importing DWG very very slow

[Anonymous]

Every time i try to import a dwg, the uploading to the data panel is ok, but opening and editing the document is terribly slow.

Somehow they always show up on the vertical plane, while i would like them on a horizontale plane, then they also show points at every end of a line. I never get to solving these two issues because whatever I do, it takes minutes.

bellow is a screenshot of my latest attempt. I must be doing something wrong, but what?

[innovatenate]

What application is generating the DWG file?

I have a couple of suggestions for you to try to speed things up.

In the source software:

• convert any polylines to splines
• Use Layers to move sketch entities into separate sketches. 

In Fusion 360:

• Try to keep each individual sketch as small as possible - create many smaller sketches instead of one large sketch
• Try using the Insert > Insert DXF or the Insert SVG command. This will allow you to insert the sketch into the plane of your choice (Note the option to insert One sketch per layer).
• I note that you can also use the redifine sketch plane by right clicking on a sketch in the timelin (Parametric Design only - won't work for imported DWG)

I hope  that helps!

Thanks,

[innovatenate]

I believe the below forum post may be similar in nature to this one.

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/design-validate-document/slooooow-sketch/td-p/6007785

http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/design-validate-document/dxf-export-settings/td-p/5513743/page/2

I wanted to share these for reference.

Thanks,

[HughesTooling]

---

@innovatenate wrote:

• 
  I note that you can also use the redifine sketch plane by right clicking on a sketch in the timelin (Parametric Design only - won't work for imported DWG)

I hope  that helps!

Thanks,

---

The problem is DWG\DXF files import Y up even it you have properties set to Z up.

Here's an example the Z axis is correct, just the top on the viewcube is wrong.

After opening the imported DWG select the sketch and click Look At then reset the Top view.

Something else to try, blocks in the DWG\DXF file will convert to components, having the sketches split up into components will make it easier\quicker to hide stuff you don't need.

Mark

Edit looking at the image in the first post it looks like you're already using layers and blocks so your only option is to turn stuff off you don't need.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the tips so far,

The DWG came from one of our clients and I actually think that they got it from their architect. I will try to get a DXF from them so I can try inserting straight into the sketch.

Brecht

[Madcow2]

Hello:

I have read the two links about importing into Fusion 360.  I am currently importing an SVG or DXF from illustrator.   I do this because tracing from an image is easier in Illustrator and there are more options in a design software then a CAD software.    Because Fusion 360 works so well with CAM and output to the laser it is really a great overall software for fabrication.   My concern is the design input and that starts with the flat line.  

This might be a naive question. And before I ask it I know that every software package has its own way of translating lines, curves, splines, plines, etc. but if Fusion 360 is strong enough to make extremely complicated solids and surfaces in 3D then what is it about multiple flat segments or curves that makes it slow down so much.  Sub D model software packages and also flat design packages like Coreldraw and Adobe Illustrator do much better when importing eps, dxf and dwg files.  

Would it be possible for Fusion 360 to create a video showing a semi-complex sketch imported, from any software package, be moved and scaled without severe lag time?  

If this has been addressed in another post please ignore this and point me in the correct direction.

Thank you 

Erik 

[innovatenate]

Thanks for the question!. I am happy to try to address your questions as best as I can. 

The 3D geometry kernel and the sketch engine are quite different things. The geometry kernel in Fusion is very established. The sketch solver is bit newer. I think the biggest point to distinguish here is that there is a difference between some of the applications you named and Fusion 360, in that there is a sketch solver managing the degrees of freedom for every sketch entity.  Sketch dimensions and constraints are the main tools that manage this within every sketch. Of course these tools go out the window if you are just inserting from another application.

Fusion is also always solving for the creation of profiles. Profiles are highly accurate enclosed areas denoted by the orange/yellow shaded area. These are often the basis for highly accurate 3D geometry (e.g. extruding a sketch profile).

You can also build a fully parametric sketch in Fusion 360 with relationship built on other geometry (e.g using projected sketch geometry). In the right hands, this sketch solver in Fusion 360 can make a entirely different sketch just by tweaking a few dimensions in the Modify > Parameters dialog.

Check out the forum post from jeff.strater in this discussion about the sketch solver. I think it highlights some the efforts underway really well.

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/design-validate-document/what-s-your-fusion-360-performance-like/td-p...

If you are finding performance issues with inserted sketches, one thing you can do is to split up the entities into different layers in AutoCAD (or Illustrator - a bit of a guess on my part here). When you insert the resulting DXF file into Fusion using the Insert > Insert DXF command, if the sketch entities are in different layers this will put the entities into different sketches. This reduces the number of degrees of freedom and sketch entities that the sketch solver has to manage while editing any given sketch. This is probably the easiest way to manage performance issue with sketches in Fusion 360. 

If you have a specific file to share, I'm happy to take a swing at inserting it into Fusion and making specific recommendations to improve performance.

I hope this helps. Please let me know if you have any questions, I'm happy to help.

Thanks,

[Madcow2]

Thank you for this explanation.  This is the first time someone has given a very clear understandable answer to this question.  First learning illustrator then into Vectorworks and then SW  and then MODO and now Fusion 360 I never really understood why the slow down from illustrator. So if it is trying to solve every point and arc that comes into to the software, and I know this is a really not so smart question, but can you have an option before you import it saying that you do not want it to have any constraints.  That it does not relate to any other line.  

Again, I know there is not much of a work around until the kernel gets improved but, greater functionally would really make things much easier.  

Still really enjoy Fusion360 but importing semi complex eps files would be great.  

Also being able to make a toolpath from a mesh and not a solid would also be great.

Many thanks

Erik