contact us
     
 
RSI Websites 

AutoCAD (.DXF)

Overview

When working with Mechanical CAD data from AutoCAD, or Generating a Mechanical CAD file from another system, DXF is a very popular format to use. CAMCAD will read DXF files generated from all sorts of systems, with various version levels as well. AutoCAD is the standard we follow when supporting DXF information. If a DXF file will not load into AutoCAD, then it is not supported into CAMCAD.

The DXF file may be a CAD file format in the Industry, however it is a Mechanical based CAD file. The information provided from the DXF file is purely graphical and does not qualify the data as an Electrical CAD file. CAMCAD will treat this file as any other unintelligent, graphic based file. Two Dimensional lines, arcs, and text are supported on both reading and writing of DXF information.

Versions Supported

AutoCAD version 10 and later DXF files.

Specific Import Procedures

Since AutoCAD is its own unique viewing environment, it has its own rules for displaying the graphic information as does CAMCAD. The primary difference between the two viewers is that AutoCAD compensates for the gaps on verticies caused by the endcap feature of the software. CAMCAD does not compensate for this display. The data in AutoCAD and CAMCAD are identical, however the AutoCAD environment is designed to compensate for the Endcap limitation. When working with CAMCAD reading DXF files with the endcap function, it is known that there will be gaps in the graphical data due to the information defined within the DXF file. This is not a viewer error with CAMCAD, merely a display rule.

Tips, Notes and Importing Questions

DXF File Graphical Representations

The dxf reader reads dxf records within the limitations of CAMCAD. The picture will not be identical to the post processed picture on Autocad. To get the WYSIWYG picture, use the AutoCAD/CAMCAD ADI reader.

DXF Limitations:

  • SHX files and text fonts are not evaluated
  • Model space and paper space are not dynamic
  • Line types (such as dashed..) are not evaluated.
  • Chamfer is not supported.
  • Ellipse and nurbs are not supported.
  • HATCH fills and voids are not supported.
  • SPLINES and all other potential 3D constructs are not supported.
  • Visible attributes are imported as Text, non visible attributes are ignored.

AutoCAD Layer 0 - Float vs. Draw Representations

In AutoCAD there exists a special layer called "0". This layer in AutoCAD is used as a floating layer. This is to say that elements (lines, arcs, circles, text, etc..) in a block that exist on layer 0 are drawn on the block's inset layer when the block is placed. But here comes the catch. In AutoCAD at the design level (Paper Space) where blocks are inserted there is also a layer "0" that will not be inserted on any layer because the Paper Space is the root block. This is why there may be an additional layer named "L0" when a DXF file is loaded into CAMCAD.