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Dxf File Format

What is it?

  • This file is a type of vector image document generated by CAD software, such as those from Autodesk (AutoCAD and Fusion, for example).

  • Even though these files are created by CAD programs, they're designed to be universal or can be opened using other graphic design programs for easier compatibility.  

DXF

Drawing Exchange Format

Sample .dxf

Filename

File extension

DFX is a vector graphics file format that stores 2D dwaings.

Software You Need

  • There are a lot of CAD software for editing and viewing.Here are some of them:

DFX File Editor

AutoCAD

Adobe Illustrator

Scan2CAD

DFX File Viewer

eDrawings Viewer

Microsoft DWG Viewer

DataViz MacLink Plus

How to Open DXF File?

  • DXF files are as widely used as DWG, especially since it is supported by almost all CAD programs in the world tody.

  • This enables other non-Autodesk applications to open drawings too.

  • It was then adopted as the standard for data exchange between CAD programs.

Step 1: Download a CAD ar a graphic design application.

sample of DXF file.

Step 2: Install the application on your computer.

Step 3: Go back to the location of the DXF file on your computer. The file's icon would change into similar to the program.

Step 4: Double-click on the DFX file to open it. That will let you view and edit it.

Import / Export DXF file

  • It is the same way you would open any file in any program.

Step 1: A designer creates a drawing in a CAD program that he is familiar with. Here he uses AutoCAD.

Step 2: He saves the drawing as a DXF file.

Step 3: He loads the DXF file into a different CAD program. Here the same file opens in CorelCAD.

File Stucture

The overall organization of a DXF file is as follows:

  • HEADER section :

General information about the drawing is found in this section. 

  • CLASSES section :

Holds the information for application-defined classes, whose instances appear in the BLOCKS, ENTITIES, and OBJECTS sections of the database.

  • TABLES section :

This section contains definitions for the following symbol tables.

APPID - application identification table 

BLOCK_RECORD - block reference table

DIMSTYLE - dimension style table

LAYER - layer table

LTYPE - linetype table

STYLE - text style table

UCS - User Coordinate System table

VIEW - view table

VPORT - viewport configuration table

  • CLASSES section :

Contains block definition and drawing entities that make up each block reference in the drawing.

  • ENTITIES section :

This section contains the graphical objects (entities) in the drawing, including block references (insert entities).

  • OBJECTS section :

Contains the data that apply to nongraphical objects, used by AutoLISP and ObjectARX applications.

Open the DXF file in Notepad.

Written in ASCII structure.

Why DXF File?

  • Different companies and industries often use different CAD systems.

  • Most projects require design files to be shared among different colleagues.

  • You can share your drawing to clients for feedback, to 3D printers or CNC machine.

  • Eg. 

  • An artist sends his drawing to a cutting machine vendor.

An artist designs a sculpture using a CAD program.

DXF file

Cutting Machine works with DXF file.

  • An architect shares his drwaing with an engineer.

An architect may design his floorplan with AutoCAD.

DXF file

An engineer sends it back after modification.

  • An interior designer takes a floorplan and visualizes the space in 3d using CAD software.

An architect may design his floorplan with AutoCAD.

DXF file

An engineer sends it back after modification.

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