HELP - broken lines/disconnected paths

[Pebley Ironworks]

Hello! Looking for some help.... I'm using Torchmate software.
I purchased a file off of etsy, I have done this before and I get the same issue. So I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong?
I bring the DXF in and there are so many disconnected paths/lines.
I've tried "connect path" as a whole and also item by item, selecting each line and then "connect path". But I do all that work and it doesn't stick.
The only way I've found that works is to edit/show the nodes on each line, and connect the path one by one. It takes so much time! There has to be a better way or something I'm missing when importing?
I have attached a couple photos so you can hopefully see what I'm talking about

multiple lines.JPG

tool paths US Army.JPG

Thanks for any input.

[adbuch]

Please post your file (or PM it to me) and I will show you how to take care of your problem.
David

[Pebley Ironworks]

I have attached the DXF file. Also, once completed (I ended up going through and connecting one by one and editing some things to make it a little cleaner) I will post final DXF for others to use as well

[adbuch]

As you stated, your purchased etsy file consists of as series of disconnected open path segments. For me, the quickest method is to open your file with Design Edge and simply select all and type "J" to link/join paths. Here is the result.

army etsy file 1.jpg

army etsy file 1.dxf

If I open this file with Inkscape, I can see that all the open path segments are now connected together.

army etsy file 2.jpg

army etsy file 3.jpg

Since you don't have Design Edge, there is an extension you can add to Inkscape to help speed up the process of connecting these individual open path segments.

You can download these here:

https://github.com/fablabnbg/inkscape-chain-paths

Then follow the instructions to extract and install the two required files to the appropriate Inkscape folder.

army etsy file 4.jpg

army etsy file 5.jpg

army etsy file 6.jpg

[adbuch]

It only works on a single "potential closed path" at a time as far as I can tell. Also I couldn't get it to work with the most recent Inkscape version, but it does work with Inkscape version 1.1.2.

Most files probably don't have the problem yours had, but I would let the Etsy vendor know about this problem and ask him (or her) to correct it.
For folks with Design Edge or other programs with the link/join capability, this sort of file would not be a problem. But for others - this creates much additional work to get a cut ready file.

David

army etsy file 7.jpg

army etsy file 8.jpg

army etsy file 9.jpg

redo 1.jpg

army etsy file 11.jpg

redo 2.jpg

redo 3.jpg

redo 4.jpg

[adbuch]

Another option would be to use Inkscape to auto trace an image of the original file, then delete the extra paths as shown below.
Switch to Outline view to do the editing.
David

mbt1.jpg

mbt2.jpg

mbt3.jpg

[plasmanewbie]

I use CorelDraw mainly and it has a Join Curves function that will join all those small segments with one click, I use it all the time. You can get afree 30 day trial and see what you think. I have seen some of your posts here and many of your issues seem to be with the Torchmate CAD, something better may serve you well.

[Pebley Ironworks]

Thanks for all the info!
David, I did email the person I bought the file from. But I did not get a response.
And yes, I believe it's time for us to upgrade to a different software and start using some other things like Design Edge or InkScape now that I'm doing more of this work. I have been avoiding it, but I think it's time!

Thank you again so much, I appreciate all the knowledge!

[adbuch]

I use CorelDraw mainly and it has a Join Curves function that will join all those small segments with one click, I use it all the time. You can get afree 30 day trial and see what you think. I have seen some of your posts here and many of your issues seem to be with the Torchmate CAD, something better may serve you well.

As Plasmanewbie says, CorelDraw will link/join all the individual path segments as well. For your purposes, I would recommend CorelDraw as a much more economical alternative to Design Edge. I purchased CorelDraw 2020 perpetual license from Amazon about a year ago for just over $100. Design Edge (for design only) runs around $3000.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08B1 ... UTF8&psc=1

coreldraw2020.jpg

Here is the sequence to using CorelDraw to link/join and then combine.

army1.jpg

army2.jpg

army3.jpg

army4.jpg

I don't think the overlapping nodes should cause you any problems for cutting. You could edit them out if you want to create a more compact file size.

