DWG Import/Export Utility

This optional Utility is included in Stardraw Design 7 Silver-level bundles and higher.  It allows you to import AutoCAD DWG and DXF files, work on them as if they were native Stardraw Design 7 files, and export any drawing as an AutoCAD DWG or DXF file.

Use File | Import to import a DWG or DXF file into the current project.  The imported file will appear as a new drawing tab.

From any drawing tab select File | Export to save the current drawing as a DWG or DXF file.

Units in DWG Files

In an AutoCAD DWG file objects are measured in 'Units'.  A unit can be defined as anything; 1 inch, 1 millimeter, 1 foot, 30 centimeters, 2 miles, anything.  Since the unit definition is not stored within the DWG file it is necessary to define Units when you import or export a DWG file.

If you're unsure what Unit setting to use on Import, for US-originated DWGs try "1 Unit = 1 Inch" and for non-US drawings try "1 Unit = 1 Millimeter".  To check whether this is the correct setting, on the imported drawing draw a Dimension against something of a known size: for example, a single doorway is usually about 30" (760mm) across so if the Dimension shows the doorway to be 30' you'll know that 1 Unit is actually 1 Foot.  If it's 760m across you'll know that 1 Unit is actually 1 Meter.  If the scale is out, delete the drawing tab (rightclick and select Delete Drawing) then re-import using the correct Unit setting.