DXF file reduced by 10:1

[zigzag2015]

Hi,

a couple of times recently I have emailed a DXF file that was exported from a fusion design. In both cases the DXF files opened in the steel vendors system at 1:10 size? Is there a setting that I am missing?

Thanks

Craig

[laughingcreek]

make sure your both using the same units.  sounds like one of you is using mm and on is using cm

[zigzag2015]

Hi,

no, that's how I tumbled to the problem, the vendor sent me the pricing sheet and the vendor is using mm, but you'd swear that my DXF file were in cm, ie 10:1, if it were inch/mm the ratio would be 25:1.

I suspect that when Fusion composed the drawing that it scaled my model 10:1 to fit an A4 page. I had rather imagined that if I exported the file as DXF that scaling would be accounted for......but the evidence seems otherwise.

If Fusion does scale a model to fit a drawing page, where does that scale get stored?. For instance the scale does not appear on the drawing? I'm guessing that the scaling happens as Fusion generates the drawing and exporting as DXF just faithfully reproduces the scaled drawing....guess?

Craig

[Warmingup1953]

It sounds to me like mm versus cm units (Inches to mm would give a 25.4 error factor). How you create the .dxf and your Document settings are important here. Can you share your file and dxf so we can assist? Where are you and your contractor located?

[zigzag2015]

Hi,

I composed the model in Fusion, and I always use mm units. When I had finished I drew a diagram using Fusion. I did not note or notice what scaling Fusion had applied, but 10:1 sounds likely. I'll repeat the process and be a little more observant. What is certainly true is that Fusion has to scale the part as its essentially rectangular and 650mm x 253mm, so would not fit on anA4 page without scaling.

Both my steel supplier and I are in New Zealand, but it turns out the company is about 350m form where I work. It is a busy place and I don't really want to plague the supplier with newbie questions, having said that if I can come up with what looks like a solution I'd be tempted to send the supplier the revised DXF files to see whether they end up at the same scale I had intended.

Craig

[zigzag2015]

Hi,

I have just done another drawing from my model, and indeed Fusion scaled the model by 10:1 to fit on an A4 page. The scale does not show up on the drawing. I have double checked and the model is in mm as is the drawing....its the scale that is throwing me off.

Is there a means to ensure that Fusion records on the drawing what scale has been used to compose it?

Craig

[laughingcreek]

to put anything on a drawing from the model you have to use a view port.  all view ports have a scale defined.  edit it and it will show you .  when you export a drawing it will be to the scale you set in the viewport(s), so anything printed from it can be printed at that scale.   if you want a 1:1 dxf from a drawing, the viewports have to be 1:1.

you can also save out sketches from design environment.  those will always be 1:1

[Warmingup1953]

Don't use drawing environment to create shareable .dxfs.

Create your dxfs in the Design workspace from Sketch(es). Use or create a single Sketch that contains ALL the geometry and NOTHING else. Right-click that Sketch and use that dialogue box to save the sketch as a .dxf (Units will be drawn from Document Settings).

Share a file if you would like second opinions.

Kiora.

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@zigzag2015 wrote:

Hi,

I composed the model in Fusion, and I always use mm units. When I had finished I drew a diagram using Fusion.

---

@zigzag2015 

Attach example *.f3d and resulting *.dxf file here.

Do not use *.dxf from drawing - Export directly from sketch as indicated by @Warmingup1953 

[HughesTooling]

Looks like the ANSI template does show the scale used for the base view but the ISO template doesn't. Don't know if that's correct for the ISO standard?

[etfrench]

Exported dxf's are in centimeters.  'Save as dxf' uses document units. 

[zigzag2015]

Hi,

just to be clear there is no confusion about units. There are only two choices in Fusion, mm or inch. The DXF export file inherits the same units as the model.

The problem I describe is that Fusion is doing a 10:1 scaling to fit the model as a drawing, and yet when the recipient of the DXF file opens the file their software is not recognizing the scaling and it appears to the recipient that the true model size is 1/10th the size that I intended.

The whole point about exporting a file is that the recipient can use my model without the recipient having to use CAD to recompose the model with the possible inaccuracies and time penalty that incurs. One would imagine that DXF being an Autodesk format and such a widely used format throughout engineering practice that for two  businesses to swap files without confusion or inaccuracy would be commonplace.

There have been several recommendation that I export a DXF of a sketch.......but WTF. The part that I want the company to laser cut is 3D, and I have a model of it. Whats more, Fusion does a nice job a drawing an engineering diagram that I can dimension to my satisfaction. It would appear however that any scaling required to compose the drawing is not transmitted to the file and therefore the recipient of the file has no idea either. That seems like a fault to me.

I will try using the ANSI standard as opposed to the ISO standard and see what happens.

Craig

[zigzag2015]

Hi,

OK I have been able to generate a DXF file direct from my model, have yet to find a method to open the file and view it but I would guess its an accurate reflection of my model but I did not get the chance to annotate it with the dimensions or notes that I thought worthy to the recipient.

Recall that my process has been the Fusion do a drawing which I of course can annotate and comment and then export that drawing.

Craig

[zigzag2015]

Hi,

I have also tried the ASME style of drawing, and it does include the scale to which the drawing is made which is helpful.

It seems that in order to export a model that I need to export direct from the model or possibly the sketch.  Is there a way that I can annotate my model that would be visible to the recipient?

Craig

[Warmingup1953]

3D Laser cut? Can you post a screen shot? What material?

[zigzag2015]

Hi,

I have exported a DXF file from my model and then imported that back into fusion to view it. It displays as a 2D sketch

only, the correct size but no dimensions.

I tried exporting the sketch as a DXF and it produced and viewed that after importing back into fusion. It does not show any of the dimensioning or construction geometry that my sketch contains? Is there a way to enure all the dimensioning come over into the DXF?

Next question is how can a DXF show a 3d model?

I'm beginning to think DXF is not a good means of swapping information with suppliers or contractors.

Craig

[zigzag2015]

Hi,

very simple rectangular piece of 16mm steel. It seemed that if I drew what I wanted the supplier would be able to import that straight into his cutting software, but its proven to be more confusing than helpful.

Craig

[Warmingup1953]

How long is a piece of string? We don't know what you know and as such can't advise other than in general terms. Share  a screen capture and we can with this background knowledge advise you

[laughingcreek]

fusion doesn't support 3d dxf files, import or export.

when my vendors want a 3d representation they generally ask for a .step file, accompanied by an annotated drawing.

[Warmingup1953 · Accepted solution]

THis is indeed simple. Your contract needs a 2D DXF from the sketch

and a description of what is needed.

ie

6 Off Plates to .dxf provided. Material 16mm Grade 300 Plate

I always include a size. (Please cut to .dxf file Size approx: ~~650mmX235mm) which makes sure you and your contractor speak the same units