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Exporting for Autocad - polylines vs splines 
 
 
        
            
            
    
        
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                Hi, I've had some issues with ACAD users when I export from Shark to .dwg:   the curves which I've created using the 3-point Conic are seen as splines to the ACAD users.  It needs to be polylines for programming to cut. Are conics splines?  If so, what tools can I use to create curves to that they are exported as polylines?  Or - what exporting parameters should i set? Thanks!
            
  
         
     
 
    
        
            
     
    
        
            
        
     
 
    
        
     
 
            
        
            
        
            
            
    
        
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                I am not familiar with the 3 point conic, but I've always had good results exporting as an R12 .dxf for CNC plasma, waterjet and milling machine files. Larry
            
  
         
     
 
    
        
            
     
    
        
            
        
     
 
    
        
     
 
            
        
    
        
            
            
    
        
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                Originally Posted by: flatpack  Hi, I've had some issues with ACAD users when I export from Shark to .dwg:   the curves which I've created using the 3-point Conic are seen as splines to the ACAD users.  It needs to be polylines for programming to cut. Are conics splines?  If so, what tools can I use to create curves to that they are exported as polylines?  Or - what exporting parameters should i set? Thanks!
Hello
Use the tool in the arc pallet called "Arcs From Curves"  Arcs are much better for CNC equipment than polylines.
Regards
Jason
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                Originally Posted by: L. Banasky  I am not familiar with the 3 point conic, but I've always had good results exporting as an R12 .dxf for CNC plasma, waterjet and milling machine files. Larry
Thanks Larry, I've been exporting as a 2013 .dwg, 2d flat drawings – mainly because that is the standard they request.  
is a .dxf mainly for 3d?  Not super knowledgeable about that. 
 
            
  
         
     
 
    
        
            
     
    
        
            
        
     
 
    
        
     
 
            
        
    
        
            
            
    
        
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                Originally Posted by: jdi000   Use the tool in the arc pallet called "Arcs From Curves"  Arcs are much better for CNC equipment than polylines. Regards Jason
Ok noted with thanks.  Could you kindly elaborate on how it works please? I've never used it before.
 
            
  
         
     
 
    
        
            
     
    
        
            
        
     
 
    
        
     
 
            
        
            
        
            
            
    
        
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                I can open 2010 autocad files if you would like me to check them for you? See that we get it right before you go to your customer with it? 
            
  
         
     
 
    
        
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                 <<<<<Thanks Larry, I've been exporting as a 2013 .dwg, 2d flat drawings – mainly because that is the standard they request.  is a .dxf mainly for 3d? Not super knowledgeable about that.>>>>> Mostly for 2d outlines, depends on the CAM program, really 2 1/2 d, the .dxf files can be used for drilling and tapping, milling pockets and slots etc. Larry
            
  
         
     
 
    
        
            
     
    
        
            
        
     
 
    
        
     
 
            
        
            
        
            
            
    
        
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                Just in case you miss converting to an ARC or LINE.
The EXPORT to r12 .dxf does it automatically.
Larry
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                Originally Posted by: L. Banasky  Just in case you miss converting to an ARC or LINE. The EXPORT to r12 .dxf does it automatically. Larry
Larry
Aren't these lines polylines and can have many little lines causing stops and starts if everything is arcs its a much smoother cut.
Regards
Jason 
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                Seems to be a non-segmented line, I've been using the r12 .dxf
export for over 10 years, and the CNC plasma cuts fine.
Really don't know the difference between a Curve, Line, or Polyline.
Just works.
Larry
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                Originally Posted by: L. Banasky  Seems to be a non-segmented line, I've been using the r12 .dxf export for over 10 years, and the CNC plasma cuts fine. Really don't know the difference between a Curve, Line, or Polyline. Just works. Larry
Larry
Yes I guess it depends on the software generating the cnc code, and how it handles splines and polylines.
Regards 
Jason
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