DXF/DWG settings

Here you will find settings for processing exported files. The majority of the settings applies only to DXF files. Any changes you make here are automatically saved when you exit the program.

Flat pattern settings

This area includes the basic settings for the creation end export of flat patterns. This is valid for both the DXF and DWG files:

Merge profiles into polyline – lines and arcs will be joined to polylines.

Replace splines with line segments – splines will be approximated using linear segments with selected tolerance. Approximation precision is controlled with Tolerance value.

Rebase geometry to 1^st quadrant – all the geometry in DXF will be created in 1^st quadrant so all the X and Y coordinates are positive.

Trim centerlines at contour – trim bend centerlines where they cross holes in bends

Automatic detection of threaded holes (DXF only)

AutoDXF can automatically detect threaded (tapped) holes on flat patterns and place them on a separate DXF layer. This is useful you do not want to laser cut threaded holes but only want to laser sign their location to make them later.

If Place threaded holes on a separate layeris selected, then all threaded holes will be placed on a separate layer. You can change the thread layer name and color in the Layers tab.

Create points in thread centers defines that Point objects will be created in centers of threaded holes.

Bending information (DXF only)

This option places texts with bending angles, directions, and radii on the middle of bend lines in the DXF files. It can be used to laser sign the bending angles and directions on the sheet metal parts to simplify the bending process.

Check the option Write bend angle, direction, and radius on bend linesto enable this feature. The texts are placed on a separate layer – you can set its name and color in the Layers tab.

You can also define text height (in mm or inch), decimal places and optionally remove trailing zeros for the bend values.

Labels for UP and DOWN bend location can be customized. Enter the values in Up label and Down label fields. Leave the values empty if you do not need the directions.

This is an example of exported DXF file with angles included:

Text data (DXF only)

You can include text descriptions in the DXF files. Checking Add text descriptions to DXF will enable this option.

Available properties to include as texts are listed in the Property column: Material, Thickness, Quantity, Part Number, Stock Number, FPlen, FPwid, Unit, Item and Project.

In addition, there are also added custom iProperties available in the list.

Properties that are checked in the select column will be included in the DXF text.

You can change the prefix (green column) – that is fixed text that will be written before specific property.

You can change the order of properties by dragging and dropping them up and down the list.

The text is created on a specific layer. You can set its name and color in the Layerstab.

Set the text height as a fixed value (in mm or inch) in Text height or check Set text height as a fraction of max. flat pattern dimension to dynamically define the text height depending on the flat pattern size. The value in % of max flat pattern dimension defines the text height as a percentage of the maximum flat pattern size (length or width).

Example of a text included in a DXF file:

The text is positioned approximately in the middle of flat pattern geometry.

Detection of small holes (DXF only)

AutoDXF can detect small circular holes on the flat pattern and place them on a separate layer. This can be useful for example when laser cutting the parts and want to exclude the holes with small diameters (according to the material thickness).

Activate this option by checking Place small holes on a separate layer. You can set the layer name and color in the Layers tab.

Create points in centers of small holes will create POINT objects in centers of small holes.

The criteria for defining what is a small hole is defined as a factor (Up to hole diameter) multiplied with sheet metal thickness.

Bend marks at starts and ends of bends (DXF only)

AutoDXF can create bend marks – short lines at the starts and ends of bend lines. Example of such DXF file:

Activate this option by selecting Create bend marks at starts and ends of bend lines. Bend marks will be created on a separate layer. You can set the layer name and color in the Layers tab.

Length for UP defines the length of bend marks for bends in UP direction.

Length for DOWN defines the length of bend marks for bends in DOWN direction.

You can also define offset of bend marks from the contour with Contour offset (mm) or Contour offset (in) value.

Min. bend length defines the minimum edge length for which the band marks will be created. If you want to create bend marks for all edges enter a small value.