Is There a Software Upgrade For Autocad Files To Be Read By DXF Files

Services & Support - Autodesk

AutoCad should allow you to either "save-as" your drawing in DXF format, or Export (Translate) to DXF format. This is pretty standard stuff.

I'm not an AutoCad guy, but I've not seen any CAD packages that can't do this.

The only caveat is that if these translators are a special option for your installation.

This is confusing, every version of AutoCAD will output DXF files but these are 2D files & do not contain bending information unless the bending machine can somehow interpret the "flat" information in the DXF. file.

The programmes that have been recommended are 3D packages that could contain bending information, they are also expensive.

Have you asked the supplier of your bending machine what programmes will provide the right files?

Not entirely true - all DXF entities are 3D things, having at least one set of (X,Y,Z) co-ordinates. If you're really interested, check out http://www.autodesk.com/techpubs/autocad/dxf/dxf2002.pdf.

With the right software, you can use DXF files containing 3D data to drive a CNC mill (by conversion to g code).

AutoCad directly produces DXF files which most cnc machines will read or have a cam program to convert to gcode. The 3D parametric programs suggested have contained in them sheetmetal programs for developing flat patterns which can be feed into the cnc with out someone devloping them manually. But AutoCad can produce the Dxf files which are dumb (no bend info just a profile), without you buying an expensive parametric program if you are only doing small amounts

If you truly need 3D, try Alibre. It does most of what the expensive programs do but the top end of its price structure is about $2,000 and that incudes sheet metal capabilities. www.alibre.com

Understood, I've only used dxf in 2d scenarios.

Being a bit cheeky, if the OP has AutoCAD 2008 but needs a newer DXF version he could download a 30 day demo version of the current AutoCAD & save a copy of his files from that.

As per the designers the Autocad DXF does not contains 'bend and unbend' information. save as> DXF is available in this . Punching machine does not need a bend/unbend information in the dxf file or does it

Have you tried asking this question on the Autocad forum?

Is your maintenance agreement current? If so, call the Autocad help desk.

If not, back to the Autocad forum. Sign up (it's free) and post your question there.

You can download DraftSight. It's free and you can save those AutoCaD files to DXF in a much smaller file size. You don't have to have licensing for this one and it saves into smaller file sizes than AutoCAD and it handles pretty much the same way.

SolidWorks is better than AutoCAD and with that you get DWGeditor, and with that you can safe DXF's in just about any available version. I always save my DXF's in 2000 Binary, because the file size is small. I can bring a 2MB AutoCAD file and save it to a 57kb DXF. Whereas if I save the DXF with AutoCAD I get these huge files.

Thanks but my question was to know that is it true that Autocad DXF files do not contain bend and unbend information.

Will the DXF file made by the Draftsight can be read by the Automatic Punching and Bending Machines?

Does this DXF file has the Bend and Unbend information. (as told to me by my techinicians, which is why they are not accepting autocad DXF files to feed it to the machines.

for bending and punching you need the 2d DXF secondly you have to give the bend margin in press braking(bending) it varies with the thickness and material tenstile strength

so after inputting the DXF you have to add the thickness and ts of material so machine can calculate the required bending force .and for cnc punch you also have to use the 2d file but you have to use the proper post processor software to import the dxf and to export the gcode.

rhino4 is the best software for dealing with diffrent formats of cad.

Dependent on the age of the CNC units your working with. You should be able to transfer directly to the CAM side of the CNC with your version of AutoCad. That is assuming you have a full working version of Autocad. AutoCad LT may not give you this capability. I don't know about that, for sure, as I have not worked with AutoCad LT.

If you need more info go to the AutoCad forum at Autodesk and put out the question there.

Good Luck