Hi,

Generally, I'm asking help for stuff, but this time I have some invaluable info for everybody using autocad with text entries.

If you are trying to put .dxf files with text into LazyCAM, then you need this tip!

Draw your text into autocad, whatever font you like, then type this command in:

txtexp

select your text as the object.

voila, you have now exploded the text into multiple lines which most cam packages should handle as polylines.  If you find that some shapes are still linked, use the regular command, explode, to finish it off.

Hope this helps somebody.

atang,
Is the comand you posted correct? It didn't work for me.
Rich

hi Rich,

i googled the command, txtexp, it came back saying it was only in versions since R14 and not available in Autocad LT, also, it may be in express tools under some versions.  which version do you have, i have 2008.

thanks,
aaron.

The text explode command is an Express Tool command. Under the Express menu, see Text>Explode Text.

If you don't have the Express Tools, here's a good alternative.

http://www.dwgtool.com/outline.htm

While on the AutoCAD subject, I've written a macro that directly exports g-code from AutoCAD, and is (imo) far easier to use than LazyCAM. Works in 2002 and newer.

http://tinyurl.com/cghkzp

Thanks for the posting Gerry. I will have to try your macro out.

One thing that i always disliked about exploding text was that you just got lines.
Depending on what your doing it dosn't look good.
For one project, drew each letter of the alphabet using lines and arc's and the gcode / amount of
movement was cut big time. Darned if i can find that drawing or the single line text file for windows.

You can buy single line text but I'm just too cheap!

RICH

If you can use txtexp in autocad, and want single line text, use vivaldi, or *.txt in Multi Line text.

Why when I import a dxf file into Lazycam I get the message
Loading file entities
Loading complete
Applying option filters
Duplicate entity removal
No entities found

Is it just text? Can you post the .dxf here?

make sure it is a .dxf that is compatible with lazycam, if using autocad, try using the R12 version when you select save.