Outlines when exporting as a DXF

[jonn3y]

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

[creative explorer]

@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)

[jonn3y]

what converter do you reccomend? 

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

[creative explorer]

@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

[jonn3y]

Those arnt my industry standerd files dxf is. Actually for my expencive fiber laser it wants a step file so I have to save to a PDF then open into solid works (another very expencive program) and then turn it into a step or dxf file. Just wish adobe would fix the problem. I mean its their own program saving it.... and then I open it with the same program and theres added lines and its not as smooth =( theres shouldnt be any "compression" loss or mis match code 

[Anubhav M]

Hello @jonn3y,

We understand that encountering technical issues can be frustrating. Would you mind sharing more details, like the exact version of the OS/Illustrator, details of your workflow, including the settings used, if Illustrator behaves this way with all files, and a public link to a sample file after uploading it to Dropbox/Google Drive/etc., so we can investigate this further?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks,

Anubhav

[jonn3y]

Hi there sorry for the late reply I was away on vacation.

Here is the link to an AI file and then the exact file when I save as a DXF through the export tab

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1g2luKRTXwfoyVPF9tHn4oqdmTL6f7YCg?usp=sharing

Thank you

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

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

[jonn3y]

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?

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

did you share a file? I don't see it.

[Anshul_Saini]

Hi @jonn3y,

I understand how frustrating this can be. I was able to reproduce the issue you're facing with the extra line around the edge when saving to DXF. Let me check with our product team and get back to you on this.

Thanks for your patience.

Best regards,

Anshul Saini

[jonn3y]

Hello and thanks for looking at this

There is one AI file and then the dxf after i save it using the export function

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1g2luKRTXwfoyVPF9tHn4oqdmTL6f7YCg?usp=sharing

Andy

[Anubhav M]

Hi @jonn3y,

Thank you for sharing the files. We've already brought this to the team's attention, and they are currently investigating the issue. We'll keep you updated as soon as we have more information.

If you have any further questions or need assistance, please don't hesitate to let us know. We're here to help.

Thanks,
Anubhav

[jonn3y]

Any updates??

[Anubhav M]

Hello @jonn3y,

Thanks for your patience. I have checked this with the product team and they confirmed it is an expected behavior. Feel free to reach out if you have more questions or need assistance. We'd be happy to help.

Thanks,
Anubhav

[jonn3y]

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

[Brad @ Roaring Mouse]

There's no fix to make. DXF is an outline-based format. Even a filled object, whether you specify a stroke or not, will export as TWO objects. 1. The outline itself, which is the important part, and 2. the fill. A stroke with 0 width is still an outline to DXF. Fills are treated separately by Autocad/etc. As long as you know this, you can adjust your artwork accordingly, e.g. perhaps by eliminating filled objects and work in outlines only.

In the old days, even a filled object was exported as JUST an outline, the fill would be eliminated as it wasn't necessary/possible and the the outline would be given a color to identify it.

In the print world, when you make a PDF, you are capturing print instructions, essentially, so a filled object with a stroke is also generated as two objects for the printer, one for the fill and one for the stroke....but a filled object with no stroke is sent only as one object as the printer doesn't need any instruction to print a "0" stoke. This is why working with a PDF is working "better" for you.

[Bobby Henderson]

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.