Import of grade rule patterns

All patterns prepared in one of the export formats listed below can be imported into Grafis. They are imported as grade rule patterns into Grafis. Working with grade rule patterns forms the content of Grade rule grading.

Overview of the import data formats:

Data formats with grading information
AAMA

DXF and RUL

or

DXF without RUL with all sizes in the DXF file
ASTM analogous AAMA
ExtendedPN EPN
IBA/VET IBA and VET Import does not work as a matter of course but must be tested.
Grafis 001, 002, 003 etc.
Data formats without grading information

DXF

(AutoCAD-DXF)

 DXF without RUL
HPGL PLO, PLT, HGL and others
ISO CUT, ISO and others

Data can be imported into Grafis Patternmaking and into Grafis Marker making. As opposed to Grafis Patternmaking, in Grafis Marker making the size range cannot not be rebuilt. Only contours contained whole in the file are displayed in Grafis Marker making.

Therefore, import from data formats with grading information must always ensue into the Grafis Patternmaking program first. Import into the Grafis Marker making program can only serve as a control measure. One exception is ‘DXF without RUL with all sizes in the DXF file’.

Unfortunately, a completely automatic import is not possible. The main reason is that the definition of the AAMA format is not unambiguous and is interpreted differently by different CAD suppliers, see more detailed explanation in Export formats and their characteristics. In addition, in Grafis, the size range must be checked during import.

Step-by-step guide
  • Create a new style as import usually alters the size list.
  • Pull-down menu File → Import grade rule pattern
  • Select file to be imported
  • A size list appears, where you assign the sizes in the file to the commonstandard sizes in Grafis.
  • During import of DXF files, a further dialogue appears with the option to select AAMA-DXF or AutoCAD DXF as well as other options. If the file comes from a clothing CAD system, select AAMA DXF. Otherwise select AutoCAD DXF. For your first import attempt leave the options in the dialogue unchanged.
  • Grade and check the imported patterns.
  • If one of the following discrepancies occurs, repeat import with changed options. Import again into an empty style.

Possible discrepancies in the case of AAMA DXF:

  • Curves are kinked, not smooth/ soft.
  • The part designation in Grafis part organisation is missing or is too short.
  • Import of an ASTM file has not worked.
  • The perimeter seems to have been imported twice. The lines of the contour hide each other.
  • All notches point in the same direction, e.g. all to the right or all upward.
  • Patterns appear in the wrong scale.

Possible discrepancies in the case of AutoCAD DXF:

  • Not all parts are visible
  • If error messages appear during import or nothing is imported, import with File → Import (reduced). Import (reduced) does not transform the data into a gradeable pattern but shows exactly the content of the file.

Import of HPGL, ISO and DXF data without RUL ensues always into the first size. The size list is not altered in the process.

To ensure that the imported pattern can be graded in Grafis as a grade rule pattern, the sizes in the file must be assigned to the Grafis standard sizes of a figure type.

Bild 1

A dialogue according to Picture 1 opens. A suitable base size must be entered into the first position of the size list. Enter all other sizes in the desired order. The section discarded import sizes contains the sizes existent in the import file but not assigned toa size. If you continue import with close, the discarded import sizes are not imported.

Individual sizes can also be entered into the size list. In this case, a correct reference size must be entered in the x reference column as the grade rules are associated with these reference sizes. A shift of the size run during import is also possible, see Picture 2.

Bild 2

Before quitting the size list with close, you can enter a suitable name for this allocation, e.g. ‘women‘ or ‘men‘. You can then select one of the memorised allocations for your next import.

Bild 3

The Import dialogue (Picture 3) appears only for import of ASTM/AAMA/DXF files. It is required as data could be presented in AAMA or ASTM or AutoCAD DXF format.

If the AAMA format button is greyed out, no data in AAMA or ASTM format is present. In this case, only the AutoCAD DXF format option can be selected. Simultaneous with the Import dialogue, an information window appears, containing information from the file.

If the data comes from a clothing CAD system, select ‘AAMA-DXF’. Otherwise, select ‘AutoCAD- DXF’.

Before starting the import process, you can select different options. For a first import attempt, leave the options unchanged as Grafis has already preset them based on information from the file.

Measurement unit

In the AAMA/ASTM format, normally only metric or inch is permitted as measuring units. Depending on the CAD system, metric could be interpreted in millimetres, centimetres or metres. Therefore, the Measurement unit is preset based on information in the file. The user can alter these settings. Entry of a user-defined unit in millimetres is possible. For metres, the value 1000. should be entered.

