Difference between revisions of "TubeCAD - Importing DXF Files"

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*Performs 3D intersection between the intersecting lines
 
*Performs 3D intersection between the intersecting lines
 
*Detects and removes inherent intersection errors
 
*Detects and removes inherent intersection errors
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 +
<br><br>
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 +
== Programs That Can Create DXF Files==
 +
 +
<table>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td width="200">
 +
There are many CAD programs on the market that can create the "Drawing Interchange Format".  This format has been around for years and was originally designed by AutoDesk for use with AutoCAD.
 +
<br><br>
 +
The DXF file is way to export to other programs the data inside a drawing.
 +
</td>
 +
<td>
 +
[[image:autocad_2010.jpg|200px]]
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</td>
 +
</tr>
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</table>
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 +
<table>
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<tr>
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<td width="200">
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Use the Unigraphics NX DXF building capability to create parts for TubeCAD Pro.
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</td>
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<td>
 +
[[image:unigraphics_nx.jpg|200px]]
 +
</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
</table>
  
 
== Step 1: Export the Drawing as a DXF from the General CAD Package==
 
== Step 1: Export the Drawing as a DXF from the General CAD Package==
 +
<table>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td width="200">
 +
Design the tube in general CAD package.  This is an image of the DWGeditor program from SolidWorks.  It is based on the [[CADopia]] software package.
 +
<br><br>
 +
If you receive DXF files from customers, then it is appropriate to use a general CAD program like CADopia to check that the file is setup properly:
 +
 +
*The tube centerline needs to be placed on a unique layer.
 +
*The tube arc centerlines should be placed on another unique layer.
 +
*There should be no extraneous entities (lines or arcs) on those layers.
 +
<br><br>
 +
If you have made changes, then after the drawing meets these qualifications, export the drawing to a new DXF file that can be imported to TubeCAD Pro.
 +
</td>
 +
<td>
 
[[image:dwgeditor_tube.jpg|400px]]
 
[[image:dwgeditor_tube.jpg|400px]]
 +
</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
</table>
 +
 +
  
 
== Step 2: Load TubeCAD Pro and Initialize the Units ==
 
== Step 2: Load TubeCAD Pro and Initialize the Units ==
 +
<table>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td width="200">
 
*Load TubeCAD Pro.
 
*Load TubeCAD Pro.
 
*If your incoming part was drawn in inches, then press the New Part in Inches button.  (This is the button with the blue ball.)
 
*If your incoming part was drawn in inches, then press the New Part in Inches button.  (This is the button with the blue ball.)
 
*If your incoming part was drawn in millimeters, then press the New Part in Millimeters button.  (This is the button with the red ball.)<br><br>
 
*If your incoming part was drawn in millimeters, then press the New Part in Millimeters button.  (This is the button with the red ball.)<br><br>
 +
</td>
 +
<td>
 
[[image:tcadpro_dxfimport1.jpg|400px]]
 
[[image:tcadpro_dxfimport1.jpg|400px]]
 +
</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
</table>
  
 
== Step 3: Start the DXF File Import Feature ==
 
== Step 3: Start the DXF File Import Feature ==
 +
 +
<table>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td width="200">
 
In the File pulldown menu, select the Import - DXF File command.  Select the DXF file to import then press OK.
 
In the File pulldown menu, select the Import - DXF File command.  Select the DXF file to import then press OK.
−
<br><br>
 
−
[[image:tcadpro_dxfimport3.jpg|400px]]
 
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
 
*Select DXF file.
 
*Select DXF file.
 
*Select the centerline layer name and the centerline arc layer name
 
*Select the centerline layer name and the centerline arc layer name
 
*Press "Load File"
 
*Press "Load File"
 +
</td>
 +
<td>
 +
[[image:tcadpro_dxfimport3.jpg|400px]]
 +
</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
</table>
 +
 +
<br><br>
  
 
== Step 4: Organize the Layout ==
 
== Step 4: Organize the Layout ==
 +
<table>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td width="200">
 
The display will change.  It may look something like this.  If you see nothing, then press the Zoom Extents feature.
 
The display will change.  It may look something like this.  If you see nothing, then press the Zoom Extents feature.
−
<br><br>
 
−
[[image:tcadpro_dxfimport4.jpg|400px]]
 
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
 
*Type the word "auto" in the command line and press the Enter key.
 
*Type the word "auto" in the command line and press the Enter key.
 
*Enter "4" and press Enter.  This selects the most comprehensive formatting available for TubeCAD Pro layouts.
 
*Enter "4" and press Enter.  This selects the most comprehensive formatting available for TubeCAD Pro layouts.
 
*The layout will reorganize itself like this:
 
*The layout will reorganize itself like this:
 +
</td>
 +
<td>
 +
[[image:tcadpro_dxfimport4.jpg|400px]]
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
 
[[image:tcadpro_dxfimport5.jpg|400px]]
 
[[image:tcadpro_dxfimport5.jpg|400px]]
 +
</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
</table>
  
 
== Step 5: Set the Diameter ==
 
== Step 5: Set the Diameter ==
 +
<table>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td width="200">
 
The incoming data will not contain a diameter, so you can set that value in the General Spec menu.
 
