CONVERT (Command)

Converts "legacy" 2D polylines and hatches for use with later product releases.

Prior to AutoCAD Release 14 or AutoCAD LT 97, hatches and 2D polylines were stored in drawing files with less optimization. These less optimized objects, sometimes referred to as "legacy" objects, can be updated. Updating these "legacy" less optimized objects can improve performance and reduce file size.

Hatches

Information about the rotation of a hatch pattern may not be updated properly if you have changed the UCS since the hatch was created. When updating hatches with CONVERT, it is recommended that you use the Select option so that you can visually verify the results.

Note: Hatches created in earlier product releases are not updated automatically when a drawing file is opened.
2D Polylines

2D polylines created in the "legacy" format contain additional information in the form of vertex objects that increase the size of the drawing file and reduce performance. "Legacy" 2D polylines are also referred to as heavy 2D polylines. A 2D polyline is a polyline for which all its vertices have the same Z coordinate value. Most newly created 2D polylines are created as lightweight polylines, which are optimized.

Drawings created with AutoCAD Release 14, AutoCAD LT 97, or later might contain "legacy" 2D polylines as a result of third-party applications or inserting an older drawing as a block and then exploding that block. In most cases, you do not need to update 2D polylines with CONVERT. By default, the PLINETYPE system variable specifies that "legacy" 2D polylines should be updated automatically when you open a drawing.

Note: 2D polylines containing curve-fit or splined segments are not converted, nor are 2D polylines that store extended object data on their vertices. Modify commands do not make any distinction between "legacy" 2D and lightweight polylines.

The following prompts are displayed.

Type of objects to convert
Specifies what type of "legacy" objects to convert:
  • Hatch
  • Polyline
  • All