DXF/DWG settings

Here you will find settings for processing exported files. Most of the settings apply only for the DXF files.

Processing limitations for iParts and library parts

Some of the processing functions that AutoDXF offers require pre-processing on the flat patterns before they are exported. This is limited if the part is saved in a read-only (library) folder or if the part is iPart.

In short – all the functions available should work for ordinary parts and model states parts if they are saved in a read-write folder (usually workspace). There are certain limitations for iParts even if they are saved in the workspace and limitations for parts saved in library folders.

The table below shows the available functions for different types and locations of parts:

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:

Replace splines – splines will be approximated using linear segments or arcs (only Inventor 2023) with selected tolerance. Approximation precision is controlled with Tolerance value.
The meaning of tolerance value for linear and arc approximation is shown below:

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

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

Threads (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/plasma 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 (AutoDXF Threads). You can change the thread layer name, color and visibility in the Layers tab.

Create points in thread centres defines that Point objects will be created in the centres of threaded holes. The points are placed on a separate layer (AutoDXF Threads Points). You can change the layer name, color and visibility in the Layers tab.

Create crosses in thread centres defines that crosshairs with defined size will be created in the centres of threaded holes. The crosshairs are placed on a separate layer (AutoDXF Threads Points). You can change the layer name, color and visibility in the Layers tab.

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 (AutoDXF Bend Info) – you can set its name, color and visibility in the Layers tab.

The content of bend information is set with a Scheme. There are 4 attributes available:

<ANG> - bend angle measured from outside
<ANGB> - bend angle measured from inside
<DIR> - bend direction
<RAD> - bend radius

Those will be replaced with actual values. Anything else will be treated as static text. Here are few scheme examples and the outcome text (for angle 90, radius 2 and direction UP):

Scheme Resulting bend information
<ANG> - <DIR> -R<RAD>              90 – UP -R2
<ANG>, bend <DIR>                       90, bend UP
<RAD>mm <DIR>                            2mm UP
<RAD>mm <DIR> <ANG>deg      2mm UP 90deg

Click reset button () to reset the scheme to the default setting: <ANG> - <DIR> -R<RAD>

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 using a scheme <ANG>  <DIR> R<RAD>::

Info over mark defines that the bend information is written above the bend mark instead on the middle of the full bend line. This option is available only when Write bend angle, direction, and radius on bend lines is selected.

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, Project and Revision Number.

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 (AutoDXF Texts). You can set its name, color and visibility 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).

Select Text alignment with one of the options:

Position text using a sketch uses a special sketch on the flat pattern as the placement and direction definition for the text. The sketch must be created using the AutoDXF Text Location commandin the Flat Pattern environment. If this is selected, you can also define Attach. point to set which corner of the text box attaches to the position point:

Please ensure that the Unconsumed Sketches layer is selected for export in the Layers tab if using Position text using a sketch.

If Position text using a point option isn’t selected, the text is placed approximately in the center of the flat pattern geometry. Use Default () text alignment if your text is shifted.

Select Single line text to write DXF text in a single line instead of each property in its own row. If this is selected you can also define a Separator to be used between properties written in one line.

Example of a text included in a DXF file:

AutoDXF Text Location

This tool is used to set precise location and rotation of AutoDXF text. It works in conjunction with Position text using a sketch option in DXF/DWG settings tab in the Text Data (DXF only) frame.

The command is available in the flat pattern environment:

After clicking the command you must click 2 points:

1. Click desired start point of the AutoDXF text

2. Click the second point to set the text direction. The length of the arrow is not important.

A new sketch called AdxfTextLocation is created and contains geometry needed for setting text position and direction. You can edit the sketch to precisely dimension the geometry. Do not change the small circle diameter.

The image below shows the AdxfTextLocation sketch placed on a flat pattern and exported DXF file with text placed and rotated according to the AdxfTextLocation definition:

IMPORTANT: Make sure that the Unconsumed Sketchesis selected for export in AutoDXF Layers tab to export this sketch. The sketch itself will be used only for setting initial text location and direction and will be deleted after processing.

If you wish to use old way to define text locations using only a sketch point (used up to version 6.2), please add a new value in the registry path:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\AutoDXF v6

Add new String Value with name TextLocationOldMethod and set its value to 1.

Detection of holes (DXF only)

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

Activate this option by checking Place holes on a separate layer. The layer is AutoDXF Small Holes.You can set the layer name, color and visibility in the Layers tab.

You can set the diameter threshold – all the holes up to this diameter will be treated as small holes. There are 2 ways to set the threshold diameter:

1. Relative: Enter a factor. This factor multiplied with the sheet metal thickness defines the threshold diameter. This is useful if you want to detect small holes depending on the material thickness.

2. Fixed: here you enter absolute diameter. All holes up to this diameter will be treated as small holes independently of the material thickness.

Create points in hole centres will create POINT objects in the centres of holes. The points will be placed on the layer AutoDXF SmallHoles Points. You can set the layer name, color and visibility in the Layers tab.

Create crosses in hole centres will create crosshairs in the hole centres.  The crosshairs will be placed on the layer AutoDXF SmallHoles Points. You can set the layer name, color and visibility in the Layers tab. Set the size of crosshairs in the Cross size field.

Bend marks (DXF only)

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

Activate this option by selecting Create dual bend marks or Create single bend marks. Bend marks will be created on a separate layer (AutoDXF Bend Marks). You can set the layer name, color, line type and visibility in the Layers tab.

Examples of single and dual bend marks:

Length for UP defines the length of bend marks for bends in UP direction (for Dual bend marks only).

Length for DOWN defines the length of bend marks for bends in DOWN direction (for Dual bend marks only).

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.

Circular cutouts

Circular cut-outs are created at the starts and ends of the bend lines to mark the bend position.

Select Create circular cutouts to enable this option. This functionality is not supported for standard iParts and library parts.

Circle diameter defines the diameter of the cutout circle.

Remove clusters will avoid creation of cutouts in situations where more than two are very close to each other.

Cutouts creation is not possible for library parts and standard iParts.