Using Hotdoor CADtools for clean DXF export.

Question

Hello,

I had a set of stencils that are for custom baffles. (I no longer have access to them) I scanned the stencils using a large format scanner and then vectored them in illustrator and exported them in DXF with the idea that it would be simple for a machine shop to use it to cut the sheet metal with a CNC. I have had 2 different shops tell me they can't use the files as is, as there are no dimensions. I've downloaded a trial of Hotdoor CADtools to include the dimensions, but I have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to this stuff and it's honestly too expansive of a subject for me to try and learn in a short time frame for this one project. Can someone please tell me what I need to do so they can be cut on a CNC? Or at least recommend a specific tutorial? Would it be easier to do using the original PDF scan or from the vector files I've already created? Thanks

Thanks

creative explorer · Answer

@tippy_51 the question is why don't you have access to the custom baffles? If you are using a trial version of Hotdoor CADtools, you likely only have 7 days to work with it and also, the demo is also limited to 1:3 scale. All other tools and scales are disabled...so that isn't going to help at all. You might need to bite the bullet and just pay for the whole subcription to use Hotdoor CADtools?!

Since you posted on October 20th, and nobody has made a comment, it's likely no one here as users knows how to use Hotdoor CADtools either. I strongly suggest you might have look on YouTube videos or LinkedIn Learning on using this tool, or Google 'Hotdoor CADtools' forums on how to use that application (maybe there is a freelancer who is affordable?)

Good luck!

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