May 14, 2020 · Electra E8 · Visio

How to Import and Export AutoCAD Drawings from Microsoft Visio for Electra E8

We are now part of Siemens’ family. Electra Cloud is now Capital X Panel Designer.

Key Takeaways

Microsoft Visio allows you to import and export AutoCAD DWG and DXF files, though imported drawings open as read-only ActiveX objects until converted.
To edit imported CAD drawings in Visio, convert them to native Visio shapes by right-clicking and selecting CAD Drawing Object > Convert.
Electra extends Visio's capabilities, enabling converted AutoCAD shapes to become intelligent schematic or layout symbols for electrical CAD software workflows.
Visio supports exporting drawings back to AutoCAD format via 'Save As', allowing interoperability between electrical schematic software and standard CAD tools.

Can You Import and Export AutoCAD Drawings in Microsoft Visio?

Yes, you can import and export AutoCAD drawings in Microsoft Visio.

To import, navigate to Insert > CAD Drawing and select your DWG or DXF file. The drawing imports as a read-only object that can be converted to editable Visio shapes.

To export, use File > Save As and choose AutoCAD Drawing (.dwg) or AutoCAD Interchange (.dxf) format.

For users working with electrical CAD software like Electra, imported AutoCAD drawings can be transformed into intelligent schematic symbols for enhanced design automation.

What are the Benefits of Using Electra for this Workflow?

Electra extends standard Visio import and export AutoCAD capabilities with intelligent symbol creation, automatic wire numbering, and electrical schematic software automation features that streamline panel design workflows.

How to Import and Export AutoCAD Drawings in Visio

If you have some AutoCAD drawings, be it in DWG or DXF, and want to use them in Electra, the good news is that they can be easily imported and exported into Visio, and once imported, can be easily made into schematic symbols or a layout symbols.

To import an AutoCAD drawing, simply click on the Insert tab, CAD Drawing and then select your DWG or DXF to be imported. Insert CAD drawing

Once imported, the CAD drawing is opened as a read-only ActiveX object. The object's contents can be viewed but cannot be edited. To edit the object, we need to convert the AutoCAD drawing into a native Visio shape.

To convert the imported CAD drawing, right click on the object and select CAD Drawing Object and then click on convert. Converting imported CAD drawing

Once converted, we can use it to make a schematic symbol or layout symbol.

To create a schematic symbol, select the shape and click on Create Schematic Symbol under the Electra menu. Once you have filled in the required information, click okay and your custom symbol will be added to your custom stencil.

To create a layout symbol, select the shape and click on Create Layout Symbol. Fill in the required information and your custom layout symbol will be automatically added to the layout stencil.

To understand more about creating layout symbols, refer to the help file or this tutorial video: Electra E6 Tutorial Part 9: Panel Layouts and Creating Layout Symbols (Youtube).

Electra also let you to export your drawings as an AutoCAD drawing. To do this, simply save your document type as AutoCAD Drawing or AutoCAD Interchange. Save as AutoCAD Drawing or AutoCAD Interchange

We hope that with this post you will get to re-use some of your old AutoCAD drawings and also export them for other AutoCAD users. Thanks for reading.

Find out more about our fully cloud-based Electrical CAD Software and services here.

Supported File Formats for Import and Export

When working with AutoCAD files in Visio, understanding format compatibility ensures smooth import and export workflows:

Format	Extension	Import Support	Export Support
AutoCAD Drawing	.dwg	Visio Plan 2: versions up to 2017; Standard/Professional: up to 2007	Yes
Drawing Exchange Format	.dxf	Visio Plan 2: versions up to 2017; Standard/Professional: up to 2007	Yes

If your DWG file was created in a newer AutoCAD version, save it to an earlier format before importing it into Visio. Electra, built on Visio technology, maintains this compatibility while adding specialized electrical schematic software features.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I edit AutoCAD drawings directly in Visio?

No, imported AutoCAD drawings open as read-only ActiveX objects. To edit them, right-click the drawing and select CAD Drawing Object > Convert to transform it into native Visio shapes.

2. What AutoCAD file versions does Visio support for import and export?

Visio Plan 2 supports DWG and DXF files from AutoCAD 2017 and earlier. Visio Standard and Professional support files from AutoCAD 2007 and earlier.

3. Can I convert imported CAD drawings into electrical symbols?

Yes, once converted to Visio shapes, you can create intelligent schematic or layout symbols using electrical CAD software like Electra. Select the converted shape and use the Create Schematic Symbol function.

4. How do I export Visio drawings back to AutoCAD format?

Navigate to File > Save As, then select AutoCAD Drawing (.dwg) or AutoCAD Interchange (.dxf) as the file type. This enables sharing with users who work in AutoCAD or other CAD platforms.

Streamline Your CAD Workflow with Electra

Transform your imported AutoCAD drawings into intelligent electrical schematics. Electra combines the familiar Visio interface with powerful electrical CAD software automation, enabling you to import and export AutoCAD files while adding schematic intelligence to your designs.

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