Using dxf to make tool

Forrest Chapman · Post by **Forrest Chapman** » Fri, Jul 03 2009, 11:42AM

I would like to use a downloaded dxf file from east coast millworks to make a pc. of radius casing. So as to not spin my wheels I thought I'd ask for a little help first.

The problem that I'm encountering first is the profile is vertical. It is also the part profile not the tool. So I need to lay the profile on its side and then mirror it.

Thanks,Forrest

DanEpps · Post by **DanEpps** » Fri, Jul 03 2009, 11:50AM

Hmmm...tried turning your monitor over on its side?

I can't think of a way to rotate a shape in the Shame Manager like that. Is there any way you can use a Display Cube with a different set of dimensions to achieve the desired results?

David Egnoski · Post by **David Egnoski** » Fri, Jul 03 2009, 12:05PM

Forrest,

Send me the dxf and I should be able to make the tool for you.

Forrest Chapman · Post by **Forrest Chapman** » Fri, Jul 03 2009, 12:21PM

I think Dan that I'm going to have to manipulate the dxf in a cad program first. Its just an RB-3 similar profile that I would like to make into a tool and use to create a pc of radiused casing.

Thanks,
Forrest

Thanks David, here is the file.

Forrest Chapman · Post by **Forrest Chapman** » Fri, Jul 03 2009, 2:36PM

I should mention taht the casing is 3.5" wide by 1" thick.

DanEpps · Post by **DanEpps** » Fri, Jul 03 2009, 4:11PM

Forrest Chapman wrote:I think Dan that I'm going to have to manipulate the dxf in a cad program first. Its just an RB-3 similar profile that I would like to make into a tool and use to create a pc of radiused casing...

That is the only way I know to do it.

Forrest Chapman · Post by **Forrest Chapman** » Sat, Jul 04 2009, 10:30AM

I take it David that you don't know a way to do this in ecabs without going first to a cad program.

Forrest

David Egnoski · Post by **David Egnoski** » Sat, Jul 04 2009, 3:33PM

I don't know any way to do this without using a cad program to clean up and tweek the dxf. The image below is the tool applied to a piece of oak 3.5" wide by 1" thick.

Dennis Englert · Post by **Dennis Englert** » Mon, Jul 06 2009, 7:46AM

To mirror a profile that is vertical and change it to horizontal, you'll need to mirror the profile about a line that has been drawn at 45 degrees. For example, import the profile so that its bottom center is at 0,0. Then draw a line from 0,0 at 45 degress. Length is unimportant, you just need to be able to select it. Then select your profile, Mirror, Line, then select the line. The profile should copy and rotate a -90 degrees so that it is aligned with the x axis. You'll have to delete the orginal dxf file's profile. To get the actual tool shape from the part shape, you should be able to mirror one edge of the profile on the X axis, then delete the remainder of the entities.

Dennis

Dennis Englert · Post by **Dennis Englert** » Mon, Jul 06 2009, 7:48AM

Just wanted to add. I believe that Scott Vaal had posted some graphics and an explanation of this process within the past year. Probably pertained to rotating entities, since there is not a rotation option in this designer/editor.

Thermwood / eCabinet Systems

Using dxf to make tool

Using dxf to make tool

Re: Using dxf to make tool

Re: Using dxf to make tool

Re: Using dxf to make tool

Re: Using dxf to make tool

Re: Using dxf to make tool

Re: Using dxf to make tool

Re: Using dxf to make tool

Re: Using dxf to make tool

Re: Using dxf to make tool