How to isolate single sections from dxf file?

[Guest]

I have the problem that I have a dxf file. It shows basically a model I want to build in the future. This model was exported to a dxf file and I load it into Adobe Illustrator. Then it is possible to isolate the single sections to a svg file so that later on they can be cutted (in the best way automatically). I understand it in general and I have the finished files. So I know it works.

However there is one key knowledge missing which is really important for me, because I later want to do this with my own model (these file is only a template to illustrate the workflow so that one can understand how it works in general). I have the dxf file loaded into Adobe Illustrator, however now I don't know how to isolate the single section layers from the dxf file and put each one to svg file? This is my question.

As I said I can give you the two finished files. So from the dxf file the svg should be created. I tried to somehow isolate these single sections but my technical abilities are not sufficient for this. I guess these sections have to be selected from the overlayed ones I marked red here (but thats only a guess):

From the dxf file the svg should be created. The finished svg file contains all sections already aligned and collected for optimal space savings when cutting it. See here this example screenshot:

The dxf file can be found here and the svg file here. The preview of the svg file does not work (blank white page is shown), but the file and the download works. When you open the svg file in Illustrator probably it just shows you a white page. This is because you have to zoom out. When you zoom out you can see the sections left to it in the grey area. They are already aligned and have the size of this white area (this is the cutting area to check it fits into the limited size of the cutter). So just zoom out a bit. As you can see in the finished file there were some additional modifications done to make it more easy to put peaces together. For me the first and most important step is how to isolate the sections. Of course if one can also explain and reproduce the modifications this would also help me a lot, but this is a minor question.

[michelew83603738]

I'm not 100% sure I am understanding your question, but I think you want to manipulate individual aspects of an AutoCad file that you have imported into Illustrator. Often the file comes in as a group. If this is the case (and you can tell by looking at your layers panel, just select the group and Ungroup (Cmd+Sht+G on a MAC - Ctrl+Sht+G on a PC). I have also found that often instead of closed paths, the objects are made up of individual segments and so I turn the object into a live paint object (select all paths Object>Live Paint) so that I can join them and manipulate as needed. Hope this is what you meant.

[barbara_a]

You said that you want to "isolate the section". I'm not sure what you mean by that -- do you want to put them into separate documents, do you want to print them separately, or ???

In Illustrator, the white area is called the 'artboard'. One way you could isolate the areas on the left would be to put each of them on a separate artboard. Each artboard is numbered and can be printed individually. In the print dialog box, they are treated the same way you would print pages, just type in the artbaord number you want to print.

If this would work for you, you can accomplish it by doing the following:

1. Select the Artboard tool.
2. 
3. In the Control panel, click the New Artboard tool.
4. 
5. Click to place the new artboard and position it over the artwork. If you need to adjust the position and don't want to more the artwork at the same time, you can turn off the Move/Copy Artwork with Artboard icon in the Control panel.
6. 
7. To exit artboard mode, click any tool other than the artboard tool.

Let me know if this answers your question. Otherwise, please provide clarify so that I can help you.

[Guest]

Well, as the picture shows when I load the dxf file in Illustrator all the sections are overlayed. However I need them separately to print them later. Now I don't know how to do this. The final svg files shows the result. Check the file I uploaded, there you can see it. The screenshot just shows one part. There are 8 parts. When you open it and have a look you will see what result I want.There are the different sections put together (space saved) to print it later on. This is what I need. However as I said I don't know how to isolate each section from the overlayed original. @Barbara Ash thanks for your answer, however this does not help me. And of course there are some modifications done, like rotating some sections and put them together with others to save space later on in the output.

[Kurt Gold · Accepted solution]

Take the Selection tool (or Group Selection tool), hold down the Shift key and select the paths you want to isolate as one unit. Copy the selection into a blank document, join the paths (if desired or required) and save the document. Repeat that procedure as often as needed.

I don't understand why that would be a problem with the sample file you provided.

[barbara_a]

The objects in the dxf file are made up of tiny line segments with no easy way to separate out objects. If it is possible, contact the person who created the sample file to find out their process.

[Guest]

Ok thanks to you two Barbara and Kurt. Then I guess there is no way around the manual selection method. I thought there is some professional way of doing this and I am just not aware of it due to my lack of Ai knowledge.