[Discuss] OSS/OSHW replacement for DXF?

[Pierce Nichols]

G code is for people who think DXF is way too standardized and consistent.

-p

On Mon, Jun 29, 2015 at 9:08 AM, abram connelly
<abram.connelly at gmail.com> wrote:
> GCode falls into the category of "ask grandpa"?
>
> -Abe
>
> On Mon, Jun 29, 2015 at 11:34 AM, j. eric townsend
> <jet at functionalprototype.com> wrote:
>>
>> [disclaimer, I am not a lawyer, this is not legal advice or opinion,  If
>> there’s a better forum for this question, I’m happy to take this question
>> elsewhere.]
>>
>> Let’s start with this: DXF is dead, long live DXF!
>>
>> I’ve spent the past week dealing with a variety of hardware and software
>> packages that all handle different versions and features of DXF and am ready
>> for an OSS replacement.  Epilog, a generic Chinese laser cutter, a
>> Lasersaur, and a Flow-driven waterjet cannot agree on a version of DXF to
>> handle simple lines and curves.  I started looking in to “the right DXF
>> version” and by the weekend realized I was in a maze of twisty passages, all
>> alike.
>>
>> So lets be grown-ups and ditch DXF to the pile of disorganized, organic
>> rules purporting to be standards.
>>
>> What’s an appropriate substitute?   Here’s where I’m starting:
>>
>> - DWG: is (and always will be) proprietary
>>
>> - Teigha: a proprietary replacement for DWG.
>>
>> - SVG: doesn’t thrill me as it also has too many versions/variation
>> problems and isn’t focused on making physical products. (Quick, how big is a
>> pixel?)
>>
>> - IGES: no official changes since '95 or ’96, still used for 3d models by
>> the likes of McMaster Carr, but I have had zero luck with exported IGES
>> files and digifab hardware.
>>
>> - millcrum: interesting idea, in development, but it’s parametric and I’m
>> allergic to that when it comes to wateriets and class IV lasers.
>>
>> - EPS: ugh
>>
>> - PDF: see EPS
>>
>> - AI: proprietary
>>
>> - HPGL: I’ll ask grandpa what it was like to walk to school both ways
>> uphill in the snow.
>>
>> - openNURBS:  really open, no copyright or copyleft on the toolkit;
>> arguably the standard is defined by McNeel who own the trademark on
>> “openNURBS”.
>>
>> - STL: I haven’t tried 2d STL yet, but I don’t remember seeing it as an
>> import option on many of the 2 and 2.5D systems I use.
>>
>> If this is better placed on a wiki, let me know and I’ll see to that.
>>
>> —jet
>>
>>
>> --
>> J. Eric Townsend, IDSA
>> designer | engineer | fabricator
>> jet at functionalprototype.com
>>
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>
>
>
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-- 
Pierce Nichols
Principal Engineer
Logos Electromechanical, LLC