Outlines when exporting as a DXF

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
July 16, 2024
2 replies
5549 views

Hello

So I use a CNC machine and everytime I save to dxf it leaves a line around the edge. It can be jagged sometimes and I have to save as a PDF, then use a nother program to re-save it into a dxf so I can send the file to a shop to build. Is there any way to fix this?

Using the latest AI, GPU is on, I tried saving it in every diffrent setting possible to avoid this. Any help would be great.

Thanks

Bug

This topic has been closed for replies.

Brad @ Roaring Mouse

Community Expert

If your object has both a fill and a stroke, these are saved as separate objects when exported as other formats.

J

jonn3yAuthor

Participating Frequently

no stroke, just fill. Give a shot and see if you can get it to open up with out a border on it, maybe its just my computer?

B

Bobby Henderson

Community Expert

Oh ok known roblem that there is no fix? ok at least I know there is no fix. Thank you for looking into this

Andy

Do you use a dedicated routing table application, such EnRoute? If so, it might be better to use a different format than DXF. At my workplace we'll typically use EPS to export Illustrator artwork over to EnRoute. We give the objects flat uniform fills with no line strokes. The artwork parts get nested and then the data is fed to the routing tables in G-Code format.

The DXF format can work, but the settings have to be just right depending on the routing table/software setup. It just seems to be easier bringing EPS artwork into EnRoute. The paths aren't as likely to be broken open in places or turned into a bunch of jagged straight line segments. Illustrator creates Bezier-based curved paths. DXF doesn't handle Bezier curves so well; they have to be interpolated into "polyline" curves with more anchor points. Dedicated sign making apps like Flexi apply a more CAD-like "flavor" to their curved paths -DXF files exported from Flexi work more reliably.

creative explorer

Community Expert

@jonn3y can you save your file as a SVG (Scable Vector Graphic) and then importing that into a DXF converter tool that can output a cleaner DXF file for your CNC machine (see vectorFiles.png).

When you export your file (export.png) - Options - Preserve Appearance (dxf-settings.png).

Also, if your artwork uses complex effects or transparencies, flattening it before export can sometimes eliminate unintended lines caused by how Illustrator translates those effects to DXF. Go to Object > Flatten Transparency before exporting. These might be getting converted to polylines with extra lines upon export (flat.png)

m

J

jonn3yAuthor

Participating Frequently

what converter do you reccomend?

PNG dosnt save the vector lines and flattening makes it worse.

creative explorer

Community Expert

@jonn3y if you need it as a vector, then save it as either as a SVG, PDF, AI, or EPS.

Using PNG flattens your image

m

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