I am having major issues with my DXF files exported from SW2013. The part is made up of splines and the DXF file I import into CAM (Metalsoft) has thousands of tiny splines and my CAM package is crashing/locking up with the many splines it has to deal with. I have experimented with some exporting options but am still at a loss. Has anyone delt with this and what can I do? Please help, I have about 13 hours into a small project that should only take minutes.....Thanks, Chris
I will give it a try. I think I may want to use "convert splines to polylines" in the DXF output options? Not sure if a polyline is better than a spline? Unfortunitly I cant try the import of the DXF until I get home tonight.
I am also thinking that this problem may be how the CAM package imports the DXF but couldnt find any import options in Metalsoft. This is a tiny part 4" x 2.5" and I have seen many large files laser cut that are for sure made up of splines so there has to be an easy fix/solution.
Chris
I can't give you a direct answer to the problem.
I use a workaround which is more work in the short term but saves grief in the long term.
When I have this problem, I take the dxf into DraftSight. use the Spline or Arc Tool and trace over the "multiple mini splines"
Then delete the "multiple mini splines"
It saves many issues before taking into our CAM software (Enroute)
Michael
Not sure I fixed the problem but I did make it much better. Spent many hours experimenting with different DXF options when exporting and I found that by using R12, enabling merging at .005, and exporting all splines as polylines has made the DXF file considerably smaller and my CAM software was able to handle it. I think it could somehow be much better but this worked.
We were having the same issues with splines not being seen by our CAM software (enRoute). However simply saving the dxf file with IGES 5.3 as version R12 and splines as splines everything is now working.
There's a good reason for NEVER using splines ... most CADCAM systems don't produce spline toolpaths and must convert splines to a series of tangent arcs. There is a tolerance setting in the conversion, and if you don't have control of that you might not get what you expect.
Chris,,, I am a long time Metalsoft user (since 1989) and have never experienced the problem you are describing. Are you not able to save directly from SolidWorks to Metalsoft using the TransFadden add-in (in SW)? If the import is successful (always has been for me) then you can use the "smooth entities" tool in Metalsoft to turn the polylines (that how splines save to Metalsoft) and turn the polylines into a series of tangent arcs. If for some odd reason you don't have the transfadden add-in then ask Metalsoft for it. Actually I think it is just a matter of unlocking it at a command prompt in Windows. If you have to, you can save it to Draftsite or AutoCad and use the convert to polyines option then with the pedit command turn the plines to tangent arcs (no tracing involved) and see if that helps
Hi Dennis,
There are a lot of 2D cutting services with legacy equipment and CADCAM applications. Knowing the shop and capabilities or cutting in house makes it a much more certain process.
I'm sure that is good to know Chris but fail to see how that is relevant.
If dealing with only "high end" shops, then perhaps it is a non issue.
Chris,
I seem to remember running into this from a customer supplied model going DXF into AP100 (Metalsoft) to laser. I believe it was helped by using the Fit Spline tool inside of SW. See this link : http://help.solidworks.com/2012/English/SolidWorks/sldworks/HIDD_STYLED_CURVES.htm
I seem to remember, though I'm not 100% sure. Hope it helps!
I just saw this post too: https://forum.solidworks.com/message/364931#364931
Message was edited by: Bernie Daraz