Line segments

[Charlene]

Why, when I open some files, do they open with a lot of little line segments? Why can't I fix it in corelDraw x5 using "Join Curves"? And, will it actually matter when I load it in Sheetcam or Mach?

I did a search on here already but couldn't find anything that worked.

Here is an example file:

sfx_cocker_ps.dxf

Thanks for any help you can give me.

[MQUICK]

I use plasmacam ( the old good one) and it joines them with no problem. I dont use the programs your using, so im no help there. If it helps this file is one line.

[Charlene]

Thank you MQUICK. That is very helpful.

If anyone out there can help me so that I can fix files myself, I would really appreciate it.

[steelfx]

Charlene,

See if you can import this file into Corel. It should work. Not really sure why you'd import a DXF into a drawing
program.

[Charlene]

Thanks Bill. Not sure what you mean. I use Corel as the program that I create in or to make changes to other files in. I do have BobCAD but Corel was much easier for me to learn. The .ai file opens fine but it is now a detailed pic and is no longer a silhouette drawing. It is a great file and I will take it out to the shop computer and try it in BobCAD. I will update tomorrow. Thanks again.

[steelfx]

Try this version...it's got all the edge nodes for modifying the file or adding text, etc.
The first one I uploaded wasn't "grouped", so it was likely not worth having. This one should be what you need to
use in Corel. In my drawing software, I can't import a DXF to modify it, so that's why I'm so confused.

I use BobCad v21 & XARA v7.

[Charlene]

Thank you. That works. I opened it in Corel and then saved it as a dxf. Perfect. So from now on when I see the line segments I will open the file with bobCAD instead and then save it so that I can open it with Corel.

Also, I will eventually work at learning bobCAD!

[steelfx]

[SignTorch Vector Art]

For node-join to work you have to select all the nodes,

After opening/importing

Double click the pick tool to select all objects

Hit combine

Double click the shape tool to select all nodes

Hit join-nodes

(in this case) Enter 40 in the Reduce-Nodes input

[Charlene]

For node-join to work you have to select all the nodes,

After opening/importing

Double click the pick tool to select all objects

Hit combine

Double click the shape tool to select all nodes

Hit join-nodes

(in this case) Enter 40 in the Reduce-Nodes input

Thanks Gary. I was with you up until "Hit join-nodes". I don't seem to have that command. Is that what "join curves" is for me? I tried both "Join Curves" and the "Extend Curve to Close" button but both of these options causes it to jump over nodes. For instance, after joining curves there will be a line from node 1 to 2 & then 3 as well as from node 1 to 3. I hope that makes sense.

[SignTorch Vector Art]

oh, yes I meant the Join-Curves Docker (left-below), which leaves 1493 nodes on 3 subpaths, then reduce-nodes by 40 leaves 171 nodes, with no apparent flaws (except one simple intersection did occur on the tail)

if I use the join-curve button (right-below), it leaves 1695 nodes on 5 subpaths, with some defects

if I don't combine first, then either method comes out very defective

(don't forget to stand on your head and do jumping jacks... )

join-curves.png

[Charlene]

Gary, I am sorry that I am just now responding... (I got stuck on my head! ) Thanks for the info, it worked perfect.

I am so glad that there are people like you on this forum willing to share your knowledge. Thanks again.

[teknition1]

For node-join to work you have to select all the nodes,

After opening/importing

Double click the pick tool to select all objects

Hit combine

Double click the shape tool to select all nodes

Hit join-nodes

(in this case) Enter 40 in the Reduce-Nodes input

Thats solid gold right there! Thanks Gary! You should put out a small book that deals with working with Corel strictly for plasma. I would be the first in line of many to buy it!

Brad