David

[Dirtmotor]

Thanks , I hae been following this thread because I have a lot of same problems . I am slowly learning inkscape and not sure I want to learn another program but coreldraw does look interesting .

[plasmanewbie]

Thanks , I hae been following this thread because I have a lot of same problems . I am slowly learning inkscape and not sure I want to learn another program but coreldraw does look interesting .

I am biased to Corel as I have used it for years but have worked with Inkscape as well. I find Corel is much easier to use but it is not free after the trial.

[Dirtmotor]

Thanks , I would not qualify for the education editions so looks like a perpetual would be 3 or 4 hundred at least . Or the monthly fee thing which I try to avoid .

[djreiswig]

I wonder how David qualifies for the educational version. I guess it's not my business.

[plasmanewbie]

I don't like monthly payments either, I just did the one time payment for my latest version. I have bought a few different versions over the years, hopefully this is my last.

[adbuch]

We are all just trying to learn as we go. You can purchase this on Amazon as I did. There are no special forms to fill out. Of course they are hoping the buyer will eventually move up to one of the newer subscription models, but that is not a requirement. This is an older version - CorelDraw 2020 - but it works great for me and I know of many folks using much older versions with great success.
David

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08B1 ... UTF8&psc=1

cd.jpg

I see that they are now offering the 2021 version for the same price.

https://www.amazon.com/CorelDRAW-Graphi ... b_title_sw

[adbuch]

FYI - I bought my copy of CorelDraw to try to learn the program. I am not using it for commercial work. As most of you know, my main program is Design Edge, followed by Inkscape - these I do occasionally use to make a few bucks. I am not in the business of cnc plasma cutting, and do mostly gifts for friends or occasional brackets and such for my hot rods. So in this regard I consider myself a "student" when it comes to CorelDraw. They do offer a perpetual license for commercial use at around $399.
David

cd1.jpg

[djreiswig]

https://www.coreldraw.com/en/pages/education-software/
Unless you are a registered student, I think you might be better classified as a charity, maybe?

[adbuch]

https://www.coreldraw.com/en/pages/education-software/
Unless you are a registered student, I think you might be better classified as a charity, maybe?

Museums.jpg

They didn't ask, but I think I'll go with Museum ---- "Motorcycle Museum", that is.
David

motorcycle museum 1.jpg

motorcycle museum.jpg

motorcycle museum 2.jpg

motorcycle museum 3.jpg

[Dirtmotor]

Yep , museum for you for sure , Do you have a 450 desmo in your collection ? It was the first non jap dirt bike I rode (starting it was a process) .

[adbuch]

Yep , museum for you for sure , Do you have a 450 desmo in your collection ? It was the first non jap dirt bike I rode (starting it was a process) .

Nope - sorry I don't. I am bringing in several more Ducati Monsters to add to the collection in the next few weeks.
2004 S4R and 2008 S4R S Tricolore. Both very low mile original owner bikes.

David

Ducati S4R 1.jpg

s4rs 1.jpg

[Dirtmotor]

Those are two beautiful bikes , you can see all the engineering that went into them even in a picture .Not to mention they look like they are moving sitting still .

[adbuch]

Those are two beautiful bikes , you can see all the engineering that went into them even in a picture .Not to mention they look like they are moving sitting still .

I agree!! I do consider these as "works of art", sort of like some of the classic Ferrari. I have heard that many have bought them strictly for display, I may just have to ride these a bit. I also consider these an excellent investment.
David

[tnbndr]

They didn't ask, but I think I'll go with Museum ---- "Motorcycle Museum", that is.
David

How the hell do you keep them all clean!!!!
Always wanted an old Norton or Triumph but also have a keen interest in the Janus line of bikes. Have you seen them?

[adbuch]

They didn't ask, but I think I'll go with Museum ---- "Motorcycle Museum", that is.
David

How the hell do you keep them all clean!!!!
Always wanted an old Norton or Triumph but also have a keen interest in the Janus line of bikes. Have you seen them?

Doug - they are in a heated/air conditioned space. I use the California Car Duster to go over them every few weeks or so. Takes maybe 5 minutes to do.
David

[adbuch]

https://youtu.be/CYq-J2YYWSA

janus in jay leno.jpg