topic Re: Importing DXF files in Fusion Design, Validate & Document Forum

Importing DXF files

LumiEus — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 12:24:31 GMT

I sometimes import dwg or dxf files into Fusion. Two issues there: sometimes I have to scale down 10 times. Why?

And the other issue is the place of the origin. On importing, the origin comes very far from the sketch (even when I take care of that in the 2D environment).

So what I have to do than is look for the origin, and move the sketches near them.

Is there a simple way to bring the origin into or at least near the imported sketch?

Re: Importing DXF files

innovatenate — Fri, 29 Jul 2016 01:42:43 GMT

Welcome to the Fusion 360 community!

Some of file formats are unitless. Depending on how you're bringing the data into Fusion 360 (Insert vs. Upload command) the scale will be determined automatically or you can set it yourself by choosing a unit. Either way, we just added a sketch scale command that should help correct any issues you have. You can check it out on the latest design differently blog post for the July 27th release.

I note that if you use the Insert DXF command (see the Insert drop down menu) AND the file is unitless, then you will get a warning and the option to modify the units will appear. At this point, you can choose mm or in or cm if you know what the originate file was designed in.

With regards to the second half of the question. The origin is absolute! You can use the Move command to move the sketch close to the origin, but there is no moving the origin.

I note that if you use the Insert command for DXF, you'll see the option to move the sketch in the workspace and place it before selecting okay.

I hope that helps! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Thanks,

Re: Importing DXF files

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 20:25:40 GMT

Hello

I have been sent the attached file for me to process with my CNC machine. First issue is the mm-cm import thing which is just stupid but the big issue is it is out of scale even before reducing by x10 and I can't see how to fix it.

The guy that sent them to me very sensibly always sends his files with a dimensioned box surrounding the file to enable others to check the measurements are good after importing. With Fusion they are not. He has sent them in all kinds of formats and the result is the same. 18mm difference over the length.

Can I scale from the box as I know it's true size??

Somebody please help me with this. Thanks in advance.

Re: Importing DXF files

HughesTooling — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 20:46:45 GMT

A couple of observations about your file.

This is what I get opening in ZW3d, it states the units are not set in the file, what program did the DXF come from.

Second problem, I opened the file in Rhino, Rhino opened the file as 1 unit equals 1mm but the size doesn't match!

Try the attached DXF exported from Rhino scaled correctly and saved in mm.

Mark.

Re: Importing DXF files

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 20:57:37 GMT

Hi Mark,

Your file measures fine. Thanks but what does this mean? I'll check on what he exports from but I know the laser cutter contractor in this job has no problem scaling from the box.

It always comes into Fusion in cm and i have to scale down by factor of 10. Should I be using another software to scale things before importing to fusion?

Thanks again, at least I can get the job done now.

Re: Importing DXF files

HughesTooling — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 22:19:08 GMT

One tip, use InsertDXF don't upload to the data panel. Using InsertDXF you can pick the units at import, scaling after import is possible but Fusion doesn't work well if there is a lot of information in a single sketch. This problem is made worse in your file because everything is split up, the circle below is made from 9 segments!

After import edit the sketch, measure one of the sizes, in your file the top line is 1121.993 mm, then select scale and select the whole sketch and pick a base point in the scale enter 1139.9/1121.993 and it will scale to the correct size.

Mark

Re: Importing DXF files

Anonymous — Thu, 10 Nov 2016 15:01:13 GMT

Boom

Love your work, thanks so much.

Cheers

Bill