The AutoCAD writer provides the following capabilities when writing AutoCAD files.
TEMPLATEFILE
directive in the mapping file results in block definitions being copied from the existing file to the output DWG/DXF file. These blocks can then be referred to by insert entities.TEMPLATEFILE
directive in the mapping file results in the predefined linetypes being copied from the template file to the output drawing file. Feature entities can then refer to these linetype definitions.TEMPLATEFILE
enable layer definitions to be copied to the destination data set and then referenced.TEMPLATEFILE
directive.autocad_block_insert_[xyz]
attributes are specified, they will be used to specify an insert point for the new block reference.
autocad_attributes value |
Description |
extended_entity_data |
This results in the attribution being written to the extended entity for the feature. |
insert_attributes |
This results in the writer creating an insert entity for each feature and storing all attributes with the insert entity. The insert entity refers to a block that contains the geometry of the output feature. |
external_attributes |
This is the default value. Limited attributes are written to the AutoCAD file. This is useful if the attributes are being stored in an external database. Note that list formatted extended entity data as created by the AutoCAD Reader may still be written. |
When creating AutoCAD files, the AutoCAD writer first defines the linetypes and layers defined within the FME mapping file. The writer then reads in a template file, if specified, and copies the linetypes, layer definitions, shape file header information, and block information from the template file to the output dataset.
The AutoCAD writer then outputs each feature it is given to the output file in the appropriate entity type.
When writing an AutoCAD file, the format of file output is determined as follows:
.dwg
or .DWG
, then the output data set is written in the ACAD format..dxf
or .DXF,
then the output data set is written in DXF format.The AutoCAD writer uses the above rules to enable the same FME mapping file to be used to create both DXF and DWG output files. Users are able to specify their choice simply by changing the suffix of the output file being produced.