Most of my cad has been in 2.5d, for 3 axis milling. Basically drawing various sections through an object, exporting as dxf into the gcode generator, and selecting paths to profile/pocket. I was hoping to change this method by programmatically extruding the shapes within openscad and exporting as stl to the gcode generator. However, i do not know what version, if any, of dxf format that openscad can import.Whatever I try, it fails, often on quite basic dxf parameters. Also, if I wish to send the scad file to another user, then they need to put the original imported dxf file in the same location. Does anyone know of a piece of software that can, say, import a dxf file and produce a list of xy coordinates, that could be readily embedded in the scad file as a polygon, say. Also, would it be possible to import that list, instead of embedding it in the scad code.

Yes there is an OpenSCAD plugin for InkScape that will convert an outline in InkScape to an OpenSCAD polygon. Not sure which is latest version but there is some info here: https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:25036 On Sun, 26 Jul 2020 at 21:54, Ray West <raywest@raywest.com> wrote: > Most of my cad has been in 2.5d, for 3 axis milling. Basically drawing > various sections through an object, exporting as dxf into the gcode > generator, and selecting paths to profile/pocket. I was hoping to change > this method by programmatically extruding the shapes within openscad and > exporting as stl to the gcode generator. However, i do not know what > version, if any, of dxf format that openscad can import.Whatever I try, > it fails, often on quite basic dxf parameters. Also, if I wish to send > the scad file to another user, then they need to put the original > imported dxf file in the same location. Does anyone know of a piece of > software that can, say, import a dxf file and produce a list of xy > coordinates, that could be readily embedded in the scad file as a > polygon, say. Also, would it be possible to import that list, instead of > embedding it in the scad code. > > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > Discuss@lists.openscad.org > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org >

Am I understanding your situation correctly? 1 You want to import the dxf outline as a polygon. 2. Extrude the polygon to create a 3D object . 3. Export the 3D object in a format that can be read by gcode generator. 4. Send the OpenSCAD file to another user for them to enhance or use. You seem to be having trouble at step one but have not given any information about a.) how it fails (error messages, bad 2D shape, scaling issue???) b.) the contents of the simplest dxf file that you have tried c.) the source of the dxf file. This might help get to the bottom of your issue. Ron On 2020-07-26 4:53 p.m., Ray West wrote: > Most of my cad has been in 2.5d, for 3 axis milling. Basically drawing > various sections through an object, exporting as dxf into the gcode > generator, and selecting paths to profile/pocket. I was hoping to > change this method by programmatically extruding the shapes within > openscad and exporting as stl to the gcode generator. However, i do > not know what version, if any, of dxf format that openscad can > import.Whatever I try, it fails, often on quite basic dxf parameters. > Also, if I wish to send the scad file to another user, then they need > to put the original imported dxf file in the same location. Does > anyone know of a piece of software that can, say, import a dxf file > and produce a list of xy coordinates, that could be readily embedded > in the scad file as a polygon, say. Also, would it be possible to > import that list, instead of embedding it in the scad code. > > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > Discuss@lists.openscad.org > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org -- Ron Wheeler Artifact Software 438-345-3369 rwheeler@artifact-software.com

