Bevel changes in Deltacad

[paintbylight]

Hello All,

As usual, I turn to this forum whenever I am stuck, and so far I have never been let down.

I am hoping that someone can help me with a problem I am having with designing a mat in Deltacad. I have designed the mat and imported it as a dxf file into my F6100 but find two problems.

1. The CMC does not cut one single line
2. Some of the cuts are the correct bevel, but a few are a reverse bevel.
3. The inner boxes are not being cut

Really appreciate any help that some of the most experienced members can provide. I have attached the file to illustrate what the issue is.

Thanks a lot in advance.

Regards
AJ

P.S: Happy New Year to all the members on this forum.

 

[Jim Miller]

I'm not familiar with Deltacad, but I have seen similar symptoms with files created in Corel Draw. When a shape will not cut at all, that generally means the shape is not closed. That is, at one or more intersections, the nodes at the ends of the lines are not "welded" together.

If some individual lines are being cut with reverse bevels, that generally means the direction of those lines is reversed, as indicated by a small arrow seen at one point in the entity. The direction of a standard-bevel line may be right-to-left, and the direction of a reverse-bevel line may be left-to-right. Can you change the direction of individual lines? If so, then that would probably change the cutting direction.

If your Deltacad design is assembled from individual lines and not completed (welded) shapes, then I guess there would be greater likelihood of unwelded-node intersections. In Corel Draw, I would construct that design using 11 ordinary rectangles precisely located, then join the outer rectangle to the inner rectangles by breaking those rectangles apart, pulling the nodes together as desired, and then welding the nodes at the intersections. The cutting procedure for my Valiani CMC would be to cut the five inner-most rectangles first, then the outer rectangle and the five smaller rectangles welded to it would be cut in a single operation.

The PDF image doesn't reveal the construction properties of the entities. Could you attach a screen shot of the Deltacad screen image showing the nodes? Or, if you care to send me the DXF file or just the dimensions of the rectangles, I would be pleased to check or reconstruct the shape and send it back to you.

Hope that helps. Nice design, by the way.

 

[Jim Miller]

While enjoying my morning coffee, I reconstructed your design in Corel Draw. The attached screen shot of an isolated area shows how the nodes are all "welded" in the corners, and each entity has a small arrow to indicate the direction, which would result in standard-bevel cuts. However, I'm guessing you would want to reverse the bevel on the outer-most entity, right?

 

[paintbylight]

Hello Jim,

Thank you very much for the reply. After experimenting and cutting a large number of mats, I did finally manage to get the design as I wanted. And during the process I learned many things on what to do and what not to do. And in the end it was exactly as you mentioned. There was one corner that wasn't connected and hence the uncut line. A lesson I won't forget quickly!

And here is the final mat with the jersey in it.

 

[paintbylight]

While enjoying my morning coffee, I reconstructed your design in Corel Draw. The attached screen shot of an isolated area shows how the nodes are all "welded" in the corners, and each entity has a small arrow to indicate the direction, which would result in standard-bevel cuts. However, I'm guessing you would want to reverse the bevel on the outer-most entity, right?

Wow. Thanks a lot Jim. So much effort. You are truly a Framing God!

One question, does Corel Draw allow to save files as dxf files?

 

[Jim Miller]

That's a very creative way to deal with the photos located on top of the jersey. Having made similar designs myself, here are a couple of cautions:

1) Over time, the narrow-width bars connecting smaller windows to the big window (noticed you made them wider) could warp/flex/deform under gravitational stress, so it's a good idea to provide rigid support under that mat (1/8" foamboard or 4 mm Coroplast), and space it to rest against the glass.

2) If this garment is highly collectible, make sure the owner understands that, over time, exposure to light could cause fading or discoloration, except under the overlay areas. You need to explain that UV filtering glass/acrylic provides the best protection, but visible light is harmful, too.

One question, does Corel Draw allow to save files as dxf files?

Yes, but you have to select a compatible DXF version. In the usual file saving procedure, specify the file location (the folder in your CMC software for imported files,) key in the file name you want, and click on "Save as type", and you should get a dropdown list something like this; click on "DXF-AutoCAD":

When you click "Save", you should get an "Export to AutoCAD" prompt something like this:



Then, click on the "Export Version" dropdown to get the list of DXF versions available:


In order to get it right, you will need to select the correct DXF version, and I suggest saving in the latest version that is compatible with your CMC's software. If you don't know which DXF version that is, consult your CMC maker. I believe it depends on the version of your CMC's software, so have that information handy when you make the call. Or, maybe another user of a CMC similar to yours can assist you with that.

