Multiple face dxf export?

[Anonymous]

I have a sketch that is extruded but the extrutions are unconnected...

I know I cant export the sketch as a DXF (why I have no idea??? seems like on obvious option to me) but I can only export one face at a time as a DXF. This means I lose alignment having to export them all as seperate files.

I would like all faces to exported to eth same DXF, is there anyway of doing this?

[johnsonshiue · Accepted solution]

Hi! You can export a sketch to DXF. Right-click on any sketch -> Export sketch as -> dwg or dxf. But, you cannot select mutiple sketches and export in one shot. Could you elaborate what you meant by not being able to export a sketch to DXF?

Many thanks!

[mcgyvr]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I know I cant export the sketch as a DXF (why I have no idea??? seems like on obvious option to me) 

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sure you can...

right click on the sketch and select "export sketch as" and select dxf for the file type..

If for some reason thats not an option for you then you can always just create a drawing of that and export that as a dxf.. 

So there are multiple ways to achieve what you want quite easily.. 

[Anonymous]

Well I never! In the past I was told I could only do this via exporting a face.

Thankyou I have always thought it was strange!

[fsanchou]

@johnsonshiue

I understand your workflow for a "one face part".

How can I keep unattached faces on a Bend Part like this?

 

I need to create DXF with this faces for CNC.

(I know after machining faces lost reference position but I use then elsewhere)

Thanks

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! In Sheet Metal environment, there are two primary ways to export to DXF. One is the same as the per-face export. You can also export the entire flat pattern to a DXF file. Right-click on the Flat Pattern node in the browser -> Export to -> select DXF file.

Many thanks!

[fsanchou]

Hi @johnsonshiue

Thanks, but as you can see on my previous image, Flat Pattern don't keep unattached face so I can't use your suggestions.

Is there a way to take into account all the faces of sheetmetal part for Flat pattern?

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! You can also use Export Sketch As. If you have the multi-loop sketch, you can simply right-click on it -> Export Sketch As -> DXF. Or, you simply create a new sketch and project those faces and then export.

Many thanks!

[fsanchou]

Hi @johnsonshiue,

This is the way accepted (post n°2) for multi-sketches on the same (or parallel) plane , but in my case sketches are not on the same plane, so project sketches is not possible.

Thanks

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! I am sorry I am little bit confused. I believe it is doable, since DXF deals with 2D geometry. As long as the geometry is on a 2D plane, it can be done. You probably need to project those sketch geometry to one 2D Sketch. Then export it. Could you share an example of what exactly you want to do?

Many thanks!

[fsanchou]

Hi @johnsonshiue,

Below a simplified sample:

Thanks,

[johnsonshiue]

Hi! This is actually not a very common request. But, it is indeed not straight forward to do. The issue here is that Inventor Sheet Metal assume all the geometry is connected. The disjoint geometry is ignored in flat pattern. If I were you, I would not cut all the way. I just cut to half thickness. Then make the flat pattern. Then export one side of the face to DXF. Would it work?

Many thanks!

[fsanchou]

Hi @johnsonshiue,

Cut to half thickness is a good idea, if I export FlatPattern as DXF, result is usable with customization. 

I will have to drive a "depth" parameter only to create the dxf.

Ultimate goal was to replace DXF with the use of HSM to drive directly my CNC, as long as I can not directly create the right Flat Plattern I will not use it.

Thanks