Just wireframe

[EmeraldW]

I am pretty new to Mastercam but I have had some mild use of other CAM software but I am having a possible issue with DXF files that I create using another CAD program and then import into MC. When I save in the CAD program, the object is textured and solid but when I open with MC, it is just a wireframe and I can’t seem to select any faces/surfaces. I can however select parts of the wireframe.

It is also importing with a bunch of single pixel dots all around the object. So far the dots don’t seem to cause any problems but I thought I would throw them in. Any ideas of what I am doing wrong or settings I am forgetting? It also seems to through in the word difference really small near the object.

 

If it matters I am using X4.

[gms1]

DXF will not give you a solid model. You should try .step or .stp format to get the solid model.

[Vince B]

The single pixels you are seeing are probably arc centers.

[EmeraldW]

Wow that was fast! Will the dots affect anything when doing toolpaths? I don't think the CAD software I have will save as .stp, I will check it out. I will also see what I can do to save it as a format I can convert to stp.

[gcode]

what sofware are you using ??

IGES would be your second choice.

 

The arc centers will not affect your toolpaths.. unless you select one for a drill or circle toolpath

If the arc points bother you, you can turn them off on the CAD page of Sytem Config

[EmeraldW]

Don't throw anything at me but I am using Google SU Pro. I also have Autocad and another I can't think of but GSU does what I need and is quick.

[#Rekd™]

The DXF files from Google sketch up have a ton of extra lines, dots etc, virtually useless. This was not the Pro version though.

 

In most cases I would just re-draw it depending on the complexity of the part.

[EmeraldW]

I would prefer to draw in another program but gsu is just really quick and easy for the parts that I am doing. It doesn't have very many advanced abilities but it’s a tradeoff for the ease of use. For the most part the items I am making are only 2.5d anyway. I might go back to an older cad program if I can get what I want done. I have autocad but the learning curve on it for simple things sucks. I even tried to do the whole part in MC but it also seems to be a learning curve on simple tasks. I have used several cad programs for over 15 years but each one is different and feels like starting over when switching.

[#Rekd™]

I would prefer to draw in another program but gsu is just really quick and easy for the parts that I am doing. It doesn't have very many advanced abilities but it’s a tradeoff for the ease of use. For the most part the items I am making are only 2.5d anyway. I might go back to an older cad program if I can get what I want done. I have autocad but the learning curve on it for simple things sucks. I even tried to do the whole part in MC but it also seems to be a learning curve on simple tasks. I have used several cad programs for over 15 years but each one is different and feels like starting over when switching.

 

Post the file or send it over I will look at it for you.

[EmeraldW]

Thank you for the help. It will be a couple of hours before I get back to my other office but I'll post it when I get there.

[EmeraldW]

Here is the DWG file. This was just a test body so there are errors in alignment and other things but this one isn't going to get cut.

 

It wouldn't allow me to upload dwg so you will have to rename the .txt to .dwg.

ewPC2_shapping.txt

[#Rekd™]

As I said before a bunch of lines...I would just redraw it in what ever software you are comfortable with.

 

I was able to pick the bottom outline and copy it to a new level. I will look at it again in the morning.

[EmeraldW]

I've just starting learning the toolpaths but will this file/model cause too many problems when trying to setup the tool paths?

[Pete Rimkus from CNC Software Inc.]

The DWG file contains AutoCAD "Polyface mesh" entities...it's not a "Solid" so we can't import it as one (we do have the ability to import Solid bodies from DWG/DXF files, but only if they are saved in the file as solids). The Polyface Mesh is essentially a collection of facets...flat 3- or 4- sides faces. We only import them as lines showing the edges of the faces. We've considered trying to do something else with them (we do have a barely-usable "mesh" entity in Mastercam...or we could import them as lots of little trimmed surfaces) but as of now we do not.

 

You'll probably run into issues trying to get a toolpath from this DWG file because everything is broken into small linear pieces.

 

Side issue... typically, if you're seeing little "dots" around the part in Mastercam, that's because "Display Arc Center Points" is on by default. Go to Settings/Configuration/CADSettings to change that.

[EmeraldW]

So is the common file type for solid cnc parts step then? I have autocad 2011 as well but it doesnt do the step files either.

[#Rekd™]

+1000 to Pete.

 

Yes .stp generally works well with Mastercam

 

 

I was able to get some solids developed from the dwg file.

 

[EmeraldW]

What program did you use for that HG?

[#Rekd™]

Mastercam

[EmeraldW]

Oh okay. That seems to work okay but what about the curved top surface? I'll have more time to work on things later today so I will get back to learning more on MC. Thank you again for all of the help.

[#Rekd™]

With the top curve approx.

 

 

[EmeraldW]

How are you doing this in MC? So far it looks like this would work great.

[#Rekd™]

Send me an email. Hockeyguyjohn (at) gmail.com