Hi Ron, Thanks for your reply. There are many different versions of dxf files. I've tried a few, without getting very far. What version does opnscad expect? No point in me playing with R12, if openscad expects 2013, say. It seems that openscad works better with tinkercad. Tinkercad will accept my dxf files, but I do not really want to get into yet another file conversion situation. Perhaps tinkercad states what version it exports dxf files, I'll download a later version than the 2013 one.. The online dxf/svg file convertors seem to work OK, but again, that is another unneeded step. The four steps you've picked out is more or less my proposed work flow. I have not kept the failed dxf files, but could easily generate more.  They were quite simple test outlines, straight line polygons, no curves or splines (from going through the forum, I realised they would be unlikely to be successful). Best wishes, Ray On 26/07/2020 22:16, Ron Wheeler via Discuss wrote: > Am I understanding your situation correctly? > 1 You want to import the dxf outline as a polygon. > 2. Extrude the polygon to create a 3D object . > 3. Export the 3D object in a format that can be read by gcode generator. > 4. Send the OpenSCAD file to another user for them to enhance or use. > > You seem to be having trouble at step one but have not given any > information about > a.) how it fails (error messages, bad 2D shape, scaling issue???) > b.) the contents of the simplest dxf file that you have tried > c.) the source of the dxf file. > > This might help get to the bottom of your issue. > > Ron > > > On 2020-07-26 4:53 p.m., Ray West wrote: >> Most of my cad has been in 2.5d, for 3 axis milling. Basically >> drawing various sections through an object, exporting as dxf into the >> gcode generator, and selecting paths to profile/pocket. I was hoping >> to change this method by programmatically extruding the shapes within >> openscad and exporting as stl to the gcode generator. However, i do >> not know what version, if any, of dxf format that openscad can >> import.Whatever I try, it fails, often on quite basic dxf parameters. >> Also, if I wish to send the scad file to another user, then they need >> to put the original imported dxf file in the same location. Does >> anyone know of a piece of software that can, say, import a dxf file >> and produce a list of xy coordinates, that could be readily embedded >> in the scad file as a polygon, say. Also, would it be possible to >> import that list, instead of embedding it in the scad code. >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> OpenSCAD mailing list >> Discuss@lists.openscad.org >> http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org > > -- > Ron Wheeler > Artifact Software > 438-345-3369 > rwheeler@artifact-software.com > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > Discuss@lists.openscad.org > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org

Not sure why I'm going on about tinker cad - I meant inkscape. it accepts r13 dxf, but outputs in r13. Yet to test. On 26/07/2020 23:23, Ray West wrote: > > Hi Ron, > > Thanks for your reply. > > There are many different versions of dxf files. I've tried a few, > without getting very far. What version does opnscad expect? No point > in me playing with R12, if openscad expects 2013, say. It seems that > openscad works better with tinkercad. Tinkercad will accept my dxf > files, but I do not really want to get into yet another file > conversion situation. Perhaps tinkercad states what version it exports > dxf files, I'll download a later version than the 2013 one.. The > online dxf/svg file convertors seem to work OK, but again, that is > another unneeded step. > > The four steps you've picked out is more or less my proposed work > flow. I have not kept the failed dxf files, but could easily generate > more.  They were quite simple test outlines, straight line polygons, > no curves or splines (from going through the forum, I realised they > would be unlikely to be successful). > > Best wishes, > > > Ray > > On 26/07/2020 22:16, Ron Wheeler via Discuss wrote: >> Am I understanding your situation correctly? >> 1 You want to import the dxf outline as a polygon. >> 2. Extrude the polygon to create a 3D object . >> 3. Export the 3D object in a format that can be read by gcode generator. >> 4. Send the OpenSCAD file to another user for them to enhance or use. >> >> You seem to be having trouble at step one but have not given any >> information about >> a.) how it fails (error messages, bad 2D shape, scaling issue???) >> b.) the contents of the simplest dxf file that you have tried >> c.) the source of the dxf file. >> >> This might help get to the bottom of your issue. >> >> Ron >> >> >> On 2020-07-26 4:53 p.m., Ray West wrote: >>> Most of my cad has been in 2.5d, for 3 axis milling. Basically >>> drawing various sections through an object, exporting as dxf into >>> the gcode generator, and selecting paths to profile/pocket. I was >>> hoping to change this method by programmatically extruding the >>> shapes within openscad and exporting as stl to the gcode generator. >>> However, i do not know what version, if any, of dxf format that >>> openscad can import.Whatever I try, it fails, often on quite basic >>> dxf parameters. Also, if I wish to send the scad file to another >>> user, then they need to put the original imported dxf file in the >>> same location. Does anyone know of a piece of software that can, >>> say, import a dxf file and produce a list of xy coordinates, that >>> could be readily embedded in the scad file as a polygon, say. Also, >>> would it be possible to import that list, instead of embedding it in >>> the scad code. >>> >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> OpenSCAD mailing list >>> Discuss@lists.openscad.org >>> http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org >> >> -- >> Ron Wheeler >> Artifact Software >> 438-345-3369 >> rwheeler@artifact-software.com >> >> _______________________________________________ >> OpenSCAD mailing list >> Discuss@lists.openscad.org >> http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > Discuss@lists.openscad.org > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org

