that AI CS3 needs a modified plug-in to get the DXF to hold file layers and am dubious (not getting any response as yet) that FedEx/Kinkos has that plug-in on their machines.

5)  If it matters: I am working from an Power Mac G3  (I know "old"). No CDW capability.
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THIRD-

Is there a specific type of vendor that might handle this type of translation? The reprographics companies and print shops I am familiar with do not.

Answer
Hi Thom,

First, you should be able to open your Freehand 10 document directly into CS3 without going through an older version. However, your Mac G3 does not meet the recommended minimum requirements for CS3. So if you need to, your route will work in theory (Ive never tried to go through so many hoops).

Second, the reason your file is coming through as a text file is your e-mail program. Try zipping the file first and see if the zip file goes through clean. It sounds like you may have an older version of software that doesn't support some attachments.

I would invest in a $25 USB mini drive and use that to transport the files. Its a worthwhile investment and much more stable than zip disks.

Third, there are no vendors that handle something as specific of a problem as you are facing. You may find a local vendor that could do this, but you will definitely be paying a premium for this.

Thanks

Kevin