DXF/DWG Export Options

Parameter	Description
File Format
Format	Choose from three exported file formats: DXF as plain text, DXF as a binary encoding, and DWG. One of the main differences between these formats is file size. Although individual files can vary, an uncompressed text DXF file is generally larger than an uncompressed DWG file. However, the file size can be significantly reduced by using a compression utility. A compressed text DXF file is normally smaller than a compressed DWG file. Binary DXF file sizes generally fall between the two for both compressed and uncompressed files. In addition to file size, consider the formats that other applications can support. Before exporting to binary DXF or to DWG, ensure that the receiving party’s software can read those formats. Since binary and text DXF both use the same .dxf extension, if the DXF file cannot be opened, it may be may be mistakenly considered corrupted. When in doubt, export as text DXF, which is universally supported. Recent versions of AutoCAD have bugs when reading some DXF files, such as losing links to images, so DWG is usually a safer choice in that situation. DXB is a simpler file format used by some third-party applications that do not support the full DXF or DWG file format. It is not the same as binary DXF; do not use .dxb as the extension for binary DXF files. VectorWorks does not support DXB.
Version	For best results, export to the highest version supported by the recipient’s software, or the default export version, whichever is lower. The latest versions of DXF/DWG have features more similar to VectorWorks and may provide a better translation, but not all software packages can read the latest versions. When in doubt, export as DXF and version 12, which has widespread industry support. Other options on the dialog box can change or become unavailable depending on the version selected.
Class/Layer Conversions
Export as DXF Layers	This option is available if the Export option is set to Design Layers Only. Since VectorWorks classes correspond most closely to DXF/DWG layers, normally, the Classes option is recommended. There is no direct equivalent for VectorWorks layers in DXF/DWG. A single VectorWorks design layer is similar to DXF “model space.” This is most important for the import of groups and symbols. In VectorWorks, the objects in groups and symbols can belong to different classes, but they must be on the same layer. In a DXF/DWG file, the entities equivalent to VectorWorks’ symbols and groups (known as “blocks”) can be on different DXF/DWG layers. Layers normally do not export relative to the Z value shown in the Design Layers tab of the Organization dialog box.
Invisible Classes are	While VectorWorks organizes drawings by class and by layer, the DXF/DWG file format only has layers. The following description assumes that, as recommended, classes are selected for export as layers. (If instead VectorWorks layers are selected for export as DXF/DWG layers, equivalent options are presented for the layers.) Select whether to export invisible classes. If Exported As Invisible DXF Layers is selected, objects that are in invisible classes in the VectorWorks file are exported, and can be seen by making the DXF/DWG layer visible. This is the recommended option. However, if invisible classes contain private information or if the size of the exported file needs to be reduced, select Not Exported to delete these invisible objects. If invisible classes are exported as DXF layers, objects on invisible VectorWorks layers are not exported. To export these items, first make the layers visible, and then select the Export command.
Layer Scale
Rescale Layers To	When the Export option is set to Design Layers Only, paper space is not used; all items are placed in model space. Model space must be at one scale; DXF/DWG files do not have different layer scales. If the layers to be exported are at various scales, the option to rescale them to a common scale before export becomes available. By default, the most frequently used layer scale will be used. Choosing the best scale for export is important. Select Rescale Layers To and click the common scale to use from the displayed list. Symbols on rescaled layers are exported as scaled blocks in the DXF/DWG file. When sheets are selected for export, all design layers export to model space at effectively a 1:1 scale, and viewports take care of showing the objects at other scales.
Sheets to Include
Export	The options on this list change depending on the contents of the file being exported and on which export Version is selected. Select the items to export from the list. If Design Layers Only is selected, either classes or design layers can be exported as DXF layers. If one of the sheet options is selected, the selected sheet layers are exported as paper space layouts; also, design layers used in viewports are exported to model space. While multiple sheets can be exported to the same file, note that unrelated sheets usually should be exported to different files.
Sheets	If Selected Sheets is selected as the Export option, select the sheets to export from the displayed list.
2D Fills and Files
Export 2D Fills	Select this option to export solid fills as wipeouts (DXF/DWG versions 2000 and later) or solid hatches (DXF/DWG version 14 and later). A VectorWorks hatch with multiple levels and colors generates multiple hatch pattern definitions. See Preparing to Export for more information on the conversion.
Export Images and Image Files	Select this option to export image objects and image files. This option is only enabled for DXF/DWG versions 2000 or higher.
Export Hatch Pattern Files	When a drawing has hatches, select this option to create additional hatch pattern (.pat) files in a specified folder. The hatch pattern files, and the DXF/DWG exported file and any support files, such as .jpg images, are placed in this folder. AutoCAD requires the hatch pattern files to retain the hatch associativity and to add hatches to additional objects with the same hatch pattern. When Export Hatch Pattern Files is deselected, AutoCAD displays the hatch but cannot edit it.
3D
Export Solids as ACIS Solids	Select this option to export most VectorWorks solids and NURBS surfaces as ACIS objects. Deselect this option to export solids as polygonal faces (if the target software package cannot read ACIS solids, for example). Walls, round walls, roof and floor slabs, filled 3D polygons, meshes, and NURBS curves cannot be exported as ACIS solids.
Triangulate to Preserve Fills	Some software packages, such as AutoCAD, are not capable of rendering exported 3D surfaces that have more than three or four vertices per face. Select this option to break up such faces into a set of triangles that can be properly rendered. The algorithm used works best on planar or nearly-planar surfaces, such as the top of an extruded circle. Even if Export Solids as ACIS Solids is selected, this option may be used to handle 3D objects that cannot be exported as ACIS solids. When in doubt, select this option (this increases the exported file size and the time necessary to export it, and may result in unwanted lines in some cases)
Decompose 3D Symbols and Groups	Some software packages cannot handle exported groups and symbols. If a problem occurs, select Decompose 3D Objects to convert symbols and groups to ungrouped objects. Do not select this option unless it is absolutely necessary.
Line Weights
Map Line Weights to Colors	The traditional method of specifying line weights in a DXF/DWG file is to use a unique line color for each line weight. The thickness corresponding to each color is then specified at plotting or printing time. Newer DXF/DWG versions support true line weights, but most AutoCAD users are likely to be using colors nevertheless. Because DXF/DWG version 2000 and later supports limited true line weights, by default the Map Line Weights to Colors option is deselected and VectorWorks line weights are converted to the closest possible weight value automatically. Line weights with a value of zero are not exported.
	Select this option to convert line weights to colors. Then during the export process, a list of line weights in the file displays. Specify the color to map to each of these line weights. To select a different color for a selected line weight, click the color box and select a color from the displayed options. For version 2000 and later, this option creates a .ctb file for each exported DXF/DWG file (named after the original .vwx file) containing color mapping information. The exported DXF/DWG file stores the name of the .ctb file in it. The AutoCAD user must put this in the support path, as AutoCAD does not read the .ctb file when it is simply included in the same folder as the DXF/DWG file. To avoid having a color table files for each exported file, use a single .ctb file for each unique set of mappings, and delete the others. When an exported file is opened in AutoCAD, edit the page setup and choose an appropriate color table file.
	For earlier DXF/DWG versions, converting line weights to colors is recommended, and Map Line Weights to Colors should be selected. When re-importing the file, use the reverse process to convert the colors back to line weights.

