Exporting sketch as DXF results in an empty file? 🤷‍♂️

[scott.m.campbell11]

So I am following this video tutorial to export my sketch as a DXF file, but all that comes out is just a blank/empty DXF file 🤷‍♂️. I have opened it in a few different pieces of software (Adobe Illustrator, BossLazer, etc.)  and get the same consistent result of an empty file.

I am new to Fusion360, so perhaps there is something wrong with my sketch/design? Or perhaps do I need to like, select something in the sketch before I export it?

[Anonymous]

Just to add: I contacted the manufacturer of our laser and apparently the DXF version of the file is causing the problem. We (I use the laser in a local FABlab /  fabrication laboratory) have an older BRM laser that does not support the newer DXF versions. BRM's advice is to save the file as a 2013 DXF in order for the laser to make sense of it. A lot of technical drawing software lets you specify in what version of DXF you would like to save - the "Save as DXF" option in Fusion360 does not have this option, it seems it just saves it in the latest version of DXF. 

In case anyone is wondering: it is not possible to use another program to operate the laser unless some quite expensive hardware changes are made. 

In short: The Export to DXF option in Fusion adds more version support to the DXF file making it possible to use the file on older lasers. After the changes Autodesk made in the personal plan license this option was taken out leaving only the Save as DXF option. This kind of DXF file however is not supported by older generations laser software / lasers resulting in the file showing up empty (while in fact the information is still there). I have not found a solution or work around for this issue yet. 

[Anonymous]

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@Anonymous wrote: the "Save as DXF" option in Fusion360 does not have this option, it seems it just saves it in the latest version of DXF. 

Actually the Fusion 360 Save as DXF option (right click on Sketch) is saving DXF files in an extremely old version of DXF.

If you look into the first 12 line of DXF file created by using this option.  Lines 10-12 are specifying the autoCad Version of the DXF file.  The AC1014 is the version of DXF that was used in 1997. So it may be that the DXF files are too old rather then to new for your machine (or your machine want a very old version of DXF).  My issue is Illustrator 2021 wont import DXF that are that old as they have to be 2000 or newer.

NB:I found a program on net that will change the DXF version. "AutoDWG to DXF Converter". Free for 14 days and then $89 for a license.  Still looking for completely free option. You can use this to take your DXF back to R12 (yr 1992) or up to R2019 (yr 2019)

Hope this helps.

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SECTION
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HEADER
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$INSUNITS
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$ACADVER
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AC1014
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$HANDSEED

[HughesTooling]

You might want to look at QCad for conversions. Not free but you also get a 2d cad program for those time you might need to adjust an export.

See this page for QCad export options.

Mark