AutoCAD DXF is a file format, developed by Autodesk, which enables other CAD programs to open AutoCAD drawings. AutoCAD's native file format is DWG (Drawing) and so couldn't be opened by other CAD programs. Therefore the DXF was introduced (Drawing exchange format) as standard ASCII text files to store the vector data of the drawing. The DXF fileformat can handle a large variety of different elements.
DXF is supported in the normal 2d and 3d LayoutEditor. A 2d/3d detection is not available. 2d DXF files have to be opened in the normal LayoutEditor window. All common entities are supported. If your design contains an unsupported entity, a warning will be displayed. In this case please report it to us with an example. If you have a 3d design, please open it in the 3d editor. Only 3DFAXCE entities are supported in the 3d editor. All versions of DXF are supported. Preferred versions are at least 3 years old because new features always needs some time to be implemented. Please report any incompatibilities you find to help to improve the LayoutEditor.
The DXF file format does not store any information on units. Coordinates are stored as numbers without any physical unit. A scaled import can easily be done. Please check the correct units in any case. The DXF units in the LayoutEditor can be set in the SetupDialog. By default, the current users units settings will be used.
The DXF file format only stores the name of layers. Numbered layers like in the GDS file format do not exist. By opening a DXF file, the LayoutEditor analyses the used layers. If a layername already exists in the current setup, this layer is used. If the layer name contains a number, this layer number is used. Otherwise the first unused layer is renamed.
The DXF file format can handle circles. Circles are not supported by the LayoutEditor as basic elements, circles are stored as regular polygons. By activating this option any regular polygon with more than 8 points will be saved as a circle element and not as a polygon.
Instead of the layer name, the layer number and datatype is used
Arcs are not supported by the LayoutEditor as basic elements. Arcs are stored as a path sequence. By activating this option, sequences in an arc shape are detected and stored as a DXF arc entity or a bulge segment.