Lets resize this thing so we can see it first.
Go to View//Properties.
Check the box by “Resize paper to fit drawing” then click “OK”:
Next, go to Zoom/Extents
The drawing is now a nice size we can work with.
Now, lets see what we've downloaded.
Go to View/Layer Gallery and look at all the layers.
These are all the layers I get when I open your downloaded drawing.
DXF import (in dark gray)
DXF Import (in light gray)
0
VISIBLEE
HIDDEN
CENTER
Clicking on the light in each layer, choose "Hide all layers except this one" to see what you have.
DXF import (dark gray) has a point to the right
DXF Import (light gray) has some lines that might be contours or profiles
0 has some horizontal and vertical lines
VISIBLEE shows the logo
HIDDEN has some short line segments scattered around
CENTER has a single point off to the right.
Lets start by tossing the trash
View/Layer Galery/ and highlight DXF import.
NOTE: Depending where you click on a layer line, you might get taken to a information box we don't want to mess with. If you find yourself in line type or color, or whatever, just click "cancel" on the bottom of it. All we want to do is HIGHLIGHT the layer line.
Now that you have a layer highlighted, click on "delete" on the right side of the Layer dialog box.
Sadly it should be as easy as that, but isn't. A new box comes up and asks where to send the data from that layer.
Note to Dolphin. If we wanted to delete the layer, why would we want to save it's data?
Pick any layer EXCEPT "visible" to send the data to, and click "OK"
Repeat this for, DXF Import, 0, hidden, and center.
NOTE: One of these will need to remain because Dolphin won't let you get rid of all the dead wood (I don't know how to do that yet) I threw all the dead wood in "Hidden" and kept that one, and "Visible."
Getting there.
Now before we are done with the Layer gallery, we want to make a New Layer.
On the right side of the Layer information box, click on "new." Title it "Cross." and click "OK."
Click the box on the left of the new layer called Cross, We want that empty box to have an X in it.
Click on the light in the layer called "Hidden." If you saved the deadwood to any other layer, click on it's light.
Select, "Hide this Layer."
Click on the light in layer "Visible"
Select "Show this layer."
If the light in "Cross" has an X over it, click and select "Show this layer."
Click on the locks on each layer to open "Visible" and "Cross," and lock "Hidden" (or the layer you selected for deadwood)
Check to make sure the lights are on or off and locks are opened or closed as needed, and if all is proper, click, "OK" in the Layer Gallery dialog box.
On your desk top, you should see the logo.
Select "Draw/Line"
In the snap dialog to the left side of the desktop, click on "Near."
We will start at the upper left quadrant, and call this quadrant #1.
Place the curser where the centermost arc meets the LEFT line of the vertical point. Click on it. This starts the line.
Move the curser to the junction of the point and top of the cross. Click to finish the first line.
Go to the top left side of the cross and click.
Move the curser to the next point (Corner of the vertical line and horizontal cross line) and click.
Move to the next point (left of the cross horzontal beam) and click.
Move and click on the next point (cross and horizontal point).
Move to the point and innermost curcle and click.
Hit "Escape" (Esc)
You've just made all the striaght lines for the first quadrant.
Repeat this process for Quadrants #2, #3, and #4. (I went anti-clockwise)
Now for the arcs.
Click on Draw/Arc. WE DO NOT WANT CIRCLE FOR THIS JOB.
Once again on the left side, Choose "Near" for snap mode.
On the left you will see several different arcs next to the snap buttons.
Select the top one, (center and two ends).
Move your curser to the center of the logo and click.
A dialog box appears and asks which is the first arc end point.
Click on the spot where we started our lines in Quadrant #1.
The dialog box then asks for the second end of the arc. Click on the spot where we ended the line in quadrant #1.
You should now have an arc in Quadrant #1.
Repeat this process for Quadrants #2, #3, #4.
Oh JOY! We are getting there!
At this point, all of the new lines should be in place in our new layer called "Cross."
To check and make sure, go to View/Layer Gallery and select the light in the layer called "Cross" and select "Hide all layers except this one."
Make sure the lock is OPEN.
Click "OK" to close the Layer Gallery.
You should now see your new art work and be able to tell if any mistakes or omissions were made. I made an omission of a line and was able to easily insert it by selecting Draw/Line and making sure the snap selection was on "Near." If you are missing several lines or arcs, you will need to turn the "visible" layer back on, and MAKE SURE "Cross" is selected (The box on the left has an X) before clicking OK to close the layer gallery and fix your mistakes.
If all is right, we can move ahead to NC
Click the red NC box, and then right click anywhere on the open desktop,
Select "Contour" and "Auto tracing"
Place the curser on the arc in Quadrant #1. Notice how there is an arrow shown. This arrow will change directions depending on which side of the arc your curser is placed. I prefer climb milling for something like this, so I chose my arrow to go anti-clockwise.
Click on the arc when you have the arrow going which way you will want the cut made.
In the dialog box that apears, give it the title Cross #1, or Quadrant #1. (Or anyhing you'll remember and not get confused over)
Z surface is "0."
Z depth is -.015
Call it a group number (I chose 1)
Click ok.
You'll see a new info box stating new contour has been made. Click "OK."
You should now see your contour in Quadrant #1.
Repeat for the rest of the quadrants.
NOTE. Make sure you have all quadrants with the same contour name (but numbered progressively) and grouped .i.e. "Cross 1, group 1" - "Cross 2, Group 1" - "etc."
Thats it. You are now finished with your new artwork and can go to "Machining/Milling Module"
Somebody owes me a beer. Or a bong, or a beer bong. Something. That was an hour and a half (I type slow). My degree is Professional Technical
Cmmunication and I did "ok" at manual writing.  |