Expert: Kevin Stohlmeyer - 4/21/2011

Question
QUESTION: This was an answer you provided on scaling issues from AutoCad to Illustrator: "Not sure why the scale would change at all, it's never been an issue for me."

From my experience.....everytime I open an autocad file (.dxf, .dwg)it MUST be scaled once opened into Illustrator. Do you have the solution to open in illustrator CS4 or CS5 the .DXF or . DWG file and not have to scale it?

I'm refering to an answer/topic that was previously answered. See link:
http://en.allexperts.com/q/Adobe-Illustrator-1027/2010/8/Scale-Autocad-Illustrat

ANSWER: Hi Jonny,

You are misunderstanding the original question/answer.

The person was having issues where they thought the drawing scale was changing when they brought it into AI. This is not true, the image comes in at 100% actual drawing size and the scale is the same. For instance I have a diagram that is 20" x 14" at 1/4" scale. When I export and import into AI, it comes in at 20" x 14" same scale.

If you need to change the size of the image to make it fit in your document, that is different.  

Kevin

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Kevin,

That is true. In this case disregard that original question.

If I take a 5.123" x 2.987" rectangle made in AutoCad, how can I open it in Illustrator at the same exact size? The scaling would be correct from autocad to illustrator as stated by the original/question/answer. But the actual size of the rectangle is no longer exactly 5.123" x 2.987".

I have an autocad .dwg and would like to use illustrator instead. When I take the autocad .dwg (or.dxf) and open it up in illustraotr cs4, the size of the 5.123" x 2.987" rectangle is not accurate. It is in some cases, slightly larger or smaller. How do I open this autocad .dwg file without having to manually size (or scale in Illustartor)?


Thanks.

Answer
Hi Jonny,

I'm not sure how to fix this as my drawing comes in at the same size no matter how I export and bring into Illustrator. I just double checked to make sure this is happening the same. The only thing I noticed is Illustrator rounds up/down the third decimal point, but it is still the same size if I printed it out and measured.

Kevin