DXF file used as sketch?

[Anonymous]

OK, I see that 2D DXF files can be imported as sketches one layer per sketch. I have even done it. I have also created some solid models from them. I now need to understand exactly what the limitations are in using sketches created this way. Is there any difinative documentation in writing on this?

So far it seems to me that they can not be converted in to a sketch file that is treated exactly the same as a sketch created from scratch inside fusion360. By treated the same I mean being able to edit the sketch, numbered dimensions, parameters, etc, etc.. plus a time line. Am I missing something here?

I have a large library of 2D  drawings some of which I would like to convert to parametric 3D solid models without the hassel of redrawing the entire profile from scratch. I am new to Fusion360, but not to Autodesk CAD products. I think I still have my AutoCad version 1 Demo disk.

[HughesTooling]

There's a difference between opening a DXF and inserting. If you just open a file you should be able to edit it like any other. If you insert the DXF in to another design you'll need break the link to the external file then right click the base feature and click edit then you can edit the sketches, when you finish editing you click Finish Base Feature top right of screen.

Mark

[alanhooker]

This answer does not seem to answer the qustion. It is a little too brief to follow.

I want to simply use the 2D arcs and lines (no splines) of the DXF as a quick way to create a sketch. I want to know if it is possible to have this sketch behave just as if I drew these arcs and lines inside the sketch eiditor. I am not seeing added dimensions behave the same as in native sketches.  I want it to be a fully parametric component one with dimensions that can accept parameters or references to other dimensions exactly as it would be had I drawn it as a F360 sketch. Does this make sense?

I am long time Autocad user and former instructor. I am new to Fusion360, but not to varity of CAD programs. I would rather see in readable format (paper or electronic) a well thought out definative explaination (all terms explained) rather then be pointed to tedious video explainations that raise more questions then answers. All terms should be explained or referenced in some way. Screen shots of a mouse dancing between menu picks too small to recognize are of no use to me. 

[PhilProcarioJr]

@alanhooker

"I would rather see in readable format (paper or electronic) a well thought out definative explaination (all terms explained) rather then be pointed to tedious video explainations"

I really wish this existed but it doesn't at this time and given some of the responses I have seen here it may never exist.

Sadly I don't know the answer to your question and can't help aside from letting you know the documentation you want doesn't exist. What does is not informative enough to answer your questions. 

[scott.price]

Hi Alan,

Thanks for the post, I can definitely see the value in what you're proposing - both native functionality DXF import into Sketch and Documentation around what is supported. I'll go ahead and see if I can track down any answers for you. As is DXF's created in Fusion can be export and reinserted with full native functionality. Outside of this I'm uncertain of what can be expected of DXF's from other origins.

What sort of behavior are you seeing - and does it vary at all?

Much appreciated,

Scott

[alanhooker]

Hi Scott,
What I noticed was that the parameter “sigma” icon disappeared from my tool bar when I opened my DXF file. Each layer in the DXF was a different sketch which I expected and wanted. When I tried to edit a sketch I noticed that the dimensions were not labeled which means that it is not possible to relate one dimension to another. I had wanted to be able to adjust the sketch using parameters and dimensions that related to each other This was unlike any of my previous files that were done completely in Fusion360 using parameters and labeled dimensions, thus prompting my question on just how .DXF files are handled.

Here is the kicker. The original source for the .DXF I was using was Fusion360.

I started out with a bitmap drawing of Ludlum’s Perpetual Datework which is part of a clockwork.The parts are escentually 2D being primarily 2D shapes in sheet metal. I brought the bit map onto the “canvas” and adjusted its scale. I opened a sketch and proceeded to trace over the bitmap. I traced several parts before I tried to extrude one. The various parts overlapped each other creating a lot of small closed loops. I could not get Fusion360 to select all the individual pieces for one part. The selection set got “lost” when I zoom in close enough to see and pick on some of the smaller pieces I needed to select. I realized that I should probably have created a separate individual sketch for each part. I figured what the heck I could just kick out a .DXF file and plug it in to my old Autocad 2005 program use Autocad to separate out the part lines and arcs to individual layers which then would come back in as individual sketches. I knew that eventually I wanted to bring in other .DXF files this way so why not figure out how to do it. The .DXF file opened in Autocad2005 did not have the bit map in it. I did not want or need it.

Why am I using Autocad 2005? Because that was the last version I owned when I quit my consulting work. It runs fine under Win7 so I still use it for home projects. It opened the Fusion360 file without complaint. Fusion 360 accepted the .DXF file that Autocad2005 worked on without complaint. Fusion360 created 10 separate sketches one for each layer it found in the .DXF file. The bit map was not in the .DXF file opened with Autocad2005.

I am using a MacBook Air. I am seeing some thing that make me wonder about video hardware problems. I do not know enough about how Fusion360 is suppose to work to be able to identify the source of what I am seeing. Some color related cues such when a sketch is fully constrained do not seem to work onsistantly.

Regards, Alan

[HughesTooling]

A quick question, are you inserting the DXF into another design or just opening the uploaded file. If you're just opening the file the reason you don't see the “sigma” icon is the default for imported data is to have record history off. To turn it on right click the top component in the browser and select Capture Design History.

Mark