33. MAINTAINING SYMBOL COLOURS WHEN EXPORTING TO DXF OR DWG
Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 4:17 pm
As we discussed last time you can make multicoloured symbols for use in the database.
Typically, however, items in the database don’t have the “Use symbol color(s)” option selected. Symbols for items using this system are drawn on the plan in the “Plotting Color”. Visual CADD (the CAD engine we use) handles placement colour differently from AutoCAD and consequently the colour of the items will be lost (this doesn’t apply to outlet and nozzles) when exported to DXF or DWG. To overcome this we have redrawn the default database symbols. When used with a modified Color Export map the symbol colours will be properly displayed in AutoCAD.
The new symbols and the colour mapping will be defaults in IRRICAD Pro Version 11.5 which is due for release in May/June 2012.
Meanwhile you can follow the steps below to help export symbols on your plan at the right colour for pre- IRRICAD Pro V11.5 versions.
To export a design to DXF or DWG and maintain the symbol colours:
1. (only for versions older than v11.5) Download the NewDBSSymbols.zip file and extract the symbol files into your \Symbols\Database folder (commonly located in C:\Program Files\AEI Software\IRRICAD Pro 10\Symbols\Database) and overwrite the existing symbols.
2. Draw your design plan.
3. When ready to export go to Settings|Import/Export Settings.
4. Click on the Color Export tab.
5. Select the "Use Custom Map" option.
6. In V21+ change the map to IRRICAD AutoCAD Windows. In V20 and older change the map to AutoCAD Windows.
In pre-V17 versions do steps 7 & 8:-
7. Scroll down until you see 254 in the left-hand VCadd Color column. Change the mapped number in the DWG Color column to 0 (zero). (Note you will only need to do Step 7 and 8 once).
8. Click [Save Map].
9. Click [OK] to close the dialog.
10. You are now ready to export to DXF or DWG.
Always set the Color Export map to IRRICAD AutoCAD Windows (V21+) or for V20 and older AutoCAD Windows when exporting to DXF/DWG to maintain the database symbol colours.
Typically, however, items in the database don’t have the “Use symbol color(s)” option selected. Symbols for items using this system are drawn on the plan in the “Plotting Color”. Visual CADD (the CAD engine we use) handles placement colour differently from AutoCAD and consequently the colour of the items will be lost (this doesn’t apply to outlet and nozzles) when exported to DXF or DWG. To overcome this we have redrawn the default database symbols. When used with a modified Color Export map the symbol colours will be properly displayed in AutoCAD.
The new symbols and the colour mapping will be defaults in IRRICAD Pro Version 11.5 which is due for release in May/June 2012.
Meanwhile you can follow the steps below to help export symbols on your plan at the right colour for pre- IRRICAD Pro V11.5 versions.
To export a design to DXF or DWG and maintain the symbol colours:
1. (only for versions older than v11.5) Download the NewDBSSymbols.zip file and extract the symbol files into your \Symbols\Database folder (commonly located in C:\Program Files\AEI Software\IRRICAD Pro 10\Symbols\Database) and overwrite the existing symbols.
2. Draw your design plan.
3. When ready to export go to Settings|Import/Export Settings.
4. Click on the Color Export tab.
5. Select the "Use Custom Map" option.
6. In V21+ change the map to IRRICAD AutoCAD Windows. In V20 and older change the map to AutoCAD Windows.
In pre-V17 versions do steps 7 & 8:-
7. Scroll down until you see 254 in the left-hand VCadd Color column. Change the mapped number in the DWG Color column to 0 (zero). (Note you will only need to do Step 7 and 8 once).
8. Click [Save Map].
9. Click [OK] to close the dialog.
10. You are now ready to export to DXF or DWG.
Always set the Color Export map to IRRICAD AutoCAD Windows (V21+) or for V20 and older AutoCAD Windows when exporting to DXF/DWG to maintain the database symbol colours.