Choose from three exported file formats: DXF as plain text, DXF as a binary encoding, and DWG.

One of the main differences between these formats is file size. Although individual files can vary, an uncompressed text DXF file is generally larger than an uncompressed DWG file. However, the file size can be significantly reduced by using a compression utility. A compressed text DXF file is normally smaller than a compressed DWG file. Binary DXF file sizes generally fall between the two for both compressed and uncompressed files.

In addition to file size, consider the formats that other applications can support. Before exporting to binary DXF or to DWG, ensure that the receiving party’s software can read those formats. Since binary and text DXF both use the same .dxf extension, if the DXF file cannot be opened, it may be may be mistakenly considered corrupted. When in doubt, export as text DXF, which is universally supported.

Recent versions of AutoCAD have bugs when reading some DXF files, such as losing links to images, so DWG is usually a safer choice in that situation.

DXB is a simpler file format used by some third-party applications that do not support the full DXF or DWG file format. It is not the same as binary DXF; do not use .dxb as the extension for binary DXF files. VectorWorks does not support DXB.

Version

For best results, export to the highest version supported by the recipient’s software, or the default export version, whichever is lower. The latest versions of DXF/DWG have features more similar to VectorWorks and may provide a better translation, but not all software packages can read the latest versions. When in doubt, export as DXF and version 12, which has widespread industry support.

Other options on the dialog box can change or become unavailable depending on the version selected.

Class/Layer Conversions

Export as DXF Layers

This option is available if the Export option is set to Design Layers Only.

Since VectorWorks classes correspond most closely to DXF/DWG layers, normally, the Classes option is recommended. There is no direct equivalent for VectorWorks layers in DXF/DWG. A single VectorWorks design layer is similar to DXF “model space.”

This is most important for the import of groups and symbols. In VectorWorks, the objects in groups and symbols can belong to different classes, but they must be on the same layer. In a DXF/DWG file, the entities equivalent to VectorWorks’ symbols and groups (known as “blocks”) can be on different DXF/DWG layers.

Layers normally do not export relative to the Z value shown in the Design Layers tab of the Organization dialog box.

Invisible Classes are

While VectorWorks organizes drawings by class and by layer, the DXF/DWG file format only has layers. The following description assumes that, as recommended, classes are selected for export as layers. (If instead VectorWorks layers are selected for export as DXF/DWG layers, equivalent options are presented for the layers.)

