MB|I'm looking for a way to change a file ext. such as .fax or .txt to a 
format
  |that can be used with AutoCad in order to change imported documents. Is 
ther
  |method and/or software available to change file extensions? Any help would 
b
  |appreciated.
Yous is a strange request, since on the one hand, you can change the
file name or extension with any file managing tool or dos utility.  Just
enter the directory where the file is located with any file managing
utility software, highlight the filename in question, select the
"rename" function, then rename the file. changing the extension to .txt
or whatever you like.
HOWEVER, be sure in each case the the format of the content of the file
is suitable for your ultimate purpose.
I and not familiar in detail with what you are trying to do..
I think you mean that you want to generate a long series of verbal
and/or numerical specifications with a word processor, then save that
file in a simple ascii format (and which saved file contains no
graphic or higher order characters), then import that so-saved file into
an acad drawing file, inserting it at a conveniant site within the
drawing?
In that case, I should say - as is well known- that all modern word
processors will "do you in" in the latter respect.  That is, for a
variety of reasons, most contemporary word processors insert countless
higher order ascii characters for "convenient" purposes to signify
start, stop, font style, indent, tab, bold, you name it.  It's a plague!
I believe that historically, it has become a defacto standard that .TXT
means "simple ascii characters only".   It may be that .FAX implies that
also, and maybe .PRN and .DAT as well.  But that is not your primary
issue.  You primary issue is to generate bona-fide imporatable
and fully legible specification documents into your drawings.  I should
add that, were you given a choice to "pretty up" and glorify you
document fonts, size, bold, etc., I would NOT try to finalize such style
selecion with the word processor.  To do so, AutoDesk must come up with
imprtation software that will be word processor specific (maybe Rel13
does this, I don't know)  My release 10 will take files, but I never
have used that feature.  I'm only trying to answer your question here.
Rather, I would import simple ascii text (a long list os specs, etc,
generated with a suitable number of charcters per line (80/line is the
ancient standard maximum), then use your drawing edit commands to make
heaadings bold, etc.  The characters per line choice is rightfully
acieved in your word processor, so some up-front decisions must be
made by you whilst preparing the text for "export" as a .TXT file
Rather, if the block of text consist of some pretty simple info like
parts lists or simple onstructions ("oneliners"), then I would generate
the text with an ultra-simple ascii editor like Microsoft's EDIT
(installed on all DOS machines). Anything generated with EDIT will
automatically be clean and simple ascii, provided it was typed with all
simple ascii characters. It's a WYSIWYG word processor.
However, EDIT will not word-wrap.  That is, if you type a long sentence,
it will kee extending to the right.  You have to be alert enough to
execute a carrriage return to tell the dumb thing when to start the next
line.  If you edit a paragraph, you have a nightmare of work.  In that
case (long wordy paragraphs), you need a smarter word processor.  All
word processors elegantly word-wrap these days.  It's the imported
format that you are bugged with.  All word processors "recognize theur
youg", so the format problem is an invisible ("transparent") problem.
Independent examination with EDIT usually settles the format issue.
Indeed try your word processor's "ascii" save format.  If it passes the
EDIT test and also improts flawlessly after changing the extension to
.TXT, or after-junk cleanup-then-save-.TXT, then you are a winner.!  If
not, then look for a smarter ascii editor.  I have been using first
sidekick then sidekick plus for that purpose for almost a decade now.
But there are others.  Ask around.
It is also possible to open ANY file with EDIT, and if you like what
you see (a lot of junk and disorder will appear if there are any
higher order characters), then you should save it as-is.  In your
drawings case, if you like ALL of what you see (examine the ENTIRE file
first), then save that file with a .TXT extension for import to acad as
you requested here. If you do NOT like what you see, then you are free
to delete or change with EDIT any and all all junk, re-size lines, etc.
There are many other such "ascii editors" out there.
BTW, don't trust modern word processors to export a clean ascii file
when you save in their so-called "ascii" format.  I have come across
files saved like that which had very long lines (no carriage return
within a whole paragraph!) and other anomalies, including a few token
higher order ascii characters that can do strange things.
Ang.
 * SLMR 2.1a * The Secret of success is survival followed by growth!
--- PCBoard (R) v15.3 (OS/2) 10 Beta
---------------