In any case, these CAD files (DXF, DWG, CDR, PLT, etc.) are small enough to be emailed as attachments, so when files are saved in compatible formats, fellow CMC users can share easily.

 

[Zbigniew]

That's a very creative way to deal with the photos located on top of the jersey. Having made similar designs myself, here are a couple of cautions:

1) Over time, the narrow-width bars connecting smaller windows to the big window (noticed you made them wider) could warp/flex/deform under gravitational stress, so it's a good idea to provide rigid support under that mat (1/8" foamboard or 4 mm Coroplast), and space it to rest against the glass.

2) If this garment is highly collectible, make sure the owner understands that, over time, exposure to light could cause fading or discoloration, except under the overlay areas. You need to explain that UV filtering glass/acrylic provides the best protection, but visible light is harmful, too.

Yes, but you have to select a compatible DXF version. In the usual file saving procedure, specify the file location (the folder in your CMC software for imported files,) key in the file name you want, and click on "Save as type", and you should get a dropdown list something like this; click on "DXF-AutoCAD":

View attachment 28241 When you click "Save", you should get an "Export to AutoCAD" prompt something like this:

View attachment 28240

Then, click on the "Export Version" dropdown to get the list of DXF versions available:
View attachment 28242

Aby to zrobić poprawnie, musisz wybrać poprawną wersję DXF i sugeruję zapisanie w najnowszej wersji, która jest kompatybilna z oprogramowaniem CMC. Jeśli nie wiesz, która to wersja DXF, skontaktuj się z producentem CMC. Uważam, że zależy to od wersji oprogramowania CMC, więc miej te informacje pod ręką podczas wykonywania połączenia. A może inny użytkownik CMC podobnego do Twojego może Ci w tym pomóc.

W każdym razie te pliki CAD (DXF, DWG, CDR, PLT itp.) są wystarczająco małe, aby można je było wysłać pocztą e-mail jako załączniki, więc gdy pliki są zapisywane w kompatybilnych formatach, inni użytkownicy CMC mogą łatwo udostępniać.

Witam - chciałbym ożywić ten wątek. Jestem z Polski i niedawno kupiłem Wizard 9000. Mam problem z wczytywaniem plików z programu Corel Draw do funkcji śledzenia ścieżki. Podążam za twoim opisem. Ale kiedy ładuję DXF do ścieżki ścieżki, pojawia się komunikat (załączony w jpg.) Wypróbowałem już wszystkie metody eksportu od 2008 do R6 i żadna nie otwiera się w śladzie ścieżki. Załączam również plik od corela - jest to prosty kwadrat. Każda sugestia będzie dla mnie cenna. Corel Draw znam bardzo dobrze - ale w śledzeniu ścieżki nie mogę nic zrobić. Proszę o pomoc. Proszę mi powiedzieć, co robię źle?

 

[Mike Labbe]

Witam - chciałbym ożywić ten wątek. Jestem z Polski i niedawno kupiłem Wizard 9000. Mam problem z wczytywaniem plików z programu Corel Draw do funkcji śledzenia ścieżki. Podążam za twoim opisem. Ale kiedy ładuję DXF do ścieżki ścieżki, pojawia się komunikat (załączony w jpg.) Wypróbowałem już wszystkie metody eksportu od 2008 do R6 i żadna nie otwiera się w śladzie ścieżki. Załączam również plik od corela - jest to prosty kwadrat. Każda sugestia będzie dla mnie cenna. Corel Draw znam bardzo dobrze - ale w śledzeniu ścieżki nie mogę nic zrobić. Proszę o pomoc. Proszę mi powiedzieć, co robię źle?

I ran this through a translator, for all.

"Hello - I would like to revive this thread. I'm from Poland and recently bought a Wizard 9000. I'm having trouble loading files from Corel Draw into the path tracing feature. I follow your description. But when I load DXF into path trace I get a message (attached is jpg.) I've tried all export methods from 2008 to R6 and none opens in path trace. I also attach the file from corel - it is a simple square. Any suggestion will be valuable to me. I know Corel Draw very well - but in path tracing I can't do anything.
Please help. Please tell me what am I doing wrong?"

