Explode all xrefs or blocks trimming to their clipped boundaries (including nested objects)

[DoTheBIM]

I've been out of the AutoCAD game for a while, done some searching and not much popped up. I've got files from and outside source that used a lot of xref clipping and nesting for a project. The software I need to use to see this data in unfortunately doesn't support xrefs or nested blocks (heck it doesn't even support circles and arcs and mtext among many other things). So I wanted to bind explode everything so that I may see all the data in my software. I've found EXPLODEALL by CAD KITS which does a great job except for the nesting part of the xrefs and blocks. Is there any other similar programs that I may explore to get at the data I need?

[arshiel88]

I've been out of the AutoCAD game for a while, done some searching and not much popped up. I've got files from and outside source that used a lot of xref clipping and nesting for a project. The software I need to use to see this data in unfortunately doesn't support xrefs or nested blocks (heck it doesn't even support circles and arcs and mtext among many other things). So I wanted to bind explode everything so that I may see all the data in my software. I've found EXPLODEALL by CAD KITS which does a great job except for the nesting part of the xrefs and blocks. Is there any other similar programs that I may explore to get at the data I need?

Try to set up a DXB File printer. Then print to file and what you see is what you get. You have to experiment a little on the scale (because I forgot already ). If I remember it right you have to customize a paper big enough to accommodate the drawing in 1:1 scale-inches. After printing to file, import back to AutoCAD via DXBIN command or via Insert menu -->Drawing Exchange Binary. Then you'll notice that all objects are broken down to lines. Circles and arcs become segmented, and you clipped everything, just the objects you need remains. I hope you don't mind some micro units of inaccuracy.

Update: Yes, done with some tests and 1:1 inches scale is a must.

[jpaulsen]

You could try EXPORTLAYOUT.

[DoTheBIM]

DXB is far too inaccurate. and the resolution of it is too limited for me to make any use of it. I would need at least 144,000x144,000 page size to get close but would prefer 576,000x576,0000 It only lets me put in 39370x39370. Plus I get scale factors that are different within the same axis...for example if I scale my input back to the proper overall dimension... Within that overall my wall thicknesses now randomly measure 3-5/16" & 3-9/16" instead of 3-1/2" like the original.

EXPORTLAYOUT keeps nesting and clipping of blocks intact. My software doesn't support that functionality. and when I explode those blocks I get the clipped entities that I don't want.

Any other ideas?

[cadtag]

brute force....

[jpaulsen]

What version of AutoCAD are you using? I have C3D 2012 and EXPORTLAYOUT binds all xrefs and trims them to the viewport limits. They are blocks but you can explode them. You will most likely need to scale and move the new drawing depending on the viewport configuration.

[DoTheBIM]

brute force....

I'm afraid it's goingto come to that.

What version of AutoCAD are you using? I have C3D 2012 and EXPORTLAYOUT binds all xrefs and trims them to the viewport limits. They are blocks but you can explode them. You will most likely need to scale and move the new drawing depending on the viewport configuration.

But do you have clipped xrefs (not clipped by viewport but by xref clipping) and ones that are negatively scaled (aka mirrored) and ones that are nested and clipped within other xrefs? I'm on regular AutoCAD 2011 but have access to 2012 if I need. DWGs are from AutoCAD Architecture 2012.

This image is the before exportlayout command with all its xref glory
before.PNG
This image is the after exportlayout command
after.PNG

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I've made some progress with the ExplodeALL avenue thanks to a tip from the owner of that program. Any clipped xrefs or blocks with a -1 scale factor are not being handled properly (something about the clipped boundary and being flipped). So now I know I can use that program to process all the non negative scaled blocks/xrefs, but seems I'm still doing mind numbing work of editing all the negatively scaled ones.

[jaberwok]

How about WMFOut?
If it comes close to what you want, you might like BetterWMF. It's no longer free but there is a free evaluation version.