[ SOLVED ] Save Selection As DXF

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John Hyslop
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[ SOLVED ] Save Selection As DXF

Post by John Hyslop » Tue Apr 05, 2022 8:48 am

Hi Andrew

I was wondering if there was an equivalent method in Qcad to export selection only as dxf in AutoCad this is the workflow
dxfout
select objects
type in filename..

The reason I'm asking is I have a structural steel job I'm working on and I have to separate all the laser cut parts into single files for them to cut
there are almost 100 parts and the only way I have found to do this in ATM is to create a new drawing cut from main drawing and paste into new drawing then saveas dxf filename..

Would it be possible to do such a thing in Qcad even if it means selecting the objects 1st? and then select an export option?
There might be a way and I just haven't found it... :oops:

I think this would be a welcomed inclusion to Qcad if it doesn't already exist?

Cheers
John Hyslop
QcadCAM 3.27.1
Linux Mint 20.3
Last edited by John Hyslop on Wed Apr 06, 2022 12:49 am, edited 2 times in total.
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Husky
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Re: Save Selection As DXF

Post by Husky » Tue Apr 05, 2022 9:19 am

John Hyslop wrote:
Tue Apr 05, 2022 8:48 am
There might be a way and I just haven't found it... :oops:
There is a way .... but not the AC way - at least not to my knowledge. e_surprised

Just a question of passion and discipline. :lol: :lol: :lol:

What about ...
load the drawing,
select the entities you need,
invert the selection,
delete,
save under new name,
undo,
select the next entities which need to be isolated in a new drawing,
invert selection,
delete,
save under new name,
undo
select the next entities ............................... you got the idea, right?

For praxis reasons play first with a copy of that drawing until you know what you are doing.
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John Hyslop
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Re: Save Selection As DXF

Post by John Hyslop » Tue Apr 05, 2022 9:26 am

Thanks Husky

That's still a lot of work for almost 100 parts though ... I'll give it a shot but cut or copy and paste do the same..
I think it would be very useful on large projects like the one I have ATM to have the option to export selected entities..
I'm hoping Andrew agrees with me... Thank you for your prompt reply..

Cheers
John Hyslop
PS Actually that is a bit better than Copy & Paste
PPS I don't seem to be good at this :lol: I just stuffed up 2... looking for votes "Selection 2 DXF" :D
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ryancousins
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Re: Save Selection As DXF

Post by ryancousins » Tue Apr 05, 2022 11:46 am

I might be missing something, but what about selecting the items you want, then choosing Block>Create Library Item? You choose your reference point, then it brings up the save dialog box and you name your new DXF file. The newly created DXF file will only contained those items that you selected.

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Re: Save Selection As DXF

Post by John Hyslop » Tue Apr 05, 2022 12:56 pm

Hi Ryancousins
That may very well be the answer e_surprised
It's late here in Australia so I'll check it out tomorrow and let you know how it goes, as long as I can select the output folder and it doesn't add to Qcads library of parts..

Cheers
John Hyslop
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ryancousins
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Re: Save Selection As DXF

Post by ryancousins » Tue Apr 05, 2022 1:41 pm

John Hyslop wrote:
Tue Apr 05, 2022 12:56 pm
...as long as I can select the output folder and it doesn't add to Qcads library of parts..

Cheers
John Hyslop
It does in fact let you choose where to save, and it doesn't add it to the QCAD library.

John Hyslop
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Re: Save Selection As DXF

Post by John Hyslop » Wed Apr 06, 2022 12:49 am

Ryancousins

That works perfect and very fast thank you, I've added to my toolbar too for quick access :D
I'm changing status to [solved]

Cheers
John Hyslop
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John Hyslop
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Re: [ SOLVED ] Save Selection As DXF

Post by John Hyslop » Wed Apr 06, 2022 3:41 am

OK... 1st I'm not complaining :) saving selected entities as a library part works perfectly :)
But is there a setting to set the default format ? I use R18 [2004/LT2004] DXF Drawing [OpenDesign] (*.dxf)
for all my dxf files mainly because a lot of my customers use older software..

When creating a library part it "for some reason" defaults to the highest level R32 :?
For the life of me I cannot see anywhere I can change this apart from dropdown and select every time I save... :?
Screenshot from 2022-04-06 12-25-54.png
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Cheers
John
PS I do have a stand alone converter so no big deal for me, just wondered why it wasn't saved as per "saveas" settings in preferences :cry:
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ryancousins
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Re: [ SOLVED ] Save Selection As DXF

Post by ryancousins » Wed Apr 06, 2022 12:38 pm

This is suddenly above my pay grade. :)

Yeah, I don't see anything in the config file that would allow for a specific default filetype.

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andrew
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Re: [ SOLVED ] Save Selection As DXF

Post by andrew » Wed Apr 06, 2022 12:42 pm

The save dialog for the Block > Create Library Item tool will respect the preferences of the File > Save as tool in the next release.

John Hyslop
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Re: [ SOLVED ] Save Selection As DXF

Post by John Hyslop » Wed Apr 06, 2022 10:04 pm

Thanks Andrew

Cheers
John
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Husky
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Re: [ SOLVED ] Save Selection As DXF

Post by Husky » Thu Apr 07, 2022 12:10 am

Thinking about this ....................... I like the idea ...

... and the workaround from ryancousins is in my opinion next to perfect. :wink:

Opinion: The ability to save only selected entities with BT is a nice workaround but I'm asking myself why to use a workaround when in my understanding the complete code (BT) for such a tool already exist. Copy code, new name, new place (Menu/File/Save Selection as) - done. Yes I know - it isn't probably that easy ... :oops:

However, I think John should file a feature request and see what happens ...
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ryancousins
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Re: [ SOLVED ] Save Selection As DXF

Post by ryancousins » Thu Apr 07, 2022 2:09 am

Husky wrote:
Thu Apr 07, 2022 12:10 am
Copy code, new name, new place (Menu/File/Save Selection as) - done.
You make a good point. It makes me wonder if this functionality would be better called “Save selection as” and put next to the other save options as you suggest. After all, that’s really all “Create Library Item” is doing, and it isn’t explicitly creating a library item anyhow unless you happen to save the new DXF in a directory that is included in your library browser.

John Hyslop
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Re: [ SOLVED ] Save Selection As DXF

Post by John Hyslop » Thu Apr 07, 2022 5:40 am

Hmmmm

I'm thinking maybe it should go in the top left "File > Save Selection As" noted above by Husky & ryancousins ?
but I still like the fact you can select the reference point ... for me anyway..
Maybe we put it to a vote or maybe we do have it it 2 places like Husky suggested
and just call on the "create library item" code :?
But now I know where it is, it's fine for me as is but maybe it needs 2nd options for new users to find easily ?

Cheers
John
PS Andrew is fixing up the saved file version as noted in his post above..
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