 

[Zbigniew]

add my e-mail to polish opty86@wp.pl

 

[Mike Labbe]

Is there anyone using the older Wizard software (Mat Designer, not FrameShop) who has had experience importing files from Corel Draw, who can offer some advice?

Thanks
Mike

 

[JFeig]

There are several free CAD programs out there. You can check to see if they export a .dxf file.

 

[Rick Granick]

I have never had any luck trying to get MatDesigner/PathTrace to recognize imported DXF files.
It will open its own native formats (such as those that come with Brian Wolf's design books or shared in his classes), but it doesn't seem to like "outside" files.
Rick

 

[Zbigniew]

JFeig - Thanks for the tip.
Give me the name of such a free program that I could export a file from corel and then save in this free program to dxf - so that later my cutting program will read it correctly.

 

[Zbigniew]

I have never had any luck trying to get MatDesigner/PathTrace to recognize imported DXF files.
It will open its own native formats (such as those that come with Brian Wolf's design books or shared in his classes), but it doesn't seem to like "outside" files.
Rick

Rick - thanks for the tip.
Tell me how you finally dealt with it. Have you changed the programme?
Maybe there are some other programs that can work with Wizard 9000 and Corel Draw?

You know, I've been working with Corel Draw for 20 years, maybe even since its first version - I can do almost anything there.
Here I ran into a wall - Windows 7 and PATH TRACE.
Windows 7 is not a problem, I already worked on one.
But PATH TRACE is a total failure.
Wizard Europa wants 700 euros for technical support. Changing the system to Widows 10 - 2000 euros (and it probably won't end there). Unfortunately, I can't afford it. Besides, Wizard Europa itself tells me not to change it - and I think they probably know what they're saying.
Please - tell me what to do

 

[Rick Granick]

I have an 8000, and I use the older software, MatDesigner with PathTrace. The newer software, FrameShop, has a different version of the drawing software, just called Trace. It might be more friendly to imported files (and hopefully more intuitive to use). Lots of framers use Corel to design mats and cut them, but I believe most are using Valiani CMCs, which are very friendly to Corel-generated files.
Rick

 

[Jim Miller]

Is there anyone using the older Wizard software (Mat Designer, not FrameShop) who has had experience importing files from Corel Draw, who can offer some advice?

Thanks
Mike

It's necessary to select the correct DXF version, as described in Post #6 above. Sometimes it takes several tries to get it right.

 

[Zbigniew]

I wanted to ask this before - maybe in Corel I should prepare the project differently? It can give the lines thick enough, or separate them, or combine them, group them. Maybe the color profiles don't match. But you know I've tried many different ways. But the effect is always the same. PITH TRACE GIVE THE SAME MESSAGE. Does anyone know how to prepare it properly?

 

[JFeig]

Report

Zbigniew,​

Attached is the result of a quick google search. Please note that I have not used any of these programs and that the essential component is to make sure that you have "closed designs"... That means that geometry line are attached to one another to create proper bevel cuts.

7 Best Free DXF/DWG Editors | How to edit for CAD software | Scan2CAD

This article lists and discusses the 7 best free DXF/DWG editors with which you can view, modify, and subsequently save existing 2D drawings or 3D models.

www.scan2cad.com

7 Best Free DXF/DWG Editors​

Updated Apr 20, 2022

Kevin
PublishedNov 25, 2021CAD

CAD/CAM software can be expensive, with annual subscriptions/maintenance costs (on top of one-time purchase charges) going beyond $1,000 – check out our CAD software pricing series. However, if you only wish to use them to edit DXF/DWG files, the return on invested capital may not be high enough to substantiate paying such a high amount. Enter free DXF/DWG editors.

The internet is awash with a slew of editors that promise to offer unmatched capabilities. However, while some deliver on their promises, others do not, presenting a problem we intend to solve through this article. Herein, we will discuss the 7 best free DXF/DWG editors. And to cover all bases, our review/analysis covers editors, both online and offline editors. Notably, the 7 best free DXF/DWG editors are not ranked in any particular order.

