WHAT IS A DXF FILE?

WHAT IS A DXF FILE?

DXF means Drawing Exchange Format. Hence, a file with a ‘DXF’ extension is a drawing exchange file. What brought the DXF file into existence is the quest to have a universal format file for storing CAD models supported in diverse 3D modeling programs to enable easy import and export of documents. Developed by Autodesk, the DXF file format is like the AutoCAD Drawing Database file format, which uses DWG. File extension. However, DXF files are more commonly used in CAD programs because they can work in a text-based form.

How to Open DXF Files

There are a few free DXF file openers available. They include

  • Autodesk Viewer, 

  • DWG TrueView 

  • AutoCAD 360 mobile app enables you to view DXF files stored in online file storage services such as Dropbox.

  • eDrawings Viewer, which allows a quick open of any DXF file online.

  • AutoCAD and Design Review programs, TurboCAD, 

  • CorelCAD, 

  • CADSoftTools' ABViewer, 

  • Adobe Illustrator, 

  • ACD Systems' Canvas X.

  • Cheetah3D

Many of the abovementioned programs are suitable for opening DXF files on macOS, while LibreCAD works better for Linux users. Additionally, any text editor can open ASCII versions of the DXF format since they are just text files. However, this will not enable you to view the drawing properly, as it would display in actual model viewers.

How to Convert a DXF File

Adobe Illustrator works well in converting DXF to SVG. To convert the DXF file into the DWG format, use AutoDWG DWG DXF Converter This software has a trial version available for 15 days and allows only one file at once. The eDrawings Viewer can save an open DXF file to a variety of formats, including ZIP, EDRW, HTM, EXE, TIF, BMP, JPG, and PNG. 

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