[brian257]

I do all of my work in AutoCad and I found that the DXF output works great for cut files into Lasercad, but for engraving, not so much. I have a few issues. For some reason text in true type fonts work are saved in the DXF, but the text winds up missing when imported into Lasercad. Hatches used for solid fill wind up as just outlines when imported into Lasercad.

Since I work mostly with things that need exact alignment and precise cuts along with the engraving I really need to do the files in AutoCad, but this is just not working. AutoCad does not have a great output when plotting as a JPG so I need to make a PDF and then convert from PDF to JPG to make a raster file with acceptable resolution, but then the resolution is still not as good as I need and I wind up loosing my vector lines that I use for cuts. Possibly I could make an engrave file as a raster with a separate cut file as vector, but I they will probably not align correctly and still not the resolution I need for the engraving.

How are the rest of you making your files when you need AutoCad precision?

[ger21]

Explode the hatches before exporting.

You also need to explode the text. To explode the text, you need to use the Express Tools Text Explode command.

[brian257]

Exploding text makes just an outline of the text. That would work if I wanted to cut out the text, but I need to engrave the text and keep the text filled.

Hatches will not explode.

[ger21]

Hatches will not explode.

I've been exploding hatches for 20 years. Works fine here.

If you want to get filled text from an AutoCAD .dxf, you'll need to explode the text, fill it with a hatch, then explode the hatch.

[brian257]

What fill pattern are you using for your hatches? I did some experimenting and solid fill does not explode. The other fill patterns explode to a bunch of line segments. Is that how you are doing it or are you somehow exploding solid fills? Even if I can get solid fill hatch to explode it is still a rather convoluted way to engrave. There must be something easier?

[ger21]

No, you can't explode the solid hatch.
And yes, that's what hatch patterns are, a bunch of line segments.

Sorry, don't have any laser experience to help further.

[brian257]

Thanks Ger, but that won't do me any good. Lines can be vector cut, but not raster engraved.

[brian257]

Well, now I feel stupid, but happy that it works.

It seems that when you explode the text and input it into Lasercad it shows up on the screen as just outlines, but when you select that layer to raster engrave it does the fill on its own. It does the same with any closed shape that you draw without having to hatch it. Select cut and it cuts the outline or select engrave and it fills.

Thanks Ger for providing the text solution even if it is by accident.