Table of Contents

• DXF/DWG Editors
• Criteria Used to Select the 7 Best Free DXF/DWG Editors
  • Security
  • Ability to Edit DXF/DWG Files
  • Free Services
• 7 Best Free DXF/DWG Editors
  • LibreCAD
  • DWG FastView
  • QCAD
  • DWGSee
  • RootPro CAD Free
  • FreeCAD
  • nanoCAD Free
• Conclusion

DXF/DWG Editors​

As the name suggests, DXF/DWG editors are software applications that enable you to view as well as edit DXF/DWG files. This software category offers tools that allow you to edit polylines, arcs, shapes, lines, and more, in addition to allowing you to erase or add true-type text.

Furthermore, some DXF/DWG editors support both 2D and 3D objects. Using such software lets you insert 3D objects or view the drawings from a three-dimensional perspective.

What’s more, through the DXF/DWG editors, you can save the edited file as a DWG or DXF file or, in some cases, export it as an image or PDF. Simply put, these editing software applications are packed with a plethora of tools that simplify the editing process.

Criteria Used to Select the 7 Best Free DXF/DWG Editors​

In coming up with our list, we made several considerations, including:

• Security
• Ability to edit DXF/DWG files
• Free services

Security​

It is not uncommon for companies to report their services as being unavailable due to malicious attacks. So disruptive have these attacks been that in June, the United States unveiled legislation that would address cybercrime, further underlining the seriousness of the matter.

It is worth noting that such attacks usually start benignly, perhaps as a link or downloadable file. In this regard, it is vital to ensure that the free DXF/DWG editors are available via a trusted website to reduce the possibility of cyberattacks. Our analysis, therefore, eliminated free editors that were only available through third-party websites or peer-to-peer websites.

Ability to Edit DXF/DWG Files​

Though outrightly marketed as editors, some software applications only allow you to print/publish/plot the drawings stored in the files. They do not enable you to edit the drawings. We, therefore, also eliminated this category of applications.

Free Services​

There are two types of free service offerings. The first group covers applications that are downloadable for free and enable you to use all the available tools for free throughout an unlimited time frame. The second category includes applications that are downloadable for free but only allow you to use all the editing tools and features during a free trial period. The expiry of the trial locks access to these advanced features.

Our list of the 7 best free DXF/DWG editors contains software applications that fall in the first category. This means that the recommended editors are ideal for regular and irregular use cases spread over a prolonged period.

7 Best Free DXF/DWG Editors​

With that background in mind, here is the list of 7 best free DXF/DWG editors:

• DWG FastView
• LibreCAD
• nanoCAD
• FreeCAD
• QCAD
• RootPro CAD Free
• DWGSee

LibreCAD​

LibreCAD is a free, lightweight (<30 MB to download), open-source DXF/DWG editor and CAD software available for Windows, Linux, and macOS. Being a complete CAD application, LibreCAD supports viewing, editing, and designing from scratch. In addition, it is packed with plenty of tools and features that include: drawing tools such as lines, arcs, text, rectangles, ellipses, curves, and more.

This CAD application supports three ways of editing existing designs. First, you can opt to use the layer tool that provides access to each specific layer of the DWG or DXF drawing. Secondly, you can double-click a section of the drawing and either move it around or add another object. Thirdly, you can use drawing tools to add new shapes or text as well as delete existing objects.

Upon modifying the drawing as desired, LibreCAD allows you to save it as a DWG/DXF file or even print it directly.


LibreCAD User Interface (Screenshot)

DWG FastView​

Available for Windows, mobile, and web, DWG FastView is a viewer and DXF/DWG editor that only accepts DWG files. With a simple user interface that is not very dissimilar to Autodesk’s AutoCAD, the DWG FastView offers a high level of familiarity that makes it easy to understand and use. Moreover, being a lightweight application (~67 MB to download), this editor eliminates the need for downloading and installing large CAD software, a process that takes up a lot of time and space.

With DWG FastView’s Edit Mode, you can quickly and easily open, view, and edit DWG files. In addition, it supports simple drawing tools such as polylines, ellipses, and straight lines. (To use these features, DWG FastView requires you to create an account).

It is worth pointing out that DWG FastView also offers a premium version. Through this premium account, users enjoy advanced features such as cloud storage and collaboration, dimension measurements, and annotation tools. However, given that the free version provides the most fundamental editing tools, we hold that the additional tools available through the paid premium version may not offer any added advantage.


