In this step we will open a DXF Drawing File and show it in the graphic-area.

Open a DXF File

ATpDXFElement
STEP 1: Open a DXF File.
•In the Windows interface, change the 'File as type' to DXF
•The select the file.

MechDesigner adds a DXF element to the Assembly-Tree1s-red.

Note: The DXF element is usually at the bottom of the Assembly-Tree. It may move to the top of the Assembly-Tree, above the Mechanism element - see image left.

Open the CAD-Line dialog-box

EditLineDXF3
STEP 1: Add a Part.

If necessary, add a new Part.

Do Add menu > Mechanism sub-menu > Add Part.

STEP 2: Double-Click the CAD-Line.

The CAD-Line is along the centre of the Part.

If necessary, use the Selection-Window to find and open the CAD-Line dialog-box.

Dialog-CADLine-DXF

The CAD-Line dialog-box opens.

STEP 3: Select the DXF tab

Link the DXF File with the CAD-Line

Dialog-CADLine-DXF-SelectDXf

If necessary, expand Select DXF Element separator.

STEP 1: Click the down-arrow1-R-RED-15 to expand the 'Select DXF-Element' list box

The name [DXF : testingDXF.DXF] in the drop-down list box has two[2] parts. The:

2sa   Name of the DXF element, as it is in the Assembly-Tree.

In this case, the name of the DXF element : 'DXF'.

3s Name of the DXF file you opened with 'File menu > Open DXF file'

In this case, the name of the DXF file you opened was 'Trace1.DXF'.

The name of the DXF element shows in the 'DXF Element' box4-S-RED, after you select the element in the box.

Options:

'Edit-Layer' button - click to explore the 'Layers' that might be in the DXF drawing. See Edit Layers dialog-box

'Clear Link' button - click to remove the DXF Drawing from the CAD-Line.

DXF-LineDXF

The DXF-Outline of the DXF Drawing shows in the graphic-area.

STEP 2: Click OK

Note 1: If the DXF Drawing is far from the origin of the DXF file, you may need to zoom out!

Note 2: If the DXF Drawing is very small, or it is in 'inches' and you are working in 'mm', you may need to zoom in!

Use the DXF Element dialog-box to change the units of the DXF file to the original units of the DXF Drawing, and reload DXF File.

Dialog-CADLine-DXF-Align

OPTIONAL ALIGNMENT.  If the DXF Drawing does not align  with the CAD-Line as you want click the 'Alignment of DXF' separator.

You may need to Toggle OFF and Toggle ON the Display DXF Points tool to show DXF Points.

STEP 3: Click in the 'DXF Point at Origin'5s box to make it active

The selection box is active when it is the colour English skin after a swim in the North-Sea

STEP 4: Click a Point in the DXF Drawing in the graphic-area that you want to align with the Origin of the CAD-Line

The Point (with a number) should show in the 'DXF Point at Origin' box

STEP 5: Click in the 'DXF Point Along Origin'6s
STEP 6: Click a Point in the DXF Drawing in the graphic-area you want to align with the +X-axis of the CAD-Line

Each box is active when it is the colour of English skin after a swim in the North-Sea. Then you can select a Point.

The box becomes green after you select a Point.

The DXF Drawing moves to the new alignment with the CAD-Line.

If you make a mistake, or want to select other Points:

STEP 7: Click the box again to make it is the colour of English-skin after a swim in the North Sea.
STEP 8: Click Points again in the DXF Drawing.
STEP 9: Click OK.

Tutorial and Reference Help Files for MechDesigner and MotionDesigner 13.2 + © Machine, Mechanism, Motion and Cam Design Software by PSMotion Ltd