exporting to dxf for cnc plasma

[kamelkhenifar4]

hi everyone,

i know this subject has been gone over,

but i still coudn't find a clear answer/guide on how to do it if it's possible.

i have a cnc plasmatable and the software to make the G-code needs DXF files.

there's no problem doing it with inventor 2017 pro. except when trying to export text.

if i make a part with text in it and export it as a sketch all the lines from the drawing appear normal in the cnc plasma software(sheetcam tng).

but the text just doesn't show up.

a clear guideline on what or how to do it would great.

ps; sorry for any typing mistakesn english isn't my native language.

thank you in advance

Khenifar Kamal

[leowarren34]

Could you attatch the file you are working on?

[kamelkhenifar4]

okay, 

here is something with some numbers in it.

it's the front of a mailbox.

[leowarren34 · Accepted solution]

I've moved it across to a drawing and exported it as a dxf, to which on my viewer seems fine, if it not inventor then it must the other software.

[kamelkhenifar4]

so you place it in a idw drawing and then save it as dxf?

would that be the only way?

i'm trying to find the most efficient way going from a drawing to G-code for the cnc plasma table.

[kelly.young · Accepted solution]

Hello @kamelkhenifar4 I see that you are visiting as a new member to the Inventor Forum.
Welcome to the Autodesk Community!

Are you RMB on the Flat Pattern Face > Export As...

You can then dumb down the options to the oldest version and in my experience that works with most machines.

Hope that helps!

Please select the Accept as Solution button if a post solves your issue or answers your question.

[kamelkhenifar4]

yes, that would work but if select more than 1 face to export it doesn't give me the option "export face as".

to explain more what i mean:

if i select the main face together with the inner faces of the numbers 18 & 20 i don't get the option to "export face as".

thank you already everybody for the info.

glad there is a community to help those who need it.

[kelly.young · Accepted solution]

@kamelkhenifar4 Another way would be:

• Create a 2d Sketch on the face
• Project Cut Edges
• Finish Sketch
• Find Sketch in Model Tree
• RMB > Export Sketch As...

These are the two easiest ways to get to .dxf format from the model. 

EDIT:

You can also create a Drawing.idw like @leowarren34 mentions and Save As > Save Copy As... > .dxf

If the part placed at 1:1 is bigger than the drawing space make sure you delete the Border and Title Block before saving otherwise it looks like this and you'll have to do from inside the machine software:

Please select the Accept as Solution button if a post solves your issue or answers your question.