# Importing 2d outlines from illustrator

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/importing-2d-outlines-from-illustrator/11791>\
**Category:** Modeling Questions\
**Created:** [March 10, 2021, 1:08pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/importing-2d-outlines-from-illustrator/11791 "2021-03-10T13:08:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BigRedJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@BigRedJ](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/BigRedJ)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2021, 1:08pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/importing-2d-outlines-from-illustrator/11791/1 "2021-03-10T13:08:16Z")

</div>

So I do a lot of outlines in Illustrator, because I use text, or had precise measurements to follow, I then export and dxf and import.

But half the time there’s bits missing, so if I convert online to dxf, the bit appear but curves are blocky and useless!

cant we just have an option to import an eps or .ai outline? it would make life so much easier!!!

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Yepher](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/yepher/32/8902_2.png) [@Yepher](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Yepher)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2021, 1:40pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/importing-2d-outlines-from-illustrator/11791/2 "2021-03-10T13:40:22Z")

</div>

I just studies `DXF` file formats not too long ago. It turns out `DXF` does not support curves directly. It makes curves from a bunch of straight lines. I am not sure if DWG would be better but I think that format is similar.

I second the “have another” vector format supported although I personally lean toward SVG but either of the two you mention would be good too 😉

I _think_ IGES can do what you are looking for and in my very limited knowledge seems like it can encode 2D or 3D shapes. Still trying to understand it all.

Long story short maybe try to go from Illustrator to IGES (if you can find a converter) and see if that helps… A selfish ask is if you do try that, let me know how you fare on it would be very helpful info.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![BigRedJ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4bbf92/32.png) [@BigRedJ](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/BigRedJ)\
**Post date:** [March 10, 2021, 1:52pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/importing-2d-outlines-from-illustrator/11791/3 "2021-03-10T13:52:41Z")

</div>

illl give iges a go, just a shame we cant import .ai! that used to be my standard workflow in other packages and there would be no problems at all with scale and detail…