Select whether to export invisible classes. If Exported As Invisible DXF Layers is selected, objects that are in invisible classes in the VectorWorks file are exported, and can be seen by making the DXF/DWG layer visible. This is the recommended option. However, if invisible classes contain private information or if the size of the exported file needs to be reduced, select Not Exported to delete these invisible objects.

If invisible classes are exported as DXF layers, objects on invisible VectorWorks layers are not exported. To export these items, first make the layers visible, and then select the Export command.

Layer Scale

Rescale Layers To

When the Export option is set to Design Layers Only, paper space is not used; all items are placed in model space. Model space must be at one scale; DXF/DWG files do not have different layer scales. If the layers to be exported are at various scales, the option to rescale them to a common scale before export becomes available. By default, the most frequently used layer scale will be used.

Choosing the best scale for export is important. Select Rescale Layers To and click the common scale to use from the displayed list.

Symbols on rescaled layers are exported as scaled blocks in the DXF/DWG file.

When sheets are selected for export, all design layers export to model space at effectively a 1:1 scale, and viewports take care of showing the objects at other scales.

Sheets to Include

Export

The options on this list change depending on the contents of the file being exported and on which export Version is selected.

Select the items to export from the list. If Design Layers Only is selected, either classes or design layers can be exported as DXF layers.

If one of the sheet options is selected, the selected sheet layers are exported as paper space layouts; also, design layers used in viewports are exported to model space. While multiple sheets can be exported to the same file, note that unrelated sheets usually should be exported to different files.

Sheets

If Selected Sheets is selected as the Export option, select the sheets to export from the displayed list.

2D Fills and Files

Export 2D Fills

Select this option to export solid fills as wipeouts (DXF/DWG versions 2000 and later) or solid hatches (DXF/DWG version 14 and later). A VectorWorks hatch with multiple levels and colors generates multiple hatch pattern definitions. See Preparing to Export for more information on the conversion.

Export Images and Image Files

Select this option to export image objects and image files. This option is only enabled for DXF/DWG versions 2000 or higher.

Export Hatch Pattern Files

When a drawing has hatches, select this option to create additional hatch pattern (.pat) files in a specified folder. The hatch pattern files, and the DXF/DWG exported file and any support files, such as .jpg images, are placed in this folder. AutoCAD requires the hatch pattern files to retain the hatch associativity and to add hatches to additional objects with the same hatch pattern. When Export Hatch Pattern Files is deselected, AutoCAD displays the hatch but cannot edit it.

Export Solids as ACIS Solids

Select this option to export most VectorWorks solids and NURBS surfaces as ACIS objects. Deselect this option to export solids as polygonal faces (if the target software package cannot read ACIS solids, for example).

Walls, round walls, roof and floor slabs, filled 3D polygons, meshes, and NURBS curves cannot be exported as ACIS solids.

Triangulate to Preserve Fills

Some software packages, such as AutoCAD, are not capable of rendering exported 3D surfaces that have more than three or four vertices per face. Select this option to break up such faces into a set of triangles that can be properly rendered. The algorithm used works best on planar or nearly-planar surfaces, such as the top of an extruded circle.

Even if Export Solids as ACIS Solids is selected, this option may be used to handle 3D objects that cannot be exported as ACIS solids.

When in doubt, select this option (this increases the exported file size and the time necessary to export it, and may result in unwanted lines in some cases)

Decompose 3D Symbols and Groups

Some software packages cannot handle exported groups and symbols. If a problem occurs, select Decompose 3D Objects to convert symbols and groups to ungrouped objects. Do not select this option unless it is absolutely necessary.

Line Weights

Map Line Weights to Colors

The traditional method of specifying line weights in a DXF/DWG file is to use a unique line color for each line weight. The thickness corresponding to each color is then specified at plotting or printing time. Newer DXF/DWG versions support true line weights, but most AutoCAD users are likely to be using colors nevertheless.

Because DXF/DWG version 2000 and later supports limited true line weights, by default the Map Line Weights to Colors option is deselected and VectorWorks line weights are converted to the closest possible weight value automatically. Line weights with a value of zero are not exported.

Select this option to convert line weights to colors. Then during the export process, a list of line weights in the file displays. Specify the color to map to each of these line weights. To select a different color for a selected line weight, click the color box and select a color from the displayed options.

For version 2000 and later, this option creates a .ctb file for each exported DXF/DWG file (named after the original .vwx file) containing color mapping information. The exported DXF/DWG file stores the name of the .ctb file in it. The AutoCAD user must put this in the support path, as AutoCAD does not read the .ctb file when it is simply included in the same folder as the DXF/DWG file.

To avoid having a color table files for each exported file, use a single .ctb file for each unique set of mappings, and delete the others. When an exported file is opened in AutoCAD, edit the page setup and choose an appropriate color table file.

For earlier DXF/DWG versions, converting line weights to colors is recommended, and Map Line Weights to Colors should be selected. When re-importing the file, use the reverse process to convert the colors back to line weights.