Good to see tutorials for cnc work. You can skip the delete faces step (useful when exporting large numbers of parts) by using the options in the export window, and uncheck 'export faces'. You can also assign the edges to named layers (for example, 3mm deep inside cut) than can then be recognised as different tool paths when exported as the 3d dxf.
Wow, Aaron, this is a great tip! Exporting curves with faces removed to 3D DXF format to preserve true circle and arc geometry is really important for folks (like me) who design in SketchUp and export for CNC routing! I tried your three DXF export modes (2D, 3D, and 3D with surfaces deleted) with a 10" diameter circle set to 12 segments, and when I inserted them into both LayOut and Vectric VCarve Desktop, the results were very obvious. I would have never thought to export SketchUp 2D curves to a 3D DXF file ... so thank you!
seriously. Why can't I model something in 3-d, then have sketchup export each of the components for cnc? That would actually make sketchup useful in the real world.
SketchUp does not display curves the same way that 2D Cad does. All arcs are converted to SketchUp arcs upon import. Once imported, you can select an arc and use Entity Info to change the number of segments used to draw any arc.
Hi JPEG is a photograph format it does not contain any line information, when you see a line in a jpeg photo and zoom in on it you will see it only looks like a line because there are a row of pixels that are simmilar. You can change any of the pixles colour and it won't affect any other pixals like what you would exect in a photo.Vector art is made of stait lines curved lines and fills that do affect their entire form
Teşekkür ederim , ancak kırık çizgileri makine farkediyor , buda parça kesim sürelerini totalde etkiliyor , yani görselde bir değişim olabilir , fakat gerçekte , kırık çizgiler cnc tarafından farkediliyor , yeni bir öneriniz var ise paylaşırsanız seviniriz .
DWF import exports what you have drawn. If your model includes broken lines, then SketchUp will export broken lines. Be careful to have connected geometry before you export!
Be great to know the next step to produce the g coding for the cnc from the dxf. tool paths with different layers for individual tools/cutters for cnc.
+1, Great job in demonstrating the process. Question: I don't have a 3D printer so I can't do any testing. Could the similar procedure be applied to produce an export file for 3D printing or would it not be necessary with regards to arcs/circles?
Awesome stuff Aaron. I'm really looking forward to Eric's video. I currently use Sketchup for CNC so this is great stuff. I use the Sketchucam plug-in from Phlatboyz and would advocate it as a useful tool. Thanks.
Looking forward to more content on this workflow. I've been using SketchUp for CNC for years now and this workaround has always bugged me. Especially on a model with lots of parts, making a change then having to copy and paste every face to a 2d plane for export can be a pain.
Good to see tutorials for cnc work. You can skip the delete faces step (useful when exporting large numbers of parts) by using the options in the export window, and uncheck 'export faces'. You can also assign the edges to named layers (for example, 3mm deep inside cut) than can then be recognised as different tool paths when exported as the 3d dxf.
Great catch, Dan! Thank you!
You can't believe how helpful this was. Cheers mate...
Wow, Aaron, this is a great tip! Exporting curves with faces removed to 3D DXF format to preserve true circle and arc geometry is really important for folks (like me) who design in SketchUp and export for CNC routing! I tried your three DXF export modes (2D, 3D, and 3D with surfaces deleted) with a 10" diameter circle set to 12 segments, and when I inserted them into both LayOut and Vectric VCarve Desktop, the results were very obvious. I would have never thought to export SketchUp 2D curves to a 3D DXF file ... so thank you!
It is a great job that you've coverted the tutorial info into practical example. Thanks for sharing.
Glad I could help!
I'm glad I now know this but what an arcane maze of methods to find it.
One more example of the lack of tools in SketchUp... Why the export/import tool is so limited and requires so many workarounds?
seriously. Why can't I model something in 3-d, then have sketchup export each of the components for cnc? That would actually make sketchup useful in the real world.
This is really good to know, but why doesn't 2D export preserve the arc information, I wonder? It could at least have it as an option.
I agree
Not sure if the reason (I rarely get a glimpse of what happens under the hood). All I know is that there is a solution!
How about import. Do you guys know a way to preserve the curve property from a dwg or dxf?
SketchUp does not display curves the same way that 2D Cad does. All arcs are converted to SketchUp arcs upon import. Once imported, you can select an arc and use Entity Info to change the number of segments used to draw any arc.
I am a CNC machine file designer and operator, you saved my life!
All right! Time to add “life saver” to the ol’ resume!
How to make 45 degree line smooth.when I save sketchup project in jpg the 45 degree line is not smooth
Hi JPEG is a photograph format it does not contain any line information, when you see a line in a jpeg photo and zoom in on it you will see it only looks like a line because there are a row of pixels that are simmilar. You can change any of the pixles colour and it won't affect any other pixals like what you would exect in a photo.Vector art is made of stait lines curved lines and fills that do affect their entire form
very interesting. Hope it will abolish the segments while cnc routing for ever!
That it will!
Teşekkür ederim , ancak kırık çizgileri makine farkediyor , buda parça kesim sürelerini totalde etkiliyor , yani görselde bir değişim olabilir , fakat gerçekte , kırık çizgiler cnc tarafından farkediliyor , yeni bir öneriniz var ise paylaşırsanız seviniriz .
DWF import exports what you have drawn. If your model includes broken lines, then SketchUp will export broken lines. Be careful to have connected geometry before you export!
Be great to know the next step to produce the g coding for the cnc from the dxf. tool paths with different layers for individual tools/cutters for cnc.
Alas, we don’t have the capability to generate the G code. That we will have to leave that to your cad/cam software!
+1, Great job in demonstrating the process.
Question: I don't have a 3D printer so I can't do any testing. Could the similar procedure be applied to produce an export file for 3D printing or would it not be necessary with regards to arcs/circles?
Unfortunately, the smoothing only works for 2D arcs. If you need to smooth a 3D shape you still need to increase the polygons.
Awesome stuff Aaron. I'm really looking forward to Eric's video. I currently use Sketchup for CNC so this is great stuff. I use the Sketchucam plug-in from Phlatboyz and would advocate it as a useful tool. Thanks.
His class was great! I'm sure he will have something new for you to learn!
Looking forward to more content on this workflow. I've been using SketchUp for CNC for years now and this workaround has always bugged me. Especially on a model with lots of parts, making a change then having to copy and paste every face to a 2d plane for export can be a pain.
Thanks for the input, John! I can think of a thing or two that might help!
Very helpful. Thank you.
Aaron another great video! Keep it up!
Thanks!
Thanks Aaron. My fabricator thanks you too.
You and your fabricator are both welcome!
Pretty nice!
Great info! Thanks.
You are welcome!
Like as usual!
And a “thank you,” as usual!
A good way for the CNC, but it is much easier to use the plugin from
joergber: DXF Export.
I’m all for a good extension! I will take a look. Thanks!
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