Importing .DXF or .DWG Files

You can import .dxf and .dwg files to the SOLIDWORKS software by creating a new SOLIDWORKS drawing, or by importing the file as a sketch in a new part. You can also import a file in native format or import 2D DXF/DWG files as reference sketches.

To import a .dxf or .dwg file:

  1. In SOLIDWORKS, click Open (Standard toolbar) or File > Open .
  2. In the Open dialog box, set Files of type to Dxf or Dwg, browse to select a file, and click Open.
  3. In the DXF/DWG Import Wizard, select an import method, and then click Next to access Drawing Layer Mapping and Document Settings.
  4. Click Finish on any of the three screens to import the file.

Importing Layers from .DWG or .DXF Files

When importing a .dwg or .dxf file as a 2D sketch for a part, you can create a new sketch for each layer in the file.

  1. Open a .dwg files with layers.
  2. In the DXF/DWG Import wizard, select Import to a new part as and 2D sketch.
  3. Click Next.
  4. Select Import each layer to a new sketch.
  5. Select other options and click Next or Finish.

Defining the Sketch Origin and Orientation on .DWG or .DXF Import

When importing a .dwg or .dxf file as a 2D sketch for a part, you can define the model origin and orientation.

  1. Open a .dwg file.
  2. In the DXF/DWG Import wizard, select Import to a new part as and 2D sketch.
  3. Click Next.
  4. Select part document options and click Next.
  5. Click Define Sketch Origin and click a point in the sketch preview to define the origin.
  6. Adjust the origin values and click Apply.
  7. To change the model orientation about the origin, select Rotate about the origin and enter the angle of rotation.
  8. Select other options and click Finish.

Filtering Sketch Entities on .DWG or .DXF Import

When importing a .dwg or .dxf file as a 2D sketch for a part, you can filter out unnecessary entities.

  1. Open a .dwg file.
  2. In the DXF/DWG Import wizard, select Import to a new part as and 2D sketch.
  3. Click Next.
  4. Select part document options and click Next.
  5. In the preview, select entities to remove and click Remove Entities.
    To undo this action, click Undo Remove Entities .
  6. Select other options and click Finish.

Repairing Sketches After .DWG or .DXF Import

When importing a .dwg or .dxf file as a 2D sketch for a part, you can launch the SOLIDWORKS Repair Sketch tool from the DXF/DWG Import Wizard to fix gap or overlap errors after import.

  1. Open a .dwg file.
  2. In the DXF/DWG Import wizard, select Import to a new part as and 2D sketch.
  3. Click Next.
  4. Select part document options and click Next.
  5. Select Run Repair Sketch.
  6. Select other options and click Finish.