Proposed sticky for RFQ file format!

[dahui]

1) Always post a PDF!
2) If it's a quote for a CNC job incude BOTH a PDF and DXF (not just DXF)
3) please oh please don't zip that file!

PDF is the solution: to all file sharing. If you don't have acrobat reader...what is wrong with you? You have a computer right? The PDF allows people (anyone/everyone) to see the print and decide if they want to bother. Click on file, view part. No more steps in between.

The DXF will allow the CNC folks to estimate cutting time but isn't really needed otherwise. I have software to view DXF's but it's a hassle to wait for the program to load every time and if I'm cranky I don't even look at them.

Zipping of files: If your print drawing is more than 2MB then...oh wait converting to PDF has reduced your source file size so that's not a problem. It's the 90's man, why zip a file? Efficiency? The time lost in saving and unzipping and locating the zipped file and organizing my folder structure and fragmenting my hard drive and downloading unknown content and defragmenting my hard drive and opening the file only to find it will not open properly because it was zipped in the first place...is less than efficient.

How do you make a PDF if you don't have Acrobat?

http://createpdf.adobe.com/
http://www.cutepdf.com/
https://www.pdfonline.com/convert_pdf.asp

[DareBee]

A dxf is almost a waste of time for estimating as well. If the job is no more complicated then 2.5d work (which is all a dxf is good for) just stick with the pdf.
To generate a pdf (for those that don't think they can) download and install a tiny (free) program called CutePDF.
If the job requires more than 2.5d machining give us an iges and a parasolid AS WELL AS a fully DIMENSIONED and TOLERANCED print in PDF format.
My.02 is done now.

[ImanCarrot]

DareBee, you are a saint!

I've been looking for something like that PDF generator for ages, but every time I need it I haven't got the time to go looking!

Many, many thanks man, worked a treat.

[dahui]

Don't forget to check the three links I left for PDF generators. I'm also vying for my sainthood!

I forgot to enable a poll, so maybe if people can just vote.

The point wasn't to cover all quoting situations, but to give the most basic format and make things easy for everyone.

Dimensions and tolerances would certainly be helpful. For those that aren't familiar with tolerances, if you can give your machinist friends some idea of the application then they can probably figure out what range of precision is needed and help specify.

[mc-motorsports]

Just google BullZip PDF Printer. All you do is click print, and instead of selecting your normal printer, select the BullZip PDF printer and it saves what ever your looking at in .pdf format. Works on every program, even your CAD programs.

MC

[DareBee]

Originally Posted by mc-motorsports instead of selecting your normal printer, select the BullZip PDF printer and it saves what ever your looking at in .pdf format. MC

Exactly the same as CutePDF

[ImanCarrot]

Yep! as DArBee said, Cute thingy installed quick, easy and is now a "printer" on anything I want to print- if you ask it to print to the Cute thingy it'll ask you what file name... simple as a blonde bimbo at last orders! easy peasy! thanks mate!

[DareBee]

New Avatar for you - eh - Iman

[ImanCarrot]

Heh yep, wanted to put an animated one in but it was too big.