CAD Forum

I have a dedicated Sheet Format that I use to create .dxf files of sheet metal parts' flat patterns.

The .dxf files are later used to laser-cut the part.

Is it possible to force the scale of all inserted drawing views to 1:1?

Is that a setting somewhere?

Thanks.

I'm sure it is through programming because our DXF's are generated that way.


We use Customtools and it has a sorta DXF generator in it.

AlexLachance wrote: ↑Wed Nov 01, 2023 3:04 pm I'm sure it is through programming because our DXF's are generated that way.


We use Customtools and it has a sorta DXF generator in it.

Hi Alex,

By "programming", do you mean API?

I am not familiar with Customtools.

Is that an SW add-in?

Thanks.

Mike Gera wrote: ↑Wed Nov 01, 2023 2:40 pm I have a dedicated Sheet Format that I use to create .dxf files of sheet metal parts' flat patterns.

The .dxf files are later used to laser-cut the part.

Is it possible to force the scale of all inserted drawing views to 1:1?

Is that a setting somewhere?

Thanks.

If you uncheck the following: Then, drawing views should be set to sheet scale automatically. And if your template is set to 1:1, then it should do what you want.

DanPihlaja wrote: ↑Wed Nov 01, 2023 3:37 pm If you uncheck the following:
image.png

Then, drawing views should be set to sheet scale automatically. And if your template is set to 1:1, then it should do what you want.

Thanks.

I was hoping there would exist a Document Property. If I change it globally, I'll lose a very useful, efficiency-enhancing feature.

Mike Gera wrote: ↑Wed Nov 01, 2023 3:07 pm Hi Alex,

By "programming", do you mean API?

I am not familiar with Customtools.

Is that an SW add-in?

Thanks.

Yeah through programming. CustomTools is a 3rd party tool, but I'm sure someone has or could develop something fairly simple that works the same.

It creates a page using a designed template
It inserts the unfolded view inside of it and hides bend lines/notes
It scales it 1:1 and places it inside the page.


The video is old but the principle is the same:

irrc dxf export should have the 1:1 scale option independent from the drawing sheet settings somewhere

mp3-250 wrote: ↑Wed Nov 01, 2023 6:09 pm irrc dxf export should have the 1:1 scale option independent from the drawing sheet settings somewhere

On an .SLDDRW, Save As -> .DXF will always output 1:1?

@Mike Gera

not always.
when you select the file extension in the saveas dialog the "option" button shows just below.

inside the options you can activate the 1:1 output for dxf.
we do not need it so I have not tested if it works.

Ah, now I see that from the .SLDPRT:

File -> Save As -> .dxf

is a more direct and efficient workflow than doing a .SLDDRW first. And 1:1 is default / implied.

I would like to make a macro / API do to this in one click. Should that be possible?

Thanks.

Mike Gera wrote: ↑Wed Nov 01, 2023 4:00 pm Thanks.

I was hoping there would exist a Document Property. If I change it globally, I'll lose a very useful, efficiency-enhancing feature.

I could make you a list of the options that I think are in the wrong place, but we don't have that much time.

Glenn Schroeder wrote: ↑Thu Nov 02, 2023 8:50 am I could make you a list of the options that I think are in the wrong place, but we don't have that much time.

I hear you.

SW can export DXF 1:1 all the time. Regardless what scale the view is.

Frederick_Law wrote: ↑Thu Nov 02, 2023 10:11 am SW can export DXF 1:1 all the time. Regardless what scale the view is.

Yes. And having it export to anything other than 1:1 requires a deliberate effort, which is (surprisingly) the way it should be.

Just need some training and setup defaults which should be default when SW install.

Frederick_Law wrote: ↑Thu Nov 02, 2023 10:34 am Just need some training and setup defaults which should be default when SW install.

Training? Don't need no stinking training. Need CADForum.

Mike Gera wrote: ↑Thu Nov 02, 2023 10:45 am Training? Don't need no stinking training. Need CADForum.

Forum is where most of the training is

Frederick_Law wrote: ↑Thu Nov 02, 2023 10:59 am Forum is where most of the training is

There's also a lot to be said for just diving in and finding out what works.

Mike Gera wrote: ↑Thu Nov 02, 2023 8:34 am Ah, now I see that from the .SLDPRT:

File -> Save As -> .dxf

is a more direct and efficient workflow than doing a .SLDDRW first. And 1:1 is default / implied.

I would like to make a macro / API do to this in one click. Should that be possible?

Thanks.

Hello Mike,

I don't know if this is what you are looking for or not but we have been using on one that @Jaylin Hochstetler modified from a macro that I believe someone else created

Here is a link:

Jaylin Hochstetler wrote: ↑Wed Mar 17, 2021 8:01 am Here's a version of the Multi-body DXF macro, that Mike posted, on steroids! It allows you to either browse for the "DXFs" folder location or enter the address of the location instead of putting it in the folder the part is located in.

download/file.php?id=1387

Edited to add a link to the thread where this is located.

viewtopic.php?t=74

DLZ_SWX_User wrote: ↑Thu Nov 02, 2023 12:22 pm Hello Mike,

I don't know if this is what you are looking for or not but we have been using on that @Jaylin Hochstetler modified from a macro that I believe someone else created

Here is a link:

download/file.php?id=1387

Edited to add a link to the thread where this is located.

viewtopic.php?t=74

Thanks!

I realize that this is likely AutoCAD-related and not SolidWorks-related, but is there a way to set a default .dxf template?

Thanks.

Mike Gera wrote: ↑Tue Dec 19, 2023 11:37 am I realize that this is likely AutoCAD-related and not SolidWorks-related, but is there a way to set a default .dxf template?

Thanks.

I'm not aware of a way to set a default, but when you choose to save as .dxf, you will get an Options button near the bottom left corner of the "Save as" dialog box. The settings you choose there will be "sticky."

I hope this helps, but I'm not sure it does.

Glenn Schroeder wrote: ↑Tue Dec 19, 2023 11:45 am I'm not aware of a way to set a default, but when you choose to save as .dxf, you will get an Options button near the bottom left corner of the "Save as" dialog box. The settings you choose there will be "sticky."

I hope this helps, but I'm not sure it does.

Hi Glenn.

Yes, I did see those settings, thanks.

I want to change the default .dxg DIMSTYLE (AutoCAD setting).

Have you given a look at this?

Mike Gera wrote: ↑Tue Dec 19, 2023 11:50 am Hi Glenn.

Yes, I did see those settings, thanks.

I want to change the default .dxg DIMSTYLE (AutoCAD setting).

I believe this would be part of the SW2DXF mapfile.


As usual, sorry for the frenchitude

AlexLachance wrote: ↑Tue Dec 19, 2023 11:56 am Have you given a look at this?
image.png




I believe this would be part of the SW2DXF mapfile.


As usual, sorry for the frenchitude

Thanks, Alex.

How is a map file generated?

Are you sure the map file isn't limited to layers, colors, and line types?

ETA: I think what I want to do is going to be handled on the AutoCAD side...if it can be done.

Mike Gera wrote: ↑Tue Dec 19, 2023 12:19 pm Thanks, Alex.

How is a map file generated?

Are you sure the map file isn't limited to layers, colors, and line types?

ETA: I think what I want to do is going to be handled on the AutoCAD side...if it can be done.

It's a rather simple text file, but now that you mention it, it relates to drawing entities such as layers and not dimensions. I haven't really looked into exporting dimensions in DWG/DXF but I don't think they convert.