DWGSee User Interface (Screenshot)

QCAD​

Partly released under the GNU General Public License, a series of free software licenses, QCAD is a free, open-source DXF/DWG editor and CAD software application for 2D drafting and design. Available for Linux, Windows, and macOS, QCAD lets you create plans for interiors, mechanical parts, and architectural drawings.

Moreover, QCAD, which accepts both DXF and DWG imports, allows you to edit DXF/DWF files. Through this software, you can create and modify lines, arcs, circles, ellipses, splines, polylines, texts, dimensions, raster images, and more.

Other supported/available features include multiple metric and imperial units, layers, blocks, printing to scale, object snaps, measuring tools, command-line tools, and a library with thousands of parts.

DWGSee​

DWGSee is a free viewer and DXF/DWG editor that enables users to view, edit, measure, and print CAD files. A versatile software, DWGSee is available as an online DWG/DXF viewer as well as light desktop software for both Windows and macOS. Notably, the desktop software is a lightweight file – about 36.62 MB to download. As such, it does not take up unnecessary storage or require certain advanced system features in order to launch or open.

Through the desktop version of DWGSee, you can modify objects like lines, blocks, layers, and text. You can also annotate dimensions and notes and draw objects such as polylines, arcs, text, lines, and circles. Furthermore, you can measure dimensions and compare two versions of the same drawing side by side. Finally, DWGSee allows you to save the drawing/design as a DWG or DXF file once you have made the necessary edits.

Notably, DWGSee Pro is also available. It offers additional capabilities such as exporting drawings to raster images or PDFs.


DWGSee User Interface (Screenshot)

RootPro CAD Free​

RootPro CAD is a 2D DXF/DWG editor for Windows that is available for free as well as through paid pro monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual subscription plans. Naturally, the Pro plan offers more features, but the free version avails basic editing and drawing tools.

Some of the features and tools available through RootPro CAD Free include editing commands such as fillet, chamfer, stretch, line adjustment, and trim; layer management; and drawing tools such as snap as well as the ability to draw shapes. Notably, with RootPro CAD Free, you can import DWG/DXF files, meaning that you can use the free software to edit drawings previously-stored using these two formats.


RootPro CAD User Interface (source)

FreeCAD​

FreeCAD is a free open-source multiplatform and highly customizable DXF/DWG editor available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It is equipped with plenty of tools that allow you to undertake finite element analysis, robot simulation, experimental computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and more. FreeCAD is, therefore, ideal for 3D modeling.

In this regard, it can be used to edit 3D models by sketching geometry-constrained 2D shapes that then act as a base for 3D objects. Conversely, you can also use FreeCAD to convert 3D objects to 2D drawings.

Additionally, through this versatile software, you can import 3D models from external DWG/DXF files.

nanoCAD Free​

nanoCAD free is the unpaid version of nanoCAD, a paid professional-grade CAD platform that offers a wide array of 2D and 3D drafting tools. According to the company’s website, nanoCAD free is an earlier version (version 5) of the paid software, currently available as version 21.

In this regard, nanoCAD free is outdated and does not support the benefits and features available in newer versions, such as support for the latest DWG files. It also has several other limitations – it lacks batch plotting, advanced layer controls, dynamic cursor input, parametric 2D design, tool palettes, PDF underlays, cloud support, annual updates, and more.

However, this does not mean that it does not support editing works. In fact, it enables users to create and modify 2D drawings; manage layers, blocks, and line types; place raster images in drawings; reorient drawings based on custom coordinate systems, and edit associative dimensions.

Conclusion​

With this list of the 7 best free DXF/DWG editors, we hope that we have helped you narrow down the right DXF/DWG editing software for your personal or business applications. In addition, our comprehensive list covers free DXF/DWG editors that support either 2D drafting or 3D modeling. Thus, depending on your goals for a particular project, this article detailing the 7 best free DXF/DWG editors has got you covered.

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About Kevin​

As a registered civil engineer with a strong penchant for technology and new tech trends, it is my pleasure and joy to share my tech and CAD/CAM software knowledge and experience.

 

[Zbigniew]

Hello again - I practiced exporting from Corel to other dxv converters - Unfortunately, it didn't work - Still the same message from Trace. I don't know what else can be done.