What is the best way to export 2d data for a laser or waterjet ?

[rlangkamp]

We have a new sponsor with a laser this year, so we need to export a 2d flat profile as a dxf file  to have the laser cut our parts. We used export to DXF but that appears to create a 3d DXF file. Is there any way to set this up in the modeler to export 2d data ? We presently are creating a drawing , then we go into the dwg , delete all views but the one we need and set the export up for wireframe and export a 2d dxf file from the drawing at 1 to 1 scale . This works but it seems like there should be an easier way to this ?

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[GaryBunney]

Check out this post on DXF files:

Creating DXF's directly from CAD Models

[MattGray]

Yep - the accepted answer in the link is the best way to do that. We do it all the time.

If you set dxf_out_scale_views to yes (default is no), it will rescale the output based on the main view scale, and you won't need to set the views to 1:1.

Also we have found it's been the best to go to the oldest DXF version, to eliminate incompatibility of certain object types (at least with our Bystonic laser).

You can set dxf_export_format to 12 to accomplish that.

I run all exports with mapkeys, and it is really quick.