topic Help with slicing 3D objects to SVG vector graphic in Visual LISP, AutoLISP and General Customization Forum

Help with slicing 3D objects to SVG vector graphic

Anonymous — Tue, 10 May 2016 16:32:44 GMT

I am working on a DLP based 3D printer. I would like to slice my 3D drawing in AutoCAD (.dwg file) into multiple layers and save it as SVG. This method would avoid lossy export to STL file followed by complex slicing. In my opinion, complex slicing and tool path generation is not needed for DLP based printing.

Is there any way to build a script in AutoCAD that would slice the 3D object along a plane (x, y, or z) and save it as a SVG file?

It is my understanidng that SVG is based on vectors and polygons. Thus, would it be possible to easily convert an AutoCAD drawing to SVG? I came accross a post that uses VBA scripting in Autodesk Inventor to slice a 3D drawing to SVG. He posted the script (attached) and a YouTube video of the slicer. Based on this it seems it should be possible to do it in AutoCAD with LISP.

I am still still new to AutoCAD and don't know much about LISP programming. Would anyone be able to help me write a script in AutoCAD for slicing the 3D objects to SVG? I would really aprpeicate it.

Re: Help with slicing 3D objects to SVG vector graphic

devitg — Wed, 11 May 2016 12:50:22 GMT

Seem to be you need to use inventor, as far as I know , ACAD do not have the way to save as SVG.

Re: Help with slicing 3D objects to SVG vector graphic

Anonymous — Wed, 11 May 2016 15:30:41 GMT

@devitg

I don't think Inventor also supports SVG. The VBA script posted by the other users manually writes all the shapes/path/objects to the SVG file.

I know how to write/code a SVG file. It is very simple. Given all the various shapes, vectors, polygons, vertices, etc, I can write the SVG file. However, I am not really sure how to get all the object infromation from a DWG file from a 2D sketch. I have this information I can write the SVG file. I can't figure out how to slice a 3D object along a plane in AutoCAD and get the 2D sketcch for that slice.

I am guessing if someone with AutoCAD LISP expereince would know how to do this, I can work with them to write the SVG.