Converint EPS to DWG or DXF?

Does anyone have an accurate way to convert an Illustrator EPS file to
an accurate and functional AutoCAD format?

 

Those are very different file formats actually. Illustrator defines circles
and curves alltogether differently than AutoCad. Illustrator does have an
export filter which will allow you to export to dxf/dwg but you should bear
in mind that the quality of the result will depend on what use you will need
the converted file for. There are lots of features which makes sense in
Illustrator which won't pass over into DWG.

Kind regards
Bjørn

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Keeping the other posters' observations in mind, you might give our
(commercial) ps2vector software a try. It batch converts EPS to a
number of vector graphics formats, including DXF for use in AutoCAD.
More info available at the URL below.

The best way to give it a try is to send me a sample EPS file via
email. I'll convert it to DXF using the latest version of our software
here, and send you back the results along with further information.

Hope we can help.

Jeroen Dekker

 

Here's what I'm doing, just to give people some background.

I'm designing a sign for a restaurant, on the design end of things I'm
using Illustrator. This will be laser-cut into Stainless steel, and
whatever software package the laser company uses requires a CAD file.

This will be a flat (No layers) Illustrator file that will be
constructed entirely of text and one piece of line art (Japanese
character). I can convert all to outlines if that'll be the best
conversion format.

I am working in Illustrator 10, I also have access to 8 and 9. Under
"Save As" and "Export" I don't have any option for DXF or DWG.

 

Tom,

the interpretation of PostScript paths is either done by tools
or by a deeper insight in PostScript.

A part of a curve is normally defined by

x0 yo moveto
x1 y1 x2 y2 x3 y3 curveto
....
stroke

This is a Bézier curve. Photoshop´s "Export Path for Illustrator"
delivers code like this (m=moveto, c=curveto).

It cannot be expected that any CAD system will understand it.

Therefore we need something like "flattenpath" which converts
the curve into a polyline (a sequence of straight line segments):

x0 y0 moveto
x1 y1 lineto
....
xn yn lineto
....
stroke

This would be understandable by any CAD system (even by HPGL)

Either some software does the conversion or one has to do the
conversion by programming.

Best regards --Gernot Hoffmann

 

Neil,

what is ARC ? In many programs it´s a segment of a circle.
Do you mean, ARC is Bézier path ? "math construct" ?

An arc (max. 90° for high accuracy 0.001) can be simulated
by a Bézier path, but a Bézier path cannot be substituted by
a circular path.

My suggestion "flatten Bézier by line segments" is OK.
Line segments can be executed by any program, once the
interface is written.

Best regards --Gernot Hoffmann

 

Neil,

you may start your reading about Béziers here:
http://www.fho-emden.de/~hoffmann/bezier18122002.pdf

Béziers are EXECUTED by all devices by short line segments.
The flattening subdivision depends on the device resolution.
Béziers can be REPLACED by polylines in the code.
Béziers cannot be replaced by elliptic arcs.

IMO, the OP wanted to convert PostScript paths (as created
by Photoshop, Illustrator or InDesign) into code which is
executable by a CNC machine. These paths (if curved) are
Béziers. Flattening is a safe method.

Best regards --Gernot Hoffmann