Trueview Image

Converting an AutoCAD Drawing to import into Survey Software

How to Convert an AutoCAD Drawing so that it can be imported into Topcon SurveyMaster.

Importing an AutoCAD drawing into Topcon SurveyMaster, or any other survey software is not always straight forward, and can give error messages that are not very helpful.  I know, I have been struggling with this in the past but have recently developed a solution to this problem and will show you the steps to overcome this hurdle.

First of all, I will try to import the AutoCAD file into the Topcon SurveyMaster Software:

DWG Import 1

Once I have clicked open, the following error message appears:

DWG direct error

This error message doesn’t give any information.

So to get around this problem we need to work with the AutoCAD file, as that is where the problem resides.

For this you will need to have a copy of Autodesk DWG TrueView which is currently freely available to download from their website.  Link: http://www.autodesk.com/products/dwg/viewers

Once you have installed TrueView you can open the AutoCAD file and view the drawing as below:

Trueview Image

Now you can start the conversion process that is in the TrueView programme.

Press the DWG Convert button in the top left hand corner.

DWG Convert 1

You need to open the file that you want to convert.  This is done by pressing the button highlighted in the picture below.

DWG Convert 2a

Then you will need to navigate to the drawing you want to convert.

DWG Import 1

Once you have selected the drawing you want to convert, you should have a box that looks like the below.

DWG Convert 5

You now need to select your conversion type.  To do this select the Conversion Setups… button.  You should then see the below box.

DWG Convert 6

Select one the most appropriate Conversion Setups and then click on the Modify button.  You should then have the box below.  The important part here is to select the File Format box and ensure that you select a format with Exploded AEC Objects

DWG Convert 3

You can also select where you want the converted DWG to be stored.

Now click OK in the above box.

You should now be back at the conversion box and you can now press CONVERT.

DWG Convert 5

The conversion process will take a couple of seconds to complete (depending on your computer and the file size).  Click on the CLOSE button and then you will see the below box to which you can if you wish save the current list of files.

DWG Convert 8

You should now be able to import the AutoCAD Drawing into your survey software as can be seen below.

TSM 01

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