DXF files are Drawing eXchange Files designed to exchange drawings between CAD and graphics programs. A DXF files contains information about drawing objects called ‘Entities’, layers, blocks, line types, fonts, etc. TPC supports DXF files as defined by AutoDesk, and includes DXF extensions for AutoCAD R13 through AutoCAD 2000.
Most editions of TPC can read a DXF file and strip the coordinates out of the file. The Professional edition can also import DXF drawings right into a drawing with layers, blocks, etc. These objects can then be converted to survey points as needed.
DWG files are proprietary drawing files created by AutoCAD. They are the drawing. TPC reads and writes DWG files directly.
Because DWG files are free to change with new releases of AutoCAD, they are not backwards compatible. As many surveyors who use CAD will tell you, exchanging DWG files has become a real problem because of all the different versions of AutoCAD.
DXF files, however, are designed to exchange drawings between programs as well as different versions of AutoCAD. A DXF file written for AutoCAD 2000 can still be read by AutoCAD R12 or R14.
TPC can export any drawing in DXF format (Personal, Premium, Professional Editions). You can also choose the version of AutoCAD to write the file for.
You can import DXF coordinates using the Basic, Standard, and Professional Editions of TPC. You can import DXF files and convert the drawing objects like lines and symbols to survey points in TPC Professional Edition.
TPC supports the most common elements of a DXF file, but not all.
DXB are binary DXF files. They are smaller than DXF files and load faster when imported into AutoCAD. When you write a DXF file, you can specify that you want it in binary format.
TPC includes two DXF file type options in the Import and Export dialogs.
AutoCAD DXF files are the DXF equivalent of the AutoCAD DWG files and can be exported in binary form. The AutoCAD DXF option strives to maintain consistency with DXF files written directly from AutoCAD.
Generic DXF files are TPC’s own DXF files and include extra information like line widths, paper space objects, etc. The Generic DXF files can be used to make an exact copy of your drawing for archive purposes.
DWG Files
Exporting DXF Files
Importing DXF Coordinates
Importing DXF Drawings
Layers
Working with Drawing Objects
Converting Drawing Objects to Survey Points
Importing DXF coordinates - Personal, Premium, Professional
Exporting DXF drawings - Personal, Premium, Professional
Importing DXF drawings - Professional