What is a DXF File?
DXF is a CAD drawing exchange format originally developed to make it easier to move drawing data between AutoCAD and other CAD systems. Unlike DWG, which is commonly used as a native CAD drawing format, DXF is often used as an interchange format between different applications.
A DXF file can contain many types of drawing information, including lines, arcs, circles, polylines, text, layers, blocks, dimensions, hatches, and filled areas. The actual content depends on the software that created the file and the DXF version used.
Common Uses for DXF Files
DXF files are used in many engineering and manufacturing workflows where 2D drawing data must be exchanged between different systems.
- Mechanical drawings and outlines
- PCB board outlines and panel drawings
- Milling, routing, and cutting geometry
- Logos, markings, and documentation graphics
- Laser cutting and stencil-related geometry
- General CAD exchange between different software tools
DXF in PCB Manufacturing Workflows
DXF is not a PCB manufacturing format in the same way as Gerber, Excellon, ODB++, or IPC-2581. However, DXF is often used together with PCB manufacturing data.
A DXF file may contain a board outline, mechanical layer, panel drawing, milling path, logo, or other 2D geometry that must be included in a PCB project. In some workflows, this DXF geometry must be converted to Gerber before it can be used for PCB fabrication.
GerbView can open DXF files and convert supported DXF geometry to Gerber output. This is useful when a customer, designer, or mechanical CAD system supplies geometry as DXF, but the manufacturing process requires Gerber files.
GerbView and DXF Files
GerbView can work with DXF files in both directions: as an input format and as an output format.
Open and Convert DXF Files
GerbView can open DXF files and use them as input for conversion. One common workflow is converting DXF geometry to Gerber, for example when closed shapes, circles, board outlines, or other CAD geometry must become PCB manufacturing data.
Export PCB Data to DXF
GerbView can also export Gerber, Excellon, and ODB++ data to DXF. This is useful when PCB manufacturing files need to be reviewed, documented, edited, or reused in a CAD system.
DXF to Gerber Conversion
Some GerbView customers use DXF files as the starting point for creating Gerber data. This can be useful when PCB-related geometry is supplied from a mechanical CAD system or another drawing application.
DXF to Gerber conversion may be useful for board outlines, filled pads, copper areas, circles, logos, mechanical details, and panel geometry.
A dedicated tutorial page will explain the available conversion options in more detail, including how different DXF entities can be converted to Gerber output.
Gerber to DXF Conversion
DXF is also useful as an output format. GerbView can export Gerber data to DXF so that PCB artwork can be opened in CAD applications.
This can be helpful for documentation, mechanical review, comparison, archiving, or when PCB manufacturing data needs to be shared with users who work mainly with CAD software.
DXF Compared to Gerber
DXF and Gerber are both commonly used for 2D vector data, but they are designed for different purposes.
| DXF | Gerber |
|---|---|
| CAD exchange format | PCB manufacturing format |
| Used for drawings, outlines, geometry, layers, dimensions, and documentation | Used for copper layers, solder mask, silkscreen, paste layers, and PCB artwork |
| Common in mechanical CAD and CAM workflows | Common in PCB fabrication workflows |
| Often used before or after PCB manufacturing data is created | Usually used as final production data for PCB manufacturing |
DXF File Format FAQ
What is a DXF file?
A DXF file is a Drawing Exchange Format file used to exchange CAD drawing data between different CAD, CAM, PCB, and manufacturing applications. DXF files commonly contain 2D geometry such as lines, arcs, circles, polylines, layers, text, dimensions, and hatches.
Is DXF used for PCB manufacturing?
DXF is not a PCB manufacturing format like Gerber, Excellon, ODB++, or IPC-2581, but it is often used in PCB workflows for board outlines, mechanical layers, panel drawings, logos, milling paths, and other 2D geometry.
Can GerbView open DXF files?
Yes. GerbView can open DXF files and use them as input for inspection and conversion, including workflows where DXF geometry is converted to Gerber.
Can GerbView export DXF files?
Yes. GerbView can export Gerber, Excellon, and ODB++ data to DXF, making PCB manufacturing data available in a CAD-compatible format.
Can DXF files be converted to Gerber?
Yes. GerbView can convert supported DXF geometry to Gerber output. This can be useful for board outlines, closed shapes, circles, logos, mechanical details, and other PCB-related geometry supplied as DXF.
Open, Inspect, and Convert DXF Files with GerbView
GerbView can open DXF files, convert DXF to Gerber, and export Gerber, Excellon, and ODB++ files to DXF. This makes it useful for CAD-to-PCB and PCB-to-CAD workflows.
