The AutoCAD writer provides the following capabilities when writing AutoCAD files.
- Password security: Passwords can be created for DWF files written by FME.
- Multiple file formats: DWF files can be written as either compressed or uncompressed binary files, or as ASCII files.
- Resolution: DWF file resolution can be determined at translation time in the form of the X Size and Y Size writer keywords. These are specified in pixels.
- Color Map Optimization: Colors in the color map that are unused can be eliminated from the output file to reduce space.
- Export Invisible Layers: Invisible Layers can be optionally exported if desired. (Not supported for Write 3D)
- Force View Extents: The initial viewport of the output file can be overwritten to include the entire extents of the drawing instead of the default active viewport.
- Use Inked Area: The inked area of the DWF file can be calculated from the entities in the file to produce a tight bounding rectangle around drawable graphic entities.
- Skip Layer Info: Additional layer information can be omitted from the output DWF file to reduce space.
- Skip Named Views: Named viewports can be omitted from the output DWF file in order to save space.
- Multi-version Support: The AutoCAD DWF writer supports files that are compatible with any current AutoCAD release.
When creating AutoCAD DWF 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 DWF writer then outputs each feature it is given to the output file in the appropriate entity type. The AutoCAD DWF writer creates a geometric representation of FME features, but does not create attribute information in the output file.
When writing an AutoCAD DWF file, the format of file output is determined as follows:
- If the file name contains .dwf or .DWF, then the output dataset is written in DWF format.
- Otherwise, if an error exists in the mapping file, the translation is halted.