DXF / Cimatron Files: Attribute Conversion

The DXF attributes, a set of group codes common to all entities, are mapped to Cimatron attributes as follows:

• Entity Handle (group code 5).
  A unique, permanent entity identifier. This attribute is ignored.

• Layer (group code 8).
  The name of the layer on which the entity resides.
  The layer is mapped with the Cimatron Level attribute as follows:

1. When no layer is specified, Cimatron 'LEVEL0' is assigned.

2. When the layer name exceeds 6 characters, the Cimatron Level will be assigned an abbreviated name, containing the first five characters of the DXF layer name, followed by a sequential number. For example, mapping the following DXF layers gives these results:
   
   TOP-VIEW®TOP-V1
   SIDE-VIEW®SIDE-2

• Color (group code 62).
  Color is mapped with the Cimatron Color attribute through the parameters file. Color may also be mapped with Cimatron Pen Attribute through the parameters file.

• Linetype (group code 6).
  Linetype is mapped with Cimatron Line-Font attribute through the parameters file.

• Extrusion Vector (group codes 210, 220, 230).
  A 3D vector describing the Z axis of the ECS (Entity-associated Coordinate System). It is mapped with the Cimatron rotation pointer using the arbitrary axes algorithm (refer to the AutoCAD® Customization manual).

• Elevation (group code 38).
  The Z distance above or below the XY plane of the ECS. Exists only in DXF versions prior to 11.0.

• Thickness (group code 39).
  Extrusion amount from ECS in the positive direction of the ECS Z.

• Space Flag (group code 67).
  When the DXF space flag = 1 (paper space), the entity will be created in the Drafting application, otherwise it will be created in the Modeling application.