DXF Import/Export Tech Tip

This tip describes how to use importing and exporting of 2D DXF files using Radan software.

Q: What are the procedures for importing and exporting DXF files in the Radan software?
A: The procedures to import and export DXF files into Radan are as follows:

Importing DXF file(s)

There are several methods for importing DXF files into Radan; here two methods are described, the one
you choose usually depends on the number of files you intend to import.

Import Single DXF file.

Use the Open dialog to import a single DXF file.

The Open command launches the Open Drawing

for importing a single file, just select DXF as the
“type” of file to open.

The Options button provides access to settings

for how the DXF file is to be imported.
If the same Options settings are used repeatedly, you
can save the settings as a template. You can choose to
re-use this template when importing in future.
There are more than two dozen settings available
within the Options dialog, grouped into four
categories: Drawing, Conversion, Font Mapping and
Color Mapping. For a full description of the settings
you can use the help system accessed from the
button on the dialog’s title bar.
Import Multiple DXF files.
If you want to import multiple DXF files the Import Wizard can be used. It is
accessed from the Import selection of the File pull-down menu.

Since 2D DXF files are 2 dimensional you need to select the 2D Drawing option
on the Import fly out menu. After selecting the Browse button in the initial
Import Wizard dialog:

A standard file access dialog allows you to select

multiple files of DXF, DWG or IGES formats.

Shift + select or Control + select can be used to

select multiple files for import from the Drawing
Import Wizard dialog.

Once the files are selected, the second step of the

Import Wizard dialog appears.

NB. The Options button is the same as the one in the Open Drawing dialog (described earlier).
Option settings can be saved as a template and recalled from this page as well.
The third step of the Import Wizard provides the format option for importing the DXF’s into a Radan
drawing (.drg) file or a Radan symbol (.sym) file.

The final step of the Import Wizard determines where the files are saved.

Click the Finish button and you are done! Radan will then convert each DXF (or DWG or IGES) into an
independent Symbol (SYM) or drawing (DRG) file.

NB. You can also drag and drop a DXF file into an open drafting mode window or on to a Radan desktop
icon.
If you associate the .DXF file type with Radraft.exe, you can double click a DXF file to open in Radan.
The methods above will use your default conversion options.
Exporting DXF file(s)
There are also two methods for exporting DXF files from Radan.
The one you choose usually depends on the number of files you intend to export. The procedures are
very similar to importing.

Exporting a Single DXF file.

Use the Save dialog to export a single DXF file.

The save command launches the Save Drawing

window for exporting a single file, just select DXF as
the “type” of file to save.
Select the Options to set the export conversions you
wish to use and then use the Save button to save your
settings. Then Save button to save your DXF export.

Note: DWG file type is not available for export from

Radan.

Exporting Multiple DXF files.

A similar procedure is followed to importing, starting with selecting Export from the File pull-down
menu.

A standard file access dialog allows you to select the

files to convert.

Shift + select or Control + select can be used to select

multiple files for export.
Once the files are selected, the second step of the Export Wizard dialog appears.

Select the Type of file you require.

Once the Type is selected, the third step of the Export Wizard
dialog appears.
NB. Select the Options you wish to use (similar to the Options
described earlier). .

Next the fourth and final step of the Export Wizard dialog
appears which determines where the files are saved.