Non-editable DWG file

[eddiecrow]

Good morning, I have about 2100 files that were sent to me in DWG format but as far as I can tell they were not crated in AutoCAD.

The first sign I saw is that the files are using proxy graphics. Next sign is most of the models or line drawings can not be snapped to. Also I can not hide the models in model space.

I have tried to explode them but when I do they disappear. A lot of the components are on different layers. If you try and change the lays it will not change it to the layer you chose. I have tried in AutoCAD 2008 and 2009 and get the same results.

Can anyone tell me how to find out what the files were created in and how I can make them editable?

Thanks,
Eddie

[tedg]

Sounds like they may have been created with a vertical application of AutoCAD.
Did you try using the BURST command instead of explode?

I don't know how you can find out what application was used, what kind of drawings are they?
MEP, Civil, Architectural...?

[bcgatti]

If you can list the "blocks", I believe that the names will give you a hint as to what vertical they may have come from.

I just opened an AutoCAD Architecture file in Vanilla AutoCAD and the walls list as AEC_WALL, doors list as AEC_DOOR, other "blocks" have the AEC prefix on them as well.

The first explode in AutoCAD took them down to unnamed blocks that I was able to explode them as well without losing the objects. I do have the Object Enabler for AutoCAD Architecture loaded.

HTH

[jaffarhu]

If you can list the "blocks", I believe that the names will give you a hint as to what vertical they may have come from.

I just opened an AutoCAD Architecture file in Vanilla AutoCAD and the walls list as AEC_WALL, doors list as AEC_DOOR, other "blocks" have the AEC prefix on them as well.

The first explode in AutoCAD took them down to unnamed blocks that I was able to explode them as well without losing the objects. I do have the Object Enabler for AutoCAD Architecture loaded.

HTH

lol, ppl, there is one thing called Autodesk Architecture 2010 Object enebler.. try installing that

[bcgatti]

lol, ppl, there is one thing called Autodesk Architecture 2010 Object enebler.. try installing that

The object enabler was mentioned in my previous response.

"I do have the Object Enabler for AutoCAD Architecture loaded"

The OP asked about exploding the objects/making them editable so I explained the process that I went through.

[H-Angus]

How about saving them back to dxf format, would that do anything with the proxy objects?

[Coolmo]

I have tried to explode them but when I do they disappear.

I've noticed that sometimes (actually most times) whenever I explode some sort of giant block the entities seem to "disappear" from the screen but then if I regen the drawing they all pop back on screen. Explode a couple and regen to see what happens.