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Placing 2D Spirals into a .DXF

Placing 2D Spirals into a .DXF

Placing 2D Spirals into a .DXF

(OP)

Hello,

I am trying to generate a .dxf file that shows multiple spirals using Solidworks 2007.  It seems I can only draw spirals by creating a new sketch for each one (since I can't create linear or circular patterns of them), and then, I can't seem to get the spirals to show up in a .dxf.  Any ideas on how to achieve this?  Any help is much appreciated.

Thanks,
Ken4242

RE: Placing 2D Spirals into a .DXF

After creating the spirals, convert them into a 3D sketch using the Convert Entities tool. Then re-try the DXF.

RE: Placing 2D Spirals into a .DXF

(OP)
I can't get the Convert Entities option to become clickable when I highlight either the spiral or the sketch (the circle) on which it is based.  Any ideas?

RE: Placing 2D Spirals into a .DXF

Start a 3D sketch first, then use the Convert Entities tool.

RE: Placing 2D Spirals into a .DXF

I just did a quick test with SW2012, and I was able to save a DXF from the model directly from the spirals.

RE: Placing 2D Spirals into a .DXF

Same for SW2011.

Just realised you are still using SW2007, so maybe the DXF function was limited way back then. lol  Show your boss this thread and tell him/her not to be so cheap.

Hopefully the 3D sketch > Convert Entities will work for you.

RE: Placing 2D Spirals into a .DXF

(OP)
Good idea about getting an upgrade!  :)  I open a new file, click 3D sketch, then draw a circle, then, when I go Insert --> Curve --> Helix/Spiral, I get a message that says "The sketch must contain only a circle."  Am I missing something obvious?

RE: Placing 2D Spirals into a .DXF

(OP)
It turns out, the spiral was just defaulted to hidden when placed into the DWG file - I had to select "Show" to see it.  Still hoping there is a way to array spirals or create more than one per sketch, but at least I can make the DXF by brute force if needed.

Thanks again, CorBlimeyLimey.

RE: Placing 2D Spirals into a .DXF

OK, I may have been misleading you with the 3D Sketch. For some reason I had a tapered helix stuck in my head.

For the patterned 2D Spiral;
After creating the spiral, open a new 2D sketch and use the Convert Entities tool to propagate the spiral into the new sketch. That converted entity should now be pattern-able within the same sketch.

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