DXF problem
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hello
i have created several DXF files using another cad program and they import and export well
to several cad programs
however when i import them into sketchup the scale is all wrong they are not the size. why would this be is there a problem witrh sketchup and DXF's?also when i export DXF from sketchup to other cad programs the files do not show up
is the export filter no good as well ?i cant believe that people could deal with these problems and still find this a useful program
anyine know how to fix these issues?
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What options are you using on import?
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thank you for the reply
setting the options to inches on import seems to have solved the import issue
but i still get a 200 thou size increase on all exported DXF files when i bring them in to any other CAD program and i have tried all the export options no luck
has anyone checked this out ? -
You need to set the import options to the same units as the DXF was drawn in e.g. inches.
When you export a 3D DXF from SUp it should retain the Model's units and on opening it in CAD that should be the same units.
There was a glitch with 2D DXFs always exporting in inches irrespective of the Model's unit settings - don't know if that's fixed - I don't ever use them...
What exactly are you doing and what is the scaling factor exactly 25.4 mm >> inches etc............ -
the reason i need exact scaleing is i want to use the 2d dxf profiles to cut parts on a cnc machine and accuracy has to be perfect or the parts wont fit together
DXF is a CAD format . i would have thought the sketchup people would know accuracy was paramount.the whole point of using sketchup is that it is free and i am trying to make a system for people with little or no money to make designs that can be cut on CNC machines and then sell them to others to help make a home based income for them.
the thing about sketchup is you can model your design in 3d as well to visualize it
but then take the 2d DXF profiles and cut them out to construct your design in the real world. this cannot happen if the DXF export does not work properly
does google know that this is a problem? -
You haven't really explained the nature of this 'inaccuracy' or how you are going about making these DXFs - units, sizes etc. Perhaps a small example skp and dxf would help us...
This issue has not been raised before [I think], please give more detail and we'll try to help...
OpenGL the basis of SUp doesn't like very small or large dims but I would have thought that a CNC system is mid-range and wouldn't cause a problem...
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the dxf files were creted in another cad program vectric aspire and autocad
they have slots in them that are 1/4 inch wide .25
they import as inch into sketchup and show .25 fine after import
if i do nothing to them at all and then export them back to the external cad program they now show 0.2889 on the slot widthso i tried creating a similar file using native sketchup tools and i get the same issue if i create a 1/4 inch slot and export the DXF i get the same or simliar result
where/how would i upload a file for you to check this yourself ?
regards
Paul
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@outland86 said:
the dxf files were creted in another cad program vectric aspire and autocad
they have slots in them that are 1/4 inch wide .25
they import as inch into sketchup and show .25 fine after import
if i do nothing to them at all and then export them back to the external cad program they now show 0.2889 on the slot width
so i tried creating a similar file using native sketchup tools and i get the same issue if i create a 1/4 inch slot and export the DXF i get the same or simliar result
where/how would i upload a file for you to check this yourself ?
regards
PaulMake a zip file.
Start to type a reply, like you just did.
Below the typing-pane there's a tab titled 'Upload Attachment'.
Click on it and pick the 'Browse...' button.
Navigate in the resultant file-browser to your zip file and then select it + Open [I know you are not 'opening' it but a standard file-browser says that, even if you are just 'selecting' it for later use!].
It's added to the Filename field.
Now pick the 'Add the File' button to add the file to your message.
Finish your message and Submit it...
There are file-size limits but a <4Mb shouldn't hurt !
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I have just tried to repeat what you reported.
At first I thought it might be due to the number of dps 0.0000 set in Model Info > Units, but it's not.
It exported , imported a series of circles as 3D DXFs without any affect on the circles' sizes or accuracy, BUT exporting it as a 2D DXF it does mess up the radii.
The exported/imported 2D circle is not a circle but a series of segments - however, it should still have its vertices on the circumference BUT they are not - even the segments mid-points are not - there appears to be 'no rhyme nor reason'!
Typically a 1" radius ends up exporting in 2D as 1.158239" an error of ~16% which is, as you say, pretty useless !Solution export as 3D DXF to give perfect Circles and Arcs.
Avoid 2D DXF like the plague...
When you import these from a CAD program they should come in as good Circles/Arcs - you can change their segmentation from the fixed 24 to much more in Entity Info if required... -
Did you have Camera set to Parallel Projection?
Did you try DWG instead?
