[EXDXF-Pro] Export DXF with paths being processed from inside to outside

This is a basic guide of EXDXF-Pro's "Sort Closed Paths by Processing Order" function.
This is useful for controlling the cutting order when importing DXF files into CAD/CAM or NC operating software.
This function allows DXF export sorted for post-processing, e.g. with a laser cutter, for CAM, starting from the inner path.
You can also find a guide line of "Path Rotation Direction" function in this section.

Sorting Closed Paths by Processing Order

Typically, information about the graphical objects that form a drawing is described in the ENTITIES section of the DXF file.

By turning on "Sort closed paths by processing order" feature in EXDXF-Pro, you can change the order of the exported DXF descriptions. Therefore, the paths can be processed from the inner one to the outer ones. (The output order of other paths will be from left to right.)

Let's see how it works with the sample objects in the following.

Sort Closed Paths by Processing Order Sample object

The objects above are created in the following order :

  1. Green circle
  2. Cyan circle
  3. Magenta circle

*In Illustrator's Layer Panel, the display order is 1, 2, 3 from bottom to top (in the order generated first).

Normal : "Sort Close Paths in Processing Order" unchecked

Export the objects WITHOUT checking the "Sort closed paths by processing order" checkbox at the bottom left of the EXDXF-Pro Export Dialog.

Sort Closed Paths by Processing Order EXDXF-Pro Export Dialog-1

The DXF file will be written in the order in which the objects were created in Illustrator, as shown below.

  1. Green circle
  2. Cyan circle
  3. Magenta circle
Sort Closed Paths by Processing Order dxf file-1

"Sort closed paths by processing order" is checked

Export with "Sort closed paths by processing order" CHECKED in the export dialog.

Sort Closed Paths by Processing Order EXDXF-Pro Export Dialog-2

As shown below, the DXF file will be written from the innermost object in the close path, regardless of the order in which objects are created in Illustrator.

  1. Cyan circle
  2. Magenta circle
  3. Green circle
Sort Closed Paths by Processing Order dxf file-2

Correct path rotation direction

Corrects the direction of rotation of a closed path clockwise or counterclockwise.
If a path is included in another path an odd number of times, it will be inverted. (If the paths overlap, they are excluded.)

Clockwise

If "Clockwise" is chosen in the "Path Rotation Direction" box at the bottom right of the EXDXF-Pro Export Dialog, the x and y-coordinates will be described in the DXF file in the order of the clockwise locus.

Path rotation direction clockwise dxf export dialog-1

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Path rotation direction clockwise dxf file-1

Anti clockwise

If you choose the "Anti clockwise" checkbox in the "Path Rotation Correction" box at the bottom right of the EXDXF-Pro Export Dialog, the DXF file will be written in the order in which the x and y-coordinates are in the anti clockwise direction.

Path rotation direction anticlockwise dxf export dialog-2

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Path rotation direction anticlockwise dxf file-2