Exporting layouts in a complex manner (with external references)

Exporting layouts as DXF/DWG/DGN files

When you export layouts, you can create separate files for the layout and for the drawing files in the layout. The layout becomes a master document, while the drawing files are created as external references. The external reference files are always created as DWG, even when the master document (the layout) is created as a DXF file. When you transfer layouts in this manner, information (e.g. attributes) is also included.

Note: Please note that not every software program is capable of importing files with external references. You should discuss this with your data exchange partner in advance.

To export a layout and its drawing files to separate files

1. Switch to the Layout module and click Export Layouts (How).
   

   Activate Export Layouts in one of the following ways

   • Menu bar: Create Layout

   • Palette: Tools Create area in the following module(s):

   Layout

2. Use the Layout structure to select the layouts you want to export.

   Use the SHIFT key to select several consecutive layouts; use the CTRL key to select a series of non-adjacent layouts.

3. Select the elements you want to transfer if you have selected the Export part option using the Options, Import and export page, DXF, DWG export area.
   

   • To select a single element, click it.
   • To select elements in a region, use the left mouse button to open a selection rectangle around the elements you want to select
   • To include all the elements in the current document, click All in the Input options or press CTRL+A. Please note that this option is not available for all tools.

   For more information on the options available for selecting elements in Allplan, see Selecting elements, overview.

   When selecting elements, you can use the Filter Assistant to apply a filter based on element types and/or properties. For more information, see Filter Assistant.

   Note: You can only select elements in the current layout. The program always transfers all the elements of any other layout. Elements on hidden layers are exported if you have selected the Export hidden layers option using the Options, Import and export page, DXF, DWG export area.

4. Click Options... and disable the Layouts / XRef files and Convert XRef to smart symbol options in the Explode compounds area.
5. Select the AutoCAD specific tab and enable the Model space option.
6. In the Options dialog box, click OK and select Save.

   Allplan starts the conversion. You can still make changes.

7. Click OK to confirm the Export dialog box.
8. If necessary, check the log file and click OK.

   Whenever you export or import data with the ODX interface, the program automatically creates a log file. This provides information on the success or failure of the transaction and includes a detailed list of all the settings and assignments used for the transfer operation. This way, you can record the conversion operation and, if necessary, reconstruct it with the saved settings.

   When the Log file option is selected in the Settings, Advanced Settings tab, the log file automatically appears on screen when the conversion process is complete. When this option is not selected, you can display the most recent log file by selecting Show Recent Log File on the File menu - Export or Import.

   A file is created for the layout (e.g. layout_8.dwg) as well as a separate XRef-format file for each drawing file which has been placed in the layout (e.g. df_5.dwg, df_6.dwg etc.). You can open the file in AutoCAD; the drawing file files are displayed as external references. The contents of the reference files consist of blocks. When you explode these blocks in AutoCAD, hatching and dimension lines are retained.