To import a 2D drawing file, select File> Import> Drawing (DWG/DXF) to open the welcome page of the Import Drawing Wizard. Click Next to continue.
A .dxf or .dwg file can be imported into floor plan view, Wall Elevation 
view, Cross Section/Elevation 
view, or a CAD Detail window.
Enter the full pathname of the drawing file you want to import or click Browse to locate a file on your computer. The directory containing the last file selected using the Import Drawing Wizard displays in this field.
If you want to convert lines to polylines or boxes, check the appropriate options. Polylines are imported as polylines regardless of these settings.
Terrain Elevation Data - Check this box to import lines as Terrain Data. See "Importing DXF/DWG Elevation Data".
Polylines - Check this option to import lines as polylines. Unconnected lines will be connected. This option is rarely needed.
Boxes - Check this option to import lines as boxes. Unconnected lines will be connected. This option is rarely needed.
Select Import all CAD blocks to access all CAD blocks associated with the file being imported whether or not they are visible. See "CAD Block Management".
Select Only import CAD blocks if they are referenced in the drawing to reduce the volume of transferred data.
Check Import Hatch entities to import areas of hatching as solid-filled polylines.
Click Next to load the file into memory so that Chief Architect can present information about the contents of the file. This can take a while for larger files.
Specify which layers you want to import. Boxes checked at left are imported; unchecked boxes are not.
Layers that were visible on import are checked by default. You may choose to include an invisible layer by checking the box at left.
Layers that were frozen on import are not checked by default. You can include them by checking the box at left.
Layers are designated as "visible" or "frozen" before a file is saved/exported in the original program. Changes must be made in the original program and saved/exported again.
The Layer Mapping page specifies how layers are structured once imported into Chief Architect.
The simplest layer mapping option is to assign all CAD objects to a single Chief Architect layer. This choice offers the least control. Original layer attributes are lost. Line color, style, and weight are preserved on a per object basis.
All CAD objects to be imported are placed on the layer indicated in the box. Select a layer from the drop-down list or click the Define... button to open the Layer Display Options dialog and specify a layer and its properties. See "Layer Display Options Dialog".
The second option is to map layers by name. Layers are created in Chief Architect with the same names as those listed on the Select Layers window of the Import Drawing Wizard, and the imported CAD objects are placed on those layers.
In combination with the second alternative, you may choose to import all attributes for each layer or none at all.
The third option is to map each layer individually with complete control of all layer mapping options. Selecting the third option opens the Advanced Layer Mapping page.
If you select the Advanced Layer Mapping alternative, the Advanced Layer Mapping page displays. This window allows for complete user control of all layer mapping options.
Lists the layers found in the drawing file and the layer in Chief Architect that each will be imported to. Select a layer and specify which layer to import it to below. Select multiple layers by holding down the Shift key.
Shows the Chief Layer that the currently selected drawing file layer will be imported to. Select a different layer in Chief Architect to import onto from the drop-down list, or click the Define... button to open the Layer Display Options dialog where Chief layers can be specified and defined. See "Layer Display Options Dialog".
Repeat these steps for additional layers. Click Next to continue.
If one or more CAD blocks in the imported file have the same name as a block in the current plan, the Duplicate CAD Blocks page displays.
There are four alternatives. Selecting any of the first three applies that choice to all duplicate CAD blocks in your plan.
The first choice is to allow the program to automatically generate unique names for each duplicate. For instance, if the original file's name is "blockname," the program gives the new file a name like: "blockname-copy" or "blockname-copy-1."
The second alternative is to replace the existing block in the plan with the duplicate. This option is not recommended, as all instances of the CAD block are replaced.
The third is to keep the existing block and discard the duplicate.
Select the fourth option to open the Advanced Duplicate CAD Blocks page and manage each duplicate individually.
Click Next to continue.
If you chose the fourth option from the Duplicate CAD Block dialog, the Advanced Duplicate CAD Block window displays. It allows you to apply the first three alternatives from the previous window to each duplicate individually.
Highlight a block in the list at the far left. Select multiple blocks by holding down the Shift key..
Click one of the three buttons in the center of the window to specify how the highlighted blocks are to be treated.
Review your choices in the tables at the right.
Highlight block(s) within tables at far right and click Remove to reverse choices.
Click Next to continue.
What unit of measurement was used to create this drawing? - Click the drop down box and select a unit of measurement. This ensures that your imported drawing is accurate.
Import as dimensions where possible - Select this radio button to import dimensions as Chief Architect supported dimensions.
Import as CAD blocks - Select this radio button to import dimensions as CAD entities that are not recognized by Chief Architect as dimensions.
When a file is imported, it initially appears in Chief Architect as a single unit, with a Move edit handle 
available for relocating the entire drawing. A Rotation handle 
is available as well.
Imported CAD objects can be manipulated with the CAD tools. See "Editing Objects".
|
Chief Architect www.chiefarchitect.com |
