Is it likely that gINT will release a version update to allow imports of dwg's instead of dxf R12?
The file sizes for dxf's for the projects i'm running are making gINT unusable with my computer crashing frequently at the point of dxf import.
It seems that R12 dxf's are very antiquated file format and the use of dwg's or similar would be more a user-friendly solution.
I must agree. I'm running a dual Xeon (16 cores), 16GB Ram workstation, and even with that amount of processing power I can only import DXFs of about 100 - 150 MB before gINT either freezes or dies. It doesn't take a hugely complicated CAD file to generate a 150 MB DXF file :-( Not too sure if DWG would be the format that gINT would choose as they are owned by Bentley, who make Microstation (DGN format) :-)
I can't understand why the software is still limited to dxf V12. I would have thought that it would have been a priority to enhance the drawing capabilities to bring it into line with other Bentley products. Is there a time frame for this to be implemented? For that matter is there a timeframe/roadmap for any enhancements? Also how do we propose new features. Should we use a thread on this forum and use the "Like" facility to vote for them?
Hello,
I posed this question to our product manager. Here is his reply:
“It is indeed one of Bentley’s primary focuses is to enhance the gINT’s drawing capabilities to bring it into line with other Bentley products, and this is why we are focusing primarily on DGN. Format DXF is a format introduced by Autodesk (see Autodesk’s website or Wikipedia entry for it: en.wikipedia.org/.../AutoCAD_DXF). This format is introduced 30+ years ago and, as industry is getting focused on exchanging engineering objects via LandXML or other means (e.g. alignments, surfaces, etc.) rather than 2D CAD entities (e.g. lines, arcs, etc.), is becoming obsolete. Extract from Wikipedia entry: ‘As [CAD] has become more powerful, supporting more complex object types, DXF has become less useful’. By enhancing gINT’s drawing capabilities to export reports and other data to DGN we are enabling users to open it in MicroStation and MicroStation-based products and then, if need be, save them in any Save-As format available in MicroStation – any DFX format, DWG and others.”
With respect, the response doesn't answer the question. It talks about export of data, not import of drawings.
Bentley is currently focused on enhancing gINT drawing capabilities, primarily DGN, that would include both import and export. In this regard our consideration is that a user would be able open or attach a DGN file, rather than importing it, and Save or Save As file in DGN rather then exporting it. If gINT is migrated onto native Bentley's CAD engine it could be possible that all above is applicable to DWG files as well, for both open/attach and Save/As (rather than import/export). In essence gINT would in that scenario be directly editing CAD files in their native format. As a bonus, this could address DXF files although this is not our immediate concern.
From Bentley's perspective it would help us greatly if you would give us your opinion and input on how beneficial this would be for you - having gINT on Bentley's CAD engine, directly handling DGN and all other formats available in MicroStation.