Problems opening QCAD drawings on other CAD programs

[cbright]

I've run into a problem when I pass one of my drawings to a someone running Librecad or Solidworks in that my dxf file that appears to be solid lines in QCAD comes up for them as many tiny unconnected segments. The same thing happened when I sent a part off to be laser cut. They had to redraw it to make the lines solid for cutting. Has anyone else run into this? Is there something I have possibly set incorrectly in my drawing options?

[CVH]

Hi, and welcome to the QCAD forum.

Please attach an example file or at least a snippet (Also see above forum rules in red)
With an example we would be able to help you more efficiently.


Guessing that your line-art is not drawn as continuously.
But:

• A) That should always be displayed as patterned in QCAD, in design mode using Screen-based LineTypes (NL).

• B) It should not be an issue for CAM applications, and thus laser cutting, as these are expected to use the vector art.

Select a drawing entity and verify the Linetype property in the Property Editor, it should be 'Continuous'.
If that is inherited as 'By Layer' then verify the related layer its Linetype property by editing it.

Librecad or Solidworks may interpret the Model Layout drawing scale properties and handle the Global Linetype scale differently.
The pattern may then be scaled up to a point that there are indeed visible spaces between dashes/dots larger than 1 line weight.
Typical a round pen is used and segments extend 1/2 Lineweight further than the vector art at both ends.
Except for Polylines with custom widths as these use a flat pen.

'Redrawing' for cutting should not be required, simply alter the line patterning if that is really an issue for them ...
... Of the layer or of the entities with individual properties.


Another possibility is that splines or polylines are exploded to individual Line and/or Arc segments.
But then these segments would at least be (almost) connected at endpoints.

Regards,
CVH

[cbright]

Thank you so much for the pointers. I've redone a few of the problem drawings and resubmitted them to the laser cutting facility to see if they're working now.
I do apologize for not including screen shots with my my question and will do so in any future posts.