Cleaning up imported dxf files
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Hello all
As part of my workflow, I convert PDF plan files to dxf using an app (PDF Grabber for those interested), then import those dxf files into Sketchup to use as a starting option to create a model. Some of these dxf files are huge in Sketchup and bog it down horribly. For instance, the one that's giving me trouble now is over 32 megs for a single sheet dxf file.
I'm using SU Pro 18 on a 2016 iMac with 32 gigs RAM and a 1T SSD drive.
Does anyone know of a way to make this a more manageable file? I've tried ThomThoms "Cleanup" but it simply deleted everything.
Thanks!
Bob
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I don't think there is a one-size-fits-all answer, as there are many ways a dwf file can need fixup after import. Extensions such as CleanUp3 work using various criteria to decide, for example, whether two lines that don't quite meet should have met, or if a collection of line segments really should have been one longer line, etc. You can try various choices of these parameters and see whether you can find ones that produce better results. For instance, deleting everything suggests that all the edges in the model are shorter than what is considered too small.
You may need to backtrack all the way to the PDF and look for ways to tidy and/or simplify things there. You might be able to break it into pieces and work on them separately in SketchUp.
Then take a look at PDF Grabber to see whether it has parameters you can set to control its output (I don't use it, I have no idea...).
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If I could but get the architects to simply send me their clean dxf / dwg files I wouldn't have to go through those hoops!
Thanks for your response.
Bob
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this may be the one time i raise my hand and say auto cad now does a good job in that respect
<-------dodging flames
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I like to import only the minimum useful edges from dwg imports. I take it down to a simple set of edges in CAD beforehand. I rarely have problem anymore using the edges thereafter in SU (I used to and maybe I just learned better how to prepare the imports.
Otherwise I just use it as a background reference and delete the import after getting the info from it.
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@gmthompson said:
this may be the one time i raise my hand and say auto cad now does a good job in that respect
<-------dodging flames
No need to dodge flames when it is a fact. AutoCAD does a damn good job at this.
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@pbacot said:
....
Otherwise I just use it as a background reference and delete the import after getting the info from it.
Pretty much the best way imho.
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