DWG TrueConvert™: The (free) file converter you should be using

Have you heard about Autodesk’s DWG TrueConvert software? Autodesk DWG TrueConvert may be the CAD tool you have been looking for, but didn’t know where to find. Which of the following fits your situation?

-I just upgraded my AutoCAD to a newer version and I need all my drawing files converted to the new version.
-I just completed a large drawing project and my customer / supplier informs me they need the files in an older AutoCAD version.
-I just received a drawing package from my customer / supplier and I can’t open the files because my AutoCAD is out of date.
-Some of my in-house CAD packages claim to be able to save AutoCAD 2007 DWG but only partially succeed in saving older versions. The rest of my team is using AutoCAD 2007.

What does DWG TrueConvert do?
DWG TrueConvert software translates DWG files created with AutoCAD, AutoCAD LT or other AutoCAD-based applications to any one of the following DWG formats:

-AutoCAD R14.
-AutoCAD 2000. (Which includes AutoCAD 2000i & AutoCAD 2002)
-AutoCAD 2004. (Which includes AutoCAD 2005 & AutoCAD 2006)
-AutoCAD 2007.

You can convert any version of DWG files, (including the ones you have stored on your 5 1/4 “floppy disks), created with AutoCAD-based products to these later versions. The DWG TrueConvert software uses the same engine as AutoCAD to convert the files, so you can expect precisely the same output as the AutoCAD Save As command. The best part about all this is you don’t need any version of AutoCAD installed on you computer to run this software. Let’s take a look.
When you launch DWG TrueConvert you will see this dialog interface. Start by selecting the “ADD” button to collect the drawing files you would like to convert. The drawing list displays the files selected for the conversion, their current path location and their current AutoCAD format.

Once your conversion list is complete, select from the conversion options which AutoCAD DWG format you would like to convert to. If you choose the option to create backup files, the original drawing extension is changed to “.bak." If the backup file cannot be created, the drawing file is not converted. If you do not choose the option for backup files the original file is converted (it is highly recommended that you copy the files to a conversion folder so you are not changing your original drawings).

If you choose the option to convert pen width settings to lineweights, you will be prompted to choose a “.pcp,” “.pc2” or “.cfg” configuration file. These user selected settings will be used to convert the drawing lineweights.

If you choose the option to include Page Setups it displays the Page Setups dialog box. You can select an AutoCAD page setup that you want saved with the selected drawings during file conversion.

Are there any Precautions?
Yes. Be aware of what happens to custom objects created by Autodesk or third-party add-on applications when 2007-based DWG files are converted using DWG TrueConvert software.

When you create Autodesk or third-party custom objects in AutoCAD DWG files and save your drawing with proxy graphics turned on, you can convert these drawings and maintain visual fidelity of the custom objects. However, you cannot edit the drawing in other releases. To modify custom objects in other releases, explode the custom objects in the drawing before you convert it.

If you want to convert drawings created with Autodesk Architectural Desktop or AutoCAD Mechanical software, use the Save to AutoCAD DWG feature before you convert the drawing.

For drawings that contain custom objects, it is recommended that you do not use the DWG TrueConvert software to convert them to a newer release. When a drawing that contains custom objects is converted, the custom objects themselves are not converted. Unexpected results might occur if you attempt to open the converted drawing in a custom object application.

Where do I get DWG TrueConvert?
DWG is available as a free download at this location:http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=7024151 

This page last edited on Monday, February 22, 2010