ArrisCAD to DWG

[moncton golden flames]

hey all you fellow cad monkeys!

i have a client who is wanting me to take over a project. problem is, he has files is arris and i work in autocad. is there any way to convert the file easily and cheaply?

any help is appreciated!

[Ironhorse]

They should also be able to write a DWG file. Or you can have him DXF it out if need be.

[moncton golden flames]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

They should also be able to write a DWG file. Or you can have him DXF it out if need be.

so, what you're saying is i need access to arris in order to convert to dwg or dxf. since i have no access to arris, is there any other way to get around this?

[You Need a Thneed]

most other CAD programs should be able to export to AutoCAD.

Frankly, I'm not sure why anyone uses AutoCAD, other programs are much easier.

[Sylvanfan]

Can you go and dowload a trial version of Arris so you can convert the files? Unless you have that software, or the client can get the work he has output into dxf for you I don't think there is any other way for you.

I had a request to provide an architect with a CAD drawing today so he could get some dimensions off my drawing. I pleaded ignorant and claimed I couldn't do it. Screw you architect...you're supposed to give me dimensions not the other way around.

[Mad Mel]

Some software companies are very disingenious, and simply use a known format and change the file extension to look like it's their own. It's particularly prevalent with software using MS Access databases to store their data, but I'm sure it happens with other file formats as well. I'd try renaming it to .dxf or .dwg and see if it will open in CAD. It probably won't be the case, but worth a try on the off chance that's what Arris has done.

[Ironhorse]

After having a quick look at ArrisCAD (Architectual is not my area of expertise), it looks to be pretty proprietary; even the DXF translator is a add-on, pay for use application. It looks like you pretty much need an install of Arris in order to read their files.

Did your client have someone else do some of their work in Arris, and now they wants you to take the files and finish the work?

[moncton golden flames]

Originally Posted by Ironhorse

After having a quick look at ArrisCAD (Architectual is not my area of expertise), it looks to be pretty proprietary; even the DXF translator is a add-on, pay for use application. It looks like you pretty much need an install of Arris in order to read their files.

Did your client have someone else do some of their work in Arris, and now they wants you to take the files and finish the work?

the original designer has died and we have been asked to take over some of the jobs he had. we use autocad 2006 lt and he used arris.

you're right, it looks like it requires an add-on that costs about $335.

off to plan b.......