Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 6/18/2008

Question
Hi Kevin,
This is a follow-up to a question I asked Amy:

Subject     Exporting an Illustrator file to AutoCAD
Question     Hi,
I am trying to export an illustrator file into CAD. So I choose export as a DWG file and then the program saves about 90 BMP or JPEG files (rasters) along with the CAD file. The problem is that when i open the file in CAD, all of the white backgrounds show up and so a lot of the CAD image becomes hidden. Is there a way to remove these white backgrounds so that these raster images in CAD can essentially overlay to create one image?
Answer     Hi Jay,

I don't know a ton about CAD, nor do I have any way to troubleshoot it for you, but I do know the problem you're talking about.

Can you import/open any sort of EPS files in CAD? Your whites' transparency cannot be preserved in any formats other than 1-bit BMPs or EPS/other vector.

If you can figure out a way to open EPS in CAD, try saving the Illustrator files as EPS (preserve transparency) (That's a Save As..., not an export). If you can't do this (sorry I am not familiar enough with CAD to know if what I am saying is possible) can you try exporting as DXF? DXF may preserve that transparency.

Otherwise, you could try exporting as a 1-bit BMP, too, if that suits your needs (depends on image content, really).

Hope this helps a little.

Amy



The trouble I am having is that whenever I export any file from illustrator to CAD, Adobe only gives me the option to export as either JPEG or BMP format, so i don't even have the option to export as a EPS file. is there any other way to export illustrator raster files to CAD so that they maintain their transparency?

Answer
Hi Jay,

You do not export out to eps, you go to file>save as.

I personally save my Illustrator files as DXF to bring into AutoCAD.

However, in reading your original question, I am wondering if you are placing images into Illustrator such as (BMP or JPG). If you are, the problem lies with the original file formats not the export.

BMP and JPG do not support transparency when exported at all. You would need to go back to Photoshop and save them out as a psd, or eps file before you place them into Illustrator.

Let me know if this is not the case and I can troubleshoot further for you.

Thanks

Kevin