DXF import and export problems

[ronaldogalves]

All of a sudden, Fusion 360 has stopped working correctly with DXF files. I've been waiting for some updates hoping it was an error that appeared and would be fixed back but it does not seem to be the case.

First thing I noticed is that I lost funcionality to import DXF files (via "Insert" function). I've been inserting DXF files exported from Adobe Illustrator since ever but from since one or two months back it stopped working. Fusion says "Error: Fails to insert this DXF file!". Of course I've tried every single possible export configurations on Illustrator but nothing seems to help. As stated before, I've been doing this since ever, with several different export configurations and never had any problems.

Second thing is that some partners started complaining they cannot open the DXFs that I've sent them. I usually export metal sheet flat patterns for laser cut. Again, I've been using the same workflow since ever but all of  sudden things have gone wrong. Unforunately there is no other option than DXF to use as an alternative so I'm basically stuck.

Third... with so many different evidences that things may not be working well, I've tried exporting and importing back DXFs from Fusion 360, back to Fusion 360, to discover that not even my Fusion 360 client can import back the files it exported. I've tried to export both from a flat pattern and from sketches but nothing worked out.

I can open the DXFs exported from Fusion 360 into Illustrator.

I've uninstalled and reinstalled Fusion 360 but the problem persists.

Thanks!

[sutherland-]

Hi @ronaldogalves 

Try this:

• Click the Show Data Panel icon.

• Click Upload

• Click Select Files and choose DXF file to import.
• Click Upload.

P.S. By following those steps I was able to upload your attached DXF.

[ronaldogalves]

It works. Although it took a lifetime to import a 5kB file. Still, I can't import a DXF into an existing model, right?

Most importantly, my laser cut partner can't open the DXFs I'm exporting from the flat patterns...

Thanks!

[ronaldogalves]

I found out a way to import into the current model, by right-clicking the DXF on the data panel and choosing "Insert into Current Design" option.

Still, it's unbelievably strange that the exact same file does not import throug the "Insert" button command.

[jeff_strater]

as far as I know, Insert DXF has not gone away or changed at all.  I still have it in the UI:

If you do not see this menu item, you can try resetting your toolbar customization:

[HughesTooling]

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@ronaldogalves wrote:

I found out a way to import into the current model, by right-clicking the DXF on the data panel and choosing "Insert into Current Design" option.

Still, it's unbelievably strange that the exact same file does not import throug the "Insert" button command.

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The simple file you attached in post #1 opens fine for me in Fusion and Rhino.

Do you have a flat pattern file you can share that you can't open?

Mark

[ronaldogalves]

Thanks for the replies, folks!

So, I have some news from my side as well. 

I've tried to export and import using another PC (my home PC) and things seem to be completely normal. My usual workflow activities (like exporting from Illustrator and inmporting into Fusion 360) all worked fine!

Put that, and considering I've already uninstalled and reinstalled Fusion 360 on the headache-computer, what could be done to solve that bad behaviour?

[ronaldogalves]

Thanks, Jeff.

The button is not gone at all. I'll even get the insert DXF dialogue, choose a plane etc., but Fusion 360 will always display an error when I chose any file to import.

[jeff_strater]

OK, sorry, I did not get that you see the command, but it just fails.  Is it always the same error?  ("Error: Fails to insert this DXF file!").  I assume you have tried rebooting the computer (I know, I know, that is a lame suggestion).  My experience is the same as @HughesTooling (and on your home PC).  So, I think that implies that it is somehow related to the PC where you are having the problem.  Do you have any Fusion add-ins installed?  I'm not sure how that could be related, but it is something to check.

[HughesTooling]

@ronaldogalves  Have you tried the repair option from the service utility?  On the linked page there is an option near the bottom of the page to do a manual uninstall.

@jeff_strater Is there an option in the utility that does the equivalent of a clean uninstall? 

Thanks Mark

[ronaldogalves]

Thanks, guys.

Since a "simple" uninstall-reinstall didn't help, a more drastic procedure seems to be a good call.

I'm gone from the workshop now but tomorrow I will try the service utility repair. I'll then be back and post what happened after the repair.

Thanks everybody for the support so far.

[ronaldogalves]

So... today I've tried both the repair option from the service utility and the uninstall-with-manual-cleanup and reinstall but the prolems persist.

Basically, I'm giving up solving the problem. I'll live with the limitations until I find time to do format the drive and reinstall everything from scratch. I'll rely on the other PC whenever I need to export files for outsourced fabrication.

For my internal routines (taking sketches from Illustrator to Fusion 360) I'll use the SVG format. It's not as reliable as the DXF but I can make it work. On this topic, I'd like to share my own experience on keeping the drawings to the correct size. When importing the SVGs created on Illustrator, I use a 1.333333333333 "Scale Plane XY" correction factor. I don't know why in the world this is needed but I just reverse engineered things to find this magical scale factor which has become my good friend in recent times!

Best regards to all.

[g-andresen]

Hi,

The scaling of svg in the applications is oriented either pixel-wise or to mm. There are adapted multipliers for this in each vector graphics application, but they are not coordinated.

günther

[jpipes34DW5]

I know this is an older tread, curious if you ever found a solution to your "dxf fails to insert" problem? I am experienceing the exact same issue you have described on one of our computers. Any insight would be appreciated.

[TheCADWhisperer]

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@jpipes34DW5 wrote:
 I am experiencing the exact same issue you have described on one of our computers. 

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@jpipes34DW5 

Are you saying that the same dxf works fine on other computers - the problem just exists on one particular computer?

Can you Attach the dxf file here?

[jpipes34DW5]

Yes I was able to use the same dxf's from external drive on another computer and open them in fusion 360. But with that same drive the trouble cpu will not open them without error.

[ArdentIndustries]

Same issue here. We have 2 computers on the same network...

One inserts a DXF file as it always has, the other will not import the exact same DXF file. The trouble computer is the actual hard drive where the file is stored, while the computer that is working normally is pulling from the troubled hard drive. So, LITERALLY the exact same file. Super irritating! 

EDIT: If its of any interest, the work flow has changed slightly as well I am pretty sure. When I used to click "Insert DXF" on the top toolbar, I would then select a plane and then the "open folder" icon which would open a Windows Explorer window. 
NOW, all is the same exact a different window opens, which I then have to select "Open from My Computer", which then opens the file explorer. 
Somewhere this has changed as it used to go directly to the file explorer.

Any help would be appreciated. Already have uninstalled and reinstalled with no benefit. 

Please advise. 

[jpipes34DW5]

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/fusion-360-support/quot-error-fails-to-insert-this-dxf-file-quot-help...

Follow this thread. May be a solution coming.

[panaceabeachbumJBHNP]

Same problem here a year later, insert worked fine a few weeks ago, same file, same computer no change other than fusion updated this morning and have now lost half a day. I also have no upload button in my data panel.

[HughesTooling]

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@panaceabeachbumJBHNP wrote:

I also have no upload button in my data panel.

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Are you in a project? Just wondering if you're in My Recent Data rather than an actual project.