Getting Started Tutorials - MechDesigner > Tutorial 8: Import DXF Files, Convert to Solid Extrusions > Step 8.2: Example: Convert DXF Outline to Extrusion Elements

Objective:

To convert the DXF-Drawing to MechDesigner sketch-elements, and then to add an Extrusion.

1.Select DXF-Entities that are in the DXF-Outline

2.Copy and convert the DXF-Entities to MechDesigner sketch-elements, as a sketch-loop.

3.Add a Profile / Extrusion to the sketch-loop

Convert DXF-Entities into MechDesigner Lines and Arc separator

STEP 1: Select a Owner-Part

The Owner-Part is usually the Part to which the CAD-Line is a child.

However, you can also covert the DXF-Entities on a different Part.

1.If necessary, click the Convert to MD Lines and Arcs separator.

The Part in which the CAD-Line is a child should be in the Owner Part box

If you want to convert DXF-Entities in a different Part,

2.Click the Owner Part box

The Owner Part box should now be orange.

3.Click a different Part in the graphics-area or Assembly-Tree.

The Owner Part box should now be Green.

STEP 2: Select a DXF-Entity

The DXF-Entity box refers to DXF Lines or DXF Circles/Arcs in the DXF-Drawing

1.Click the DXF-Entity box

The DXF-Entity box should now be orange.

1.Click a DXF-Entity in the DXF-Drawing in the graphics-area.

The DXF-Entity box should now be Green.

The name of the DXF-Entity should be in the DXF Entity box.

The button becomes colorized.

Before you click the button, choose one from each of the following:

STEP 3: Enable Free Points or Lock Points

Enable :

◉Free Points - select if you want to edit the sketch-elements later. You can lock the Points later in the Part-Editor

◉Lock Points - select to freeze the end-Points of each new sketch-element at the exact location in the part. You can unlock each Point later in the Part-Editor

STEP 4: Select Sketch-Element or Sketch-Loop

Enable

◉Sketch-Element - convert the DXF-Entity in the DXF Entity box into sketch-element

◉Sketch-Loop - convert all DXF-Entities with adjacent end-Points within the Merge-Radius. This may produce a sketch-path or a sketch-loop.

DXF-Entities AND Sketch-Loop with Locked-Points

STEP 5: Convert the DXF-Entities to a sketch-loop (if possible)

1.Click the button

Now, the new sketch-elements AND the DXF-Entities are in the graphics-area.

The color of the DXF-Entities are different to the sketch-elements

Sketch-elmenets as Sketch-Loop with Locked-Points

It is sometimes convenient to remove the DXF-Entities from the graphics-area and CAD-Line after you click the the button.

STEP 6: Delete the DXF-Entities from the CAD-Line and Part.

1.Click the Select DXF Element separator

2.Click the button

The new sketch-elements stay in the Part - see left.

If the Sketch-Loop option is successful.

STEP 7: Click at the top of the CAD-Line dialog

Use the Add Profile command

If the button finds a sketch-loop, add a Profile / Extrusion to the sketch-loop in the usual way.

If the button did not find a sketch-loop, edit the Part to add sketch-elements to make a sketch-loop.

STEP 1: Add a Profile to the sketch-loop

1.Click Solids toolbar > Add Profile

2.Click one of the sketch-elements in the sketch-loop

There is a new Profile / Extrusion in the graphics-area.

STEP 2: Show the Extrusion

1.Click Visibility toolbar > Show Solids in Mechanism

2.Spin the View with View toolbar > Spin