Import DXF

The Import DXF command allows you to import the contents of a DXF file into the Map screen. The process involves two main steps:

1. The standard File Selector command launches that permits you to locate the desired DXF file.
2. An Import DXF Options dialog box is presented that provides additional control over the type of content to import:

   

   Since DXF files can often contain massive amounts of data that can quickly bog down mobile tablets that may not have adequate processing power, it is recommended to only enable the import options below that adequately conveyed desired or expected map content:

   • BLOCK/INSERT (no ATTRIB): When enabled, block symbols will import and any attributes (formally ATTDEF) will be skipped.

     Note: Blocks sizes should be kept under 256 kilobytes (KB).

   • TEXT/MTEXT: When enabled, text and/or mtext items will be imported.
   • INSERT->TEXT (Single ATTDEF): When enabled, a block consisting of a single attribute (piece of variable text) will be imported.
   • BLOCK/TEXT: When enabled, a block consisting of text entities will be imported.
   • HATCH (Solid Only): When enabled, hatch consisting of a solid hatch pattern will be imported.
   • POINT: When enabled, CAD node (simple/single point) entities will be imported.
   • Store Points: When enabled, both the structured Carlson Point and CAD node entities will be committed into the current Job.
   • Current Job (Point IDs): Indicate what should occur for any existing points in the current job if Carlson Points are detected in the DXF file:
     • Overwrite: Point numbers in the current job will be replaced by the equivalent point numbers found in the DXF file.
     • Use New: The Point numbers in the current job will be kept as-is and Carlson Points found in the DXF file will be assigned new point numbers.

       Note: CAD node entities found in the DXF file will always be assigned new point numbers.

   • Apply Scaling From: Indicate if any scaling should be applied to the incoming DXF file.

     Note: This is commonly recommended for DXF files that contain architectural content.

Note: Upon importing the content, you may need to issue a Zoom - Extents to see the new content.

Note: All imported text and blocks can be staked using the center snap, which doubles as an insertion point snap.

Note: Common reason that might prevent you from seeing the new content could be attributed to one or more of the following:

• drastically different coordinates between existing Map screen geometry and the new data (e.g. metric vs imperial coordinate systems, State Plane vs UTM coordinates, etc).
• one or more entities near the CAD origin coordinate of 0,0,0 with other entities at (for example) State Plane coordinates.
• the layer(s) that contain the data (either in the Map screen or in the DXF file) are Off (frozen).
• the DXF content has been saved in a proxy object state.
• the DXF content has been saved into a single block.

See also:

• Import .dwg
• Import .dgn