Exporting dxf files into cnc software
Hello can someone please assist me? When I upload my dxf files they are missing sized (to large or of of working area) when I upload them I'm using planet cnc software I just need to learn how to put the files into the correct size and into the modeling area so I can machine them properly.
Many thanks and greatly appreciated some advice!
Re: Exporting dxf files into cnc software
Hi,
.dxf files are drawing files, not Gcode. CNCsoftware controllers like PlanetCNC use Gcode to describe machine motion.. You need a program that can convert a drawing (dxf) into Gcode.
Such programs are called CAM, Computer Aided Manufacture. The oldest and probably still the best is MasterCAM. If you have to ask how much it is then forget it......it costs a bloody
fortune.
I use Fusion. I pay a yearly subscription because I like it and want to access all its features, but Fusion is free to hobbyists and startups. I believe it has the capacity to import dxf
files and thereafter produce Gcode.
Craig
Re: Exporting dxf files into cnc software
I use Fusion 360 and can upload the dxf into the cnc software to read g-code fine my problem is when I upload my dxf file into the cnc software my project is too large and I'm not sure how to adjust it from that point in the system. Thank you for your help!
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I use Fusion 360 and can upload the dxf into the cnc software to read g-code fine my problem is when I upload my dxf file into the cnc software my project is too large and I'm not sure how to adjust it from that point in the system. Thank you for your help!
- - - Updated - - -
I use Fusion 360 and can upload the dxf into the cnc software to read g-code fine my problem is when I upload my dxf file into the cnc software my project is too large and I'm not sure how to adjust it from that point in the system. Thank you for your help!
Re: Exporting dxf files into cnc software
Hi Treeman - What do you mean by "its too large" haven't seen that issue before... Send the error code and example to fusion support. They have answered my questions very quickly... Peter
Re: Exporting dxf files into cnc software
Thank you I'll check this out and work on it I'm new to cnc I appreciate your help!
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Re: Exporting dxf files into cnc software
DXF files are "unitless". They do not contain any units.
When importing user must choose Metric or Imperial units and correct Scale factor
https://www.cnczone.com/forums/attac...d=502552&stc=1
Re: Exporting dxf files into cnc software
If you don't believe that doesn't make it true. DXF is unitless and that is a fact.
Re: Exporting dxf files into cnc software
I thought I would provide a link to an independent 3rd party to weigh in on this.
Quote:
Imported DXF or DWG file in Fusion is not correctly scaledAutodesk Support
Jan 12, 2024
Products and versions covered
Issue:The scale of a DXF or DWG file imported into Fusion is incorrect.
Causes:- A DXF file is a unitless file type so when Fusion reads the file, by default. It will assume that the file is in centimeters unless otherwise specified during insertion.
- A DWG file is exported with unit-less settings in the units in AutoCAD
Link:
https://www.autodesk.com/support/tec...ect-scale.html
Autodesk is the publisher of a variety of popular products, including Fusion and AutoCad.
Re: Exporting dxf files into cnc software
Quote:
...can you guys explain this link...
Quote:
The DXF reference has no explicit information how to handle units ...
Some programs use $INSUNITS property (like BricsCAD) for units but this property is actually used for something else.
https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2...A-EEF55A2B4FD8
In the last 30 years I opened and examined thousands of dx files. Most of them don't even have INSUNITS property. That is why an option to select units and scale is there.
Re: Exporting dxf files into cnc software
But perhaps more programs now use INSUNITS property.
I'll implement automatic unit detection based on this property. It is trivial task.
This is what I'll do.
Code:
switch (dxf.Var_INSUNITS)
{
case 0: { break; } // Unitless
case 1: // Inches
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Inches;
_Param->Scale = 1;
break;
}
case 2: // Feet
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Inches;
_Param->Scale = 12;
break;
}
case 3: // Miles
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Inches;
_Param->Scale = 63360;
break;
}
case 4: // Millimeters
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Millimeters;
_Param->Scale = 1;
break;
}
case 5: // Centimeters
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Millimeters;
_Param->Scale = 100;
break;
}
case 6: // Meters
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Millimeters;
_Param->Scale = 1000;
break;
}
case 7: // Kilometers
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Millimeters;
_Param->Scale = 1000000;
break;
}
case 8:// Microinches
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Inches;
_Param->Scale = 0.000001;
break;
}
case 9: // Mils
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Inches;
_Param->Scale = 0.001;
break;
}
case 10: // Yards
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Inches;
_Param->Scale = 36;
break;
}
case 11: // Angstroms
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Millimeters;
_Param->Scale = 0.0000001;
break;
}
case 12: // Nanometers
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Millimeters;
_Param->Scale = 0.000001;
break;
}
case 13: // Microns
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Millimeters;
_Param->Scale = 0.001;
break;
}
case 14: // Decimeters
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Millimeters;
_Param->Scale = 100;
break;
}
case 15: // Decameters
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Millimeters;
_Param->Scale = 10000;
break;
}
case 16: // Hectometers
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Millimeters;
_Param->Scale = 100000;
break;
}
case 17:// Gigameters
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Millimeters;
_Param->Scale = 1000000000000;
break;
}
case 18: // Astronomical units
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Millimeters;
_Param->Scale = 1.496e+14;
break;
}
case 19: // Light years
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Millimeters;
_Param->Scale = 9.461e+18;
break;
}
case 20: // Parsecs
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Millimeters;
_Param->Scale = 3.086e+19;
break;
}
case 21: // US Survey Feet
{
_Param->DataUnits = Units::Millimeters;
_Param->Scale = 1200000 / 3937;
break;
}
default:
break;
}