Trying to convert a picture of an image to DXF with Inkscape

[watovametalworks]

Hello!

I am still new and learning how to use Inkscape for converting an image to a DXF file. I was able to get the picture traced/converted in Inkscape but when I loaded it to Fusion 360 not all of the image will extrude correctly in order to cut. Attached is the picture I loaded to Inskcape and the DXF I was able to produce but will not extrude correctly.

Any tips/tricks on are greatly appreciated!

Thank you!
Jennifer

[adbuch]

HI Jennifer,
I don't know how to use Inkscape, but I think your dxf file just needed to be linked (joined) into continuous closed paths. When I opened your dxf file, it looked like this with many individual paths (short line segments not linked to each other). Each red dot is an intersection between two individual paths.

Winged Nut before linking-joining.jpg

After linking/joining it looks like this.

Winged Nut after linking-joining.jpg

Now when imported into Fusion 360, the cut paths look like this.

Winged Nut F360 Simulation.jpg

As drawn, the wings and the nut are 3 separate pieces. You could edit your Inkscape file and join them together before exporting as a dxf to create a single part.
David

Winged Nut single piece.jpg

Winged Nut as single part.dxf

[acourtjester]

I find it odd for people who want to cut things with plasma thinking the DXF file needs to be extruded. Plasma cutting is a 2-D function,no depth needed, a DXF file from Inkscape cuts very well as long as it planned as needed, no dropouts, and alike. I am not anti-extrude as I use it for creating STL files for 3-D printing.

pipe clamp 4.jpg

[robertspark]

Extruding a 2D DWG / DXF / vector
its probably an easy way of checking if the pattern is closed...... if it extrudes its a closed loop, if not.... you have an open loop

[watovametalworks]

Thank you! I thought that maybe the problem but was having trouble figuring how to fix it! I still have a lot to learn as this is all very new to me! I really appreciate your help and advise! This puts me on the right path for future file conversions! Thanks again!

HI Jennifer,
I don't know how to use Inkscape, but I think your dxf file just needed to be linked (joined) into continuous closed paths. When I opened your dxf file, it looked like this with many individual paths (short line segments not linked to each other). Each red dot is an intersection between two individual paths.

Winged Nut before linking-joining.jpg

After linking/joining it looks like this.

Winged Nut after linking-joining.jpg

Now when imported into Fusion 360, the cut paths look like this.

Winged Nut F360 Simulation.jpg

As drawn, the wings and the nut are 3 separate pieces. You could edit your Inkscape file and join them together before exporting as a dxf to create a single part.
David

Winged Nut single piece.jpg

Winged Nut as single part.dxf

[adbuch]

I find it odd for people who want to cut things with plasma thinking the DXF file needs to be extruded. Plasma cutting is a 2-D function,no depth needed, a DXF file from Inkscape cuts very well as long as it planned as needed, no dropouts, and alike. I am not anti-extrude as I use it for creating STL files for 3-D printing.
pipe clamp 4.jpg

I think it depends on the CAM program. I certainly don't need to extrude a dxf to cut with Design Edge. Perhaps Fusion 360 is different.
David

[beefy]

I find it odd for people who want to cut things with plasma thinking the DXF file needs to be extruded. Plasma cutting is a 2-D function,no depth needed, a DXF file from Inkscape cuts very well as long as it planned as needed, no dropouts, and alike. I am not anti-extrude as I use it for creating STL files for 3-D printing.
pipe clamp 4.jpg

I think it depends on the CAM program. I certainly don't need to extrude a dxf to cut with Design Edge. Perhaps Fusion 360 is different.
David

My 3D solid modelling software creates 2D drawings from 3D parts you make. You can't simply make a 2D drawing and convert to DXF. Therefore I must first extrude a 2D sketch in order to get my 2D drawing/DXF.

[beefy]

Jennifer,

I use Coreldraw and whenever I import a DXF all nodes are "UN-JOINED", so if there's a 1000 nodes in a drawing, there's also around the same number of separate objects. I have to select everything and use the join nodes function to connect them all.

[adbuch]

Apparently extrusion is not a prerequisite for plasma cutting with Fusion 360. But I agree with Robert, it does provide an easy method of verifying that you have closed paths. When Jennifer's original dxf file was imported into Fusion 360, is consisted of many small individual segments and may have been harder to work with.
David

Fusion 360 Plasma Cut - no extrusion.jpg

[adbuch]

Jennifer,

I use Coreldraw and whenever I import a DXF all nodes are "UN-JOINED", so if there's a 1000 nodes in a drawing, there's also around the same number of separate objects. I have to select everything and use the join nodes function to connect them all.

Keith,
Do you happen to know if Fusion 360 has a "join nodes" function?
David

[adbuch]

Thank you! I thought that maybe the problem but was having trouble figuring how to fix it! I still have a lot to learn as this is all very new to me! I really appreciate your help and advise! This puts me on the right path for future file conversions! Thanks again!

Hi Jennifer,
I was happy to help! Please let us know how your project turns out.
David

[beefy]

Jennifer,

I use Coreldraw and whenever I import a DXF all nodes are "UN-JOINED", so if there's a 1000 nodes in a drawing, there's also around the same number of separate objects. I have to select everything and use the join nodes function to connect them all.

Keith,
Do you happen to know if Fusion 360 has a "join nodes" function?
David

Sorry David,

I've never used Fusion 360. I use Alibre Design.

Keith

[acourtjester]

With all things we use the things that we learn and like to do the thing we need to do.
For 3-D I use TurboCad for the 2-D then on to 123D Design for the 3-D parts (stl files) Works great for me, happy yours does what you want too. Want to get into Fusion 360 just not had the time yet.

[adbuch]

With all things we use the things that we learn and like to do the thing we need to do.
For 3-D I use TurboCad for the 2-D then on to 123D Design for the 3-D parts (stl files) Works great for me, happy yours does what you want too. Want to get into Fusion 360 just not had the time yet.

I'm not a big Fusion 360 user, but I know the basics. It's a free program, so maybe take a look at it in your spare time. My 3d stuff is usually either SolidWorks or MasterCAM. Yes - I usually use what I know and am familiar/comfortable with.
David

[acourtjester]

Robert posted this in another post and it seems to show the differences in the software we use

robert.JPG

[robertspark]

... True of sooo many things.... I have that hanging in the kitchen at the moment... I am not saying who it was ment for ...

[beefy]

How did all this talk about being right/wrong start.

Where in this thread has anyone suggested someone else is wrong.

All I've seen is suggestions on where a problem may lie, i.e. others trying to help.

[adbuch]

How did all this talk about being right/wrong start.

Where in this thread has anyone suggested someone else is wrong.

All I've seen is suggestions on where a problem may lie, i.e. others trying to help.

Keith,
I would tend to agree with you. The previous post makes no sense to me and has nothing to do with the original topic.
David