I am modeling in Sketchup Pro and then importing my Sketchup file into VCarve Pro.
As the picture shows, my part has a dado in it. VCarve is not seeing this dado. I have also recently started using Fabber, I don’t know if this is related. I’ve also reached out to support at Fabber and VCarve, and haven’t gotten any responses yet.
Thanks in advance!
Test part.skp (186.7 KB)
I don’t see that there’s anything wrong with the SketchUp model. It kind of looks like V-carve is cutting the panel off at the inside edge of the dado. What happens if you outline the dado on the surfaces without making it 3D?
Good idea. It did not work. Also, VCarve isn’t cutting the panel off at the inside edge of the dado, it is importing the full overall size of the panel, just totally ignoring the dado for some reason.
Maybe that’s the bottom face?
EDIT: No it isn’t the bottom face, I assumed the holes/slots were through but after looking at the model realise that they are only partial depth slots and circles drawn on the face.
Strange that V-carve is recognizing circles drawn on the surface and your slots (for biscuits?) but not the groove down the length of the panel.
All geometry within the component is assigned to a layer called 3/4, however, what happens if you export this file, instead:
Test part 2017.skp (191.8 KB)
Note: also changed the Layer name, sometimes, ‘/’ trigger importers and exporters.
Still doesn’t work. It’s bizarre isn’t it.
Are you on Parallels? What version?
Yes I’m using Parallels, Version 14.1.2 (45479)
I doubt if updating will have any effect and I do not have access to a Windows machine right now, so I can not test it.
I got responses from Vectric (VCarve company) and Fabber (software to import depths of pockets and ideally do other stuff too).
Vectric said that VCarve imports the largest face as the top, so it’s possible VCarve was choosing the “bottom” as the “top” and therefore altogether ignoring the dado… which still seems weird but I guess we’re going with it.
Fabber gave me a workaround so that I can continue to use that software. It’s not perfect but it’s the best solution I’ve found so far to progress my projects from Sketchup models into CNC programs.
Thanks for all the help!
Interesting. It’s odd that it ignored the dado but captured the circles and rectangles and biscuit slots drawn on the surface. Is that because the circles and rectangles don’t run off the edge of the board?
What was the workaround that Fabber gave you?
I also think it’s odd, but for me it wasn’t worth further investigating at the moment.
Fabber has its own SVG exporter, which I just figured out how to use correctly, I guess. Originally it was showing the dados but not the drill holes. As you can see in the model I only drew circles in certain positions, instead of actually push/pulling them to make actual holes in my parts. So Eric at Fabber suggested I make them actual holes into the part, and now it imports the biscuit slots, the drill holes, and the dados.
Dave, what is your day job? lol I’m just curious. Do you work for Sketchup (wow i just realized that the word ketchup is in Sketchup and I cannot unsee this), or do you just have Sketchup experience from your day job?
I guess as long as you are getting the results you need.
I don’t work for SketchUp, at least I’m not on their payroll. I do this Sage thing voluntarily. In my current “day job” I use SketchUp and LayOut professionally. Much of what I do is woodworking related; shop drawings, project proposals, things like that. I also teach others to use SketchUp and LayOut with a lot of that training being live on-line one-on-one. If you want to see a few examples typical of the sort of stuff I model, go to my profile and click on the link to my online album.
A little late but I found this topic beacuse I was struggeling with the same problem. And since there is no answer here and I found out how to do it:
In the file import popupscreen I unchecked all options under ‘Component / Group handling’. After this the dados were recognized. Still some cleanup to do after that but hey it worked.
Thanks!
I frequently use dados like yours and other shapes that go to the edge. Had same issues. Hacked two solutions that work:
1- “lie” to Vcarve! If your board in Sketchup is 22" x 10" tell Vcarve your board is 24" x 12" . When you import and center you will see an extra inch all around. The router bit will “think” it still has an inch of material so will go off the “edge” . Caution on this method though so bit doesn’t hit hold-downs.
Method #2-In Sketchup zoom way in where dado ends at each end of board. Create a Guide at 1/1000" from edge. Instead of drawing a dado that goes from end to end create a rectangle that stops 1/1000 of an inch from each end. Strange as it may sound it works for me. You must zoom way in to make this work.
This post is typed on small device so no access to Sketchup to demo but happy to do so if interested.
How do you tell vcarve your board is a different size? I’m importing sketchup > vcarve by dragging the sketchup file into vcarve. There’s no place where vcarve asks for the size of each sketchup part… do you mean setting the material size in vcarve?
Nate. Sorry but again I am on small device so can’t do screencaptures but… I don’t do drag/drop. Instead in Vcarve I click on File New icon. A window pops up asking for Height, Width and Thickness. This is where I “lie” by entering 24.00 inches for a 22" Sketchup board.
Prior to importing do you Hide all other Components in Sketchup? I hide everything in Sketchup then Save As. Then only the board i want to toolpath for CNC is imported.
If you already imported you can also click on that icon just below New File. The one with 4 arrows. That allows you to edit existing height, width, thickness…
