AutoCAD DXF

AutoCAD DXF(Drawing Interchange Format) is a file format used to store vector data types. This format was made by Autodesk for its Computer Aided Drawing (CAD) Program known as AutoCAD. This file type includes support for 3D objects, curves, text, associative dimensioning, and it can be easily parsed. AutoCAD DXF is also extremely helpful for other programs that need to examine or use an AutoCAD drawing. It's a type of format that allows many other programs to interchange drawings with AutoCAD. DXF files are either stored ASCII or binary format, though ASCII DXF files are the most common. But with the ability of so many different programs to use this file format, sometimes the correct interpretation of a DXF file can be very difficult. The appearance of lines and regions can be shown differently when used in different programs. Because of this many application designers decide to only export DXF. Many programs use DXF, including ArcMap, Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator, Google Sketchup, and many more.

The file organization of a DXF includes up to seven sections: a header, tables, blocks, classes, objects, entities and an end-of-file marker. The header section contains the settings for the file. Tables include lists of information (example line types) to use in the drawing. Blocks are defined drawing elements that can be used in the drawing. Objects are non-graphical sections of drawing. Entities contain object data for the drawing like line and arc data.

In recent years, as AutoCAD as evolved and become more powerful, the DFX format has become less useful, passed over for other easier to use and more flexible and supported formats such as DWG and DWFX

Sources

Authors	Nathan Thomas
Editors	Wesley Hodges
BoK Topics	DM4
311 Weeks	6
Tags	vector, data type