File export guide

Getting your part out of CAD

The quote form prices DXF and STEP plates and STL / 3MF prints instantly, straight from the file. Here's how to export each from Onshape and Fusion 360, and what to check before you send.

DXF, for CNC plates

A DXF is the flat outline of one plate: its edge and its holes. It's what we cut from, and the quote form measures it to price it instantly.

Onshape

  1. In the Part Studio, right-click the plate's large flat face.
  2. Choose Export as DXF/DWG.
  3. Set the format to DXF and the units to inches or millimeters, then Export.

You can also right-click a sketch in the feature list and export it the same way, if the sketch has the full outline and holes.

Fusion 360

  1. Start a sketch on the plate's large flat face: Create Sketch, then click the face.
  2. If the outline and holes don't show up in the sketch, use Project (shortcut P) and click the face. Then Finish Sketch.
  3. In the Browser on the left, right-click that sketch and choose Save As DXF.

STEP, for a whole part

A STEP file is the full 3D part. Send one when a plate has pockets or features a flat DXF can't show. The quote form measures it, pockets and thickness included, and prices it instantly. If it has something unusual, like chamfers or features on both sides, the quote says so and we double-check it.

Onshape

  1. In the Parts list, right-click the part and choose Export.
  2. Set the format to STEP and click Export.

Fusion 360

  1. File → Export.
  2. Set the type to STEP Files (*.stp, *.step) and click Export.

STL or 3MF, for 3D prints

The quote form reads STL and 3MF files as millimeters and weighs the print from the model.

Onshape

  1. In the Parts list, right-click the part and choose Export.
  2. Set the format to STL, the units to Millimeter and the resolution to Fine, then Export.

Fusion 360

  1. In the Browser, right-click the body and choose Save As Mesh (older versions: Save As STL).
  2. Pick STL (Binary) or 3MF, set the units to Millimeter, and click OK.

Before you send

  • One part per file, named after the part (like left-side-plate.dxf). Send up to 10 files at once and set each one's quantity.
  • Full size. The quote form shows each file's measured size: check it matches your part. A DXF with no unit setting gets its units guessed from the size.
  • DXF: just the part. The outline and holes as closed shapes, and nothing else: no dimensions, text, title blocks or construction lines.
  • Pockets don't show in a DXF. Describe them in the Details box, or send a STEP.
  • Prints in inches? Say so in the Details box, since STL and 3MF are read as millimeters.
  • 10 MB per file at most. Bigger files can be emailed to crackboticssandiego@gmail.com.

Get an instant quote