Need Help Signmaster CUT 5.0 dxf help

[Banjobend]

Hello,

I recently purchase a vinyl cutter and I have an issue with the software. It came with Signmaster CUT 5.0. Ive been using CAD and cutting software for years on our CNC plasma table so I know the basics.

My problem is, when I load a DXF file into signmaster and attempt to cut it, it does not see the lines as continuous paths. Take this T-rex for instance. It sees it as a group of objects and will bounce around instead of doing one continuous cut. Now if I take the same image and vectorize it and save it as an SVG, there is no problem. So far ive been able to cut everything I need as an SVG, but the software I prefer to use can only create DXF files so I'd like to figure it out. Ive tried grouping the objects into one group but it still cuts as if they are not one.

Any thoughts?

 

[JBurton]

Oh boy, the joys of starting with cnc, then moving to plotting! What software are you using to generate the DXF files? Are there any settings for polyline or arcs?
The simplest solution may be to just use an intermediate software to generate something that signmaster is happy with, or perhaps a plugin on your cad software to generate the dxf's signmaster will import.

 

[Banjobend]

Oh boy, the joys of starting with cnc, then moving to plotting! What software are you using to generate the DXF files? Are there any settings for polyline or arcs?
The simplest solution may be to just use an intermediate software to generate something that signmaster is happy with, or perhaps a plugin on your cad software to generate the dxf's signmaster will import.

I use solidedge for all our drafting in the shop and design work for the plasma table. If I do any "artistic" drafting for signs and metal sceneray, I use inkscape. Inkscape is where I can create SVG files, but its not as good for creating designs were dimmensions are key. Say, fitting a vinyl cut decal to a plasma cut shape. Usually if dimmensions are critical, I will design somthing in inkscape, then send it over to solidedge to scale it to the size i need, then save it as a DXF.

I would be perfectly happy using inkscape for all my designs that are going to the plotter, except I am not sure if its capable of doing exactly what I need. Or im just bias towards the CAD program.

On another note, I designed and built a headache rack for my pickup. I cut the steel on my plaz and had a sign shop cut and install the vinyl, which I designed using the same software, and they cut it without issue. As you can see, the size of the vinyl on this was critical.

 

[JBurton]

Or im just bias towards the CAD program.

Nothing wrong with that, as long as you are willing to jump through some hoops.
Upload your trex example here as a dxf, and dimensions, and I'll see how it opens on my end. You can just rename the extension to .pdf to get the site to post it.

 

[Banjobend]

Try this

 

[Dale D]

I thought Solidedge would export .ai or .pdf that can be used. I know Solidworks and Rhino 3d can.

 

[JBurton]

Try this

It came in as 186 objects, at least they were all properly shaped still.

Does Solidedge have any options when exporting the dxf?

 

[Dale D]

My problem is, when I load a DXF file into signmaster and attempt to cut it, it does not see the lines as continuous paths.

Can you joint them into a closed curve before export in SolidEdge into a closed Polyline? I cant remember as I havent used it in 6 months. I pulled this from Rhino, however it may help.... I have SolidEdge myself and became frustrated with Siemens lack of support and bought Rhino. I do remember when exporting, there is a "Option" button that shows up and has a ton of additional export settings.

Exporting DXF with Closed Curves​

Problem: Exporting DXF for waterjet cutting, some times opening the DXF in the CAM software produces an abundance of open curves, even if the curves are all closed in the 3DM file. How can you solve this issue?
Solution: When you export DXF, you are writing to the AutoCAD DXF format.

• In AutoCAD there are line, arc, circle… close curves are polylines that contain lines and arcs.
• So, when you say the curves are closed in Rhino, and not in DXF, that is because the DXF scheme that you are using is converting Rhino Curves to lines, and arcs.
• AutoCAD's closed curve object is Polyline.
• If you want closed curves in the water jet or plasma software, then you may have to export Polylines, and make sure they are not exploded when exported.

 

[Dale D]

Does this help...

Saving Solid Edge documents to other formats

 

[JBurton]

Sounds like Dale has this figured out! Personally, I find dxf's to be the most problematic format I've dealt with for consistency, second only to .plt files from my old router.