Expert: Bob - 12/21/2009

Question
I am a tool and die maker using AutoCAD 2002. At times when I receive drawings from others who are using newer vwersions of AutoCAD their work will not allow me to copy and paste from their drawings to mine. The only thing I have found that sort of works is copylink. This unfortunately copies their entire drawing to mine. Is there a way around this? I have been using AutoCAD since R14. I am fairly fluent in all phases with the exception of VBA.

Answer
Hi --

As you may know, NO new release of AutoCAD creates AutoCAD linework objects which will not perform as you want in an older release --- BUT, the objects you encounter may be 3D, objects created by a vertical application (MEP, Mechanical, etc), which should, typically, give you workable elements. I am assuming that you save the drawings in the 2000 format before attempting to work on them.

I am an Interior Designer -- I am not familiar with exactly what is going on in your industry today, but if the originators are drawing parts in 3D, they are likely NOT using AutoCAD. I have never heard of your problem in Architectural use.

Before I investigate some mysteries here, I am going to ask you to call or email some of the originators and see if they created the drawings in another program and saved them as dwg. files.
Your industry uses Solidworks and Inventor (an Autodesk product which should create workable dwg files). You might be mistaken that the creating software was AutoCAD, just because you receive dwg files. Something is rotten.

WORKAROUNDS: Did you check to make sure the drawings were not sent to you as a block, which you could explode?
If the drawings only come in as a single unit, for some mysterious reason, you could XREF them, and draw over the parts you want (or lock the layers and draw over in a new layer)-- etc.

Once you know the origins, I can help point you to sources for the solution. You should also check with others in your industry to see if you need different software today. Vendors of Inventor and Solidworks may, too, be good information sources, as well as online forums in your industry.

Write back if you like.

BOB