Where is DXF file handling information?

[diopants]

Is there ANY documentation on using dxf’s anywhere?

I have tried looking for docs or other information on DXF file import and export. I see nothing in the Software Documentation, I have tried manually expanding all the catagories.

Searching the forums there is a lot of hit-or-mis information about dxf files, mostly anecdotal, and mostly from trial and error. I have low confidence in what I am seeing.

Frankly, I expected Lightburn to be mature in dxf file import/export as its pretty much a univesal standard amoungst CAD/CAM platforms. I expected some basic information on what is or is not possible in the software, the limitations and recommended best practices.

The issues I am encountering is simple things like-

1. Coordiantes 0,0 is maintained on file import.
2. Layers/color managment to be better. Like objects on a layer named C00 with the color of black all stays on that layer
3. Text as imported being altered in position and/or fonts.
4. Items in blocks not get imported.
5. spline & bsplines not getting imported or correctly.
6. groupings being honored.

For what its worth, I am using 1.4.05. I have been an AutoCAD user for longer than I care to admit, and I am confident in my fluency for dxf use in CAD/CAM.

[jkwilborn (Jack Wilborn)]

I’m not sure exactly how these are imported…

Most people find using a SVG format to be more acceptable.

[diopants]

All of us have different needs and applications, but its pretty much universal to inherit and use the same 0 point across software packages and platforms.

If you are working in a precision CAD environment, why create representations of solid object projections into graphics files?

CAD, BIM, GIS, CAM, 0 is always 0. It is not some arbitrary point. Especially if you are working in an absolute coordinate system.

SVG has a 0 point too-why not honor it?

Lets not even get into the reality that dxf is a 3D file format but few believe it.

[RalphU (RU)]

Coordiantes 0,0 is maintained on file import.<

LB doesn’t use a “0,0” in the traditional way that CAD does. You can put a crosshair or a reference circle at 0,0, then export to DXF and switch the crosshair or reference circle to a Tool layer.

Layers/color managment to be better. Like objects on a layer named C00 with the color of black all stays on that layer<

LB does a straight DXF layer to LB layer conversion if your colored entities in DXF are on one layer. ie. use 1 distinct layer in DXF for every distinct color.

Text as imported being altered in position and/or fonts.<

The easiest way around that is to “explode” the text in the DXF.

Items in blocks not get imported.<

I haven’t noticed this, but I learned a long time ago - for maximum file compatability, explode all blocks and fonts.

spline & bsplines not getting imported or correctly.<

You might want to test this with one 1.4.05 - LB fixed some of these issues, and it was documented.

groupings being honored.<

I know that doesn’t maintain in the DXF translation, but wouldn’t expect it to.

For what its worth, I am using 1.4.05. I have been an AutoCAD user for longer than I care to admit, and I am confident in my fluency for dxf use in CAD/CAM.<

To make it less error prone, it is better to “massage” the AutoCAD data before DXF exporting. I have also used AutoCAD or an AutoCAD clone for a long time. And, mostly for DXF export to other CAD programs that ran CNC equipment. I don’t expect a program like LB to take care of every DXF scenario - that’s why I explode text and blocks. LB does a good job of importing DXF if you know how to feed it.