Thommo Posted July 21 Share Posted July 21 Hi Experts, I've been trying to export items of a 3D design file to a metal laser fabricator for cutting (who require obviously only 2D info). The fabricator can't read my .dxf files (or .dwg). I can't find an specific information in the manual as to what all the options in the "dxf export" window do and I've tried a lot of variations (and I mean a lot!) Does anyone have any information about this or perhaps a workflow description that they know functions? I've sent a test file to them from a drawing out of Form Z Draft and they can read this OK. Any help would be much appreciated (as I'm beginning to suspect that the problem is not me). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim_G Posted July 22 Share Posted July 22 First line of attack: does the DXF open OK in another app? Can you re-import it to Form Z correctly? Does the fabricator accept other file formats (I'm guessing "no," but I just thought I'd ask.) Please advise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thommo Posted July 22 Author Share Posted July 22 Hi Jim_G, The dxf opens in the fabricators app but info is missing (my reference & orientation square / triangle shows, but nothing else). I can re-import it into Form Z again OK. The fabricator will accept dwg as well (most do, as it is a standard AutoCad format) and some others which I am not familiar with (STEP?) and can't export that anyway. A dxf file exported straight from Form Z Draft can be read OK. I had some success today but I'm just waiting for one last communication to see if I can track down the problem (i.e. is it me or does Form Z modeling have a problem?) I can't really find any detail in the manual about all aspects of the "dxf export options" window. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gyro Posted July 22 Share Posted July 22 I also went through a frustrating export process a while back. If export to my CNC programming software it requires different setting to exporting for the company that does my laser cutting. I found setting to version 2007 solved it in one instance, forget which though. Replied Andrew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim_G Posted July 23 Share Posted July 23 @Thommo - My guess is it's just a matter of trying various converters until something works. There are a number of online file-translator apps (Google to find them) and you might (for example) be able to export an OBJ from Form Z and then convert that to a DXF using another app. That said: Form Z DOES export STEP files (screen cap attached) and has for at least ten years. Is it not working for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thommo Posted July 23 Author Share Posted July 23 Hi Jim_G, I've never used STEP files so I know nothing about them. I will send a test file to the fabricators tomorrow. To be honest I didn't even see it in the export list as you pictured (probably because I wasn't looking for it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thommo Posted July 23 Author Share Posted July 23 I have found a work around. At this point in time, until someone convinces me otherwise, I'll say that the DXF export function in Form Z V10 Modeling doesn't work. My work around ( a rough summary) "Derive the face" of the object that I want to export. Import this object into Form Z Draft. Export this as a DXF. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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