Batch DWG import and layer properties edit

[Charlie329572228uvx]

I have a Revit project with a lot of curved geometry and DWG exports have much better linework quality than the revit vector print. 

I can bring the DWG into illustrator to easily verify the quality is much higher. But, I lose all of my line styles, as they get imported to AI with the CAD default colors assigned to the layers, requiring a lot of extra work to select layers and change the color back to black, etc. 

I am wondering if I can import the DWG plans into illustrator and somehow automate the process of changing how the layers display.

Thanks for any thoughts

[florence023 · Accepted solution]

I have a Revit project with a lot of curved geometry and DWG exports have much better linework quality than the revit vector print. 

I can bring the DWG into illustrator to easily verify the quality is much higher. But, I lose all of my line styles, as they get imported to AI with the CAD default colors assigned to the layers, requiring a lot of extra work to select layers and change the color back to black, etc. 

I am wondering if I can import the DWG plans into illustrator and somehow automate the process of changing how the layers display.

Thanks for any thoughts

By Charlie329572228uvxhpinstantink

Hello,
Importing DWG files into Adobe Illustrator while preserving layers and line styles can be quite useful. Let’s explore a few approaches:

Direct Import into Illustrator:
You can use the Open command in Illustrator to directly import the DWG file. Illustrator will convert it to an Illustrator-compatible XML format.
However, this method might not preserve the layer information as you’ve experienced.
To try this, go to File > Open, select your DWG file, and see if it meets your requirements.
Batch Conversion to PDF and Import:
Convert your DWG files to PDF (using “DWG to PDF.pc3” plotter) from AutoCAD.
Then, import the resulting PDF file into Illustrator. Make sure that layers are activated for export in the “DWG to PDF.pc3” settings.
This approach should maintain the layer structure and allow you to work with the vector linework in Illustrator.
Combine DWG Files into One PDF:
If you have multiple DWG files, combine them into a single PDF (using software like Adobe Acrobat or other PDF tools).
Then, use a script (such as the one mentioned in this Stack Exchange post) to open the combined PDF in Illustrator, with each page becoming its own artboard.
Remember to test these methods with a sample DWG file to see which one works best for your specific project. Good luck, and I hope this helps!

Best regards,
Florence Gayhart