What is the default paper size, and how can I force A4 size? Will it Tile?

Thanks,
Marty

Thanks so much Tig

Marty

Thanks Tig, You have been a big help! The 1st script gives me better results. Is there a way to save the Ruby Script so I don't have to cut and paste every time I want to use it?
Marty

@tig said:

This is the 3d dxf I made from your skp [Pro dxf-exporter].

My Slicer5 exporter does that automatically by deleting unwanted geometry etc.

This one-liner works on a selection, it will remove all faces and any edges that are not flat at z=0...

m=Sketchup.active_model;s=m.selection;a=m.active_entities;m.start_operation('x');t=s.grep(Sketchup;;Face);a.erase_entities(t)if t[0];t=[];s.grep(Sketchup;;Edge).each{|e|t<<e unless e.start.position.z==0 && e.end.position.z==0};a.erase_entities(t)if t[0];m.commit_operation;

This version retains the selected flat faces and orients them 'up' if needed

m=Sketchup.active_model;s=m.selection;a=m.active_entities;m.start_operation('x');t=[];s.grep(Sketchup;;Edge).each{|e|t<<e unless e.start.position.z==0 && e.end.position.z==0};a.erase_entities(t)if t[0];s.grep(Sketchup;;Face).each{|e|e.reverse! if e.normal.z==-1};m.commit_operation;

The file s exactly what I am looking for. I was with you right up to the point of the 1 liners.

Where is this code entered?

Marty

I have attached one of my files, fairly simple one. It has been collapsed to a 2D plane.

Marty

This is the simplest of my Parts

@tig said:

You can export a 3d DXF from a 'flat set'.
It's as easy as making the 2d line-only version...

Hi TIG,

Easy? Yes and No. If I take a part that is 3D, parallel, top view, and export as DXF, I have double lines (line on top of line) which will cause the laser to cut each line twice. Also, when I try to edit the part in AutoCAD, it sees it as a block, not individual lines and circles. If I delete the Block, the underlying lines and circles are segmented. Not sure what a block would do to the G-Code.

The one BIG advantage, if I collapse to a 2D part and export as 3D, I can move the entire block in AutoCAD and see any orphan lines left behind.

Thanks for the insights,
Marty

Hi Guys an Gals,

I use Sketchup 8 and 2013 for RC Model airplane design. When the design is finished, all my parts are flat 2D on a common plane. Using 2013, I export as DXF. The problem is that when I send the files to the laser cutting shop, they complain about "faceted" arcs and circles. No problem I thought, I import to AutoCAD 2010 and change the line segmented arcs and cirles to true AutoCAD style. But they still complain........

The issue is, they are reading the files into Illustrator, then export their G-Code from there. They claim that Illustrator sees many errors, even when reading the AutoCAD file.

Possibly ......

1. • They don't know what they are doing
2. • They are just jacking the price
3. • Maybe there really is a problem

Please, anyone with experience on these issues, comment on what's really going on.

Thanks and Happy Holidays,
Marty Petri