TROUBLESHOOTING & COMPATIBILITY

 

AutoCAD 2007

Please note that all of the files on CAD Architect is saved in AutoCAD version 2007 format. Earlier versions of AutoCAD will not be able to open most of the files as some of the new features in AutoCAD 2007 or later will not be backward compatible with the older versions.

 

What if you have an earlier version of AutoCAD?

If you have a version of AutoCAD which is older than AutoCAD 2007, Autodesk now offers FREE software which converts / translates newer AutoCAD version files eg. AutoCAD 2007, 2008 & 2009 to older format files as old as AutoCAD R14 or AutoCAD 2000.

Thus, with Autodesk's FREE DWG TrueConvert software you can now convert all the AutoCAD 2007 files on this website to older format DWG files for use in your version (all versions) of AutoCAD.

FREE Download from Autodesk website

Other CAD Software

Many other CAD software packages has a built in function to import AutoCAD files in their workspace directly, but please make sure that your version is able to import AutoCAD 2007 files or later otherwise you will not be able to import the files from our website.

Microstation 8

Microstation has changed the way of how AutoCAD files are imported into their workspace environment from their previous release. The way to do it are as follows:
To open a DWG in MicroStation V8 from the MicroStation Manager, change the list files of type to CAD Files (or DWG). Highlight the file you wish to open and select OK
For more information on the topic, please visit their website at: http://selectservices.bentley.com/en-US/Support/Support+Tools/TechNotes+and+FAQs/MicroStation+V8/DWG+File.htm

Zipped / Compressed files

Some of the larger CAD files on our website are compressed or zipped to reduce file size to save space and to allow quicker download times of the files. These files will have a *.zip extension instead of a *.dwg extension. Windows XP or later has a built-in De-compressor / Un-zip function to extract the files to it’s normal condition. Should you have an earlier version of Windows installed, you will need to download Winzip or similar de-compressor to extract the files and can be obtained at www.winzip.com

 

Browser Compatibility

This website has been optimized for use on Internet Explorer 5 and upwards, but has also been tested and works well on Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome browsers.
There are known issues with the Safari browser on MacOS systems. Users have trouble downloading the CAD files with the Safari browser and only text is displayed when clicking on the ‘download’ links. Users with MacOS systems can download the Mozilla Firefox browser (Free) by clicking here: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/ to solve this problem.

 

‘Login box’ is displayed when trying to download a file

Please note that the various CAD-Architect memberships provide users access to different file download sections. The Plastic, Gold & Platinum memberships are not upgraded memberships of each other, but rather access to different download sections, even though some access areas might overlap slightly.

Please note when trying to access the files at the other membership areas, the login box will be displayed to prompt you to upgrade your membership should you wish to download that particular file. – Please refer to the diagram below to view the different download sections:

 

ACCESS TO:	MEMBERSHIP TYPES
	PLASTIC	GOLD	PLATINUM	DIAMOND
STANDARD CAD SYMBOLS	■			■
COLOR CAD SYMBOLS		■		■
CAD DETAILS		■	■	■
CAD DRAWINGS		■	■	■
CAD BUILDING TEMPLATES			■	■
ARCHITECT'S CONTRACTS			■	■

 

Other Technical issues

 

How to convert Metric (mm) dimensions to Imperial (Inches) in AutoCAD:
1. Open the ‘Dimension’ toolbar
2. Click on ‘Dimension settings’ to open the ‘Dimension settings’ dialogue box
3. Select the dimension style in use by clicking on it in the white window on the left and select ‘Modify’
4. Click on the ‘Primary units’ tab and set the ‘Unit format’ drop down menu to ‘Architectural’ and the precision to 0’-0”
5. Save the changes and the existing dimensions will be displayed in imperial units.

 

 

How do I convert from Metric to Imperial units?

All the symbols & drawings on the CAD-Architect.net website is drawn in metric units (mm). The drawing unit type typically used in the U.S.A. is known in the industry as "Imperial" units (feet and inches). This type of measurement system is used only in the United States and Burma. Other countries use the "System International” ("SI" or Metric system) for drawing units.

If you need to draw in imperial units when the drawing is in metric units, you need to scale the objects in the drawing from mm to inch (or vice versa).  Simply select everything in the drawing and use the scale command to resize everything to your desired measurement unit.

This is the simple way to ‘hard convert’ the imported drawings. Many other ways exists within AutoCAD to do the conversions but might be more complex. Please refer to your AutoCAD help files for more information.

Conversion Factors:

1 mm is 0.0393700787 inches

1 mm is 0.00328083 feet

1 inch is 25.4 mm

1 feet is 304.8 mm

USE THE UNIT CONVERTER TOOL

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When sending us an email, please help us understand your problem by answering these questions:

1. Can you login with your details using the login box on the top right?

IF NO: please make sure that you are using the correct login details as provided during signup. If you forgot your login details, go to: http://cad-architect.net/amember/member.php to request that your details be emailed to you.
 

IF YES:

2. Are you able to download any of the CAD files to your system?

IF NO: This website has known issues with MacOS Safari browser. CAD-Architect is tested and is compatible with Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome internet browsers. To rectify your problem, please download Mozilla firefox free at: http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
 

IF YES:
3. and you can download the files to your system, Do you have trouble opening it in your CAD software?

IF YES: and you have an incompatible AutoCAD version or other CAD package, you can download ‘Autodesk's FREE DWG TrueConvert’software and use it to convert all the AutoCAD 2007 files on this website to older format DWG files for use in your version (all versions) of AutoCAD or other CAD software.
 

IF NO:

4. and you do have AutoCAD 2007 or later or another CAD package, eg. Caddie, Vectorworks, Microstation etc. that is compatible with AutoCAD 2007 installed on your system?

IF YES: you have encountered an unknown error. Please contact us for further support.


Hope to hear from you soonest to solve your problem.

 

Sincere regards,

The CAD Architect

info@cad-architect.net