Corel Draw x3 Export to dwg - import to ALibre Design - not editable

[cnc_gary]

I am having a weird problem when exporting V13 Autocadd DWG files from Corel Draw and importing them to Alibre Design - I also have a similar problem using Corel Draw dxf exported files going into VcarvePro, a cam program from Vectric. fficeffice" />>>
Using a simple 3" square as the only item in a Corel Draw X3 file >>
- from Corel Draw 13 - if I DON'T CONVERT TO CURVES prior to export I can import the file into a drawing file in Alibre Design and then highlight the box and right click the mouse and select EXPLODE THE SYMBOL. I can then edit each part of the square, then I can copy from the drawing file and paste into a new part file and access each of the 4 lines of the square in the same way I could if I drew the square in an ALibre Part file, as a sketch. >>
- from Corel Draw 13 - if I DO convert it to curves and then export it I can only deal with the complete outline at one time in the Alibre draw file - the explode symbol command is not available and the item is shown as a spline in both the drawing file and after a cut and paste to the part file. >>
- from Corel Draw 13 - if I DO convert to curves and then BREAK THE NODES APART and export it I cannot use all of the editing tools in an Alibre drawing file but I can move individual pieces and delete them - the explode symbol command is not available and the items are shown as a spline in both the drawing file and after a cut and paste to the part file. >>
I used to have the opposite problem importing dxf and dwg files into v11. >>
Does anyone know why this happens? Is there a way around it? I'm confused! Is there a stand alone utility to do this? >>
I have tried several variations on this problem such as publishing to a pdf and then running a pdf to dwg converter. I have also brought the dwg and dxf file into VcarvePro and then saved it a dxf or dwg and the results are pretty much the same as the 2nd and third example above. I suspect that the problem lies in the export procedure in Corel Draw as it has caused problems for me using dxf exported files imported into 2 different apps. >>
Help. I've got a ton of Corel Draw files that I would like to turn into 3D parts and assemblies in Alibre Design. >>
I also have a few dwg files directly from Autocadd that can't be edited as well.

[cnc_gary]

COREL DXF into Alibre Design Standard problems

FROM GER21
"You guys should try this out.
http://www.candcnc.com/DXFToolDetails.htm
__________________
Gerry"

This solved my problem. What a great utility - I still have to test the sizes going into Vcarve pro as the DXF file from CD for a whole 4 by 8 foot sheet of parts about 8 by 30 inches average were all expanded by different amaounts and the layers in the new version of VcarvePro didn't work properly - I will post when I have confirmed

Thanks for the utility Gerry

[tjones]

Could you post a simple dwg or dxf file that you exported?

This way I can do some tests to see what you are having trouble with.

Did you try selecting the sketch icon before trying to edit?

[cnc_gary]

The corel draw v13 file was exported as a v13 autocadd dxf file. The file includes the letter page border and 3 3 inch squares - from left to right they are a native square from corel, the middle one is a native square which was converted to curves in CD and the last on the right is a converted to curves square and then the nodes were broken apart - the text above them shows - native - converted to curve and exploded nodes.

When imported to an Alibre drawing the page border and the left hand square both can be exploded - the middle and right square can't be - they are shown as splines - the middle box (converted to curves in CD) is just a closed box - the four lines making up the right hand side square can be selected, but cannot be dimensioned - they can be deleted. All parts are then highlighted and edit/copy is done.

A new part file is then opened in 2d edit and the paste command is pressed - the page border and the 3 3" per side squares are then shown on the x/y plane. The page border and the left square can be dimensioned, filleted or anything else that is normal to a 2d sketch can be performed on these - but the other two are in the same condition as they were in the drawing file.

This is weird!

Gary

[ger21]

The border and left square are polylines. The center is a single closed spline, and the right is 4 separate splines.

[cnc_gary]

As per your suggestion of the dxf macro utility inside Corel Draw v13 here is the same corel draw file converted using the utility - all pieces are editable - wow!

Again, thanks! The utility only converts the vectors on the current layer - all other layers are not sent.

The only other really interesting thing that I have learned from this is that even the original dxf export from CD draw imported into VcarvePro produces vectors that are the right size - I haven't tried creating a cut file from them, but that should work - a very interesting week or ten days - learned lots - now back to the training CDs from Alibre and their online courses.

Gary