How to join all curves in a DXF import?

[eobet]

Fantastic to finally have DXF import, but that means that all curves are split or separated. So, how do you join thousands of curve segments automatically in Affinity, where the start point on one curve is exactly on the end point of another?

Geometry - merge curves does not work, because all curves become a single object, rather than one object per continuous curve. Also, that option doesn't seem to merge anything at all, because when you do separate afterwards, they split into the exact same segments rather than continuous curves...

Next question is, can you simplify (reduce points) on these curves without loosing too much detail?

[Dan C]

Hi @eobet,

12 hours ago, eobet said:

Fantastic to finally have DXF import, but that means that all curves are split or separated. So, how do you join thousands of curve segments automatically in Affinity, where the start point on one curve is exactly on the end point of another?

Geometry - merge curves does not work, because all curves become a single object, rather than one object per continuous curve. Also, that option doesn't seem to merge anything at all, because when you do separate afterwards, they split into the exact same segments rather than continuous curves...

Are you able to provide a sample DXF/.afdesign file so I can provide specific advice here?

Can I also ask what you are hoping to achieve when separating the curves after editing? As I can confirm that I believe it's expected behaviour for multiple Curve objects to be merged into a singular Curves object - then when using Separate Curves, the original Curve objects will be retained, where possible.

12 hours ago, eobet said:

Next question is, can you simplify (reduce points) on these curves without loosing too much detail?

Unfortunately there's not automatic 'simplify' feature in Affinity currently - though you can delete existing nodes using ALT + Backspace and the Affinity app will attempt to retain the curves shape whilst removing this node.

[MEB]

Hi @eobet,
Regarding your first question, I believe there's no easy way to do this automatically. The Join Curves command (Node Tool) does connect lines that "enclose" a shape assuming the end nodes of them do overlap (alternatively the Shape Builder Tool can also generate shapes from lines), but applying it to several objects at once each with multiple lines may lead to unpredictable results, connecting lines from different objects or complicating the process if there's shapes containing other shapes visually - you will have a bit more work (Shape Builder Tool). Merge Curves just adds all lines ("groups") to a single object, does not connect them.

The point is why do you need the lines connected? If it's for filling them you can use the Vector Flood Fill Tool without the need to close the shapes (it generates them from you), if it's for 3D geometry purposes (to import in 3D apps for later editing) then all I'm aware of is the processes described above.

[eobet]

That flood fill doesn't give very good results out of the box either.

 

A mass join of line ends by end point proximity would be a very welcome feature here. It's pretty common in both the CAD world (where this file originates from), and the mesh world...

(I actually prefer to use Rhino for accurate linework like font and logo creation... it has much more streamlined precise tools for snapping, copying, movement, mirroring, patterns, tangency matching, smooth blending etc etc...)

[Alfred]

7 hours ago, eobet said:

That flood fill doesn't give very good results out of the box either.

‘Fill to Visible Boundaries’ is disabled in the default (‘out of the box’) settings for the Vector Flood Fill tool, which does seem a curious choice. If you enable it you’ll get the result that you and I would expect.

[eobet]

I tried most options and combination of options. Nothing seems to be intuitive or work well.

And again, flood fill only works in the case of enclosed separated curves. If you have open shapes imported via DXF, you're still screwed.

[Alfred]

2 hours ago, eobet said:

And again, flood fill only works in the case of enclosed separated curves. If you have open shapes imported via DXF, you're still screwed.

Select all, choose the Node Tool and click on ‘Close Curve’ (on the Context toolbar) to close them all in one fell swoop.

[eobet]

11 hours ago, Alfred said:

Select all, choose the Node Tool and click on ‘Close Curve’ (on the Context toolbar) to close them all in one fell swoop.

Nope.

 

However, I noticed that flood fill does work as expected after you selected something.

Still, tedious work.

A join all which actually joined all continuous would be welcome (again, especially for open curves)!

(EDIT: Though I guess doing booleans is about as many clicks as flood fill... but the case for open curve still stands.)

[Alfred]

18 minutes ago, eobet said:

Nope.

Your screenshot shows that you succeeded in closing the curves at the top of the A and the right-hand side of the the B. Did you perhaps mean joining those curved segments to the adjacent straight segments?

22 minutes ago, eobet said:

Still, tedious work.

A join all which actually joined all continuous would be welcome (again, especially for open curves)!

Agreed. And ditto!