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IndustryArena Forum > CAM Software > BobCad-Cam > Quick BobCAD/AutoCAD Question
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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    13

    Quick BobCAD/AutoCAD Question

    Hi all,

    I just recently got my 6040z up and running thanks to all of you over on the Chinese CNC forum. I have AutoCAD already but just recently downloaded the free BobCAD-CAM v27 trial version. Using BobCAD-CAM I can open .dxf files I have from a CD I purchased and view the drawing, but cannot do so for .dxf files I have created myself in AutoCAD 2008. Is it a compatibility issue, problems with the demo version, or is this all on me?

    I will attach the two test .dxf files I am using, maybe it gives you all the same issue?

    Any help is appreciated! Thanks.
    Attached Files Attached Files

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Quick BobCAD/AutoCAD Question

    From AutoCAD, always save as v12 .dxf (Last option when using save as, and changing the file type)
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    3376

    Re: Quick BobCAD/AutoCAD Question

    your files open fine,,there just ain't nothing in there.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Quick BobCAD/AutoCAD Question

    Yeah, both of your files appear to be empty in AutoCAD 2013.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    13

    Re: Quick BobCAD/AutoCAD Question

    Really? I'm on AutoCAD 2008 and they load fine until I get nothing in BobCAD. I'll try re-saving as Gerry suggested and re-attaching to see if that changes anything. Thanks for the quick responses.
    Attached Files Attached Files

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Apr 2009
    Posts
    3376

    Re: Quick BobCAD/AutoCAD Question

    Notta............

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Quick BobCAD/AutoCAD Question

    Your files are empty. I have no idea how you could save an empty .dxf file??
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    13

    Re: Quick BobCAD/AutoCAD Question

    I have no clue I'll take a screenshot tomorrow. The first is a couple of circular drill patterns and the other is just four random lines I made into a box just as a quick test. The first one all objects are in the original layer while in the second I put the lines on a new layer I named Layer 1.

    Obviously something isn't right with my AutoCAD build...

    Thanks for the replies. I'll update tomorrow.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Posts
    4548

    Re: Quick BobCAD/AutoCAD Question

    The data is on a "paperspace".... BobCad wont import that.. I think there is some type of breakdown you have to do first to get the geometry onto a regular view, like "Top, left/right, perspective" etc..... (Model space....)

    I can open the data in a few other programs, but the6y support figuring out the "unnamed spaces" stuff.........

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Posts
    35538

    Re: Quick BobCAD/AutoCAD Question

    The files were opening in Model Space, and I didn't think to look at Paper Space.

    You shouldn't be drawing in Paper Space layouts. Everything should be drawn in Model Space.
    Gerry

    UCCNC 2017 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2017.html

    Mach3 2010 Screenset
    http://www.thecncwoodworker.com/2010.html

    JointCAM - CNC Dovetails & Box Joints
    http://www.g-forcecnc.com/jointcam.html

    (Note: The opinions expressed in this post are my own and are not necessarily those of CNCzone and its management)

  11. #11
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Posts
    13

    Re: Quick BobCAD/AutoCAD Question

    Ok great thank you! Appreciate all the responses!

  12. #12
    Join Date
    Sep 2012
    Posts
    1195

    Re: Quick BobCAD/AutoCAD Question

    Quote Originally Posted by ger21 View Post
    From AutoCAD, always save as v12 .dxf (Last option when using save as, and changing the file type)
    The rest of the issue seems resolved, but thought I'd comment on this part. Gerry is correct for generic CAM purposes, but Bobcad can work with newer formats and does not have any problems generating code from splines directly, so there's no need for R12 files. I usually use much newer formats and have not had any issues.

  13. #13

    Re: Quick BobCAD/AutoCAD Question

    In an effort to consolidate all of the 6040 and 6040z threads please post here: http://www.cnczone.com/forums/open-s...ml#post1790768

  14. #14

    Re: Quick BobCAD/AutoCAD Question

    If I want to transfer work between two packages be it documents, images or CAD I try to use a file format supported by the publishers of both but owned by neither and preferably an industry standard rather than the property of a single software house.
    Proprietors of proprietary file formats tend to bugger them about on a regular basis for no one's advantage but their own.

    - Nick

  15. #15

    Re: Quick BobCAD/AutoCAD Question

    Quote Originally Posted by Dean Elliott View Post
    In an effort to consolidate all of the 6040 and 6040z threads please post here: http://www.cnczone.com/forums/open-s...ml#post1790768
    This question was machining platform independent, the OP happens to have a chinese router but this was completely irrelevant to the question and any answers proffered.
    As a query on getting AutoCad work into BobCAD-Cam it was definitely best placed here for the greatest chance of a good answer and also for best exposure of any answers to future searchers with a similar question.

    - Nick

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