I can't find a defined meaning for this, but I have found that if I check this Z value, and *if negative* mirror ARC and CIRCLE centre coordinates in the Y axis of the DXF file, including resetting ARC start and end angles correspondingly, then the file imports into Inkscape as I'd expect (and, as Inkscape and Lasercut were behaving the same way, I assume it'll import into our cutting software). The Z coordinate of all ARC and CIRCLE centres (I've not checked other coordinates but I imagine the same issue may arise) are set to +A and -A seemingly at random, where 'A' is a number that varies, I'm not sure why or what it is, but it's set to the same value for every centre in a given DXF file. Onshape's exported DXF files, however, do not do this. For most CAM or drawing output, the Z coordinate of all points is normally set to 0. It's actually nothing to do with splines, the files Onshape produces are R12 DXF compliant so can't contain splines even if they wanted to! It's related to the centre points of CIRCLE and ARC entities within the DXF.ĭXF coordinates are three dimensional. Right, I've done some DXF delving and I now know why Inkscape and LaserCut don't like the file generated from Onshape. It's not just kids with arduinos (although we have plenty of those too!) Our members include CTOs of nearby SMEs who use the facilities to prototype products, venture capitalists, etc. I think it's a mistake to assume that hackspace members aren't potential paying customers - we've had six startups from Makespace that I'm aware of over the last year, I get most of my consultancy income through contacts there. At Makespace we've invested something like twenty thousand pounds in laser cutter hardware, believe me, we're happy to pay for software if it works!

Many packages provide an option to render splines to polylines (it's a staple computer graphics algorithm, not rocket science). It doesn't, however, help those of us who've invested thousands of pounds in laser cutters where the software cannot handle splines. I agree that a spline is a better way to represent a curve, that's self evident. Sure, it's not proper CAD software but it's friendly, well supported and good enough for most use.

We do suggest that people use it for the laser because it (unlike Onshape at present) can export files which the laser software can read, and because it's easy to use. Inkscape isn't the issue, I mention it because it was the first thing I used when testing whether the problem was in Onshape or elsewhere.

Inkscape dxf text loops