DWG and DXF export from Fusion

[scott.price]

Hi all,

We've been seeing requests around a need for better support for DXF and DWG export. I've put together a quick survey to get a better understanding of how we can improve Fusion 360 in this area. If you have a minute and would like to contribute please take a look at the link below:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NMH5N6Y

Appreciate your time on this -

Scott

[Oceanconcepts]

Scott, Question 1 doens't allow appropriate responses- it insists on either one of the named packages, or "no CAD experience"- Other is not valid as it has no checkbox.

[scott.price]

Thanks for the heads up, Ron. It should be an option as you've said. Unfortunately, I can't fix the question without clearing responses. I have changed it so it is no longer a required, I believe that will allow field input without a selection.

Thanks again!

Scott

[Anonymous]

not sure if this is relevent to the issues you have been hearing about, but i exported my first dxf from 360 to import it into my Torchmate CAD software to do some nesting before cutting out the part and it crashes the torchmate software. It just hangs and i have to force quit it. I opened the dxf in notepad and compared it to one that works and the format is different.
Here is a screen shot comparing the one that doesn't work (left) to the one that does (right and from another program)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v727/shmude/CNC/dxf%20difference_zps1htpc7rj.png

[HughesTooling]

I just exported a DXF and opened in Rhino OK, then opened in notepad and it looks like one on the right in your picture. Can you try another sketch, something simple. To make the export you are just right clicking on a sketch and selecting Export.

Mark

[Anonymous]

yep, thats how i exported it.  This is coming from the OSX version if that matters.  I'll try it again with something simple and see what happens.

[HughesTooling]

OSX might be the problem, it uses a different format for the end of line characters. I think mac just use LF but a PC uses CR+LF, looking at your picture it looks like the carriage returns are missing.

Mark

[HughesTooling]

Take a look at post #7 in this thread, it might help.

Mark

[Anonymous]

thanks for the info.  i'll give it a whirl.

[Anonymous]

no luck.  I was able to open the dxf on my mac with txtwranger and then save it as a windows txt file and that fixed the formatting issue but it still freezes the program when I try to import it.  It will import into the Torchmate driver software and generate G code off of it so its something with how the Torchmate CAD software is reading it. 

[Anonymous]

Okay, i was able to do some more testing. I can take the exported dxf and import it into google sketchup and then export it from there and it opens just fine with Torchmate. So its something coming out of fusion thats causing it. I can send the files if you need me to.

The torchmate software im using is version 8 and can be found here: http://torchmate.com/cad-cam-downloads

[HughesTooling]

I think I read somewhere that the DXF version Fusion uses is quite new and some programs can't read them. So depending on your point of view it could be Torchmate need to update there software.

Mark

[Oceanconcepts]

Not having compatibility with older versions could be a problem in my world. My main use for DXF- and it’s kind of a big deal for  us- is to export PCB dimensions and component placement to PCB layout programs, such as Altium or PADS. Both of those won’t read Fusion’s DXF’s. The chance that they will update to the latest DXF import (if that is the issue) is probably near zero. Right now I can make a drawing, which involves a lot of work and potential for error at both ends of the process, or export my PCB design to SolidWorks, and generate a DXF from there. I’d be happy with a functional translator, but haven’t been able to get AutoCAD 360 to work. 

[MattWynn]

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@Oceanconcepts wrote:

 The chance that they will update to the latest DXF import (if that is the issue) is probably near zero. 

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not true

[Oceanconcepts]

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@MattWynn wrote:

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@Oceanconcepts wrote:

 The chance that they will update to the latest DXF import (if that is the issue) is probably near zero. 

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not true

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I hope you’re right. Our experience is that vendors in the electronics world are not very responsive. 

Our current PCB layout contractor is using PADS, and I have not found any reasonable way to get a DXF file that he is able to import. In fairness, even passing it through other applications that export old DXF formats hasn’t worked, so I don’t know the actual issue. So far the only way we have found is going through SolidWorks, and since I don’t keep a seat of SolidWorks it’s a pain to do. 

If anyone has any suggestions about how to manage this I’d be very grateful. 

[MattWynn]

@Oceanconcepts, you could try this free addin from the Autodesk app store: https://apps.autodesk.com/FUSION/en/Detail/Index?id=appstore.exchange.autodesk.com:dxfsplinetopolyli....  I have some concerns that the method to explode splines (into an equal number of segments) is not appropriate, but for your case PCB boards, it could be adequate.

I understand your cynicism.  We try to do better, and in this case, there is visible action being taken.

[Oceanconcepts]

Thanks for the tip- I will take a look. Sketch to DXF could solve that problem, if the format works for import. 

I hope I’m not cynical- just experienced. I certainly don’t blame Autodesk for the shortcomings of any electronics design software. If those vendors were a fraction as responsive as Autodesk our work would be a lot easier.