Drawing file exported as DXF isn't a 2D drawing

[Lexya]

I usually model things in 3D before creating 2D drawings. I used Inventor for a very long time but my new boss basically said that we need to use Fusion. So alongside Fusion, I use AutoCAD to draw in 2D because Fusion's 2D is really bad IMO. But I just realised that every time I create a drawing from a 3D model in Fusion and then export that really basic drawing (basically just projections) as a DXF the drawing has depth. So basically every line is placed in a 3D plane with Z coordinates all over the place. And because the lines have different Z coordinates the snapping in AutoCAD won't work correctly.

So the question is do I do something wrong while exporting or do I need to enable something in Fusion so the 2D drawings are going to be really 2D or is this just how it is?

[robert.filiks · Accepted solution]

Hi @Lexya,
Thanks for posting. To see the 2D view for DXF file exported from Fusion 360 use the Flatten command in AutoCAD:

How to flatten a drawing in AutoCAD

[Lexya]

The flatten command works most of the time. But sometimes it throws a bunch of lines around and sometimes even creates weird arcs. It seems random too because now I just tried to flatten one of my drawings and it worked perfectly but yesterday the same drawing got ruined because AutoCAD decided that the arcs should be longer. 

And it is just an added step to my workflow just so I could work on a project properly. I just don't understand why a 2D drawing isn't 2D. It even has the file extension f2d. Just because I look at a 3D object in a specific way doesn't mean that the 3D object is now magically 2D...

[g-andresen]

Hi,

I also think that a view (projection) should be on Z 0.
If it is also not sense of the thing, one could project the view in the Designmodus into a sketch and then save as DXF. And,   if it´s necessary further work on. This would also have the advantage that you do not have to worry about scales.

günther

[alan.jonesXHXUF]

I've brought this up in the past too, apparently it's a feature not a flaw. It's dammed irritating. Especially when after flattening, lots of arcs somehow extend themselves way beyond where they belong and have to be replaced with new lines.