Saving as DXF

You can save the generated geometry as a DXF document.

For more information, see Drafting User's Guide: Dealing with DXF/ DWG Data.

  1. From the Tools section of the action bar, click Save as Dxf .
  2. Enter a name for the Dxf file.
  3. Select the sheet metal body.
  4. To generate a Dxf file with an unfolded body, select Use linked flat view , and then select the flat body.
    Modifications made to the unfolded body will be present in the generated Dxf file.
  5. Select which data to export in the dxf file.

    Colors can be modified using the color picker.

    OptionDescription
    Bend lines Only bend lines are exported and represented in the drawing.
    Stamp lines Only stamps lines are exported and represented in the drawing.
    Mapped elements Only curved mapping elements, created with a folded body using the Characteristic element, Marking, or Engraving types are exported and represented in the drawing.

    For more information, see Mapping Elements.
    Sketches Only the reference sides of the body are exported and represented in the drawing.
  6. Select the outline of the 3D shape between Top and Bottom.

    The selected reference side is used to extract the boundary of the sheetmetal body.

  7. Optional: Modify the Tolerance value.
    • The tolerance is used to compute circles and lines. The thinner the tolerance, the better circles and lines are represented in the drawing.
    • A tolerance specified to 0mm means that the discretization of splines is impossible. In that case, the curves are shown as circles.
    DXF file saved with a 0,001mm tolerance

    DXF file saved with a 10mm tolerance

  8. Click Save as and indicate the path and file name.
  9. Click Save and close the representation.
    The geometry is saved and can be imported as a DXF file in a system that supports this file type.
  10. Select Add > Import > File.
    The Import from file dialog box appears.
  11. Choose the DFX(.dxf) file type and then select the saved 3D shape.
  12. Click Open.
    The unfolded view of the 3D shape is opened within the Drafting app, because the .dxf type is recognized as being a drafting type of document. The axes of bends and planar hems, tear drops, or flanges are automatically displayed on the drawing.

    Warning: The DXF output file includes the representation of simple holes and lateral chamfers. However, it does not include the representations of complex holes such as counter-bore, counter-sunk, thread features, etc.) and longitudinal chamfers. Therefore, these features are also represented as simple holes in the DXF output file.