Machsupport Forum
G-Code, CAD, and CAM => LazyCam (Beta) => Topic started by: Mishawaka on February 04, 2011, 03:04:26 PM
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Hi, newbie here. I am having problems opening DXF files with LazyCam. It keeps saying "no entities found" then says file loaded but it doesn't show the image. Any suggestions? ???
Better yet, I have Inventor Professor 2011 and I can somehow import a file from to LazyCam then I would soooo happy.
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These are the steps I did when I used to use LazyCam:
I click "File-Save as" and a dialog box comes up and under "save as type", I save it as Autocad release 11/12 ASCII (dxf).
That should open up perfectly in your lazycam, Let us know how it works out-
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Misha, close the DXF file in AutoCad before you try to import the file into LC. If the file is still open, LC won't import it from AutoCad.
Bob@BobsShop
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I don't get the option of saving it to 11/12 ASCII (dxf). I also tried tried exporting to a different format and no go. I also tried closing AutoCAD before opening into LazyCam but no go. Does AutoCAD being 2011 make a difference? Anymore suggestions I can try?
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Is you use Save As, is the last option still v12 .dxf? If so, use that.
Is this just a 2D drawing? Are you using splines?
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No v12.dxf option and it is a 2D drawing. Not sure what you mean by splines. I took classes on Inventor last semester and really didn't touch AutoCAD but it came with Inventor and that is the only program I know of that I can use to save to dxf or anything that is supposed to be compatible with LazyCam. I downloaded FreeMill and noticed it opens litho files so I saved it to that but after I saved to my desktop I can't find it. I downloaded a few dxf files from the web and they open fine in LazyCam but everything I make and save won't open except in AutoCAD. The reason I need to get this to work is because whenever I try LazyCam to open a photo and get the code it distorts the code so much it isn't usable. I now kinda think I need to concentrate on learning more about AutoCAD but just not sure if that's the case.
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How bout you post one of the files "as drawn" so we might see what you're working with ?
Thanks
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Post a .dxf you're saving so I can look at it.
And you can't really save a 2D drawing as an .stl file.
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Here it is.
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AutoCAD 2009 can't even open it. You need to save it as the oldest .dxf version possible for it to have a chance of working.
What's the oldest .dxf version you can save as? try that and post again.
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Had to rename it, website wouldn't let upload with the same name.
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WOW, I haven't seen much, but this is the strangest.
I can open it with ProdgeCad 08 but cant save it as anything ... from r12 up to 2007 dwg or dxf or ascii or ANYTHING.
Wish I could help, but this is way ot there for me.
Russ
edit: forgot pic
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Russ, he imported a .jpg image into AutoCAD and saved it as a .dxf file.
Mishawaka, that's the problem. You can't do that, with ANY CAM program.
When using a .dxf file with a CAM program, it should really only contain lines, arcs, and circles.
Can LazyCAM import jpg files directly? Depending on what you want to do, that might be your best bet. If, you want to carve it as a 3D object.
However, if the image is a line drawing, you probably want to use a raster to vector converter to convert it into lines, then save the conversion as a .dxf
Personally, if it's a line drawing, I import it into AutoCAD, then trace it manually. Results will be much better. However, it sounds like you know very little about AutoCAD, so that may not be an option.
I recommend posting the image here, so we can get an idea of what you're looking to do, then steer you in the right direction. Most likely, that doesn't involve AutoCAD.
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I went ahead and looked for a raster to converter program, found a few and tried them. One worked OK so far but cost money and can't go that route since I would still need to edit in AutoCAD. I kinda like the tracing method you mentioned and I will try that later. I really wish my teacher would have taught us AutoCAD with Inventor instead of going through the history of graphics and and crap. Thanks for the help and will hopefully get all this figured out. I have a Taig mill setup with Mach3 and I have cut a few things already, I can program but I don't have much talent in the drawing area. I'm attaching the dxf of what I have come up with so far. Thanks Again!
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Hey ger21, I ended up doing what you mentioned about tracing the picture in AutoCAD and it seems to be the best route to go, Thanks for the suggestion. I'm still having problems with inserting a G41 or G42 for cutter comp. It throws the code off when I a dry run in MACH so I decided to just try a cut and see what it does. I'll let you know how it goes. Is there any other controller software that I could try with a Gecko G540? I like MACH3 but it seems kinda complicated for the most part. Thanks again!
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Is there any other controller software that I could try with a Gecko G540?
Yes, but then why try something which will be inferior? ;)
I like MACH3 but it seems kinda complicated for the most part
So are the others ........since you'll need to do similar configuration.
RICH