Further tools and customizing functions
More info about the Available file formats
Concepts     Procedure     Commands

More info about the Available file formats

DevFoam can manage 3 types of files:

Cutting files

This is the type of file used to export the final cutting to the Cnc application or controller.
See also: What is the Cutting path? How can I create and modify it? 

According to your Cnc machine, controller and Cnc application, devFoam export the Cutting path  to different file formats:

• 2 Axis Gcode - if you are driving your foam cutting machine as a simple 2 axis, this is the button to create the GCode. You can customize the GCode using the Customize 2 Axis Gcode button
• 4 Axis Gcode - if you are driving your foam cutting machine as a 4 axis, this is the button to create the GCode. You can customize the GCode using the Customize 4 Axis Gcode button
• DXF - DXF files are a standard in Cad applications. You can customize the DXF using the Customize DXF button
• DAT - DAT files are used to describe a single polyline, some CNC driving software likes to import them
• Hpgl/Plt - Hpgl/Plt files are used to describe the plotting of a drawing, some CNC driving softare likes to import them. Only simple command like SP, PU, PD are used here.
• GMFC script .CUT file - if you use GMFC to drive your CNC, you can create a .CUT file and import it in GMFC as a Script file. When you click this button you will be prompted for some parameters in the GMFC .cut file creation dialog

Cad file (vectorial file) to describe the parts to cut

You can import DXF, DWG, DAT and HPGL/PLT file by:

• one of these functions included in the Startup dialog:
  • 'Cut Parts'
  • 'Cut Nested Parts'
  • 'Cut Along Vector'
  • 'Cut a new Tapered Part'
    
• the Cad menu File Import Regions from many file types... 
• the Cad menu File Import Polylines from many file types... 
• the Cad menu File Import or export using the menu File Export. 
• File Import Import from DAT or export using the menu File Export to DAT. 
• File Import Import from HPGL/PLT  or export using the menu File Export to HPGL/PLT

About DXF and DWG: DevFoam includes a native management of DXF r12 file.
If you install also the free application ODA File Converter, devFoam can use it in a silent mode to add the management of all types of DXF and DWG files.
See also Setup the ODA File Converter

Raster file (picture/image) to describe the parts to cut

You can import Gif, Jpeg, Bmp, Png, Tif, Tga, Pcx file by:

• one of these functions included in the Startup dialog:
  • 'Cut Parts'
  • 'Cut Nested Parts'
  • 'Cut Along Vector'
  • 'Cut a new Tapered Part'
    
• the Cad menu File Import Regions from many file types... 
• the Cad menu File Import Polylines from many file types... 

See also: I have some picture of the parts I want to cut. How can devFoam help me?

Note: More info about DAT and Hpgl/Plt vectorial files

DAT

DAT  is a special file format used to describe a single polyline. This is the standard file format to exchange airfoils.
Using the import function:
File Import Import from DAT
you will be prompted to select the right DAT file, then you can apply a scale by this dialog 



As usually DAT file are normalized in the 0.0 - 1.0 range along X coordinates, You can apply here the right Scale to get the desired size.
The polyline described by the DAT file will be then placed on the Cad origin.

To use the export function you must as first select the polyline you are going to export, then use
File Export Export to DAT
You will be prompted to select the DAT file name, then if you want to normalize the polyline in the 0.0 - 1.0 range along X coordinates.

HPGL/PLT

devFOamoffers the possibility to import export also to simple HPGL/PLT file format.
Only basic tags like PU, PD, PA and color management are offered.
Use
File Import Import from HPGL/PLT
and
File Export Export to HPGL/PLT 
menu to do that.