Page 1 of 1

Problem importing spline from AutoCAD into T-Flex

PostPosted:Wed Jan 20, 2010 12:41 am
by Lance Prior

Importing AutoCAD DWG and DXF profile into T-FLEX 3D CAD

PostPosted:Wed Jan 20, 2010 3:44 pm
by caddit
Hi Lance Prior,

There is a bit of a trick to this. To begin with, remember that AutoCAD is still largely regarded as a legacy 2D CAD design system mainly used by architects and in the building/survey industries. So many CAD systems automatically think 2D when reading Autodesk AutoCAD DWG or DXF files. At CADDIT we use progeCAD to create AutoCAD files.

T-FLEX CAD will read everything up to AutoCAD 2009 DWG file format.

There is some background needed to understand how to use AutoCAD files in T-FLEX models, however:

  • A single T-FLEX file (*.grb) can contain several Windows. Windows can be either 2D or 3D, and basically are views for a design. 2D Windows can contain complete detail drawings with title block, border, etc
  • AutoCAD DWG model space geometry (like a spline) will be imported to the 2D Window, so one needs to be open (see below)
  • Geometry can be "copied" (via Windows clipboard) from the 2D Window and "pasted" into a sketch on the 3D Window.
A Quick Tutorial How to do this:

  1. Open a new 3D model file in T-FLEX.
  2. "Split" the 3D design Window into 2: from the main Menu click Window -> "Split Horizontally". When asked what kind of new Window to "Create", select the "2D" button. T-FLEX should now appear as below:
    Image
  3. From the main menu "File" -> "Import.." -> select DWG file
    NOTE: Make sure the "Create new Document" option in OFF (UNCLICKED) in the DWG import options that are shown, then click OK.
  4. The 2D Geometry will be displayed in the default view of the Drawing Window
  5. Left click (select) this view's border in the 2D Window to make the view active (this is required even if a drawing Window only has one view). The surrounding 2D Window area border outlines black, showing that it is now likewise active.
  6. Right click on your imported spline - it will turn red and all the node points will be shown. Select "copy" from down the Context Menu that opens
  7. Left click on the 3D Window above and select a plane for your T-FLEX sketch
  8. When you enter Sketch mode on the plane, press CTRL-V to "paste" the spline into your sketch. Select a location on the sketch to place the spline as shown below:
    Image
  9. Save the sketch and exit Sketch mode (Green check box). The spline may now be used to extrude an open surface or anything else 3D like a normal sketch.

I hope this helps! The "copy" and "paste" is required because AutoCAD files are usually considered 2D information that will be imported into the 2D working Window if one exists.