AutoCAD (.dwg, .dxf) import/export

A binary file format used for storing two and three-dimensional design data and metadata. It is the native format for several CAD packages including AutoCAD.

Import

To open, import, insert, and attach a file as a worksession

  1. From the File menu, click Open, Insert, Import, or Worksession > Attach.

  2. In the dialog box, select a supported file type.
  3. Click Open and configure the settings.
    When you open a non-3dm file and save the model, its filename will be the default 3dm filename.

DWG/DXF Import Options

Import unreferenced layers

Imports empty layers.

Import unreferenced blocks

Imports unused block definitions.

Import unreferenced linetypes

Imports unused linetype definitions.

Convert wide polylines to surfaces
Ignore thickness
Convert regions to curves
Mesh precision
Automatic

If the mesh imported from DWG/DXF is too big or too far from the origin to work properly as a single-precision mesh, Rhino will import the mesh as double precision.

Double precision
Single precision
Model units
Layout units
Set layer material to layer color

Assigns a material to each layer that matches the layer color.

Always use these settings. Do not show this dialog again.

Saves the current settings and turns off the dialog display.

To turn the message back on

See also: ResetMessageBoxes command.

Import notes

  • The latest DWG format Rhino supports to read is AutoCAD 2018.
  • Polyface mesh and 3DFace entities import as polygon mesh objects. They do not convert to NURBS.
  • Wide polylines import as surfaces. If the polylines are narrower than Rhino's current tolerance setting, wide polylines import as polylines. Graphics, rays, regions, or OLE objects do not import.
  • Line widths by layer and by object import as print widths by layer and by object.
  • Block attributes import as text.
  • Attribute definitions that are not included in blocks are skipped.
  • Hatches may not import in the same position relative to objects since Rhino does not support varying the origin.
  • Off and frozen layers import as off layers.
  • XREFs are imported. XREF layers with the same names as the base drawing layers are merged. If any of the layers contributing to a merged layer is off or frozen in AutoCAD, the combined layer will be off in Rhino.
  • If objects in a block definition are on AutoCAD layer 0, their properties will be set to ByParent.
  • AutoCAD Dimension Style scale (dimscale) is now imported and assigned to the Model space scale in the annotation style that is generated on import.
  • Images are imported as Rhino Picture objects.

  • AutoCAD Color Index (ACI) 7 is imported as black when Value (brightness) of the Rhino viewport background color is 128 or greater. Otherwise, it is imported as white.

    ACI 7 is a special color in AutoCAD. It displays as black when the viewport background is light, and as white when the viewport background is dark. Rhino does not have such feature.

  • AutoCAD xData is imported as Attribute User Text.
  • The Open command disables Layout space scaling when DWG/DXF files are opened in Rhino.
  • Gradient patterns are imported as gradient hatches.
  • AutoCAD Base location is imported as Rhino Model Base Point.
  • UserArrow settings can be imported.

Export

To save as or export a Rhino model

  1. On the File menu, click Export Selected or Save As.
  2. In the dialog box, the Files of type list displays the currently supported file types for export.
  3. In the Files of type box, select the supported file type.
  4. In the File name box, select or type a file name.
  5. Specify what is to be saved.
    6. Options

    Save small

    Though clearing the render meshes makes the file smaller, it will shade and render more slowly the next time you open the file.

    Save geometry only

    Saves geometry objects only. No layers, materials, properties, notes, or units settings are saved. This is similar to exporting the objects. A new file is made, but it does not become your active Rhino model.

    Save textures

    Embeds external textures used by materials, environments and decals into the model.
    Save plugin data Saves data attached to objects or the document by plug-in applications.
  6. If the export can be configured, click the Options button to specify export settings.
  7. If the file type creates only mesh objects, in the Polygon Mesh Objects dialog box, specify the mesh settings.

DWG/DXF Export Options

Export Scheme

Select the export scheme to use.

Default
2007 Lines
2007 Natural
2007 Polylines
2007 Solids
CAM Imperial
CAM Metric
R12 Lines & Arcs
R12 Natural
Always use these settings. Do not show this dialog again.

Saves the current settings and turns off the dialog display.

To turn the message back on

See also: ResetMessageBoxes command.

Edit Schemes

Opens the AutoCAD Export Schemes dialog box.

Export DWG/DXF with an external scheme file

To ensure all Rhino users in a corporation export dwg/dxf files with the same scheme settings, use the scriptable version of the Export command: -Export

To prepare the scheme file

  1. Use the AcadSchemes command to create a customized scheme.
  2. Click Export... to save an AcadExportScheme File (*.ini) file.
  3. Open the ini file in a plain text editor, for example, Windows Notepad.
  4. Change CurrentOption=n to CurrentOption=y.
  5. Save the file.

To use the scheme file to export

  1. Start the -Export command.
  2. Type the file name, for example, my.dwg or my.dxf.
    The full path of the file can be included.
  3. At the Write file using scheme... prompt, select the FromIni option.
  4. Browse to select the scheme file or enter the full path of the file.
  5. Continue to finish exporting the dwg/dxf file.

Export notes

  • Characters that are unsupported by AutoCAD in Layout names are replaced with underscore characters.
  • AutoCAD supports NURBS geometry and Rhino exports NURBS surfaces as such if your export scheme is set to Export Surfaces as Solids. In AutoCAD, the objects will list as Solid or Surface.
  • Picture objects are exported as AutoCAD images.
    Images used by Picture objects need to move with the DWG/DXF file. And you will need to relocate the images in AutoCAD.
  • AutoCAD does not support unit systems the way modern CAD applications do. Rhino and most non-Autodesk applications use a variable named "INSUNITS" to control the unit system conversion when blocks are inserted in AutoCAD. Rhino sets that variable based on the Rhino unit system to 1 for inches, 4 for millimeters, etc. More information...
  • Attribute User Text is exported as AutoCAD xData.
  • Gradient hatches are exported as gradient patterns.
  • Rhino Model Base Point is exported as AutoCAD Base location.

Import and Export Notes

  • Block definitions and instances import and export.
  • Paperspace objects import as Layouts.
  • Layer names and colors import and export.
  • Use IGES with the IGES import/export module to exchange NURBS geometry with AutoCAD.
  • The ACIS SAT file format can be used to export solids to AutoCAD 2000 and above; AutoCAD 2000 ACIS objects are imported.
  • ByBlock and ByLayer properties settings are translated as ByParent and ByLayer in Rhino.
  • AutoCAD blocks with attributes are now imported into Rhino as user text. This can be manipulated with the GetUserText and SetUserText commands.

  • SubD objects are exported as polysurfaces, meshes or curves based on the surface export setting.

  • Text fields are exported to DWG/DXF files as plain text.

See also

AcadSchemes

Edit AutoCAD export schemes.

Wikipedia: .DWG

Wikipedia: .DXF