Loading a CAD File in Geopath

Ways of Loading a CAD File

There are several ways to load a CAD file. The first way may not be the best way but it is the fastest way. This would work if you have a disk with a file or a file somewhere in your computer.

Once GeoPath is loaded select Program, Change Existing Graphics Program, a window will come up. Change your directory to the location of your CAD file (\SLN directory). Now Select “Files of type” as illustrated below and select the CAD type that you want to use (e.g. DXF). The blank area in the middle will display all the files of that type. Select the Milldemo.dxf file and click Open and it will automatically load it into GeoPath. Once in GeoPath you may start programming it.

I don’t recommend that you follow this method because it loads the file directly from its location and it keeps the files needed (GGF, GTF, NC etc.) to make the GeoPath program in the same directory or disk. You might also have to rename the file. If you loaded the file from a disk you will find that working from a disk is a very slow process. You are better off keeping your files in the hard drive. Now go to Main/Files, Exit, Quit, when it asks you if you are sure you want to exit answer yes.

Loading a CAD File from Graphics

This method of loading a CAD file is a more efficient method. Once GeoPath has been activated go to Program, Create New Graphics Program and click. Here you can select the drive, directory, and file name you wish to use for your program, this way you will not have to change it at a later time. In the “Find Name” field enter “PART1” as the name of the program. Once you are in the graphics screen go to Main/Files, Load CAD, this will open a window like the one below.

Go to the “Files of type” field and select DXF, this will display the CAD files in the white area as illustrated above. In the “Look in” field change the directory to SLN directory if not already there; that is where the CAD file for this exercise may be found. Click on the MILLDEMO.DXF file and then click “Open”. The CAD file will be loaded automatically. Now you will see the drawing on the left in your graphics screen.

Using Layers from a CAD File

It is apparent to someone who uses layers that the file in its current view may not be programmed efficiently. There are notes on the screen that are not necessary to create a program, but are useful for information purposes. We will examine the CAD file so that we know what type of objects we have and figure out an efficient way of programming it.

Let’s examine the layers in this file; go to Layers, Set, this brings up the Layer List window. This is the window where you may choose a layer to work on.

Notice the “Layer Name” on the top left; the field below is the layer list. Each layer may have a number and a name. In this case we have four layers, each has a number and a name. To the right of each layer are two 4 boxes, the first one is the “Visible” box, removing the 4 will make the layer invisible. Keeping the 4 will make the layer visible. Visible or invisible is determined by having the 4 in the box as well as having the layer highlighted as layer 0.0 shows. Not having the 4 in the box will make it invisible unless the layer is highlighted.

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