The incoming data will not contain a diameter, so you can set that value in the General Spec menu.
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
−
[[image:tcadpro_dxfimport6.jpg|400px]]
 
−
<br>
 
 
*Either press the GS button or type "spec" and press Enter.
 
*Either press the GS button or type "spec" and press Enter.
 
*Enter the diameter in the Outer Diameter field
 
*Enter the diameter in the Outer Diameter field
 
*Press the "Reset View Diameters" button.
 
*Press the "Reset View Diameters" button.
 
*Press the OK button at the bottom of the window
 
*Press the OK button at the bottom of the window
−
<br><br>
+
</td>
 +
<td>
 +
[[image:tcadpro_dxfimport6.jpg|400px]]
 +
</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
</table>
 +
 
 +
<table>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td width="200">
 
The image will display something like this:<br>
 
The image will display something like this:<br>
 +
</td>
 +
<td>
 
[[image:tcadpro_dxfimport7.jpg|400px]]
 
[[image:tcadpro_dxfimport7.jpg|400px]]
−
 
+
</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
</table>
  
 
== Step 6: Zoom Extents ==
 
== Step 6: Zoom Extents ==
 +
<table>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td width="200">
 
Zoom to the extents to see the entire layout.
 
Zoom to the extents to see the entire layout.
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
 +
This entire process takes just a few minutes.
 +
</td>
 +
<td>
 
[[image:tcadpro_dxfimport8.jpg|400px]]
 
[[image:tcadpro_dxfimport8.jpg|400px]]
−
<br>
+
</td>
−
 
+
</tr>
 +
</table>
  
 
== Other Pages ==
 
== Other Pages ==
  
 
Go back to [[TubeCAD Pro]]
 
Go back to [[TubeCAD Pro]]

Latest revision as of 16:55, 10 July 2009

Tcadpro logo.jpg

Contents

TubeCAD can import DXF files directly. The DXF import feature in TubeCAD...

  • Imports the DXF data
  • Sorts the centerline segments into the proper order
  • Performs 3D intersection between the intersecting lines
  • Detects and removes inherent intersection errors



Programs That Can Create DXF Files

There are many CAD programs on the market that can create the "Drawing Interchange Format". This format has been around for years and was originally designed by AutoDesk for use with AutoCAD.

The DXF file is way to export to other programs the data inside a drawing.

Autocad 2010.jpg

Use the Unigraphics NX DXF building capability to create parts for TubeCAD Pro.

Unigraphics nx.jpg

Step 1: Export the Drawing as a DXF from the General CAD Package

Design the tube in general CAD package. This is an image of the DWGeditor program from SolidWorks. It is based on the CADopia software package.

If you receive DXF files from customers, then it is appropriate to use a general CAD program like CADopia to check that the file is setup properly:

  • The tube centerline needs to be placed on a unique layer.
  • The tube arc centerlines should be placed on another unique layer.
  • There should be no extraneous entities (lines or arcs) on those layers.



If you have made changes, then after the drawing meets these qualifications, export the drawing to a new DXF file that can be imported to TubeCAD Pro.

Dwgeditor tube.jpg


Step 2: Load TubeCAD Pro and Initialize the Units

  • Load TubeCAD Pro.
  • If your incoming part was drawn in inches, then press the New Part in Inches button. (This is the button with the blue ball.)
  • If your incoming part was drawn in millimeters, then press the New Part in Millimeters button. (This is the button with the red ball.)

Tcadpro dxfimport1.jpg

Step 3: Start the DXF File Import Feature

In the File pulldown menu, select the Import - DXF File command. Select the DXF file to import then press OK.

  • Select DXF file.
  • Select the centerline layer name and the centerline arc layer name
  • Press "Load File"

Tcadpro dxfimport3.jpg



Step 4: Organize the Layout

The display will change. It may look something like this. If you see nothing, then press the Zoom Extents feature.

  • Type the word "auto" in the command line and press the Enter key.
  • Enter "4" and press Enter. This selects the most comprehensive formatting available for TubeCAD Pro layouts.
  • The layout will reorganize itself like this:

Tcadpro dxfimport4.jpg

Tcadpro dxfimport5.jpg

Step 5: Set the Diameter

The incoming data will not contain a diameter, so you can set that value in the General Spec menu.

  • Either press the GS button or type "spec" and press Enter.
  • Enter the diameter in the Outer Diameter field
  • Press the "Reset View Diameters" button.
  • Press the OK button at the bottom of the window

Tcadpro dxfimport6.jpg

The image will display something like this:

Tcadpro dxfimport7.jpg

Step 6: Zoom Extents

Zoom to the extents to see the entire layout.

This entire process takes just a few minutes.

Tcadpro dxfimport8.jpg

Other Pages

Go back to TubeCAD Pro

Retrieved from "http://www.advancedtubular.wiki/index.php?title=TubeCAD_-_Importing_DXF_Files&oldid=11339"