topic Re: How can I change my dxf file to be used in Meshcam? in AutoCAD Forum

How can I change my dxf file to be used in Meshcam?

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 16:26:33 GMT

I am working on a project with a DXF file that has already been extruded to create the 3D portions for the parts I need to make. From my understanding of meshcam and autocad, I do not need to do anything but make my 2D surfaces into 3D using extrude so they become a solid and work with the program.

I can't share my dxf file because of a NDA, I'd prefer if someone could just tell me the steps/commands to make this an easier process. Is it as simple as selecting all of them and editing them to a polyline? Don't my objects have to be exploded to get rid of any 2D mesh wiring or whatever?

Re: How can I change my dxf file to be used in Meshcam?

john.vellek — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 16:31:50 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

Can you attach a sample file that has similar types of geometry so I can get a better idea of what you are working from? I happy to help you with Extrude, presspull, thicken, and other methods that might work to get the geometry to work properly for you.

Re: How can I change my dxf file to be used in Meshcam?

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 16:46:47 GMT

This is a similar file to what I'll be using. My rectanles won't be at the sides, they'll be more aligned with each other and I have a couple extra circles as well.

Re: How can I change my dxf file to be used in Meshcam?

pendean — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 17:46:21 GMT

can you convert the objects to STL?

MeshCam will only accept 3dfaces from dxf files, are you sure the already created dxf files of the parts you have are that and not 3dmeshes?

BTW, MeshCam support forums may be able to help you out further if you want to start a thread there too http://community.carbide3d.com/c/software/meshcam

Re: How can I change my dxf file to be used in Meshcam?

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 18:04:50 GMT

I can only try to convert to STL using autodesk fusion 360. I am on autocad 2011 and I haven't seen the option to export to stl directly. I've already been in contact with some guys from meshcam who told me that I don't have anything in 3D. If I go into mesh > convert to solid (or surface, I tried both), I get an error that all objects cannot be converted, and that open curves cannot be converted (two separate messages).

Re: How can I change my dxf file to be used in Meshcam?

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 21:07:57 GMT

This is what happens when I convert my dxf to a stl file. If I import my dxf file as is, it actually comes out as the shapes I want (rectangles and circles) BUT the circle is not there on this replica, and for whatever reason one rectangle is there but not the others. This leads me to believe there is an issue with Meshcam but I don't know where my design has gone wrong.

Re: How can I change my dxf file to be used in Meshcam?

Alfred.NESWADBA — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 22:21:34 GMT

Hi,

>> I don't have anything in 3D

That is close to correct, please find here a screenshot from your drawing ... I changed to red what you had and in blue is the only real 3D content, which is renderable/producable by 3D-printing or similar techniques.

And also within the blue part ... the rectangles are no holes!

You first need to create a correct 3D object, then we can see how you get it converted.

Also please let us know what the final job is ... as I guess Meshcam might just be one step of a complete workflow.

- alfred -

Re: How can I change my dxf file to be used in Meshcam?

Anonymous — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 23:22:39 GMT

I cannot say what the final product is, as I stated earlier I have a NDA. How can I create it so everything is 3D? I need the rectangles to go down about half way and everything else needs to be completely hollow. My circles, and the three other rectangles I need to make all have to go through all the way and everything else can just be left as is.

From what I can tell, all I have to do is extrude? Why is it that my contents within the larger rectangles do not register as 3D?

Re: How can I change my dxf file to be used in Meshcam?

Alfred.NESWADBA — Wed, 11 Oct 2017 23:32:21 GMT

Hi,

>> I need the rectangles to go down about half way

Command _PRESSPULL could help for that.

>> everything else needs to be completely hollow

You can always use command _SUBTRACT to create a new 3D-Solid based on 2 solids, one solid is the base and other solid is subtracted from the first.

>> From what I can tell, all I have to do is extrude?

As the first step you can do that, but then you need to combine the objects, e.g. the cylinder as the outer object and subtract the inner extruded circles to make holes in the outer object.

- alfred -

Re: How can I change my dxf file to be used in Meshcam?

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 01:07:22 GMT

What does presspull do differently than extrude? Depending how I import this file the inner circles go through all the way but I am left with everything else being screwed up.

I guess as a step-by-step process I am looking for is leave my giant circle as is, and everything else I need to re-create from scratch and use the presspull command to bring everything down half way or all the way to get machined out/hollowed?

Re: How can I change my dxf file to be used in Meshcam?

Alfred.NESWADBA — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 05:53:30 GMT

Hi,

>> What does presspull do differently than extrude?

Command _EXTRUDE (>>>details<<<) creates a new 3D-Solid object, indpendent of the objects in the scene, it can generate 3D-Solids or Surfaces.

Command _PRESSPULL (>>>details<<<) can automatically do _SUBTRACT or _UNION, if it recognizes objects involved in that geometry constellation, it can automatically detect geometry elements to build up a closed border (like hatch), it can generate 3D-Solids or Surfaces.

>> I guess as a step-by-step process I am looking for [...]

Sounds correct.

- alfred -

Re: How can I change my dxf file to be used in Meshcam?

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 16:21:15 GMT

So this didn't work for me. What happened was the rectangle is now there (yay) but everything inside is not, even though I did the presspull command. All I have is a solid rectangle without my shapes in them, and my circle is now hollow when it should be solid.

When saving it as a R12/L12 dxf file, I make some progress, but the large circle is still hollow, and now my design is half hollow and half doesn't even register as being there. So now it's really hard to determine what the problem is for me.

Re: How can I change my dxf file to be used in Meshcam?

Anonymous — Thu, 12 Oct 2017 18:37:51 GMT

Ok, so I am not too sure how to fix this next bit. I have used the presspull command and I am getting really close to what I need as a finished product, however I've had to go back to fix things a few times, and I am getting different results!

One iteration had it so when I did presspull, my circles and two rectangles were hollow (yay) but one rectangle was still solid. Now, even though I have done presspull on everything inside the large rectangle, only one of the parts is showing up as hollow.

Re: How can I change my dxf file to be used in Meshcam?

john.vellek — Mon, 16 Oct 2017 19:44:52 GMT

HI @Anonymous,

Have you been able to work through this project? It appears you have been getting some great help but if you are stuck I am happy to jump back in.

Re: How can I change my dxf file to be used in Meshcam?

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 19:08:11 GMT

Mostly drying to determine a step by step process to make it into an acceptable 3D format.

I create the circle, then extrude it by 2mm. I have my regular design with some portions meant to go 2mm down and some meant to go 1.5mm down.

I presspull the inner portions so that they are 2mm down. I extrude the rest of it to 1.5mm down.

This should give me what I need, however everything is hollow. I only need the inside of my rectangle to be hollow.

Re: How can I change my dxf file to be used in Meshcam?

john.vellek — Tue, 17 Oct 2017 20:13:41 GMT

Hi @Anonymous,

I looked at your file and found a variety of thins that I was a bit confused by. With the ultimate target being something that can be 3D printed (I assume), then all the entities will need to have thicknesses and be watertight. This is done by creating solids.

If you are ending up with hollow objects then you are creating surfaces, which will not work for your end result. When you use presspull, make sure you are selecting inside the area and not by selecting the linework.

If you need a hollow rectangle, the walls will still need to be have thickness in order to be printed. You can do this by presspull, thickness, SOLIDEDIT>SHELL, subtract and other methods. If all the geometry is to be repeated, create it once and then copy it or array it as necessary so you don't have to edit each individual piece.

I made a quick video that shows a few of these methods.

Please let me know if this helps and if you need additional assistance.

Please select the Accept as Solution button if my post solves your issue or answers your question.