# DXF IMPORT: How to convert segmented curves to be smooth?

**URL:** <https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/dxf-import-how-to-convert-segmented-curves-to-be-smooth/19429>\
**Category:** Modeling Questions\
**Created:** [May 19, 2022, 8:29pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/dxf-import-how-to-convert-segmented-curves-to-be-smooth/19429 "2022-05-19T20:29:21Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![jsc](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/jsc/32/15170_2.png) [@jsc](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/jsc)\
**Post date:** [May 19, 2022, 8:29pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/dxf-import-how-to-convert-segmented-curves-to-be-smooth/19429/1 "2022-05-19T20:29:21Z")

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'I Imported a .DXF file of the letter “e” which has too many nodes at the bends (they are not arcs) .

Perhaps there is a basic video on dealing with imported DXF line work and converting these segments / simplifying the sketch ?

 ![1- The imported DXF file of an the letter “e”](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/b/b1c75315f8cb36d29739066f833c9015b28c8124.jpeg)…

 ![2- Closeup of the “e” showing some of the “nodes”](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/e/e340219d6f0fdd667b917325b31bb2a565b3589f.jpeg)

Thanks…,.

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**Author:** ![KPeter](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/kpeter/32/7644_2.png) [@KPeter](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/KPeter)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2022, 11:34am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/dxf-import-how-to-convert-segmented-curves-to-be-smooth/19429/2 "2022-05-25T11:34:38Z")

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Hi @jsc, at the moment we do not have a tool to convert polylines to splines. I am not sure about the source of the letter, but there should be some export setting in the source software which converted the curved shape into a polyline.  
Even though exporting the original contour as a spline would be the most efficient way to transfer curved sketches, in this example you can also simply connect the endpoints of the line segments with a fit point spline to get the curved shape back.

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**Author:** ![jsc](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/jsc/32/15170_2.png) [@jsc](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/jsc)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2022, 1:50pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/dxf-import-how-to-convert-segmented-curves-to-be-smooth/19429/3 "2022-05-25T13:50:12Z")

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Hi Peter:

I created the “e” using the Text Tool of Affinity Designer and the font, Bauhaus93. Then I converted the text to curves and exported it to DXF.

Affinity has a pretty good reputation for its import and export algorithms. I believe their curves are Bezier based. See attached screen captures regarding their node types and their control handles.

 ![Affinity designer Screen Capture, the e used to create the DXF file](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/6/69cb75c83af53bd6b51449849b7e8010344be761.jpeg)

 ![Affinity Curve Nodes](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/1/1c03de044f8d7ca4ddf50dc59a1a953f6c049303.jpeg)

 ![Affinity Curve Nodes Control Handles](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/2/23c8815fe2b3bc974d6467fc7e2f195d544a49ec.jpeg)

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**Author:** ![KPeter](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/kpeter/32/7644_2.png) [@KPeter](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/KPeter)\
**Post date:** [May 25, 2022, 2:06pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/dxf-import-how-to-convert-segmented-curves-to-be-smooth/19429/4 "2022-05-25T14:06:30Z")

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Hello!  
Thanks for the details, I am not familiar with Affinity but I know it is a powerful tool on the iPad. However, it is possible that it converts splines to polylines during export. Please share the dxf of the letter E with me, I’m happy to check.

Edit: We already have a text tool that recognizes all the fonts installed on the device you are using. Is there a reason for importing letters, or was it just an example for the forum?

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**Author:** ![jsc](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/user_avatar/discourse.shapr3d.com/jsc/32/15170_2.png) [@jsc](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/jsc)\
**Post date:** [May 31, 2022, 5:18pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/dxf-import-how-to-convert-segmented-curves-to-be-smooth/19429/5 "2022-05-31T17:18:36Z")

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Hi Peter,  
First of all I was using a text character because it had curves. I don’t have a CAD program to create a DXF or DWG file in order to see how curves are interpreted, just SketchUp which can’t create or export curves, _just connected line segments_. So I had to depend on exported SVG’s from apps I do have and convert them to DXF via converters available on the internet. Several of those DXFs failed because of how the DXF was formatted.

I owe everyone an apology because the “e” shown above was created Affinity, export as a SVG and then converted to a DXF.

As another test I downloaded a trial version of CorelDRAW which exported the “e” as a DXF and DWG and were imported flawlessly into Shaper.

I have have attached an image showing the node and node handle positions of the imports and which compares them to Shapr’s native text tool. They appear to look identical. Also, I attached a .ZIP file of the Dxf, Dwg, and resulting Shapr files.

 ![Shaper Import Comparisons](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex002/uploads/shapr3d/original/2X/c/ca134132ab7a78b2fcae0356fa2807820e0eee4e.jpeg)

[Dwg, Dxf, and Shapr Files.zip](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/uploads/short-url/iLyGfFg27OYKpmlhqGza5XQVXpT.zip) (48.5 KB)