DXF Files in SolidWorks: How to Import and Export Them

Autodesk DXF files are useful for data interoperability between software suites like AutoCAD and SolidWorks, helping professionals who may be exchanging files on a project across engineering, architecture or manufacturing.

Most custom and discrete manufacturers use CAD design tools for design and manufacturing. Designers pass DWG and DXF files back and forth to communicate their design intent. Using DXF for sheet metal part design is especially useful for 2D drawing data transfer.

When you are working in a production that involves different departments you need to understand how to work with DXF files. This is because you’ll need to share designs between different applications and you can do this easily by using DXF files.

DXF files and their importance in CAD design

DXF is a file format for CAD files developed by Autodesk to allow drawing data to be exchanged between AutoCAD and other compatible applications. You use DXF files if you want to switch between various CAD platforms, like if you need to import a DXF into SolidWorks from another CAD tool.

The best parts about DXF files are that they preserve the original design. You will never end up with extra, distorted, and/or lost geometric data, layers, line types and other information when using DXF files. You should never lose the design simply because you are sharing design files across AutoCAD, SolidWorks, and other CAD tools.

How to import DXF files in SolidWorks

Importing a DXF file into SolidWorks is a straightforward process. But if you do not pay attention to a few details you can end up breaking your original design during import.

Preparation

Before beginning the import process, you start with cleaning the file down to only the geometry you need. Cleaning your file minimizes the chance of introducing extra errors into your import data.

Steps to import DXF files in SolidWorks

Step: 1

Open SolidWorks and a new sketch (this is where you will be importing the DXF data, or where you will place your DXF data).

Step: 2

From the menu select File, and then open, navigate to your DXF file and open.

Step: 3

When SolidWorks opens the DXF/DWG import wizard, select the first option to import DXF as 2D sketch, 3D curves, or 3D model.

Step: 4

You will now map layers of the DXF to sketch entities in SolidWorks. Please be careful in this step. This will let you preserve the data structure during the import.

Step: 5

Once the file is imported, carefully inspect the sketch and repair any issues or fix any inconsistences.

How to export DXF files from SolidWorks

Before you share the design with a team that may be using different tools, you first need to get the DXF file from your SolidWorks project. Here is how to do it.

Steps to export DXF files in SolidWorks

Step: 1

Create a new part, or assembly, or open an existing part or assembly.

Step: 2

Select the face, or flat pattern of the part which you want to export.

Step: 3

From the ‘File’ menu select ‘Save As’ and select DXF (.dxf) from the type dropdown list.

Step: 4

In the Export Options dialogue box, select the required settings for the output version, geometry options, and other settings.

Step: 5

Now press ‘Save’ and check out the preview to ensure that the exported DXF file is ok.

Common DXF file problems and how to fix them in SolidWorks

During DXF to CAD conversion, you may encounter some problems. You will need to follow a few things to solve them.

Problems you might face:

• If your design has unit problems, the DXF file will be scaled incorrectly.
• Some parts of the design may be missing or distorted when importing or exporting.
• Different CAD software will read your DXF files in a different way which can cause compatibility issues.

How you can solve these

• Check your units and make sure they are set correctly. Your SolidWorks file and the DXF file should have the same units to avoid scaling issues.
• Simplify your geometry before exporting. Simplify and clean-up your geometry before exporting the DXF file. This will help to avoid missing or distorted parts in the DXF file.
• Use a reliable DXF viewer. Check the file with a reliable DXF viewer before you share it to make sure it’s compatible.

Top tips for working with DXF files in SolidWorks

The following will help you work faster, design better, and more efficiently leverage the SolidWorks advantages for DXF handling:

