As a products or part’s development matures, it’s not uncommon to need to create different file types in order to create prototypes or send to manufacturers for quoting. DXF’s and DWG files are exceptionally common 2D file exports, and you can create them from SOLIDWORKS drawings, sheet metal flat patterns, and even selections in 3D part files. Let’s take a look at the process to get those files.
Open the DXF/DWG Output PropertyManager
There are a few ways to open the PropertyManager that will allow you to save/export:
- File -> Save As in a part with either nothing or planar face(s) selected.
- With one or multiple faces selected, right click and select “Export to DXF/DWG”.
- For sheet metal parts, right click the flat pattern in the FeatureManager and select “Export to DXF/DWG”.
Export Type, selections, and options
Once the PropertyManger Window is open, you’ll now select the type of export, which includes the part’s annotation views, a selection of faces, loops, edges, or sheet metal (which will export the flat patterns).
Once the export type is selected, you’ll then select what you’ll be exporting under entities to export.
- Sheet metal parts have geometry selected by default. If you want to export bend lines and bounding boxes, you may also select those.
- On other parts you may select faces, loops or edges, and their names will be listed.
- Views to export as the type will require you to select the standard or custom views you’d like to export.
You can also control the origin, x-axis, and y-axis when you export.
If multiple selections are made, you can also choose to export all items to a single file or multiple.
DXF/DWG Cleanup Window
After clicking the check mark, the cleanup window will appear. The main command here of note is the ability to remove entities if you need to get rid of any unwanted vectors.
