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inserting an Adobe Illistrator file.
Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 4:43 pm
by Jim Steinmeyer
I am having a challenge.
The local community collage wants me to create a plasma file to cut some bench supports. They first sent a file that came as an edrawings file that I could open in our edrawings viewer but not in SW. No dimensions but I was able to measure it, sort of and it was 135"x 150". Seemed large so I asked for a drawing with dimensions or a dxf file.
He tells me the dimensions should be closer to 23"x25" and sends me a pdf. Not a dxf but I should be able to insert it as a sketch picture and trace it. So when I attempt to add the sketch picture I get the message "Adobe Illustrator C53 required to import this file". No problem, I will paste it in Paint and then use that. same message. Naturally I don't have illustrator and am highly unlikely to ever have it.
Does someone have Illustrator or know of a different program that can convert it to a png or gif or other standard format?
Thank you
Re: inserting an Adobe Illistrator file.
Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 4:52 pm
by mike miller
Lantek nesting software can import a PDF and export as DXF. Let me see if I can do a little arm twisting with the laser department next week.
Re: inserting an Adobe Illistrator file.
Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 4:57 pm
by matt
You could take a screen capture, but even so, you have to have a way to calibrate it. Some size on the pdf that you know, like the end radius.
Re: inserting an Adobe Illistrator file.
Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 5:18 pm
by Arthur NY
This would be WAAAAAAy easier of they would send the (.DWG) or (.DXF) file rather than trying to trace it....
That said download Rhino 3D and drag and drop the PDF into it. It will give you curves with which to then generate some 3D from. Then export out as a (.STEP file.
Re: inserting an Adobe Illistrator file.
Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 5:20 pm
by zxys001
Jim Steinmeyer wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 4:43 pm
I am having a challenge.
The local community collage wants me to create a plasma file to cut some bench supports. They first sent a file that came as an edrawings file that I could open in our edrawings viewer but not in SW. No dimensions but I was able to measure it, sort of and it was 135"x 150". Seemed large so I asked for a drawing with dimensions or a dxf file.
He tells me the dimensions should be closer to 23"x25" and sends me a pdf. Not a dxf but I should be able to insert it as a sketch picture and trace it. So when I attempt to add the sketch picture I get the message "Adobe Illustrator C53 required to import this file". No problem, I will paste it in Paint and then use that. same message. Naturally I don't have illustrator and am highly unlikely to ever have it.
Does someone have Illustrator or know of a different program that can convert it to a png or gif or other standard format?
Thank you
..here's a DXF of it (I used Rhino3D)
Re: inserting an Adobe Illistrator file.
Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 5:34 pm
by Krzysztof Szpakowski
Re: inserting an Adobe Illistrator file.
Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2021 9:22 pm
by mbiasotti
@Jim Steinmeyer - Hi Jim, coming to the party late, if you still need your .ai file converted let me know and I'll do it for you.
Mark
Re: inserting an Adobe Illistrator file.
Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2021 1:48 am
by zwei
You may also try Inkscape (
https://inkscape.org/)
Re: inserting an Adobe Illistrator file.
Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 8:42 am
by SamSpade
You can try online PDF to DWG converters:
https://www.zamzar.com/
Re: inserting an Adobe Illistrator file.
Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 9:24 am
by HerrTick
I would just kick it back and insist on a dxf (or at least STEP). They need to learn appropriate formats for manufacturing, and (hopefully) pass this knowledge on to their students.
Seems ridiculous that they took the time to give you another useless export but didn't take the time to give you something useful. There are some customers that you want the competition to steal.
Re: inserting an Adobe Illistrator file.
Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 9:40 am
by Jim Steinmeyer
zxys001 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 23, 2021 5:20 pm
..here's a DXF of it (I used Rhino3D)
Thank you Paul.
Re: inserting an Adobe Illistrator file.
Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 9:57 am
by Jim Steinmeyer
Thank you for the input everyone. I tried to get a better file from the school but the "drawing" is coming from the Marketing & Public Relations department and I suspect they are unclear just what a File is let alone what a dxf file is.
The interesting thing is that they said this 25" x 23" part is too big to fit their plasma.
Re: inserting an Adobe Illistrator file.
Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 10:10 am
by Frederick_Law
Better get a dimensioned "drawing" and redraw it.
They had something to create edrawing. Get that "something" file.
Get the original file. Not one that got translated a billion time.
Re: inserting an Adobe Illistrator file.
Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 1:28 pm
by HerrTick
the "drawing" is coming from the Marketing & Public Relations department
I would cease all communications with them other than "
connect me with someone who knows what they're doing".
I've been through this spin cycle way too many times. A 2-minute conversation or one-line email with the right person will solve everything.
Re: inserting an Adobe Illistrator file.
Posted: Mon Apr 26, 2021 1:34 pm
by HerrTick
I know I'm sounding obtuse if not outright belligerent. In practice, I do actually do these things, but with my best Midwest-nice demeanor. But I stand firm.
Re: inserting an Adobe Illistrator file.
Posted: Tue May 04, 2021 4:47 pm
by Jim Steinmeyer
Well, for what I got paid and everything, I didn't care too much. So I came close,
Then I put our company logo in the plasma file.
Re: inserting an Adobe Illistrator file.
Posted: Tue May 04, 2021 4:51 pm
by AlexLachance
I know this has been answered, but can't you save illustrator files in DWG or into JPEGS? If you were to save into Jpegs, you could then either convert the jpeg to DXF with a web application and then scale it to the appropriate size
I thought I recall something about Photoshop/Illustrator being able to export as DXF
Re: inserting an Adobe Illistrator file.
Posted: Tue May 04, 2021 5:24 pm
by Jim Steinmeyer
AlexLachance wrote: ↑Tue May 04, 2021 4:51 pm
I know this has been answered, but can't you save illustrator files in DWG or into JPEGS? If you were to save into Jpegs, you could then either convert the jpeg to DXF with a web application and then scale it to the appropriate size
I thought I recall something about Photoshop/Illustrator being able to export as DXF
Yes, But I had nothing that would open it. The first file that he sent was able to be opened but was about 6 times the size it should have been. Then when he resent I was unable to even open to resave.
Re: inserting an Adobe Illistrator file.
Posted: Wed May 05, 2021 12:37 am
by zxys001
Jim Steinmeyer wrote: ↑Tue May 04, 2021 5:24 pm
Yes, But I had nothing that would open it. The first file that he sent was able to be opened but was about 6 times the size it should have been. Then when he resent I was unable to even open to resave.
..as Zhen-Wei Tee suggested, Inkscape is free option.