Unifying multiple sketches in order to make a single ..dxf

[mthuff]

I'm designing a 1/4 scale model of a wartime FN5 gun-turret, and am currently preparing a .dxf file for a chemical etcher to produce thin brass-work. The initial component parts were 3d shapes, which have been redrawn flat for the etch work, with later bending to shape in the workshop.

Here's my difficulty: I've ended up with multiple individual sketches, all (hopefully!) on a common plane. I need to combine all these sketches into a single sketch so that I can then produce a single .dxf file for the etcher. How do I achieve this?

Because the original drawing got so unwieldly, I had to export it as a .step file, and then then reimport it into a new drawing, this means that all sketches are newly derived by selecting each component in turn and making a sketch of it using "offset" with nil displacement; which works well, but leaves me with multiple individual sketches. Hence the post.

I'm fairly new to CAD, self-taught about a year now, so if any explanation could be in the fullest detail possible, I'd be most grateful. I attach a picture of the situation and one of the eventual model (just for interest)

[promm · Accepted solution]

@mthuff,

What you can do is create a new sketch and then project all of the other sketches into it. http://autode.sk/2zsMxbn  Looking at the images you attached, my only concern is that this workflow will take you a while.  A faster workflow would be to extrude all of the profiles and then you can use project bodies.  http://autode.sk/2yi20tw

Cheers,

Mike Prom

[mthuff]

Thank you so much, that's been enormously helpful to me, and p'raps others too.

[mthuff]

Now that my project is coming to a close, I wanted to post a few pictures and write it up. The completed FN5 RAF gun turrets are 1:4.5 scale, and feature working pneumatic rams to elevate the guns, 5 internal lights and lamps of various types and a fully working miniaturised working collimating gun-sight. The eventual aim is to place FPV cameras in them, so that footage can be taken in flight from an RC aircraft (Vickers Wellington 1C). The rear turret will have the camera attached to the rotating sight-bar, for a view through the gunsight, and the front turret will likely have a pannable-tiltable camera for more general views, independent of traverse or elevation of the turret. The turrets work exactly as per the original, so a mechanical linkage from the rams keeps the gunsight parallel to the guns as they raise and lower. They also feature fully working bolts and a latch mechanism that is spring-loaded shut. The doors also have provision to be screwed shut for slight with concealed screws, and all hatches are either spring-loaded or operable.

[mthuff]

I forgot to add, if you're interested, searching youtube for Fidd88 gets you to the films documenting the builds over the last 3 years.