DXF files for PCB design  - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: joniengr081
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2023, 07:19:17 pm
content: I am working with PCB design software. I came across DXF files containing PCB drawing information. How do we edit and create DXF files that can be used in PCB design software.

author: Nominal Animal
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 03, 2023, 09:05:46 pm
content: DXFis a CAD interchange format, supported by mostCAD software packages. I useFreeCAD, but I'm only a hobbyist myself. I do often see DXF files used for mechanical drawings, showing component and connector positions, useful for designing enclosures and such for the boards.The DXF files are not needed to manufacture the boards – only theGerberfiles are (and those usuallyin a single ZIP archive). Hobbyists like myself often draw them separately using dedicated CAD software, but some PCB and EDA design software packages likeAltiumdo support them as part of the PCB design process, so that the exact same geometry is used for both the PCB (Gerbers) and the mechanical drawings (DXF).

author: joniengr081
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2023, 07:37:53 am
content: Thanks for reply. Do you have any idea if we can create and edit the DXF files in Mentor PCB Xpedition.

author: jpanhalt
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2023, 07:46:11 am
content: I do not know about that program. I use EAGLE 7.x and that cannot use DXF natively; however, there a a ULP to import them. I believe later versions have that ability natively. So, if your program cannot import them, check for user addons.In use, the files are not imported as DXF per se, but rather into any layer one choses. I usually use "Outline." I do not believe they can be imported into a signal layer, because those have other dependencies. I use DXF for almost any outline that must be dimensionally accurate or is complex.

author: voltsandjolts
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: November 04, 2023, 08:55:22 am
content: I don't know of any PCB package that can edit DXF files, but most can import DXF files and convert them to PCB primitives, such as board outlines or cut-outs. For more complex PCB outlines, I prefer to create the outline in a mechanical CAD package (I use Solidedge 2D), create a DXF and import it to my PCB package.

author: pan
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2023, 09:12:54 am
content: Xpedition can import and export dxf. Dxf is imported to a user layer, and can be edited before changed to for an example a board outline.Siemens support center has a lot more on the subject. I use Autodesk Fusion 360 for simple mechanical tasks. I believe DXF format originated from Autodesk long time ago?

author: joniengr081
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2023, 09:58:10 am
content: Thanks again for reply. Now I have seen in Xpeditation project, the DXF files are added in User Defined Layers in PCB Layout. Please guide me if you know any tutorial to start working with these DXF files.

author: pan
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: November 04, 2023, 11:00:25 am
content: As I wrote before Siemens support center has a lot of info. If you are on support then that is the way. Also, InnoFour which is the distributor are very quick to respond on support questions. If not then search for an example youtube. I did a quick search and got some hits. Some might be relevant and a lot was not.

author: mtwieg
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: November 05, 2023, 05:34:16 pm
content: Quote from: joniengr081 on November 04, 2023, 09:58:10 amIt's not clear what you mean by "working with these DXF files". As you've found, you can import the DXFs into layers, and you should be able to edit those layers inside Xpedition. Xpedition may also be able to export the layers as DXFs. But this is likely not equivalent to editing the DXF files themselves.As was already mentioned above, DXF is mostly used because it can be imported/exported by many different eCAD/mCAD tools. What other tools do you intend to exchange data with?

author: neillnz
author_rank: Contributor
timestamp: December 01, 2023, 09:58:35 am
content: Quote from: joniengr081 on November 04, 2023, 09:58:10 amA thought....Have you looked at using translation software? I reproduce printed circuits that were designed in the days before CAD. I use drawing software to trace the originals curves. The drawing software exports the shapes in a DXF file. I then use ACE3000 by Numerical Innovations to convert the DXF to Gerber.I wonder if the translation tools offered by Numerical Innovations could be used to convert the DXFs into a format that you can edit in your PCB application.