Sailcut CAD

Hello, I just started using Sailcut CAD, very cool tool. But I was only able to print a PDF of the layout patterns. I tried several ways to export to a DXF but it doesn't make any files at all. Any ideas what I may be doing wrong? I want to upload to AutoCAD to make bigger pattern prints.

 

Welcome to the forum, @J_Hapster. I'm not familiar with Sailcut CAD, but I was wondering if you could create the drawing directly in AutoCAD. Anyway, if you'd like, please upload the PDF file here so I can see what I can do with it. I imagine a DXF file would work just as well as a DWG file.

 

Have you tried one of these free pdf to dxf converters?


PDF to DXF - Convert your PDF to DXF for Free Online https://www.zamzar.com/convert/pdf-to-dxf/

 

One should be able to export both the 3D shape and flat panel (development) shapes as DXF from SailcutCAD.


Below are (2) 3D DXF sails main and jib brought into Rhino3D for this thread https://www.boatdesign.net/threads/designing-a-double-handed-racing-dinghy.70518/p


The development of the main looks like this, it depends on the cloth and hem settings, etc.

 

I forgot something...
When you save to the default directory [C:\Program Files (x86)\Sailcut CAD] , the files disappear...?!?
If you force the files to save into another folder it should be fine.

 

Just ran into something similar on a test computer last week - Windows 11 may redirect files that programs try to save into protected directories such as Program Files (x86) to a "Virtual Store" -- if this happens, check C:\Users\Your-Username\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files (x86).

 

When saving, I'm told by the computer the default drive is not permitted to be written to, so I use another folder on my data drive, that's where nothing shows up. So I searched the hard drive for the file to see if it saved elsewhere but nothing. I installed the program as administrator in windows 10. Perhaps if I reinstall it as my user name, I can save to the default directory since it's not letting me choose another folder... WINDOWS!!!!

 

I have learned not to trust any online converters, always some catch or scam... IMOHO

 

Sailcut calculates the complex curves to form the sail airfoil shape, very cool tool. So once I get a .dxf I can bring the shapes into AutoCAD

 

My computer behaved as described by @Boat Design Net Moderator , the first set of files ending up into the user virtual location (not directly visible but I could search for and find them) but the purposely-redirected files were OK (visible/useable) in a desktop folder as shown in the screenshots.

Maybe try writing the files to the same drive as the installed software but a different folder?

 

I'll try it later today, I'm making a flying Gennaker for my O'Day 17, fun project

 

No joy yet. I've tried installing the program directly to my data hard drive. but I get the same results of no files. I did get several test.dxf 's that showed up in a search as a shortcut and an internet shortcut. but no actual file., see screenshot

 

Do you know of any database of Sailcut CAD files for sail types? I'm working out a new auto furling flying Gennaker for my O'Day 17 that I can single hand. I've tried a few searches but nothing. Either that or some other sail database that has the proportions to set for a Gennaker. So far I've got one made up in Sailcut CAD mostly by intuition and a few good articles on sail design, but very little real data. I am an Engineer so my intuition is usually pretty good but sail design is a new area for me I'm exploring. Thanks: J_Hapster

 

Sounds interesting. Are you going to have a roller furler for the jib and another 'less fractional' stay and furler for the gennaker?

 

It will be a flying Gennaker, with a bottom up furler, I'm making it on my 3D printer. I have a suitable block to mount up near the masthead, although I do see a lot of fractional spinnakers on O'day daysailers. I'm going for a sail to primarily use on light wind days.