4 replies to this topic

[Crischan]

Hi,

We are having an map (mainly lines for borders and rivers) as a freehand file and need this map to go into ArcMap for use as a background map later on.
We're not having Freehand, but Illy into which we imported the Freehand file. We then tried to export it as AutoCAD dwg and import this file into ArcGIS.
But: Except for the annotations only a very small number of lines appear! We investigated and think that ArcGIS ignores all Bezier curves. Can someome support that thought? And if so, is there a way to convert all bezier curves in Illy to polylines?

We don't have MapPublisher at hand, only ArcGIS 9.3 and Illustrator CS4.

Thanks.

[Charles Syrett]

I'm pretty familiar with this workflow, and I can help you out if you send the FreeHand file to me by private message. The workflow:

1. In FreeHand, use the Smooth Xtra to remove all beziers. (Where necessary, I'll add points into the lines first, to prevent long arcs from becoming straight lines.)
2. Export to Illustrator.
3. In Illustrator, export to .dwg.

I'll be happy to return to you both the .ai and .dwg.

Charles Syrett
Map Graphics
http://www.mapgraphics.com

[Crischan]

Charles, I did send you an PM - but I'm not sure if it got trough, as it doesn't show up in my Sent Items...

[Charles Syrett]

It did get through, and I was able to open both the files. I take it you want all the lines converted. I love these historical European maps! Looks like there was a lot going on in Germany in the 1600s.

Charles Syrett
Map Graphics
http://www.mapgraphics.com

Charles, I did send you an PM - but I'm not sure if it got trough, as it doesn't show up in my Sent Items...

[frax]

Hi, to go from beziér curves to straight lines - go to Object > Path > Simplify, and choose straight lines, that will do it! (in Illy)