Navigation:  Learn Guides > Import > Importing DXF

Load the DXF file into the workspace.  This Learn Guide will also be helpful for DWG import.

 

Online Movie: DXF import with de-embed and join checked with FAB 3000

 

 

1. Select menu item: File | Import | DXF

 

2. You will be prompted to select the DXF file to import.

 

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

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

 

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.

 

3. Verify DXF Layer Options.

 

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

 

l 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 "Flash", to detect circles & rectangles, and convert them to gerber flashes.

- Check "DeEmbed" Algorithm to verify polygon-inside-of-polygon (time consuming)

 

(Screen capture of Import DXF: Layers )

 

 

4. Verify DXF Options

Note: There are several options that can affect how a DXF file is imported (Join Adjacent Lines/Arcs, Arc-Resolution, Respect Byblock/Bylayer).

 

(Screen capture of Import DXF: Options)

 

 

5. 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.

 

(Screen capture of Import DXF: Blocks)

 

 

6. Verify 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"

 

(Screen capture of Import DXF: Styles)

 

 

7. Merge DXF Styles

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.

 

(Screen capture of Import DXF: Merge)

 

 

8. Open / Save DXF configuration.

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

 

(Screen capture of Import DXF: Open/Save)

 

 

 

l Select 'Next' to proceed.

 

Note: If there are any warnings or errors, they will be displayed in the log list.

 

l Select the 'Finish' button, to view the DXF entities.