is there something special that needs to happen to work with autocad dwg files? The show up looking like a wireframe, but nothing is really useable.

Here is the file I'm trying.

DWG & DXF Are not solid models if that's what you mean. But you can certainly machine wireframe geometry from a DWF file. Can you define "Nothing is really useable"?

Mike Mattera

when I open the file, I can click on individual lines, but if I try to setup for the mill, nothing works like a .pmod would. I suppose I'm looking to use things like a solid, where closed faces can be selected. is there a way to convert to a solid, sort of like the feature finder?

I've tried working with .iges files as well without much luck. Before, with mastercam these files were a breeze. Now, with edgecam, .pmod files are a breeze, but other formats cause me difficulties becuase I don't have the training yet.

Well the modeler makes solid models. Solids have properties that can be used as part "features". A Hole in a solid has more information than a circle in a DWG wireframe file. Both can be machined in Edgecam. They just have different properties.

You should be able to read that DWG into the modeler and create a solid from it if you like, but you dont have to.

Mike Mattera

suppose that would accomplish what I'm after. how would I create a solid from that drawing? when I choose extract edges within modeler, there is nothing selectable, so I can't extract.

I know I need training.