transfer lifework from Illustrator to Mill Cam Designer

kristinaferris · Tue 27 Nov , 2012 22:26 pm

I'm having trouble importing DXF files from illustrator to Mill Cam Designer. Keep getting 'file too big' error msg even though its only 40x40mm. i know it is possible to cut on nova mill with files originated in illustrator, but getting stuck at this point...any ideas?

Wed 28 Nov , 2012 13:11 pm

Can you post the .dxf ?
It could be there is too much information in there that MillCAM can't understand.
If you have any export options, try reducing the .dxf file version as low as possible and check any settings for arc conversion/output

kristinaferris · Mon 10 Dec , 2012 21:45 pm

Thanks for your reply. since then we have been able to mill from the illustrator dxf, but paths are distorted, so that circles appear as round cornered squares!
its a tiny file, but i had exported using default options so perhaps saving as earlier auto cad compatible would solve the scaling issue. no arc conversion settings.
we have found a work around...bringing the paths into coreldraw first...a bit longwinded

have attached 2 versions of the file, hearts test has the earlier compatibility settings/preserve appearance, hearts1 saved as default

Steve · Mon 10 Dec , 2012 21:56 pm

While we can look at these files MillCAM Designer is an unsupported product. If the problem is with the dxf files or the format of the files we can give advice. If the problem is in the software itself we are no longer able to work on this.

Tue 11 Dec , 2012 10:16 am

I've loaded the .dxf files into another package and it also has rounded corners...

: hearts-test.jpg (10.72 KiB) Viewed 29026 times

It seems there is an issue between how different software interprets splines and the control points...The best solution will be to explode splines and curves into basic arcs+lines before exporting as a .dxf

kristinaferris · Tue 11 Dec , 2012 20:39 pm

anyone know how to do that on Illustrator?

Wed 12 Dec , 2012 10:05 am

There is Object > Expand and you can also try Object > Path > Simplify
However, I tried it in Illustrator CS5 and the curve was exported as a dxf and it seemed to import OK - maybe you have a version with a .dxf export bug ?
You can try the .dxf I created...

kristinaferris · Wed 12 Dec , 2012 20:14 pm

thanks...will try expand (simplify seems to just reduce the number of points and replace with more arcs)

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