Illustrator 2018 error loding Autocad DWG

[juvelez]

I used to load Autocad DWG files sent by my clients to do conversions and export hi res images from them, last night I've updated to illustrator 2018 and now I can't load DWGs anymore, there is an error saying that is an unknown format...

[Srishti Bali]

Hi juvelez,

Would you mind sharing a sample file on which you are getting this error?

Regards

Srishti

[juvelez]

I'm getting this error with every AutoCAD file that loaded fine with the previous version, I work all days with those files, yesterday I was able to load them, today, after the update to 2018, I can't load them anymore.

You can try with this simple file: Dropbox - AutoCAD Import Testing File.dwg ​

If you're able to load this file, so the problem is with my installation...

[Ray Yorkshire]

I cannot load it either

But hard to tell, because that test file looks like it's saved as Autocad 2013 .dwg, and Illustrator, as far as i know, cannot open versions later than, at most  2010.

[Srishti Bali]

Hi juvelez,

Could you please confirm in which version these files were created?

Regards

Srishti

[ryanm47857546]

was this issue ever solved?

[Monika Gause]

ryanm47857546  schrieb

was this issue ever solved?

Which issue?

We don't even know the version of the DWG mentioned in this thread.

If you have issues with an AutoCAD up to 2010, then upload the file somewhere for people  to test.

If you have issues with a higher version, then save it to version 2010 and try again.

[ryanm47857546]

I'm not sure what my file is.  A customer sent us a DWG file, I'm trying to open in AI CC 2018.  I get the same error as she did...

[Monika Gause]

You will need to ask for the version.

Or maybe just ask for a version 2010 file.

[ryanm47857546]

Yup! they were able to send it as a pdf

[Ray Yorkshire]

Good you sorted it out Ryan

If you receive another:

How to find the format of a DWG or which version of AutoCAD was used to create/save a DWG | AutoCAD ...

[ryanm47857546]

I am getting the same error message.  Oddly, .dwg is a valid extension in the "file types" menu. Is this a 2018 update bug??

[susanm6424543]

I am trying to open an Autocad 2004 version file but I just open a blank page. Placing doesn't work either. Anyone know if CC 2018 is able to work with .dwg files at all? I need this capability and its why I use Illustrator.

Thanks, Susan

[Monika Gause]

That version should work.

[cynthiat40078863]

You could also ask your clients to save the file as a .dxf from CAD. Then you should be able to open in Illustrator.

[randy_c]

Having the same issue here opening dwg files. My client sent a 2013 version and I still got the same error. I was able to open these files before. Any solution?

[Monika Gause · Accepted solution]

2013 will not work.

2010 is the highest version Illustrator can handle.

[randy_c]

Thank you. They finally stepped it back to the 2007 version and it worked.

[sharp_hands16B8]

If you're only using it to generate a high res image I would ask your clients to send you a PDF of the file. You then have a variety of options for exporting them as high res images. From Acrobat, or placing them in PS or AI.