Use Inventor to generate 2D DXF files

[scottS4EDN]

I coach a high school robotics team.  I'm transitioning form Bentley Microstation.  I would like to use Inventor (2020) to draw 2D parts that will will in turn cut on a CNC router.  I'm having trouble doing what I thought would be trivial. 

Can someone help this noob with the steps to Draw a rectangle with the lower left corner at the origin.  24" x 24".  Export that rectangle as a DXF.  Then, print that rectangle scaled down to fit an 8 1/2x11 sheet of paper.  With those basics, I will be able to get going I think.

[JDMather]

Why scale down?

[scottS4EDN]

> why scale down

If you mean on the printout, because a 24x24" sketch wont' fit on a 8 1/2x11" sheet of paper.  But, that is the least of my problems.

[TheCADWhisperer]

Ah, you have that right - I’ll make a video in a bit, but the video would probably be more meaningful to you if you Attached a real problem (*.ipt).

[JDMather]

Model, Assembly, and Drawing environments closely replicate the real world.

The following video shows 3 ways of getting dxf and one way of getting drawing.

[scottS4EDN]

JD, thank you very much.

Got it.  I'm using various sheet goods BTW, not much sheet metal. 

So like it or not I have to make it 3D then turn right back around and take a 2D face off the 3D in order to generate DXF. Some wasted effort to go 2D sketch to 2D DXF it seems to me.  Alas, I've had worse workarounds to deal with 🙂

It's hard as an beginning Inventor user to not turn any question on this into a bigger one :).  Wish I had someone local to spend a couple of hours with.  I'm starting to get the feeling Inventor isn't really what I want for quick, although complex 2D sketches.  Very limited color control, and with constraining dimensions the sketch would be unreadable.  I'm used to drawing "parts" in 2D space where we can locate clearance holes or mount holes for other components.  I'm sure it can be done in 3D space of course, but it gets very difficult for a 7th grader to get a handle on.

For my drawings (sketches to you) of multiple 2d "parts", dimensions, etc.  And  those printouts (drawings to you)  are in color.  Dimensions are associative and configurable in great detail, I can have mm and in on same dimension and make it red with blue leaders if I wanted for example.

I'm trying to accept the different paradigm of Inventor, but finding it cumbersome vs a product more friendly in it's 2D world. For my workflow.

[scottS4EDN]

I muddled through importing an existing DXF for a servo horn.  This is a simple part with a pocket and some holes.  In order to make the pocket, I moved the "star" to a separate sketch.  Extruded and have the attached result.  In order to use the part in my CAM software I need a single, 2D file with all the elements on it.  How can I export this as a DXF and get all the holes and the pocket?

[JDMather]

---

@scottS4EDN wrote:

...  In order to use the part in my CAM software ...

---

What CAM software are you using?

[scottS4EDN]

http://www.cambam.co.uk

I've been using it for several years now.  Works very well in my application with the kids.

[Yashasvi23481]

Hi Scott,

    If its standard part, right click on surface and choose export face as and follow the prompt. If its folded part, create a flat pattern and Right click on desired face and repeat the same.

One you have dxf you can scale down to desired measurement.

Regards,

Yash 

[JDMather]

---

@scottS4EDN wrote:

http://www.cambam.co.uk

I've been using it for several years now.  Works very well in my application with the kids.

---

I know it is comfortable to use what you know - but I think I would use a CAM software that imports true 3D.

https://www.autodesk.com/products/inventor-cam/overview

Students, educators and schools can get Autodesk software for free from http://www.autodesk.com/edcommunity

Edit:  Let me double check on availability for schools.  (But if you are not interested - I will not spend the time to investigate.)

[scottS4EDN]

I've got the edu licensing going already.  It's the reason I decided to try Inventor or Autocad.  vs. Microstation, I'm not a fan of Autocad.  So trying Inventor. 

As for the CAD the existing product fits my "kid" workflow very well with a lot of easy to sue profiles for the materials and machine they use predefined.  They have a simple DXF "library" they can choose from as well.  I may change CAM one day but not in the next couple of seasons anyway.

