DXF files are not saving correctly ??? I think?

[HuntleyBill]

I made the attached gasket by tracing an image using lines and arcs. I did not use "spline". I extruded it and exported it to DXF. When I import it into the software to run the laser, the image is different. All the arcs in the file are now strait lines. 

After tracing the image, all the lines and circles are closed loops but the lines and circles are blue instead of black. I don't know if that has anything to do with it tho. 

Basically, I don't understand why the arcs show in fusion fine but not in the dxf file.

Did I do it wrong?

[etfrench]

Does the attached dxf open correctly in your laser software?

There are several non tangent arcs in your file.  It would be a good idea to fully constrain your sketch to keep inadvertent changes from occurring.

Also attaching your dxf file will allow others to verify the issue.

[HuntleyBill]

The picture shown is the file in my laser software. I tried constraining the file by putting in dimensions referencing the center of the grid but nothing happens. Maybe I'm not doing it right.

I tried to attached the dxf file but I get an error message: 

[HuntleyBill]

sorry, I misunderstood your question. Yes, your file opens in my software but it does the same thing as my dxf file. no arcs. Figured out how to attach my dxf file below.

[davebYYPCU]

I have arcs in your dxf file in Autocad, and it is likely a conversion process done in your reading software.  While not tried my laser software, it reads arcs from my dxf files.

Might help...

[etfrench]

The arcs are correct when I open the file in my 2D CAD program.  That indicates the problem is in your laser software.  You can try converting the arcs to polylines.  There are a couple of add-ins in the App store which may work for this although you might need to convert the arcs to splines.

[HuntleyBill]

When I open the dxf file in fusion, it opens fine. It doesn't open fine in the laser software. Maybe bacausee the lines in Fusion are still blue and not black. I can't figure out how to make them black. Is that the issue? If so, how do I fix it?

I redid the image using a spline instead of arcs and lines. This method works in my laser software. The dxf opens as it should. The dxf with the arcs and lines "looks" better as the lines are streight and not done "free hand" as the splines are which will work fine for this application, but I would like to learn how to correctly do this with lines and arcs.

[davebYYPCU]

Black / blue lines makes no difference to the conversion.

I would not try to fully constrain a spline.

Dimension to and from the origin, will start to constrain the outlines.  Using the origin for symmetry is an advantage.

Might help....

[HuntleyBill]

I have no idea what you said! LOL

[etfrench]

Can you attach your Fusion 360 file to the thread?   From the File menu, select Export, then Archive file *.f3d.  Attach the output.

[davebYYPCU]

Not a mystery, your part looks symmetric, it may not be.  I'll presume you have the original to measure.

A vertical line, mid point on the origin, turns it black in this colour scheme.  All black lines in this sketch would make it fully constrained. (Best case scenario)  

Using the symmetry of a centre line, makes your workload, half as much.

My vertical line did not align the bottom hole and it's border as expected.

First post has it, Ed.

Might help...

[etfrench]

Moving the canvas to the Origin, makes it much easier to add dimensions and constraints. Start by adding the closest geometry with dimensions and constraints as each is added.  Use 3 point circles for the holes.