AutoCAD 2009 & newer

  1. Select Tools > Data Extraction. On AutoCAD 2015 the Data Extraction option in on the next tab otherwise the instructions are as for 2009.
  2. In the Data Extraction wizard page 1, select Create a new data extraction then click Next.

  1. You will be asked to save the Data Extraction Template. Enter a file name and click Save. Note: You will be able to use this template the next time you need to do a Data Extraction to speed up the process.

  1. In page 2 of 8, select Include current drawing and click Next.

  1. In page 3 of 8, unselect all objects (user Shift + click to select multiple objects, right-click + Unselect from the context menu). Select only SimItemBlock and click Next.

  1. In page 4 of 8, unselect Drawing in the Category Filter and make sure the following items are selected (and these items only), then click Next:
  • Layer
  • Position X
  • Position Y
  • Position Z
  • Rotation
  • Scale X
  • Scale Y
  • Scale Z
  • SIMITEMCONNECT
  • SIMITEMNAME
  • SIMITEMTYPE

  1. In page 5 of 8, unselect Show count column and Show name column, then sort the column in the following order:
  • SIMITEMNAME
  • SIMITEMTYPE
  • SIMITEMCONNECT
  • Rotation
  • Layer
  • Position X
  • Position Y
  • Position Z
  • Scale X
  • Scale Y
  • Scale Z

  1. In page 6 of 8, select Output data to external file, enter the desired file name and click Next.

  1. In page 8 of 8, click Finish.

The model file is now ready to be imported into Sym3.

For more information, refer Ribbon Project > CAD Template.