John,

FileToStr() is a new VFP6 command.

For what you are doing I'd do something like:

create cursor temp ( cLine c(254))
append from TheAutoCad.DXF
scan
   do case
      case ( "Line " = cLine )
         skip 1
         * process the group of records
      case ( "Circle " = cLine )
         skip 1
         * process the group of records
endscan

>Thanks Peter
>
>I could not find FILETOSTR() anywhere in the help. I am using 3.0b.
>
>Thanks
>John
>
>>I would use :
>>a=filetostr('mydrawing.dxf')
>>
>>which gives you a variable which can be manipulated very easily. I have used this approach to convert mainframe data into foxpro quite extensively
>>
>>
>>Peter
>>
>>>I am importing data from a dxf (drawing exchange format) file into a table. What is the best way to search for the lines I need then put them into a table. I must first find the "ENTITIES" section then look for either a "LINE", "CIRCLE", or an "ARC" entitie. Then I must read each line and evaluate what to do with the next line based on what the value is. For example the following is the description of a line that I would put in a table by extracting the needed data. The 5 means handle the 8 means layer name etc.