Does AutoCad 360 work on Mac desktop?

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1

Hey guys,

I’m an engineer and I have a workflow issue in that architects occasionally send me dwg floor plans that have entities that do not import into SketchUp, usually because they are in block groups.

When this is the case, I simply need to open the file in AutoCad and explode the block groups, then they import fine.

To do this, I think AutoCad 360 might be best since it provides these basic features at no cost. However, it is a mobile application.

Does AutoCad 360 work on Mac desktop? I’m having trouble opening it from iTunes.

If not, is there another way to open and explode dwg files without paying for the whole software?

Should I just use AutoCad 360 on my iPhone to explode blocks and save the new file?

I already used my AutoCad for Mac free trial for this purpose.

Thanks, you guys are exceedingly helpful and I always appreciate your insight.

2

have you tried TeighaFileConverter.app << click link…

often down saving explodes the blocks, YMMV…

if it works for your input files than you can either use the native importer or use a plugin that combines the two steps…

john

3

Thanks for the suggestion John,

Teigha sure seems to be a useful open-source application, though I didn’t have any luck importing the missing architectural entities (doors, windows, etc.).

I’m not sure whether blocked groups aren’t exploding or if that’s even the problem to begin with. I tried about 10 different conversions to both dwg and dxf.

I can manually draw these entities in LayOut and hope for a more sustainable solution in the future… or perhaps ask the architect for an exploded version.

Thanks,

4

Just for giggles, be sure you have read:

SketchUp User Guide: Importing and Exporting CAD Files

SketchUp User Guide: Starting with a CAD File in SketchUp

5

now you have Teigha installed you can try FreeDXF_Impoter

I have managed to bring in blocks directly with it, that I couldn’t do as a two step operation…

@jim_foltz [the plugin author] would probably like to see one of the dxf or dwg file if it fails…

john

6

If these objects were created in AutoCad Architecture they are proprietary to the application and cannot be seen or edited with anything else. You must have AutoCad Architecture, and in that, use the “Export to AutoCad” function to convert them into standard AutoCad 3D geometry. So probably your architect needs to do that.

Anssi

7

The text seems mostly to date from Sketchup 6 or earlier. (The “Architectural Desktop” was renamed to “AutoCad Architecture” something like 10 years ago).

Anssi

8

Well, the most important part is the table that explains what objects SketchUp cannot see. They are the pages in the guide relating to the topic.

If you know of something more up to date, feel free to post it. (Or write up a tutorial for the Tutorials category ?)

9

Thanks for pointing that out - I took a new look at the table and found some omissions

  • Surfaces and solids: simple things like extruded polylines are supported, but spline-based geometry (default behaviour of AutoCad’s 3D tools) either do not import or are heavily distorted as the importer has no settings to control the “resolution” (last time this was discussed in these forums I got better results by exporting from AutoCad to STL and importing that).

Anssi

10

Great, thanks guys. Looks like coordination with the architect is the best
bet. Here’s the soundbite:

“I use the SketchUp Pro software so I’m curious if you wouldn’t mind
exploding block groups if there are any, and if you use the AutoCad
Architecture software, I’m curious if you could please export the file
using the Export to AutoCad function so that those proprietary entities are
converted into standard geometry. This will ensure a successful import on
my end.”

Mike Abell
– 415-696-6323 –

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