Welcome to the Onshape forum! Ask questions and join in the discussions about everything Onshape.
First time visiting? Here are some places to start:- Looking for a certain topic? Check out the categories filter or use Search (upper right).
- Need support? Ask a question to our Community Support category.
- Please submit support tickets for bugs but you can request improvements in the Product Feedback category.
- Be respectful, on topic and if you see a problem, Flag it.
If you would like to contact our Community Manager personally, feel free to send a private message or an email.
Exporting letters in SVG (or DXF)
harry_keith
Member Posts: 12 ✭
I've struggle with this before, but this time I am finally asking for help. See project here: https://cad.onshape.com/documents/c210d93a3c6df0ec061a6348/w/088da01c97d6a3d37b881ea0/e/d70a680630c00544fa5b6871
The basic concept is a plate with some letters on it. I need to manufacture it in some fashion. My first thought was Laser. I want the letters to be FULLY etched, not an outline. I export it to SVG, import it into either Inksape or Lightburn, and the letters aren't "closed" (the elements of the edges have gaps somewhere). I also tried with DXF. As a test, I also imported it into Carbide Create, where it complained of un-closed vectors. I could tell it to merge vectors, and then it was happy. As a workaround on this project, I sent it to Cricut to cut out of vinyl (it actually was a better solution to this project), but it cut every single tiny vector as a separate line, taking almost an hour to cut this little file.
What is going on? Why aren't letters exported in SVG or DXF closed vectors? How can I encourage them to be closed? This has to be a common workflow, so I'm certain this is a "me" problem.
Thanks for any help!
Harry
Comments
Well, I've found one solution. If I export to svg from a sketch, the vectors are closed. I was exporting from the drawing, because it has the entire project (base plate and letters). I generally prefer to have all the lettering on a separate sketch.
So, the question should be rephrased: Is it possible to export a drawing to svg or dxf and have closed vectors, or do I have to put all my work on one sketch and export from a sketch?