DXF/DWG Import Wizard Overview

The DXF/DWG import wizard imports .dxf or .dwg files into SOLIDWORKS by guiding you through required steps. You have the option of importing to either a drawing or a part.

If you import to a drawing, the layer, color, and line style information in the .dxf or .dwg file is also imported.

The DXF/DWG translator imports:

  • AutoCAD® Mechanical annotations, known as proxy entities, (such as surface finish symbols or GTOL frames) and automatically drawn objects (such as cams and springs) when you import DXF or DWG files as SOLIDWORKS drawing documents. The translator converts these imported items to equivalent SOLIDWORKS objects, or creates them as blocks of primitive geometry, as appropriate.
    You cannot import AutoCAD PROXY entities from DWG and DXF files into SOLIDWORKS parts as 3D curves or models.
  • Associative and non-associative crosshatches as area hatches.
  • XREFs in AutoCAD DWG files. If an imported block is an XREF, the symbol -> appears next to the block name in the FeatureManager design tree. If the XREF has a dangling definition, the symbol ->? appears.
  • DWG files with multiple sheets.
  • Mechanical Desktop® (MDT) parts, assemblies, and drawings.

Note the following:

  • You can import entire DWG file sheets in native format (view only) SOLIDWORKS drawing sheets, which allows the direct display and printing of the original DWG file entities inside SOLIDWORKS drawing documents.
  • You can import all supported Autodesk products (DXF, DWG, MDT, and 3D DXF files) with the .dxf or .dwg file types in the Open dialog box.
  • MDT DWG files and DXF files with embedded ACIS data can be imported through the DXF/DWG Import Wizard. The wizard determines automatically if a DWG file contains MDT data.
  • The DXF/DWG Import Wizard Preview interface contains view, zoom, rotate, pan, and standard view items to change the preview. You can select the White background check box to change the preview background color. You can also click the Model and Layout tabs below the Preview window to switch between model and layout views and name the drawing layer sheet.
  • When you import DWG files, you can see a thumbnail image of the file in the Preview panel of the Open dialog box. Previews appear for DWG files created by both SOLIDWORKS and AutoCAD. In AutoCAD, the bitmap preview option must be enabled when the file is last saved. The Open dialog box remembers the Preview check box state from the last time you opened a DWG file.
  • The SOLIDWORKS software fully supports the import of AutoCAD block definitions and instances with properties and attributes.
  • SOLIDWORKS supports attributes when you import DXF/DWG files.
  • When you import a DXF/DWG file as a SOLIDWORKS part, any line with a dashed line font is imported as a construction line.
  • You have the option to skip crosshatch import when importing DXF/DWG files into new parts.
  • Imported dimensions retain their original style and properties. If you select and move a dimension, it is converted to the SOLIDWORKS defined dimension style. Click Undo on the Standard toolbar to return to the original style and properties.
  • SOLIDWORKS supports importing and exporting of OLE objects through DXF/DWG files of version 13 and higher. Bitmaps stored in DXF/DWG files in AutoCAD's native bitmap format are not supported.
  • Click Help on any DXF/DWG Import Wizard screen for help on that topic.
  • The DXF/DWG translator alerts you to problems encountered when importing a DXF or DWG file.