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Using Inkscape with Cutters/Plotters Going from a SVG to DXF
  1. #1
    ColinKing ColinKing @ColinKing

    I was tasked with providing a DXF for a friend, but after it was saved as a DXF and sent he emailed me saying the lines were not smooth enough.

    These are the steps taken: 

    1. Create the SVG.
    2. Save as a DXF.

    The White layer being what I sent him, and the Red layer is what he did himself.

    What do I do to achieve the desired results?

    Thank you any constructive help that would assist me.

    Colin King

    Hm
  2. #2
    Tyler Durden Tyler Durden @TylerDurden

    Attached are an Inkscape svg with text converted to path, and the copy saved as DXF R14.

    The lines in the dxf are reasonably smooth to my eye.

     

  3. #3
    ColinKing ColinKing @ColinKing
    *

    Tyler,

    Here is my output. I am still getting the "chording." I have also attached 3 additional PNGs to show what settings I have.

    Not sure if HM4 has any bearing on the DXF or not, but....

    I personally do not have AutoCAD or any other CAD program. I am using Autodesk's DXF True View 2020 to look at the output. I have not used it enough to adjust the intricacies of it (if there is any?)

    My screen, processor and graphics card are all nearing 10 years old. Could that be part of it?

     

    Hm4
    Hm3
    Hm2
    Hm1
  4. #4
    Tyler Durden Tyler Durden @TylerDurden

    I can recommend LibreCad for viewing DXF files. I have other CAD but that one is FOSS and fast to give my DXFs a reality-check.

    Feel free to share an Inkscape SVG and subsequent DXF for testing/evaluation.

  5. #5
    ColinKing ColinKing @ColinKing

    Here is the original SVG. If you have suggestions I will take them.

    I am going to download LibreCad.

    Until then I will await your reply before proceeding.

    BTW. Thanks for your help so far. 👍

     

     

    Holman Moody Test
  6. #6
    ColinKing ColinKing @ColinKing
    *

    I opened up the DXF in LibreCad. Looks better. Did actually change the geometry or would I need to save it through there?

    Hm5
  7. #7
    Tyler Durden Tyler Durden @TylerDurden

    Hi,

    The geometry did not get changed by opening in LibreCad, so it should be fine.  Another test I use is to open in Fusion 360. There is a free personal-use version.

    Seems like the autodesk viewer needs some settings tweaked.

  8. #8
    ColinKing ColinKing @ColinKing

    OK, not change in geometry - a good thing.

    My friend is opening it up in Mastecam [a milling machine application] (I cannot recall the version) so it appears to be a setting or something when he imports it. It is not a big deal for him to clean up the geometry, but if I can provide him with something that he doesn't have to an additional step(s) I would be happy.

    I am still using 1.3.x. 

    Why open it up in Fusion 360? One more way to see if it is smooth? 

    I did use Fusion 360 for bare bones, getting back into 3D, but when the announced that there was no free personal use (you had to pay a monthly subscription fee for using I was very discouraged. If I was using it to make something for my own 3D printer or a job it could justify it.

    I will revisit Fusion 360 though.

    Sorry to be so wordy!

  9. #9
    Tyler Durden Tyler Durden @TylerDurden

    No problemo.

    (I am familiar with Mastercam, but haven't used it. )

    Here is how my dxf came into Fusion. IDK why the a is not regarded as a closed profile.

    Some CAD and CAM (like Fusion) now import SVG, so that may be a way to avoid translation errors in the future.

    Fusion360 20250203140153
  10. #10
    ColinKing ColinKing @ColinKing

    I guess that you can put that in the Successively Solved pile.