Skip to main content
J
joegrace50
Participant
July 10, 2012
Question

Importing DWG or DXF Files into AI

  • July 10, 2012
  • 6 replies
  • 159959 views

I am trying to import dielines that are either dwg or dxf files into illustrator so I can add artwork and send to the vendor. Can anyone help me out on how to Import them? I tried importing them as EPS files, but they were always scaled down to an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper. I need these dielines to keep their actual size. Any help is appreciated.

Thanks!

    6 replies

    B
    BiancaWriter24
    Participant
    November 18, 2014

    I'm also experiencing this issue. I have a DXF from another department, but Adobe Illustrator will not open the file. I keep getting this message: The file "___.dxf" is in an unknown format and cannot be opened.

    I've tried opening this file in CC 2014 and CS6. According to this post, Illustrator should be able to open DXF files: Supported file formats | Illustrator.

    Thanks.

    Monika Gause
    Community Expert
    Monika GauseCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    November 18, 2014

    Illustrator opens DXF, but not the latest version.

    I
    imNRoy
    Participant
    July 14, 2016

    Which version of AI opens DXF files??

    danielepodda
    danielepodda
    Participant
    August 13, 2014

    I always solved it by exporting a SVG file from the CAD, I use MicroStation but I think AutoCAD have the same option. Then you can open with Illustrator.

    R
    ru73
    Participating Frequently
    June 12, 2013

    That sounds to me as if you did not install the import and export filters for DWG, or they are corrupt. Illustrator does not support the newer DWG versions, but you get a error "an unknown format and cannot be opened" when attempting to import a newer DWG version. Can you export a DWG file from Illustrator?

    G
    gwjohnson
    Participating Frequently
    June 12, 2013

    I can export fine in dwg format from Illustrator, but cannot import (have tried various older versions of dwg back to 2000).

    How would I install the import/export filters? Are they on the original install CD?

    Thanks for you help...

    Greg

    Anish Singla
    Community Manager
    Anish SinglaCommunity Manager
    Community Manager
    June 21, 2013

    Can you please check if you have ADINIT.DAT file present in the "Plug-ins\Illustrator Formats" folder inside your install directory?

    Which version of Illustrator are you working on?

    R
    ru73
    Participating Frequently
    July 11, 2012

    Make sure you have the scale set correctly. See picture.

    G
    gwjohnson
    Participating Frequently
    June 11, 2013

    When I try to import a DWG file into AI CS6 or CS5, I receive the message: The plugin cannot be initialized for lack of the initialization file "ADINIT.DAT".

    I'd appreciate any help in resolving this problem.

    Greg

    W
    Wade_Zimmerman1
    Inspiring
    July 10, 2012

    You can open or place he dwg or dxf file with Illustrator but the latest version it will open is AutoCAD 2006 so make sure you are not saving to anything newer.

    Mike_Gondek10189183
    Community Expert
    Mike_Gondek10189183Community Expert
    Community Expert
    July 10, 2012

    Try making a .pdf from autocad, and opening that in illustrator.  227.54" is the largest page size in illustrator, so as long as you don't go over you shoudl be good. 

    Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
    Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices