exporting to Alibre

[David K]

Hey folks - I am trying to export some simple 45deg bevel gears so that I may add them to some Alibre models...

I'm getting blank pages upon attemptin g to open the files in Alibre... I did get one 2D (Involute-001-2D.dxf) to open as a 2D drawing of that profile.. .

anybody having any success (or seeing this also?)

Bevel gear attached

thanks
David

[Richey]

I ran into this issue yesterday and as far as I can work out its alibre, not GM. Basically alibre won't import 3d dxf files (you'll just get a blank drawing), while with 2d dxf's it'll open them as drawings but not as sketches that you can extrude from the off. See here for how to extrude a dxf drawing into a solid model http://cadcam3d.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-to-make-3d-alibre-designs-from.html
I haven't tried the above method yet, but it looks like it should work. Obviously however this is bugger all use for bevel gears.
A hint that Alibre isn't likely to make this any easier soon is that sycode sell a proper dxf import addon ($4.99 for a 7 day license, $150 to buy it) for alibre http://www.sycode.com/products/dxf_import_ad/
Hope this helps.

[dale gribble]

Thanks for the link on importing dxf in Alibre ran into that problem before and gave up and re drawn the part fresh.

Thanks

Dale

[Richey]

No worries. Just began messing around with Alibre recently and while it is great for the price, some of the limitatio ns are tooth grindingl y irritatin g :S Ah well, can't have everythin g

[John S]

Tried bringing a bevel as an STL into VCarves Cut3D, worked flawlessl y.
I know it isn't Alibre but it is another option.

[David K]

I'll give it a shot...so, for a 90deg. bevel gear....h mm., maybe build a cone, and revolve around it for the tooth features. .

...not sure I'll have to play around with that...

yes, it's a little dissappoi nting