Exporting vector layers

Exporting vector layers

Exporting vector layers

You can export individual or multiple vector layers as data so that the vector artwork can be imported into a new model or another drawing package.
If you export to .dgk or .dxf format, then layer and colour information is preserved. If you export to .eps, then you can choose whether or not to preserve layer and colour information.

To export an individual vector layer:

  1. In the Project panel, select the vector layer you want to export. Its panel is displayed below the splitter bar.
  2. On the panel, click the Export Vectors  button. This displays the Save Vector Layer dialog.
  3. Navigate to the location where you want to save the file.
  4. Enter a File name.
  5. In the Save as type list, select which file type in you want to save the vectors:

    EPS — Select Use vector layer colours to preserve the colours that you have assigned to your vector layers. Deselect this option to ignore vector layer colours and export vectors as black and white.

    DXF (AutoCAD) — Select this to use AutoCAD® technology when saving the file, then choose an export option:

    • Export true geometry — Select this option to export circles as their true shape instead of as arcs or Bézier curves.
    • Compatibility export — Select this option to modify the exported vectors in an attempt to work around common issues that third party software has with the DXF (AutoCAD) option.

    DXF (AC1009) — Select this format to use the export method that was used by ArtCAM® until version 2015; use this if you have problems with the DXF (AutoCAD) export method on third party software and machines. Select Export true geometry to export circles as their true shape instead of as arcs or Bézier curves.

  6. Click Save to close the dialog and export the vector layer.

To export multiple selected layers:

  1. In the Project panel, select the layers you want to export.
  2. In the panel below the splitter bar, click the Export Layers  button. This displays the Save Vector Layers dialog.
  3. Navigate to the location where you want to save the file.
  4. Enter a File name.
  5. In the Save as type list, select which file type in you want to save the vectors:

    EPS — Select Use vector layer colours to preserve the colours that you have assigned to your vector layers. Deselect this option to ignore vector layer colours and export vectors as black and white.

    DXF (AutoCAD) — Select this to use AutoCAD® technology when saving the file, then choose an export option:

    • Export true geometry — Select this option to export circles as their true shape instead of as arcs or Bézier curves.
    • Compatibility export — Select this option to modify the exported vectors in an attempt to work around common issues that third party software has with the DXF (AutoCAD) option.

    DXF (AC1009) — Select this format to use the export method that was used by ArtCAM® until version 2015; use this if you have problems with the DXF (AutoCAD) export method on third party software and machines. Select Export true geometry to export circles as their true shape instead of as arcs or Bézier curves.

  6. Click Save to close the dialog and export the selected vector layers.

See also


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