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Mogal  
#1 Posted : Wednesday, August 20, 2014 9:48:18 AM(UTC)
Mogal

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Joined: 1/12/2011(UTC)
Posts: 131

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Is there a way to save the line weights within the DXF file?

I need my DXF file to be at least a weight of two.
When I save the VCP format the line weight saves.
When I export to DXF, the line weight does not save with the file.
(Although the file is larger than the original DXF file)

Original DXF file: 1,322kb
2 weight DXF file: 2,068kb

No matter what program I import to, the line weights are still 'one'

Any ideas?

SITUATION:

I'm trying to send my DXF files to the plotter. But with a 'one' weight, the lines are too faint.
If I can get a 'two' weight, the lines would come out thicker...
The plotter program is Smart Sketch v4.

Hope this makes sense?
Mogal  
#2 Posted : Wednesday, August 20, 2014 9:56:55 AM(UTC)
Mogal

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Uhm...

My original DXF file (from another program) is 1,322kb
The EXACT same DXF file exported by ViaCAD is: 2,068kb

What does ViaCAD add to the DXF file to make it 700kb larger?!
Mogal  
#3 Posted : Wednesday, August 20, 2014 10:03:40 AM(UTC)
Mogal

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Uhm...

My original DXF file (from another program) is 1,322kb
The EXACT same DXF file exported by ViaCAD is: 2,068kb

What does ViaCAD add to the DXF file to make it 700kb larger?!
Mogal  
#4 Posted : Wednesday, August 20, 2014 10:07:04 AM(UTC)
Mogal

Rank: Senior Member

Joined: 1/12/2011(UTC)
Posts: 131

Was thanked: 3 time(s) in 3 post(s)
Uhm...

My original DXF file (from another program) is 1,322kb
The EXACT same DXF file exported by ViaCAD is: 2,068kb

What does ViaCAD add to the DXF file to make it 700kb larger?!

Exporting the DXF file saves info such as layers and colors, but not the line weights?!
Tim Olson  
#5 Posted : Wednesday, August 20, 2014 11:38:51 AM(UTC)
Tim Olson

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Joined: 2/2/2007(UTC)
Posts: 5,447
United States

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I just tested line weights and all seems ok on this end. Is it possible the app you are reading the file does not support line weights?

Also by default AutoCAD does not display line weights. You need to turn it on by Format/Lineweight/Display Weight in Graphics Area

For size, I really don't have much control over that. We use the OpenDesign libs for DWG. I suspect the file has more default definitions as OpenDesign holds close to the AutoCAD format.

If the above still does not help, I may need to have access to the file.

Tim
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Tim Olson
IMSI Design/Encore
Mogal  
#6 Posted : Thursday, September 4, 2014 9:14:03 AM(UTC)
Mogal

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Posts: 131

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Here is a video of my workflow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=...zHsWLuo&feature=youtu.be

Steps taken:
1. Created the DXF file from VCarve pro.
2. Imported DXF file with Viacad.
3. Changed line weight to '2' then exported DXF file.
(The saved, modified DXF file is now larger)
4. Closed the windows, and started a new file.
5. Imported the modified DXF file into Viacad.
6. checked the line weight, and it is not a weight of '2' as saved.

Attached are the DXF Files used in the video.

I just need heavier line weights when I print the DXF files.
The program being used to print the DXF files is Smart Sketch 4.0
Tim Olson  
#7 Posted : Thursday, September 4, 2014 2:31:29 PM(UTC)
Tim Olson

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Joined: 2/2/2007(UTC)
Posts: 5,447
United States

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Ok I see the problem, thanks for the video! A couple of issues I found:

1. AutoCAD R12 does not support pen weights. When you export, if you can use a newer format that would be great. In my tests I used R 2013 with MM units.

2. The pixel based weights are getting scaled incorrectly esp wrt to AutoCAD default weights. I've corrected this in build 1132. Until then if you can use the model pen weights for your exports that would help. I believe AutoCAD uses 0.25mm for a default line weight. If you use something like 0.3mm you will see a thick line relative to the default lines going in/out of dwg.

Many thanks for bringing this up plus providing videos and example files!!


Tim
Tim Olson
IMSI Design/Encore
Mogal  
#8 Posted : Thursday, September 4, 2014 5:40:19 PM(UTC)
Mogal

Rank: Senior Member

Joined: 1/12/2011(UTC)
Posts: 131

Was thanked: 3 time(s) in 3 post(s)
All-right!
(Video's sure do help huh?!)

That works for the line weights!
I can't use R 2013, as it crashes the program at import! (Smart Sketch 4.0)

But I can get away with using R 2000, it (seems to) save with line weights.
Although, when I set the line weight to 0.010" and reload it, it comes up as
user defined (0.012")
I haven't had a chance to use 0.005 (it saves as 0.0051)

But thanks, at least now I can make some further progress.
I have 19 drawings to do, and the one here is the smallest of the bunch!
Mogal  
#9 Posted : Thursday, September 4, 2014 5:55:56 PM(UTC)
Mogal

Rank: Senior Member

Joined: 1/12/2011(UTC)
Posts: 131

Was thanked: 3 time(s) in 3 post(s)
All-right!
(Video's sure do help huh?!)

That works for the line weights!
I can't use R 2013, as it crashes the program at import! (Smart Sketch 4.0)

But I can get away with using R 2000, it (seems to) save with line weights.
Although, when I set the line weight to 0.010" and reload it, it comes up as
user defined (0.012")
I haven't had a chance to use 0.005 (it saves as 0.0051)

But thanks, at least now I can make some further progress.
I have 19 drawings to do, and the one here is the smallest of the bunch!
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