Importing DWG or DXF Files into AI

[joegrace50]

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!

[Mike_Gondek]

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. 

[Wade_Zimmerman1]

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.

[ru73]

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

[gwjohnson]

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

[ru73]

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?

[gwjohnson]

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]

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?

[gwjohnson]

I have both CS5 and CS6 installed, and I was having the problem with both. However, I reimstalled each and they are working fine now. Thanks for your help...

[danielepodda]

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.

[BiancaWriter24]

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]

Illustrator opens DXF, but not the latest version.

[imNRoy]

Which version of AI opens DXF files??

[hrdina]

Try using a program to convert the DXF to an earlier compatible version. I created a DXF-file in ConeCalc, then converted it to be compatible with AutoCAD Release 10. I was able to open in Illustrator CC 2014 and select original scale.

search for CloudConvert-Beta. That's what I used. Drag file into browser, click the (wrench) next to the file-name ( Step 2. ) and choose your level of compat.