Importing DXF/DWG and DWF files

Command

Path

Import DXF/DWG or DWF

File > Import

When you have several DXF/DWG or DWF files to import, use the Import DXF/DWG or DWF command for maximum flexibility.

To import DXF/DWG or DWF files:

Create a blank file and set the drawing size, or open an empty template that already has the correct drawing size.

Import into an existing Vectorworks drawing is not recommended, because it can produce unexpected results. For the same reason, if you import more than one file with the Import DXF/DWG or DWF command, ensure that the files are very similar.

Select the command.

The DXF/DWG or DWF Import dialog box opens.

Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter

Description

Source

 

One or More Files

Imports only one file or only certain files within a folder. Click Choose Files and choose one or more DXF/DWG or DWF files to import. The number of files selected and their location is displayed.

All ___ Files in Folder

Imports all files of the selected type (DXF only, DWG only, DXF and DWG, or DWF only) from a specified folder. Click Choose Folder and choose the source folder.

Include Subfolders

If All Files in Folder is selected, includes all files of the selected type in all subfolders

Destination

 

Current File

Imports the selected file(s) into the current file. If several files are selected, a new layer is created for each imported model space.

Symbols in Current File

Imports the selected file(s) into the current file. Each file creates a separate symbol. This is convenient when importing part catalogs, for example. Paper space is not imported.

New Files in Folder

Converts the selected file(s) into new, separate Vectorworks files in the selected folder. Click Choose Folder to choose the location. This is the best option when converting many files.

Use Document Template

If New Files in Folder is selected, select a template to use for each new file, or select Blank Document. The template can be useful for specifying the page size to use for model space objects (which can also affect dash scales and conversion of polyline widths). It also allows specification of default color to line weight mapping, and in some cases, units.

References

 

Bind External References

Imports the selected master DXF/DWG file and all its external references into the current file

Ignore External References

Imports the selected master DXF/DWG file without its external references

Use Design Layer Viewports

(Design Suite product required)

If New Files in Folder is selected, imports the selected master DXF/DWG file and all its external references into separate Vectorworks documents; the external documents are referenced from the master Vectorworks document using design layer viewports

Use Layer Import

If New Files in Folder is selected, imports the selected master DXF/DWG file and all its external references into separate Vectorworks documents; the external documents are referenced from the master Vectorworks document using layer importing

Architectural Objects

 

2D View

Imports AEC objects created with AutoCAD Architecture (such as walls, doors, and windows) in 2D view; only 2D graphics are imported

3D View

Imports AEC objects in 3D view; only 3D graphics are imported

Specify the basic import information, and click OK.

When the DXF/DWG (or DWF) Import Options dialog box opens, specify how to import units and references, as described in DXF/DWG and DWF import options. To specify more advanced options, such as filtering and selecting layers and objects to import, or mapping for the layers being imported, and so on, click Advanced and set the options as desired. Click OK to complete the import.

The progress of the import is displayed for each imported file during import. The final results of the import process display in the DXF/DWG or DWF Import Results dialog box.

Click Details to open the results log file. The log text file, named DXF_DWG_DWF Import Log, is placed in the specified destination folder if it exists, or in the Vectorworks user folder. New log information is appended to any existing log file. The report provides a summary of the import, including the import settings that were used, and a list of which files succeeded, and which failed.

Importing a single DXF/DWG or DWF file

DXF/DWG and DWF file import

DXF/DWG and DWF import options

 

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