------Original Message------ From: Ron Anthony <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Steve Lelievre <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: September 18, 2000 2:28:25 PM GMT Subject: RE: How do I turn my DeltaCad design into reality? Machine cutting question
Steve, This is one of the most frustrating aspects of all CAD programs in general. The heart of the problem is that there are several versions and implementations of DXF (the most common exchange format). DeltaCAD exports to version R12 which is not very good at supporting complex drawings. I have had success two ways, the second being the best. I have had this problem with most of the drawing programs, even the $400 one, especially if the sign maker is using AutoCad. 1. Send the DXF file and have their art department clean up the drawing. 2. In DeltaCAD save each different object on a different layer. For example, all of the text in one, all of the light lines on another, etc. Export it as a DXF file. Then import the DXF file into a program that the shop can read directly. I have had very good luck with COREL DRAW 9. Its only $120 at colleges, and can export in many formats such as DXF R14. Many shop can use Corel Draw directly. Clean up the drawing and send it. For the Madjet, I had to clean up the text (which is always the case), set line thickness, and put caps on the tiny line segments of a curve to make it not so jagged. I have talked to the developer of DeltaCad and he says the next version of it will support R14 of DXF which does support the complex shapes and line attributes. If there's anything I can do to help let me know. I think a lot of people would like to know how get a design engraved. There might even be a few on the mailing list that have done it before. ++ron PS: I have tested the concept of putting DeltaCad routines in a C++ DLL that can be called in. I hope to put many of the low level functions such as dAsin there to reduce the size and complexity of writting a dial macro. ------Original Message------ From: "Steve Lelievre" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: Sundial mailing list <[email protected]> Sent: September 18, 2000 1:21:18 PM GMT Subject: How do I turn my DeltaCad design into reality? Machine cutting question I would like to take a design made under DeltaCad, and get it cut into a brass plate. None of the local engravers can handle the job (they just do little plaques for sports trophies). The only local millwright does not have computer controlled cutting machines. The local signwriter can accept electronic designs, but only if they're in PrintShop Pro format, and they can't do engraving or etching, only silk screen. My current plan is to send the design away to a company that can do computer controlled cutting, but I've still got the problem of file formats. Assuming that .DXF file would be a universal format, I saved a DeltaCad drawing as a DXF and reloaded back to DeltaCad to check the results. Sadly, the copy no longer matched the original. It seems that either DeltaCad does not process DXF correctly, or that the DXF standard does not cover fancy drawing attributes. The width of lines in the copy did not match the original, text was altered because the font information was lost and the orientation reverted to horizontal. Should I approach millwrights, engravers, or do I need specialists such as instrument makers? Is there a standard file format for controlling cutting machines? What is the conversion path required to get a DeltaCad drawing into that format? Steve