Anssi
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Hi DWG is not useable for the CNC tool path software only DXF
i do not want to create another step for the end user where they have to do yet another conversion with outside softwarenot to sure why changing the camera that views the polylines should effect the actual drawings export dimensions
can you tell me why this may have an effect ? -
@outland86 said:
not to sure why changing the camera that views the polylines should effect the actual drawings export dimensions
can you tell me why this may have an effect ?Because when viewing in perspective things gets distorted.
When you export to 2d you are exporting what you see.To export exactly what's there, export in 3D - as the content exported is then 1:1 and not bound to the viewpoint.
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outland86, The fellows here who are trying to help you are probably too nice to complain about your attitude:
"i cant believe that people could deal with these problems and still find this a useful program "
"does google know that this is a problem?"
Just because SU doesn't work the way you "think it should" doesn't justify your attitude. Floating point calculations is not exact, only precise. I don't know of a computer system that can does integer math. If it did, you would complain about speed!-{
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@thomthom said:
@outland86 said:
not to sure why changing the camera that views the polylines should effect the actual drawings export dimensions
can you tell me why this may have an effect ?Because when viewing in perspective things gets distorted.
When you export to 2d you are exporting what you see.To export exactly what's there, export in 3D - as the content exported is then 1:1 and not bound to the viewpoint.
I've made tests and even with a pure plan view the dxf circle is NOT the right radius.
With plan view and parallel projection a 1" circle 2d DXFs as 1.000014" [pretty good] BUT in pure plan view but with perspective 'on' - with the circle at z=0 it's ~16% out !Motto = always do a 3D DXF... that way a 1" circle is DXFed as a 1" circle always...
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@honoluludesktop said:
outland86, The fellows here who are trying to help you are probably too nice to complain about your attitude:
"i cant believe that people could deal with these problems and still find this a useful program "
"does google know that this is a problem?"
Just because SU doesn't work the way you "think it should" doesn't justify your attitude. Floating point calculations is not exact, only precise. I don't know of a computer system that can does integer math. If it did, you would complain about speed!-{
i did not know attitude even came into this equation
but i am sorry if you were offended by anythiung i have said
i appreciate all and everyones help more than you could know
but did that justify your own ending remark
pot calling kettle black me thinks
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Offences aside...
@outland86 said:
pot calling kettle black
Thanks for this proverb or saying or expression... - I am not a native speaker so when I realise there is something I exactly understand and we have one with the exact same meaning but totally different expression, I am always glad!
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@gaieus said:
Offences aside...
@outland86 said:
pot calling kettle black
Thanks for this proverb or saying or expression... - I am not a native speaker so when I realise there is something I exactly understand and we have one with the exact same meaning but totally different expression, I am always glad!
In England there's my favorite -"it's six of one and a half a dozen of the other..."- used when there's no real or meaningful choice in something - in the North it's simplified to -"it's six and two threes..."-
I'm sure most cultures have something similar... -
ah ok i see
its just that the CAD software i am used to working with adds dimensioned constraints to the 2d polylines in a given drawing and no matter how they are viewed they are always exported with those contraints in place
but i see now that this software does not function that way. no problem though its just a matter of knowing this information. and finding the workflow solution to achieve the same end resultthank you much for your input and work on this Tig and others and i am sorryif something i said pissed anyone off
regards
Paul
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@outland86 said:
i am sorry if something i said pissed anyone off
I don't think you'd pissed anyone off - in fact, although I am a bit ashamed to push your topic a bit "off..." (so I am sorry for that),
I am enjoying it, especially that you seem to be closer to a satisfying solution to your problemTIG:
"pot calling kettle black" = "owl calling sparrow big headed" (here big headed meant literally)
"it's six of one and a half a dozen of the other..." = "it's nineteen of one and twenty but one the other..."
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thank you
pot calling kettle black = pot is black from fire burning just like kettle so why is pot calling kettle black when he is also black
not too sure where it came from but is somthing i grew up with in New Zealand and have bought too the USA i guess
lol
perhaps in 50 years it will be part of the language hereus kiwis have many of these little jibes and colloquialisms in our street speak my MInnesotan wife is forvewr looking at me sideways when i talk not knowing if i just insulted her of paid her a compliment
usually its a complimentfair sucka the sav aye mate = please give me a fair share of the credit from this deal or idea we are talking about
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