I know I’m missing something super obvious, but I’m stuck.
I can’t get a DXF file to show correct orientation in Layout- it shows a side view instead of the front. Does anyone know how to correct that? (All my stuff is recently updated to 2023).
The back story is that I exported a SketchUp file to a DXF and had sent it out to get a stencil cut on a plotter. There was a problem cutting it because of the way I exported- I learned this morning the difference in how curves translate depending on 2-D graphic vs 3-D model (segmented vs smooth).
All I’m trying to do in Layout now is verify that my curves are smooth instead of segmented, but I can’t see the image face on. Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
Share the LayOut and other files so we can see what you’re working with.
Please update your forum profile.
I’d rather not share this one because of what is written on it (there is text). I’ll try to replicate the problem on a totally different file. Thanks though.
Revisiting the above issue. The synopsis is that I sent out a file to be cut as a stencil on a plotter. They requested a DXF which I exported directly from SketchUp as a 2D Graphic.
They told me the file was making the plotter start and stop at every segment of the curve and therefore it couldn’t cut properly. Looking at my DXF on his computer, it showed every line segment as being not connected to the next which caused the plotter to behave that way.
Best way I can think to show this is the screen shot below. I inserted my DXF into Layout and zoomed way in. It shows the same breaks in the lines that he showed me (I think he was looking at it in Illustrator on his computer). I don’t understand what is wrong here though- SketchUp recognizes these lines as being connected. The same appears to be true when I run it through Autodesk Viewer as well.
Has anyone else ever run into this?
Screenshot 2023-09-19 at 10.58.57 AM.png.pdf (169.4 KB)
DXF Letter Test.skp (344.8 KB)
DXF Letter Test.dxf (79.3 KB)
Ues the 3D .dxf exported instead of the 2D exporter in SketchUp. Use Export>3D Model instead of Export>2D Image.
Wow- you are fast!
I did that as well. Is there any way to verify that my file will work?
In fact, I think the first DXF I sent out was exported that way. I’m beginning to think the problem is on his end.
Exporting it as a 3D DXF and looking at it in Layout shows those same breaks. Not that that should matter though, right? Those breaks in the segments are just the way Layout handles lines.
I guess I would look at the exported .dxf in a CAD program or I use Inkscape for that. Here’s an example.
A standard 24-sided circle in SketchUp.
The 3D .dxf export opened in inkscape. I didn’t bother to resize it to fit the page. I also didn’t do anything to make the circle appear thick but it’s smooth.
That sounds like the right place for me to look next. Thank you for that!
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To export “real” circles and arcs to DWG or DXF export as a 3D model but do not export faces, Faces will always become segmented polyfaces.
Thank you for that bit of info, that is helpful to know.
Things like that are not exactly obvious to me, and I think that’s where my trouble is coming from.
I exported the DXF in 2D and 3D, tried manipulating some things for comparison (ie deleted some faces, welded some lines, exploded component, and unticked “export faces” on one file). I imported all of those into Inkscape and the differences between them are minor in appearance. They all still show what looks like disjointed lines (I’m not talking about the fact that the curves are segments- I know this is how SketchUp operates. I’m referring to the fact that the segments look like they aren’t connected). Take a look at the sharp bends in all the S’s in the PDF. That file was made by importing all the DXF’s in Inkspace.
I have no way of knowing if that makes a difference to the plotter. But I would have to assume that if the lines at least appeared connected, then the machine would run smoothly. It doesn’t help that the person I’m giving the file to has extremely limited knowledge. Any thoughts?
DXF Letter Test.skp (360.7 KB)
drawing.pdf (15.4 KB)
Looking at your file, I see that your letter shapes consist of “curves”. They are basically just collections of connected edges with no higher mathematics behind. So they will remain segmented in exports, too, with no retrofitted spline curve. It is different with arcs and circles. When exported to DWG or DXF they are retained as AutoCad arcs and circles so they stay single entities and are displayed with the number of segments the receiving application assigns them.
Thank you for that.
So is there a solution to the problem I was having? These letter shapes are all generated by the SketchUp 3D text tool. I suspect it’s not my file that’s making the machine act funny, but rather something on the fabricator’s end.
For anyone out there that regularly gets things CNC cut from SketchUp generated DXF’s, have you run into a similar problem? If so, what was the solution?