• Validate the file: Make sure that your DXF file is clean and correct before importing it. Spend a few minutes deleting any extra stuff like notes or extra layers that will make importing difficult. A few minutes cleaning up your file will save you a lot of trouble in the future.
• Optimize the geometry: If possible, optimize the file before importing it into SolidWorks. Getting it smaller will help the performance in SolidWorks.
• Clean up the sketch after importing: After you have imported the sketch into SolidWorks, take a moment to clean it up again. Delete duplicates and close any gaps, then verify all the entities are connected. A cleaned up sketch is a good sketch.
• Use layers effectively: DXF files consist of many layers. Use them to your advantage. If you organize your project properly within SolidWorks, you can activate just the layers that have the design elements for a particular selection.
• Configure import settings: Make sure you take the time to use the ” DXF/DWG Import Wizard” to import your DXF file into SolidWorks. You need to make sure you use the appropriate units, scale and layers.
• Apply constraints and relations: Applying constraints and relations to imported sketches will help the design be more flexible. By using these you will help to define design via geometry and minimize surprises later on.
• Save often: It is best practice to save your file as you go. Especially when working with large DXF files that happen to slow down SolidWorks itself. Don’t lose any unsaved work.
• Test the import: After you imported your file, test out the geometry in SolidWorks. Make features and run a simulation to ensure everything really works.
• Watch your sketch entities: When you are importing the DXF as a Sketch, pay attention to how lines and arcs and any other sketch entities are detected during the import. Better to convert the entities to SolidWorks sketch entities to allow seamless modeling.
• Caution when exporting: You may want to share the design with colleagues as a DXF or DWG. Make sure to check the export of the detailing and make sure you can use in other CAD software.

Industry specific guidelines for using DXF files in SolidWorks

When you want to use your SolidWorks DXFs for different industries, you must review your files for manufacturability while being specific to the industry you are designing for.

Here are some guidelines you must consider based on industry:

For furniture manufacturing

Furniture designs are complex because there are several parts that must all fit together in a specific way.

• Accurate measurement: Accurate measurements mitigate fit problems in assembled furniture. Always check that your measurements are accurate and consistent across all parts before you export your DXF design for manufacturing.
• Use of layers: Layers make the design work easier to review by allowing you to separate different components. You can manage the designs for the same material, different materials, operations (cutting, drilling, etc) with layers. Layers make your designs modular and easier to find errors.

For millwork manufacturing

When dealing with design files for woodwork and cabinetry here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Keep your drawings clean and simple: Clean and simple drawings will allow you to define accurate cuts and fits. Don’t add bags of details that will clutter the drawing and cause confusion. The cleaner your drawings are the less likely you are to make manufacturing mistakes.
• Test your DXF files on your CNC machines: It is very important, as a second step, to test your DXF files against your CNC machines to make sure the files are compatible with your CNC machines. Before you start production be sure to run a test on your CNC machines with the DXF files.

For metal fabrication

When using DXF files for sheet metal parts and structures these suggestions can help you:

• Use DXF files for flat patterns: DXF files are great for making flat patterns and detailed parts within metal fabrication. Using flat patterns contained within a DXF file let you create, cut and shape exact coordinates on a sheet metal. Make sure you file contains all information such cut lines, bend lines, cut outs, holes etc.
• Double check material properties and thickness: Representing the properties of the materials accurately in your DXFs is important to ensure the final parts meet specifications and don’t fail under stress. Ensure your DXFs consider the materials with their true thickness and properties.

3D modeling & fabrication drawing for stairlifts manufacturer in Europe

A stairlift manufacturer in Europe was struggling to manage their design data with global and international standards. They were also struggling to match fabrication information with the bending machines they had. Special bends were lengthening lead times for them.

Hitech CADD Services assisted with migrating the company’s legacy AutoCAD drawing files by converting with SolidWorks APIs to retain all of the functionality. We built tools using C++, SQL, Java, and .NET to automate the process of producing standard CAD Models in 3D and producing fabrication and general arrangement drawings.

Results were:

• Design time was reduced from 8 hours to 30 minutes
• 90% data entry automation
• Improved quality and accuracy of rail design and production

Stairlift 3D Model

Manufacturing Drawings

Conclusion

You cannot underestimate the utility of DXF files in CAD design to exchange information without any errors between different platforms. If you implement these best practices of importing and exporting DXF files in SolidWorks you will definitely see the results.

This will allow you to manage common problems and improve the overall design to production process. Whether in the furniture industry, millwork or metal fabrication, managing DXF files in SolidWorks is an important process for you.

Nimesh Soni brings more than 15 years of experience in sheet metal design and automation to Hitech CADD Services. His expertise with SAP/PLM and CAD tools like AutoCAD and SolidWorks, drives innovation throughout the design-to-manufacturing process. Nimesh, who holds a doctorate in IoT applications, is an authority in optimizing industrial processes, constantly delivering extraordinary efficiency and performance benchmarks in engineering solutions.