# DXF export problem **URL:** \ **Category:** Pro\ **Tags:** sketchup, advice, modeling\ **Created:** [April 16, 2026, 12:10pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/dxf-export-problem/346197 "2026-04-16T12:10:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![LesZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@LesZ](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/LesZ)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2026, 12:10pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/dxf-export-problem/346197/1 "2026-04-16T12:10:15Z")
I am working on a standard job for a steel plate with four holes intended for laser cutting. The manufacturer provided feedback stating that their software does not support short elements. They noted that the circles in the drawing appear as multiple short segments rather than a single circle command and have requested that the drawings be updated. I drew these circles as I normally do, using 48 segments, but it appears the DXF transfer is causing the manufacturer’s software to read them as small, straight lines. Could you please advise on what can be done in SketchUp to eliminate this problem and ensure the circles are exported correctly Regards Les ---
**Author:** ![DaveR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/daver/32/7601_2.png) [@DaveR](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DaveR)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2026, 12:26pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/dxf-export-problem/346197/2 "2026-04-16T12:26:46Z")
This is a known thing with the 2D DXF/DWG exporter. Use the 3D DXF exporter instead of the 2D exporter. ---
**Author:** ![LesZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@LesZ](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/LesZ)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2026, 12:33pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/dxf-export-problem/346197/3 "2026-04-16T12:33:06Z")
thanks I will try , see how we go ---
**Author:** ![DaveR](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/daver/32/7601_2.png) [@DaveR](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/DaveR)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2026, 12:36pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/dxf-export-problem/346197/4 "2026-04-16T12:36:18Z")
FWIW, I just made an example. This is the 2D DXF opened in FreeCAD. Endpoints are shown. ![Screenshot - 4162026 , 73356 AM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/original/4X/7/2/4/72441e9fd3e20db19072b262afd6fccc46216179.png) And this is the 3D DXF export also in FreeCAD. ![Screenshot - 4162026 , 73419 AM](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/original/4X/c/9/5/c9509a61ad95812fa55f827409b0cc156295de4c.png) You can send them this file and have them check it to see if they see the same thing. [3D Export.dxf](https://forums.sketchup.com/uploads/short-url/6zlZV4LL5qa1mQn7JYzeHZD8Wvr.dxf) (194.7 KB) ---
**Author:** ![endlessfix](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/sketchup/user_avatar/forums.sketchup.com/endlessfix/32/148757_2.png) [@endlessfix](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/endlessfix)\ **Post date:** [April 16, 2026, 2:04pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/dxf-export-problem/346197/5 "2026-04-16T14:04:29Z")
Search the forum for details about exporting true circles. Broad strokes: use a single face, not 3d geometry. Set the camera to parallel projection and plan view to see what you’re exporting. Export that via 3d export DXF. Turn off faces in the export dialogue, export only edges. > [@DXF Export Advice](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/dxf-export-advice/329746/14): > > Yes, Sketchup has long had this capability of exporting 2D arcs and circles in .dxf. There are two pathways being discussed in this thread, one is the native function that leverages the stored metadata for arcs and circles using the export 3D function and paralel projection, that method is outlined here: The second is a newer development using the very good extension [OpenCutList](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/opencutlist-a-crowdfunded-extension/301089) which uses a different method of recognizing and building DXF and DWG arcs and curves by recognizing collections o… ---
**Author:** ![LesZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/e8c25b/32.png) [@LesZ](https://forums.sketchup.com/u/LesZ)\ **Post date:** [April 20, 2026, 10:07pm UTC](https://forums.sketchup.com/t/dxf-export-problem/346197/6 "2026-04-20T22:07:10Z")
Hi DaveR, I sent your “3D Export.dxf” file to the laser cutting contractor, but unfortunately, the results were not successful. I also tried creating and sending a 3D DXF export directly from SketchUp myself, but that did not work either. I am not quite sure how to proceed at this point. Do you have any other suggestions on what I should try next?