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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    54

    splitting a large DXF

    i have a DXF file too large for my machine it contains several items.
    Any idea how to split it easy into several DXF files that fits on my table

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Posts
    4519
    Upload the DXF file here so we can look at it.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    54
    Quote Originally Posted by txcncman View Post
    Upload the DXF file here so we can look at it.
    Hi Txcncman

    Im not allowed to share the drawings due to copyright, but its in total 1290x850 mm big and it has 50 diffrent parts on it with spacing inbetween, i need to split it into 4 parts to fit my machine.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Posts
    4519
    Ok. Let's go a different route. What CAD software do you use?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538
    Just open it in any CAD program (even a free one like Draftsight), remove what you don't want and resave. Repeat as needed.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
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    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    54
    Quote Originally Posted by txcncman View Post
    Ok. Let's go a different route. What CAD software do you use?
    Hi again

    I have access to autocad LT 2013

    but i am also open for suggestions on other software that is userfriendly
    usually i draw things in sketchup export them to stl for 2.5D
    not done much 2D yet.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    54
    Quote Originally Posted by ger21 View Post
    Just open it in any CAD program (even a free one like Draftsight), remove what you don't want and resave. Repeat as needed.
    Ill try that Thank you guys

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    54
    Well, i got the DXF cut into size, but now Deskproto cannot load it, it says that the file is empty or missing entities. seems like deskproto only accepts certain DXF files .... maybe i should try getting enroute going after all.

    This is what i found out:
    DeskProto only can import the DXF entities 3D FACE and POLYFACE MESH (which are the same triangles as present in STL files). For instance all DXF files form 3D Studio are OK for DeskProto.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    May 2004
    Posts
    4519
    Yes, you need to save to an older DXF version, such as version 12.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    2985
    Quote Originally Posted by txcncman View Post
    Yes, you need to save to an older DXF version, such as version 12.
    Which you can get by saving as an older version in autocad.

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    54
    used save as R12 in Draftsight, still no go. this is a mystery:wee:

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538
    If you select the entities in the original .dxf, and look at it's properties, what type of entity is it?
    I've never used LT, but it doesn't support 3D, so it may not be saving them correctly. If you're using Draftsight, it may be the same issue.

    Saving as V12 or any other older version isn't gong to help you.

    You need a 3D CAD program capable of opening your .dxf, and saving the same entities.
    One thing you can try is get the trial version of Rhino, which allows I think 25 saves. It should let you open the file and export your 4 separate files, and they should work.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  13. #13
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    54
    Ill try rhino cam, sounds like a good idea i couldnt find out where to look entities info.

    Thank you :cheers:

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Oct 2006
    Posts
    222
    ...

  15. #15
    Join Date
    Feb 2010
    Posts
    62
    As you will understand, using Rhinocam instead of DeskProto is not the solution that we would advise you

    Two remarks from my side:

    - In DeskProto it is not needed to split the DXF file in order to machine a geometry that is too large for your machine. You can import the complete geometry and then define several parts, each part only containing the geometry within a rectangular block: the part segment. After machining each part you can assemble these separate parts to build the complete model.

    - Importing DXF files indeed can give problems as not all DXF entities are supported. Best is to save the geometry as STL file: then you are sure that DeskProto will be able to read it.
    Any 3D CAD system will be able to do this conversion for you, for instance, as suggested before, Rhino. Rhino is a 3D CAD program, used by many DeskProto users. Rhinocam is a separate program, made a different supplier, that just like DeskProto offers CAM.
    You can test both programs using the trial versions and then decide which one will suit your needs best.

    Lex.

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