So to the original issue, generating the 2D DXF for a 2.5D part is a no go with Inventor?  Or, what is the simplest workaround..

[scottS4EDN]

Yash:

> If its folded part, create a flat pattern

Can you elaborate?  Not positive what you mean by folded part.  I posted a typical example of what I call a 2.5D part.  That is, a flat part with one or more pockets.

If I draw it in sketch environment it wont' let me export as DXF.  If I extrude it won't pick up the pocket profiles(pattern/polygons).

[JDMather]

---

@scottS4EDN wrote:

So to the original issue, generating the 2D DXF for a 2.5D part is a no go with Inventor?  Or, what is the simplest workaround..

---

Unless someone else comes along with a better idea - I think the easiest solution is 2 separate dxf files.

One for the upper face and one for the pocket face.

The real advantage of Inventor (that you should be showing your kids) is assembly of the parts in 3D before creating anything (that might reveal errors before cutting parts).  Mechanism motion can also be demonstrated.  Take it a step at a time and you will get there.

[scottS4EDN]

ALl the DXF' sneed t obe in the same DXF becasue ultimately that will become one machining "job".  Running multiple jobs can be problematic as touch-offs are involved, reference planes, etc.  It can be done with differing external to CAD workarounds, but it would create more work than necessary.  vs. competing solutions that handle flattening a part without issue.  One problem with the competition program they compete in is they only have 6 weeks from problem reveal to competition.  And that includes a couple f weeks for the drivers to practice.  They don't really have the time to do a full-on 3D design process, particularly in a complex program that is a side thing for them, right or not.  So it has to be as simple and quick a workflow as possible.  Optimization is limited so using 2D drawings for component placement, hole locating, and profile layout is quicker IMO for beginners (6th-12th grade).  The occasional alternate plane view for checking fit in a different direction (I know, old school).

[cadman777]

scott,

Why not use AutoCAD to make your 2D profiles?

Didn't it come with Inventor?
It's got all the controls you need to do all the things you said you want to do.

Maybe even a cheaper version of AutoCAD will do the job, like an AutoCAD lookalike.
There are a lot of them on the market these days, and they're pretty cheap compared to AutoCAD.

Off the top of my head, these come to mind:
- BricsCAD (just got purchased by Hexagon, so maybe won't be cheap in the near future).

- TurboCAD

- ProgeCAD

Just look them up on the internet.

There's plenty of them for around 100 bux.

Cheers

[TheCADWhisperer]

---

@cadman777 wrote:

scott,

Why not use AutoCAD to make your 2D profiles?

Maybe even a cheaper version of AutoCAD will do the job, like an AutoCAD lookalike.
There are a lot of them on the market these days, and they're pretty cheap compared to AutoCAD.

---

AutoCAD is free to schools.  Can't get much cheaper than that.

[scottS4EDN]

@cadman777Right, what he said.  Cost is the reason I'm trying it in the first place.  The program is sponsored by Dassault/Solidworks, but their licensing is ridiculous (3 months a year).  Before I spend the time to learn it so I can teach it, I need to know a) I can get it year round and b) the kids can, too.  Autodesk has been generous in that regard.  Can't complain there.

I tried Autocad and I wasn't crazy about it's interface, but have not ruled it out.  Just figured the more modern (my perception) Inventor would be something better for them to get some exposure to and learn.  Eventually they'll have something they can use with a 3D printer, in college, etc.

[scottS4EDN]

...and, the only alternative I've really considered hard was ViaCad.  Kids can get it for ~$40/copy of previous version.  It's a little simpler than AutoCAD.  I've not heard of a couple you mention.  I'll check them out form curiosity.  Also looked at FreeCAD, didn't care for it much.

[scottS4EDN]

We don't do a ton of parts with pockets.  I suppose one workaround would be to just leave the part's pocket profile in the same sketch like I normally do.  Of maybe have 3 related sketches.  Part1 whole, Part1body, part1pocket, using the first one when exporting to DXF.