dwg files unknown format

[Guest]

I have a colleague that has sent me (multiple times) a dwg file done in AutoCad that I can't open.  It keeps saying "the file ....dwg is an unknown format that can not be opened".  I have CS5 and I thought Illustrator easily handled dwg files.  Any clues as to what the problem could be?

[Grant H]

If there are :things: in the dwg file thats not supported or a latest version of cad and the dwg file is holding 3d info it wont open... They must back save the DWG file for you.

G

[MW Design]

If possible, have them either save to an older DWG format as Grant mentions or simply as a DXF. Failing that, they can export out as a PDF or at least print to one.

Take care, Mike

[Steve Fairbairn]

Get him to export AutoCad to PDF. That should be no problem.

Then you can easily open the PDFs in Illie.

My architect colleagues do this for me frequently.

[Guest]

Thanks for all of the help folks.