I am not an expert in OpenSCAD and have never played with dxf but am good at understanding how to test software. nop.head@gmail.com is an expert and if you respond to his questions and give him as much detail about your test results as you can, you have a pretty good chance of getting the best possible result. Whether that will be good enough for your needs is still an open question but you have the attention of one of the best OpenSCAD experts and, in addition, may get some good alternatives from others in the forum who are using CAD, CNC and 3D printing in their businesses. Describe in detail the simplest test that you have run and the messages that you got from openSCAD and describe what you expected visually (as a 3D model) and what you got from OpenSCAD. If you can list the content of the DXF file that you are importing, I am sure that it will be helpful. Ron On 2020-07-26 7:41 p.m., Ray West wrote: > > Not sure why I'm going on about tinker cad - I meant inkscape. it > accepts r13 dxf, but outputs in r13. Yet to test. > > On 26/07/2020 23:23, Ray West wrote: >> >> Hi Ron, >> >> Thanks for your reply. >> >> There are many different versions of dxf files. I've tried a few, >> without getting very far. What version does opnscad expect? No point >> in me playing with R12, if openscad expects 2013, say. It seems that >> openscad works better with tinkercad. Tinkercad will accept my dxf >> files, but I do not really want to get into yet another file >> conversion situation. Perhaps tinkercad states what version it >> exports dxf files, I'll download a later version than the 2013 one.. >> The online dxf/svg file convertors seem to work OK, but again, that >> is another unneeded step. >> >> The four steps you've picked out is more or less my proposed work >> flow. I have not kept the failed dxf files, but could easily generate >> more.  They were quite simple test outlines, straight line polygons, >> no curves or splines (from going through the forum, I realised they >> would be unlikely to be successful). >> >> Best wishes, >> >> >> Ray >> >> On 26/07/2020 22:16, Ron Wheeler via Discuss wrote: >>> Am I understanding your situation correctly? >>> 1 You want to import the dxf outline as a polygon. >>> 2. Extrude the polygon to create a 3D object . >>> 3. Export the 3D object in a format that can be read by gcode generator. >>> 4. Send the OpenSCAD file to another user for them to enhance or use. >>> >>> You seem to be having trouble at step one but have not given any >>> information about >>> a.) how it fails (error messages, bad 2D shape, scaling issue???) >>> b.) the contents of the simplest dxf file that you have tried >>> c.) the source of the dxf file. >>> >>> This might help get to the bottom of your issue. >>> >>> Ron >>> >>> >>> On 2020-07-26 4:53 p.m., Ray West wrote: >>>> Most of my cad has been in 2.5d, for 3 axis milling. Basically >>>> drawing various sections through an object, exporting as dxf into >>>> the gcode generator, and selecting paths to profile/pocket. I was >>>> hoping to change this method by programmatically extruding the >>>> shapes within openscad and exporting as stl to the gcode generator. >>>> However, i do not know what version, if any, of dxf format that >>>> openscad can import.Whatever I try, it fails, often on quite basic >>>> dxf parameters. Also, if I wish to send the scad file to another >>>> user, then they need to put the original imported dxf file in the >>>> same location. Does anyone know of a piece of software that can, >>>> say, import a dxf file and produce a list of xy coordinates, that >>>> could be readily embedded in the scad file as a polygon, say. Also, >>>> would it be possible to import that list, instead of embedding it >>>> in the scad code. >>>> >>>> >>>> _______________________________________________ >>>> OpenSCAD mailing list >>>> Discuss@lists.openscad.org >>>> http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org >>> >>> -- >>> Ron Wheeler >>> Artifact Software >>> 438-345-3369 >>> rwheeler@artifact-software.com >>> >>> _______________________________________________ >>> OpenSCAD mailing list >>> Discuss@lists.openscad.org >>> http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> OpenSCAD mailing list >> Discuss@lists.openscad.org >> http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > Discuss@lists.openscad.org > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org -- Ron Wheeler Artifact Software 438-345-3369 rwheeler@artifact-software.com

