Command Window for Exporting DXF

Export-DXF can also be run from the command-line by the export command. Refer to the Model Reference for information on using the Export facilities.

Colours

When selecting geometry for output from Model, choose a colour number that is associated with each element or group of elements. ExPLANT-A maps these colour numbers to DXF colours that match the default colours in Model.

Output Format

Export-DXF is able to generate various versions of AutoCAD dxf files. The default is usually satisfactory, but it is possible to choose a older version of the DXF format if required. To select an alternative output format use the command:

export option 'version' <dxf_version>

Where dxf_version can be one of the following:

'10', '11', '12', '13', '14', '2000', '2002', '2004'

Both 'version' and '14' (for example) must include the quote characters, as the export option command is used for different types of data in different Export Drivers. More recent versions of AutoCAD can read these older dxf variants.

Set the Representation

The Export command was designed as a what-the user-see-is-what-the user-get system, where the visibility and representation settings in Model control what is exported. The user can select certain elements of the Design database for export and choose an appropriate level of detail for their needs.

If operating in a graphical mode, and working with relatively small volume of data this is ideal. When exporting large models the close integration with the graphical display can result in slow performance.

If this is the case the export can be sped significantly by running Model without graphics. It is then very important to make sure that the visual representation is set to what the user requires.

Note:
Model's default settings are different when running without graphics.

Running Export-DXF

To translate a model file into a DXF file the user must be in Model.

If the model to export is large, then it is a lot quicker to output the file if the user enters the device tty mode rather than the graphics mode of Model and set the representation as required. The MODEL EXPORT commands can be stored in a macro file.

For example:

Refer to Element Representation for further information of more powerful colour selection and element selection techniques.