How to save only outline of model to DXF?

I am looking for something similar,

What I have been doing is removing entities upon dxf creation inside solidworks.

When I have lots of files like you do I have to make extra configs of the parts that are de-featured so only the outlines come thru on the dxf export.

maybe my methods can help

If the part is modeled from one of the standard planes, you could write a macro that creates a sketch on the initial plane and convert entities of the face and save those out as a DXF. I'm not sure what your models look like so it would be hard to make a general approach unless there are more examples to be seen.

Hello,

You can try shelling the part with an 0.001" wall selecting all radii and faces, leaving only the outer perimeter.

Select a view that's normal to the outline for the DXF.

I hope this helps.

Cheers,

Kevin

EDIT: Yes, it's a dual line DXF.

And perhaps predicated on having some flat along the p[erimeter.

Vote for the following SPR:

Ok Peter

Here's a process that a macro could automate...

You're not going to like it but I've done a manual proof of concept.

I started with just a faceted cube, a random 3d sketch point that creates an axis and a plane.

Think of this as your viewing plane

OK next step iterate through all faces and convert entities in a sketch

(see note later)

next

for each sketch extrude up to the plane in the direction of the plane with merge result.

You will likely get some errors.

ZTG or a perpendicular direction.

but when its done you get a nice clean silhouette

* Hopefully if you iterate through the faces and then extrude directly, you will remove many of them thus simplifying the task.

Anyway Not my best idea... but it might just work

2016 attached

Have you looked into this example Find Outside Edges of Face Example (VBA)               

Maybe this is a doh! moment.   Just reimport the dxf as a sketch and extrude all the regions to merge

This is easiest way yet

especially via API