It's not really a matter of the version. OpenSCAD only supports a subset of the DXF language. There are some types of entities defined in the DXF format that it makes no attempt to interpret. I'm not sure of the entire list of unsupported features, but POLYLINE is a very common one that doesn't work in OpenSCAD. I have files that also use the SOLID, VERTEX and SEQEND entities, which also cause OpenSCAD to throw warnings saying they're not supported. Depending on what program generated the DXF, it may use POLYINE for everything, or it may not use it at all (though most things that can export a DXF will use it for at least some types of features). The trick is to get yourself a DXF file that defines the shape you want without using any of the unsupported entities. I've had some luck opening one in a program that supports the format, then saving a new DXF (or converting to some other format, then back to DXF), but nothing terribly repeatable. On July 26, 2020 at 15:24:36, Ray West (raywest@raywest.com) wrote: Hi Ron, Thanks for your reply. There are many different versions of dxf files. I've tried a few, without getting very far. What version does opnscad expect? No point in me playing with R12, if openscad expects 2013, say. It seems that openscad works better with tinkercad. Tinkercad will accept my dxf files, but I do not really want to get into yet another file conversion situation. Perhaps tinkercad states what version it exports dxf files, I'll download a later version than the 2013 one.. The online dxf/svg file convertors seem to work OK, but again, that is another unneeded step. The four steps you've picked out is more or less my proposed work flow. I have not kept the failed dxf files, but could easily generate more. They were quite simple test outlines, straight line polygons, no curves or splines (from going through the forum, I realised they would be unlikely to be successful). Best wishes, Ray On 26/07/2020 22:16, Ron Wheeler via Discuss wrote: Am I understanding your situation correctly? 1 You want to import the dxf outline as a polygon. 2. Extrude the polygon to create a 3D object . 3. Export the 3D object in a format that can be read by gcode generator. 4. Send the OpenSCAD file to another user for them to enhance or use. You seem to be having trouble at step one but have not given any information about a.) how it fails (error messages, bad 2D shape, scaling issue???) b.) the contents of the simplest dxf file that you have tried c.) the source of the dxf file. This might help get to the bottom of your issue. Ron On 2020-07-26 4:53 p.m., Ray West wrote: Most of my cad has been in 2.5d, for 3 axis milling. Basically drawing various sections through an object, exporting as dxf into the gcode generator, and selecting paths to profile/pocket. I was hoping to change this method by programmatically extruding the shapes within openscad and exporting as stl to the gcode generator. However, i do not know what version, if any, of dxf format that openscad can import.Whatever I try, it fails, often on quite basic dxf parameters. Also, if I wish to send the scad file to another user, then they need to put the original imported dxf file in the same location. Does anyone know of a piece of software that can, say, import a dxf file and produce a list of xy coordinates, that could be readily embedded in the scad file as a polygon, say. Also, would it be possible to import that list, instead of embedding it in the scad code. _______________________________________________ OpenSCAD mailing list Discuss@lists.openscad.org http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org -- Ron Wheeler Artifact Software 438-345-3369rwheeler@artifact-software.com _______________________________________________ OpenSCAD mailing listDiscuss@lists.openscad.orghttp://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org _______________________________________________ OpenSCAD mailing list Discuss@lists.openscad.org http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org

