Saving 3d Parts in 2d for Laser Cutting

[maalamJGUHU]

I am currently trying out Inventor Pro 2019.... I design and build radio controlled model airplanes. The workflow involves designing in 3d, then saving each part in 2d format, so that it can be sent to my laser printer to cut out in balsa wood or plywood.

My question: I've been trying to figure out how to print a part out in 2d.....either dwg, or dxf format, which are the two that I can use for my laser cutting software. It will not open the 3d dwg file. Anybody know how to do this?

I'm thinking this should be a no-brainer.....otherwise, why would I ever buy this expensive software?!!

[blandb · Accepted solution]

If these are just flat pieces, you can right-click on a face and choose "export face as" and it will make a dxf file. No drawings required at that point. But are you needing to create drawings?

[maalamJGUHU]

Thanks. I will try it out. If you mean printed drawings, no I don't need those. 

I design the whole airplane in 3d, then create slices which I send to a laser cutter. I eventually take those parts and glue them together.

[Cadmanto]

This sounds very much like printing out a 3D model in a 3D printer using an .stl file.

Can your laser cutter use an .stl file by any chance?

Windows 10 x64 -16GB Ram
Intel i7-6700 @ 3.41ghz
nVidia GTS 250 - 1 GB
Inventor Pro 2018

[maalamJGUHU]

Just tried it out. I *was* able to create a dwg and dxf file using your suggestion.....i.e., it created the file and there was content in it. However, when I tried to open the files (even back into Inventor), I got an error message ".....file not open". My guess is that saving files is not fully functional on trial version of Inventor. Real pity, because its a nice piece of software, but I am not going to spend my hard-earned cash without successfuly trying out my full workflow.

Too bad, TurboCAD here I come - I know it works there.

[maalamJGUHU]

Yes, its similar to 3d printing with an STL file, except that most laser cutters cut in the x-y plane, and the z plane is reserved for the height of the laser unit, which is set for different kinds and thickness of material being cut. Thanks for your thought.

[johnsonshiue · Accepted solution]

Hi! The workflow Brad mentioned has been there for a long time. One thing you need to make sure is the AutoCAD dwg/dxf version you are using. From Inventor 2018, the default AutoCAD dwg/dxf file format is set to AutoCAD 2018. If you don't have AutoCAD 2018 or your dwg/dxf importing software does not support 2018, it will not work. You can simply change AutoCAD dwg/dxf version by doing the following.

Export Face or Sketch As -> Options -> select the appropriate AutoCAD version. This option will persist as last used.

Please try it and let us know how it works.

Many thanks!

[maalamJGUHU]

Thanks very much. I saved the 2d drawing in dwg 2013 format and it worked for me - I was able to read it into my laser cutter software, which is a 2016 version.