DWG export issues/questions

[l_wcrenshaw]

OK, so I need to export some DWGs to have some profiles laser cut.  The DWG export does not seem to generate files reliably to me based on my last hour of trying to make it work.

1. In F360, it seems that I can only generate DWGs in the drawing module.

a.  Can I export w/o the drawing template visible?  This would be helpful so the laser cutter doesn't need to manipulate my data (that is, delete the template).  

2.  All of my F360 dwg exports are missing the model, but they do include the template.  I verified this on SW2014 and E-drawings.

a.  I was able to import them into F360 and see them, though.  See #5.

3.  Quite often when I try to create a drawing in F360, I get nothing but a blank screen that doesn't even show the cursor.  It often takes mulitple tries to create the drawing.

4.  I also have the option to export DWGs through A360, but it exports an elevation view and not the profile view (that is I only see the material thickness and not the part's shape).

a.  How can adjust the DWG view exported by A360 (change to front, top, etc... of view cube)?

5.  F360 seems to import the DWGs it generates just fine, but they come in as a 3D model.  Although a neat little trick, I don't understand its purpose.

Thanks for your help!

 

[l_wcrenshaw]

OK, re. #4, I figured that out.  In my haste to import the DWG file in SW, I went directly to "Finish".  What I needed to do was to go into the DWG import settings and select the view that I wanted.  But, does this mean that I have to use SW to create my view and ultimately create my DWG that send to the laser cutter (and eventually the die maker)?

R/,

Lew

[innovatenate]

Would you be able to utilize a DXF file?

The below Youtube video from @herzinj may help if you're unsure.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4s2p2epaeg

One thread that you may also find interesting is below:

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/general-fusion-360-questions/compatibility-of-2d-cad-outputs/td-p/5554...

If you have access to AutoCAD, you can easily move the drawing to model space using the EXPORTLAYOUT command. It should be pretty easy to clean up the DWG after that. Otherwise, if you want to export only a single profile, I suspect using the DXF method outlined above would be the best solution currently. 

I am aware of some plans to improve this area of Fusion 360. However you may want to let the product management team know how you feel . The below Ideastation request sounds like it has exactly what you're looking for and comments are requested, currently.

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360-ideastation-request-a/1-1-without-borders-2d-drawing-view-e...

As far as the drawing showing only a blank screen issue when you initialize a new drawing, does the paper show up if you select the Base View command? Does the Base View command bring up the View Properties?

I hope this helps. Let me know if I overlooked anything.

Thanks,

[l_wcrenshaw]

Hey, Nathan.  Thanks for the great response.  Yes, I can use the DXF export just fine.  I was just trying to go about things in a different way to "see what's under the hood" so to speak.

Re. the empty drawing, when I create a drawing from the Data Panel the first thing that happens is that F360 goes to a drawing screen.  The canvas is blank (as in the picture I included at the start of the thread) and then the paper/drawing template is visible, and I can manipulate the drawing.  It appears to me that the drawing generation hangs prior to the creation of the paper/drawing template and I get stuck on the blank screen.  Of course now that I'm at home and not the office I can't recreate the issue, but it was vexing periodically over the course of the day.  Thanks again!

[cmiller66]

Hi lwchrenshaw,

From your screen captures it looks like you're on Windows, can you let me know Win7, 8, 8.1?

When creation of the new drawing hangs could you do the following?

1.  Launch Task Manager > go to Processes

2.  You should see Fusion 360.exe and possibly (depending on how far it got) AcCoreConsole.exe and AcIvServerHost.exe

3.  For each of these processes > Right-click > Create Dump File (.DMP file will be written to your %TEMP% folder)

4.  Send those files to me, christopher.miller at autodesk.com so we can take a look

For the design in the data panel that you're creating the drawing from, is it newly uploaded (never been opened) or has it been opened before?  When you see this hang happen is it on the first drawing, or do you have other drawings already open?

Thanks,
Chris

[l_wcrenshaw]

Hi, Chris.  I'm use OSX Yosemite when using F360.  I run SW in Windows.  Do you want me to send the diagnostic log file?

The issue happened with an old part and I did not have any other drawings open.  Thanks for your help.

[cmiller66]

Hi,

Yes, the diagnostic logs (expand the Help menu in the upper right > Diagnostic Log Files) would be great.  Please send them to christopher.miller@autodesk.com.

When you hang are you force quitting Fusion using Activity Monitor?  There are two other processes related to drawings, AcCoreConsole and InventorServerHost.  If you are force quitting Fusion 360, please check (and force quit) these if they are still running.  Finally, if you are encountering a Customer Error Report (CER) dialog please send the report in and let me know your email address so I can find it and take a look.

Thanks,

Chris