Thanks, that was what I was finding. Openscad is not alone in not playing nicely with dxf files. I can save an stl file from my cad software (designcad, now owned by imsi), formerly known as prodesign, been around as long as autocad) but even though it is 2d, a plane, it is treated as a 3d file by openscad, and afaik therefore can not be extruded. Is the dxf file handling being worked on, or is it on the backburner, so to speak? My view, fwiw, is that at the moment, for my simpler shapes, It is more reliable for me to draw them on graph paper, and manually encode the coordinates into polygons. It can be useful to be able to reference individual points, make minor adjustments, without having to open the original program that produced the dxf file. On 27/07/2020 01:37, Whosawhatsis wrote: > It's not really a matter of the version. OpenSCAD only supports a > subset of the DXF language. There are some types of entities defined > in the DXF format that it makes no attempt to interpret. I'm not sure > of the entire list of unsupported features, but POLYLINE is a very > common one that doesn't work in OpenSCAD. I have files that also use > the SOLID, VERTEX and SEQEND entities, which also cause OpenSCAD to > throw warnings saying they're not supported. Depending on what program > generated the DXF, it may use POLYINE for everything, or it may not > use it at all (though most things that can export a DXF will use it > for at least some types of features). The trick is to get yourself a > DXF file that defines the shape you want without using any of the > unsupported entities. I've had some luck opening one in a program that > supports the format, then saving a new DXF (or converting to some > other format, then back to DXF), but nothing terribly repeatable.

You can never go wrong with a manual approach but it might be a lot of work if the polygon is really complex. It is just manual work with no thinking once you know where the vertices are. https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/Using_the_2D_Subsystem#polygon describes how to define a polygon in OpenSCAD. If you enter all the vertices, you are all set to get rid of the DXF problem and start as a native OpenSCAC object that can be extruded and modified to your hearts desire. Ron On 2020-07-26 9:33 p.m., Ray West wrote: > > Thanks, that was what I was finding. Openscad is not alone in not > playing nicely with dxf files. I can save an stl file from my cad > software (designcad, now owned by imsi), formerly known as prodesign, > been around as long as autocad) but even though it is 2d, a plane, it > is treated as a 3d file by openscad, and afaik therefore can not be > extruded. > > Is the dxf file handling being worked on, or is it on the backburner, > so to speak? My view, fwiw, is that at the moment, for my simpler > shapes, It is more reliable for me to draw them on graph paper, and > manually encode the coordinates into polygons. It can be useful to be > able to reference individual points, make minor adjustments, without > having to open the original program that produced the dxf file. > > > On 27/07/2020 01:37, Whosawhatsis wrote: >> It's not really a matter of the version. OpenSCAD only supports a >> subset of the DXF language. There are some types of entities defined >> in the DXF format that it makes no attempt to interpret. I'm not sure >> of the entire list of unsupported features, but POLYLINE is a very >> common one that doesn't work in OpenSCAD. I have files that also use >> the SOLID, VERTEX and SEQEND entities, which also cause OpenSCAD to >> throw warnings saying they're not supported. Depending on what >> program generated the DXF, it may use POLYINE for everything, or it >> may not use it at all (though most things that can export a DXF will >> use it for at least some types of features). The trick is to get >> yourself a DXF file that defines the shape you want without using any >> of the unsupported entities. I've had some luck opening one in a >> program that supports the format, then saving a new DXF (or >> converting to some other format, then back to DXF), but nothing >> terribly repeatable. > > _______________________________________________ > OpenSCAD mailing list > Discuss@lists.openscad.org > http://lists.openscad.org/mailman/listinfo/discuss_lists.openscad.org -- Ron Wheeler Artifact Software 438-345-3369 rwheeler@artifact-software.com

mondo wrote > I can save an stl file from my cad > software (designcad, now owned by imsi), formerly known as prodesign, > been around as long as autocad) but even though it is 2d, a plane, it is > treated as a 3d file by openscad, and afaik therefore can not be extruded. You can use projection() to get it to 2D. https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/OpenSCAD_User_Manual/3D_to_2D_Projection ----- Admin - email* me if you need anything, or if I've done something stupid... * click on my MichaelAtOz label, there is a link to email me. Unless specifically shown otherwise above, my contribution is in the Public Domain; to the extent possible under law, I have waived all copyright and related or neighbouring rights to this work. Obviously inclusion of works of previous authors is not included in the above. -- Sent from: http://forum.openscad.org/