Job Editor Menu > File Menu > Import

Load the AutoCAD DWG or DXF file into the workspace.

For more detailed instructions, please goto the Learn Guide: Importing DXF

Command Sequence

1. Select menu: File | Import | DXF

2. Select the DXF file to import.

Note: The DXF file will be scanned for Layers, Blocks, Styles, and more..

Note: In most cases you will need to verify the DXF Units & Scale Factor.

3. Verify the DXF Import options.

Important: DXF Files are unit-less, so it is important that you verify the DXF Units & Scale Factor, of your DXF file before importing it.

4. Choose "DXF Design Type". This is an "Optional" feature which adjusts other DXF import settings to accommodate optimal conversion results in most cases.

5. Verify the options.

6. Verify DXF Layers.

Note: This list allows you to control how each individual DXF layer is handled during import.

- Check "Import" to include the layer during import.

- Check "Fill" to convert closed boundaries to filled-polygons.

- Choose "Polyline" mode, to adjust how polylines with width are handled during import. The three choices are: Extend, Truncate, and Round.

- Check "Auto-Flash", to detect circles & rectangles, and convert them to gerber flashes.

- Enter "Comp" (offset compensation) for an entire layer.

7. Verify DXF Blocks.

Note: This list allows you to control how each individual DXF block is handled during import.

- Check "Import" to include the block during import.

8. Map DXF Styles.

Note: This list allows you to map each DXF style to a compiled font file during import.

- Choose a Default Text Style for any unknown dxf style.

- Review and assign the "Text Line Width/Fill method"

9. Merge DXF Layers. (Optional)

Note: This list allows you to merge DXF layers during import.

- Check "Output Merged Layers Only" to only write merged layers, and incomer individual DXF layers.

10. Open / Save. (Optional)

Note: This (Optional) feature allows you to open & save an existing DXF Settings file (*.ds), so that you may assign the exact same settings used previously. If you regularly perform DXF conversions re-using the DXF settings will save time and limit mistakes.

11. Click "Next" to begin importing DXF file.

12. Once DXF loading is complete, a Status & Import log are available for your review. If Fab3000 encounters any errors or warnings during import, they will be displayed here.

13. Click button "Finish" button to view the imported data.

Import DXF Units:

DXF Units/Scale:

DXF files are unit-less, so it is vital to specify the proposed units & scale for 1 DXF physical unit. Choose from Micron, Inch, Millimeter, Centimeter, and more. The Logical DXF unit size will be defined by defined by DXF Units * Scale

DXF Design Type:

This is an optional convenience setting, which will optimize other DXF import settings such as Fill, Polyline End cap, and more. Choose whatever description best describes the type of DXF design you are importing.

Import DXF Options:

Use Polygon DeEmbedding:

Automatically solves the polygon-inside-of-polygon polarity problem. Closed boundaries (on the same layer) found completely inside another boundary will be made clear (or dark). Due to its complexity, this feature may be time consuming during the conversion.

Respect ByBlock/ByLayer:

Block entities that are on designed layer '0', will be changed to the layer of the respective insert.

Ignore Dimensions:

If this setting is 'checked', dimensions will be omitted.

Hatch Mode:

Determines how to process DXF "Solid" hatches:

Ignore: All Solid Hatches will be omitted.

Normal: All Solid Hatches will be included.

Use De-Embedding: All holes in Solid Hatches will be separated and formed into a respective composite.

Arc Resolution (Degrees):

Accuracy used when mapping points to recreate arcs & circles.

Default Line Width:

All 0-width DXF entities (such as lines, arcs, 0-width polylines) will be assigned this physical width (if they do not form a filled-polygon).

Flash Circle/Rects Less Than:

All detected Circles & Rectangle shapes will only be flashed in their bounding width & length are less than this value. (For Gerber Export Only)

Import DXF Layers:

Import:

If "checked" this layer will be imported. If "unchecked", this layer will be omitted.

DXF Layer Name:

The DXF layer name. This is merely for reference, and cannot be changed.

Fill:

If "checked", all closed boundaries for this layer will become filled polygons. If "unchecked", all closed boundaries for this layer will be open paths, and use the Default Line Width.

Polyline:

This setting controls the End caps for open-polylines with width on this layer.

Truncate: Square End cap, no extension.

Extend: Square End cap, 1/2 width extension.

Round: Round End cap, 1/2 width extension.

Auto-Flash:

If "checked", all Rectangles and Circles on this layer, which are smaller than the setting "Flash Circle/Rects Less Than", will be converted to Gerber Flashes. (For Gerber Export Only)

Comp:

If non-zero, apply the offset-compensation to all resulting boundaries on this layer.

Import DXF Blocks:

Import:

If "checked" this block will be imported. If "unchecked", this block will be omitted.

DXF Layer Name:

The DXF block name. This is merely for reference, and cannot be changed.

Import DXF Styles:

DXF Style:

The DXF style name. This is merely for reference, and cannot be changed.

Fab3000 Font File:

Choose which Pre-Compiled Fab3000 Font File to use from the pull-down. All Fab3000 Font files are derived from TrueType fonts respectively. You may compile a Fab3000 Font file from any TrueType font (see: Font Table for more information)

Default Text Style:

Assign the default Fab3000 Font File to use when an associated DXF font file cannot not be determined or located.

Text Line Width/Fill Method:

The setting controls the DXF Text Line Width & Filling options:

Use Polygon Fill: All Text will be filled as polygons. Their widths are already determined in the Fab3000 font file itself.

Use Same Line Width for All: Determine a standard line width to be used for all DXF text.

Use Ration: The text line width will be determined by a ratio of the text height divided by your supplied value.

Import DXF Merge:

Merge Name:	The output name to be used for the merged layer.
Layers (Click to Add):	Select all DXF Layers that will be included in this merged layer.
New:	Create a new "empty" merge layer.
Delete:	Delete an existing merge layer.
Output Merged Layers Only:	Do not output any individual DXF layers, only the merged layers will be created.

Import DXF Open/Save:

Open DXF Settings:

This (Optional) feature allows you to open an existing DXF Settings file (*.ds), so that you may assign the exact same settings used previously. If you regularly perform DXF conversions re-using the DXF settings will save time and limit mistakes.

Save DXF Settings:

This (Optional) feature allows you to save your DXF Settings to a file (*.ds), so that you may re-use these same settings at a later date. If you regularly perform DXF conversions re-using the DXF settings will save time and limit mistakes.