? about autocad 2005

[bearracecars]

i use autocad for my cad program doing plasma cutting. when i draw something and start changing it around or if i import something i will have over lapping or open line segments sometimes. with sheetcam it won't let me offset if i have line segments or arcs with open ends. is there a way that i can select the part that has open segments and be able to use a command to close all segments? sometimes it is really hard to find the ends that aren't connected when they are maybe a couple of thousands apart.

thanks
bear

[zippy]

If you use the pedit comand. you can (use the multiple option) select lines and convert them to polylines. After you convert them to polylines you can continue to use the pedit comand and use the close option.

[bearracecars]

hi zippy
thanks for the answer. i just tried it but when i hit c for close nothing happens. i drew a simple shape left an opening between 2 lines. used pedit
selected both lines converted to poly lines then hit c for close and nothing happened. am i missing something. then if i pedit multiple then convert to polyline then select polyline and explode it back to a line i have two lines.
why is it doing that? that will really mess up the cam program.
thanks
bear

[mxtras]

Try this:

Save (just in case...)
Explode all of the entities you wish to join until you see that you can't explode any farther
Pedit
Select your first line
Join
Select all of the entities you wish to join
Enter
Close Polyline

...and if that doesn't do it, type PE (shortcut for Polyline Edit) and then pick the Polyline, then enter E - for edit vortex. This is where your problem is...or at least the first problem.

Personally, I do NOT like using the close command. This should be a last ditch effort. Your data should be drawn cleanly enough to roll right through a PE command without a hitch.

From there, the easiest way is to explode it again and then use F3 (Osnap) set to endpoint and manually join the ends. Make sure your "ignore Z" is not on - or if you know your lines are in the right Z plane, then make sure "ignore Z" is on. Use the list command to see if your entities are sitting in the correct Z plane.

Sorry to be so short and bit less than concise - I am a bit pressed for time!

Scott

[ger21]

Type pedit.
type m and enter (for multiple)
j and enter (join)
AutoCAD will then ask you for a fuzz factor. Enter a number bigger than your largest space and hit enter, and they should all get joined together.

A better option is to learn better drawing skills. The whole point of any CAD program is to make accurate drawings. With the method I gave you above, you start with a poor drawing, and finish with a poor drawing, although it'll be all fixed up for your needs.

[ChrisJ]

Once again I learn something new from Ger1 (fuzz factor).

Assuming all the geometry is in the right place and you just need to connect endpoints that aren't touching, just use the fillet command on your arcs and lines with a zero radius to close the gaps.

Chris

Edit: But forget my suggestion since Ger1 suggestion is like filleting each entities endpoints in that chain all in one shot. Nice tip there Gerry.

[bearracecars]

thanks for all the answers. i will try in the morning.

ger21 thanks for your help also. but what i'm having problems with is not actual parts that i draw from scratch its artwork,pictures or fonts that are imported from corel that has been coverted to dxf. then i have to clean up the file to be able to cut out with plasma (ie. thousands of little line segments that make up an arc to an actual arc. so i go from hundreds of nodes to just 3.)
next time i find one that i'm having a problem with i will post the file
cause communication isn't my strong suite.
thanks
bear

[ger21]

If you're importing from Corel you really should look into Tom's .DXF Tool.

http://www.candcnc.com/DXFToolDetails.htm

[bearracecars]

dxf tool is great i use it all the time. i would hate to have to do any of this without it.
bear