Convert dxf / dwf files into Palm compatible pdb format

Files in the dxf and dwf formats can be converted into the pdb format either from the sview.exe GUI application or by running the sviewcmd.exe command line utility.

The follwoing two sview.exe GUI application commands perform file conversion.

  • » "File->Convert this file" - converts currently opened file.
  • » "File->Convert list of files" - converts selected list of files.
Use "Ctrl - Left mouse button click" or "Shift - Left mouse button click" combinations to select several files from the dialog box.

Please refer to SVIEWCMD (command line conversion utility) section if you prefer convert files on command line.

The conversion options are stored in the sview.ini file. You can view and modify those options under sview.exe, "Conversion settings" dialog box (menu item: "Settings->Conversion").

The dialog contains conversion settings for "Current file", conversion settings for "Batch conversion" and conversion "Destination folder".

"Current file" settings are used by "Convert this file" command from the "File" menu, i.e. when you convert currently opened file.

"Batch conversion" settings are used by "Convert list of files" command and by the sviewcmd.exe command line conversion utility.
Note: sviewcmd.exe always uses "Batch conversion" settings, even if it converts a single file.

Conversion process itself is controlled by the following options:

  • » Generate unique names - controls file overwriting policy.
    If this option is Off and file with the same name already exists, then in the "Batch conversion" mode the existing file gets silently overwritten. In the "Current file" mode you are promted to confirme to overwrite the already existing file. If the Generate unique names option is On, a new name is generated using file name and suffix "~1", "~2", "~3" etc. E.g. if the original file name is house.dxf, then converted file name is house.pdb. If this option is On, subsequent conversion of the file with the same name will create files with the following names house~1.pdb, house~2.pdb, house~3.pdb etc.
  • » Convert all pages - if the file has several pages (for example some of dwf files) and this options is On, a separate pdb file gets created for each page. Names of those files consist of source file name with "(p0)", "(p1)", "(p3)", etc suffix.
    E.g. if the original file house.dwf has 2 pages and this option is On, then the following two files get created house(p0).pdb and house(p1).pdb Note: In combination with previous option, files with e.g. the following names can be generated: house~2(p0).dxf and house~2(p1).dxf
    If this option is Off, only current page is converted in "Current file" mode or only the first page in "Batch conversion" mode.
  • » Destination folder - folder where the conversion process stores generated pdb files. Default value is "cnvrt" subdirectory in S-View root installation directory.

All conversions are written in conversion log file convlog.txt located in S-View installation root directory.

If the length of converted file name exceeds 32 character limit (Palm OS limitation) it will be truncated to fit 32 character limit.

E.g. very_long_file_name_more_than_32_chars.dxf might be converted to file very_long_file_name_more_t~1(p0).pdb

It is possible to change conversion option directly in sview.ini file using any simple text editor. Conversion options are located in the [Option] section of this file and called: ConversionDirectory, CnvCurrentAllPages, CnvCurrentUniqueName, CnvBatchAllPages, CnvBatchUniqueName.

CnvCurrent<...> options control "Current file" mode conversion and CnvBatch<...> control batch type conversion. To set the option to "On" set the respective paramter to 1 and to set the option to "Off" set the respective paramter to 0.

E.g.
ConversionDirectory=C:\S-View\cnvrt\
CnvCurrentAllPages=0
CnvCurrentUniqueName=1
CnvBatchAllPages=1
CnvBatchUniqueName=1

System Requirements S-View Installation Gettng Started S-View on PC SView - GUI Application SVIEWCMD - cmd line utl S-View on Palm How To - File View win How To - File List win Reference - File View win Reference - File List win Convert files to pdb fmt
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