# Help with export of drawings
**URL:** https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-with-export-of-drawings/19419
**Category:** Modeling Questions
**Created:** [May 18, 2022, 4:47pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-with-export-of-drawings/19419 "2022-05-18T16:47:09Z")
**Posts on this page:** 4
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Nathan\_shapR](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/Nathan_shapR)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2022, 4:47pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-with-export-of-drawings/19419/1 "2022-05-18T16:47:10Z")
So I just got a laser cutter that supports dxf files. And in shapr i can export drawings as a dxf file wich is great. But i always delete the drawings and sometimes there are no drawings and i just want to export a face of a 3d model. So to be able to export it, I need to draw it a second time. Maybe there is a way to create drawings automatically or simply export the “edges” of a plane as a drawing (dxf).
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### Author:  [@McD](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/McD)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2022, 5:08pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-with-export-of-drawings/19419/2 "2022-05-18T17:08:05Z")
For conventional 2D laser cutting, you must export the sketch or drawing layer only. If the drawing is a result of the 3D model, then you must project that surface onto a plane and create a “drawing” of it. Then hide all other items, and export the drawing. There should be no need to delete anything.
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### Author:  [@TheBum](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/TheBum)
#### Post date: [May 18, 2022, 7:37pm UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-with-export-of-drawings/19419/3 "2022-05-18T19:37:42Z")
And rather than delete the sketches after you’re done making a 3D object, just hide them.
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### Author:  [@NathanD](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/u/NathanD)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2022, 12:30am UTC](https://discourse.shapr3d.com/t/help-with-export-of-drawings/19419/4 "2022-05-19T00:30:32Z")
Why not add a construction plane offset from the face you want to create a sketch from, then project that face onto the plane as a sketch?
Personally, I model parts in 3D with the thickness of material to be cut on a laser, modifying them using the modeling tools, then project the face as a sketch for DXF.