posted
I hope someone here knows about this because I don't know where to look. I use SignLab 9 and want to create a DXF file to send to my ShopBot router. When I go to export the DXF file I have four to choose from! What is the difference and which one should I use? I have a choice between DXF line, DXF poly arc, DXF poly line and DXF spline. This file will be sent to V Carve Pro software to make the toolpath, then sent to the router's software which is Mach 3.
I am mentioning this because I am still having problems getting everything to work together. Any and all advice would be appreciated.
Sign-cerely, Steve
-------------------- Steve Luck Sign Magic Inc. 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 (618)466-9120 signmagic@sbcglobal.net Posts: 870 | From: 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 | Registered: Dec 2004
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We always use EPS files rather than DXF. We currently use Aspire, but used to use V-Carve Pro and if I recall correctly, had no problems importing EPS files. Less confusing!
-------------------- Graham Parsons Signs 'n Such Ltd Swift Current Saskatchewan Canada. www.signsnsuch.com
"Saskatchewan - hard to pronounce, easy to draw" Posts: 710 | From: Saskatchewan, Canada | Registered: Oct 1999
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posted
exporting dfx with curves is difficult. Some export using an old autocad format that exports dfx with curves as line segments.
Line and Arc is the simplest DXF. most softs should load it. it is the least useful all the lines and arcs are seperate pieces. sometimes DXF you can't close the lines together into a compound object . A square is drawn with 4 lines.
Polylines and polyarcs can represent complex shapes as 1 object. They can be closed objects. The difference is how they convert curve information. PolyArc will generally produce less nodes.
Sending that file to vcarve should allow you to close those lines get you some good gcode.
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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posted
Yes, If you can avoid it at all- use eps or ai, not dxf, as the lines are invariably broken into lots of segments.
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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posted
Wow, thanks guys! I will use eps or ai and see how that works. It's great to be able to ask tech questions here and get great advice. Thanks again for all the help.
Sign-cerely, Steve
-------------------- Steve Luck Sign Magic Inc. 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 (618)466-9120 signmagic@sbcglobal.net Posts: 870 | From: 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 | Registered: Dec 2004
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posted
You said you use Signlab...but should you ever decided to use Illustrator for some reason, I've found on the ShopBot that it needs to be saved way back to version 3 for it to come in correctly. At least with the ShopBot software.
-------------------- Doug Haffner Haffner Signs www.haffnersigns.com 309-338-9570 211 W. Williams Wyoming, Il 61491 Posts: 211 | From: Wyoming, Illinois | Registered: May 2010
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posted
Hi Steve, I don't have signlab, so I'm not much help there, although I'll throw in my 2 cents, as it seems to contradict what other have found (with the eps and ai files....although Doug may have fixed my problem)
I have flexi, illustrator and Aspire....When I save as either the eps or ai, then "import vectors" in aspire, the file will be 10x larger than its supposed to be (A 5" letter may import at 50") When I export out of flexi as a dxf file, it opens and cuts perfectly on my cnc.
just throwing out my experience.
-------------------- John Gresak Gresak Signs Du Bois, PA Posts: 13 | From: Du Bois, PA | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
I've never heard that one John. I have an older version of Aspire and V-Carve Pro with my router and trying different combinations to get things to work. I'll see what happens and let you know.
Sign-cerely, Steve
-------------------- Steve Luck Sign Magic Inc. 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 (618)466-9120 signmagic@sbcglobal.net Posts: 870 | From: 2718-b Grovelin Godfrey, Illinois 62035 | Registered: Dec 2004
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