[Ursine]

I've downloaded the eval of Rhino in the hopes of converting 2D shapes to dxf for Sheetcam toolpaths, g-code and ultimately into Mach2. What export options should I be using? I've already burned up 2 of my 25 demo exports and nothing yet.

Thanks,

Dave

[turmite]

Dave what are your 2d shapes starting out as? Is it line art or something like that?

Mike

[ger21]

Can you post one of the ones you've exported here, to give us an idea of what you're trying to do. Try these options:

Release 12
curves as polylines
use simple entities

If your not getting anything useable, you might have to convert curves to arcs, under the curve menu.

[Ursine]

Here's what I did:

1. Brought in a Background Bitmap of the shape I wanted.

2. Using the Control Points Curve tool, I traced around the bitmap.

3. With the curve selected, I chose Planar Curves from the Surfaces panel. I assume I need to have a surface to export as a 3D face dxf.

4. I delete the curve and with the surface selected, I export as a dxf with the 3D faces option checked.

Meshcam tells me there are no polygons.


Here's the file

Thanks,

Dave

[turmite]

Meshcam is looking for 3d. You mentioned in your initial post you were using Sheetcam. I have not used the function, but I think Mach2 can actually take the dxf and convert it to gcode with no other program required.
Mike

[ger21]

You need to be in the top view. It's on the wrong plane. Which are you using, MeshCAM, or SheetCAM? The file you uploaded is a polyline, not a mesh. It would work fine in SheetCAM if you rotate it to the X-Y plane. If your using Meshcam, a flat surface won't do you much good.?

[Ursine]

Rotate so it's flat in the top plane...DUH. I've been doing 3D graphics forever...can't believe I missed that!. Still no luck in Sheetcam though. Because these are flat shapes I'll be cutting out, I'll be using Sheetcam.
Heres my export settings...

Turmite
I've tried loading directly into Mach2, but nothing shows up.

thanks all,

Dave

[ger21]

That should load into both SheetCAM and Mach2. I don't have SheetCAM, but I can check Mach2 tonight for you. Try this and see if it works for you.

[ger21]

Dave, I just downloaded SheetCAM, and your file loaded just fine? You must be doing something wrong.

[Ursine]

Works in Mach2. Thanks. Nothing yet in Sheetcam though. I'm going to try a reinstall.
I found out if I export just the curve from Rhino, it loads fine in Mach2 but still want to use Sheetcams offsetting features.

Thanks,

Dave

[ger21]

If it works in Mach2, it should work in SheetCAM. A lot of people use Rhino and SheetCAM. You might want to ask in the SheetCAM forum, if you continue to have problems.

[Ursine]

I'll do that. Thanks for all the help. I'd never have started this project if it wasn't for this forum.

Thanks again,

Dave

EDIT: The problem was I had file type set to Excellon.