Interpolate curve points [only AAMA/ASTM]

Depending on the CAD system, sufficient or relatively few curve points are delivered for a curve. Set this option if the curves appear to have been imported slightly kinked during the first import attempt. Additional curve points will be interpolated so that the curve appears softer/ smoother.

Us Annotation as piece name [only AAMA/ ASTM]

In the AAMA format, two text entries are available: PIECENAME for the identification of the piece and ANNOTATION for a description. This switch determines whether the text in PIECENAME or in ANNOTATION is used for the part description in the part list. Normally, this switch is not set. However, some CAD systems assign PIECENAME with very short and not very informative text. In this case, it is advisable to activate the switch.

Ignore Quality-Layer [only ASTM]

Only ASTM files contain an additional quality layer. This layer contains the contour with individual auxiliary points and had been introduced as an aid for comparison in the target systems. If a quality layer is available, Grafis uses this more accurate data. In case the import with ASTM does not work, activate the option Ignore Quality Layer.

Ignore seam lines [only AAMA/ASTM]

Some CAD systems export the seam line as well as the contour. If the seam allowance has been set to 0mm, the contour and the seam allowance are doubled up and leave each other invisible. In this case or if too many auxiliary lines have been imported, activate Ignore seam lines.

Notch angles relative [only AAMA/ ASTM]

Normally, the notch direction is calculated absolute in relation to the co-ordinate system. Some versions of CAD systems interpret this setting as relative to the base line of the notch. Therefore, the following applies: If all notches point in the same direction at the first import attempt, e.g. all to the right or all upward, activate Notch angles relative.

Automatic notch repetition

This option serves only as a display for treatment of notches during import of AAMA /ASTM data from Lectra. Here, it may be necessary to transfer the notch position from the base size automatically to the graded sizes. The pre-selection of this switch ensues via the GRAFIS.INI [INTERFACE]/IMPNONLECTRA.

Use ATTDEF [ASTM only]

The new data type ATTDEF is not fully implemented in Grafis. If errors occur during import of ASTM files or if elements such as notches are missing, this option can be selected.

Ignore BLOCKS etc. [only AutoCAD DXF]

In DXF files, lines and points are combined to BLOCKS. Furthermore, there is an ENTITIES area in which the individual BLOCKS areas are activated and other objects may be stored, unlike in AAMA and ASTM files where a pattern piece is always combined in a BLOCKS area which is activated in the ENTITIES. This organisation is not always clear in other DXF files. Therefore, the following option for this import are available:

  • Ignore BLOCKS hides everything defined in BLOCKS and shows only the objects from the ENTITIES area.
  • BLOCKS -> parts behaves like import of an AAMA/ASTM file and imports each BLOCK into a separate part. The ENTITIES area is also imported into a separate part.
  • BLOCKS -> sizes imports everything into one part but stores the different BLOCK areas in different sizes.
  • All objects into one part ignores the organisation into BLOCKS or ENTITIES and saves all lines and points in one part.

If you are unsure how the different BLOCKS are interpreted, first select all objects into one part. This shows everything contained in the file. Then, test the AutoCAD DXF import with all other options one after the other and check with which option all information appears in the desired order.

All grade rules universally valid

If the perimeter or internal lines of the piece in an import file are not continues lines, different grade rules may be calculated at points of contact with the perimeter during conversion to a grade rule pattern. During grading, gaps may therefore appear in the perimeter. In this case, the option all grade rules universally valid may assist. It ensures that one grade rule only is permitted for each position. On the other hand, new problems may occur if internal lines touch the perimeter but are to be graded differently from the perimeter.

Additional options in the Grafis.ini [only AAMA/ASTM]

Experienced users can control the import via the following switches in the Grafis.ini section [INTERFACE]:

MIN_SLITNOTCH and MIN_VNOTCH controls the minimum length of notches.

IGN_GRADE_REF ignores grading reference line

IGN_PLAID_REF ignores repeat markings for check fabric

IGN_STRIPE_REF ignores repeat markings for stripes

DUPL_PCE_MODE controls the treatment of double piece names

AAMA_CHK_DOUBLE_RULES checks for double grade rules on a point

AAMA_ACCEPT_FFPTS accepts free function points

Files which can be imported into Grafis can be opened with a double-click in Grafis. The file extensions, e.g. DXF for AAMA/ASTM/DXF files, are linked with the Grafis.exe. Double-clicking on a DXF file starts Grafis, generates an empty style, requests the desired measurement system and begins direct import of the file.