Opening a DXF File

The DXF file type is primarily associated with AutoCAD.

DXF	File extension: DXF
	File type:	drawing

What is a DXF file?

DXF files mostly belong to AutoCAD by Autodesk. A DXF file contains a 2D/3D computer aided design or drawing saved in the Drawing Exchange Format developed by Autodesk. DXF format was introduced in AutoCAD version 1.0 and its file contents may be encoded as ASCII text or binary data. DXF is similar to DWG format, however, its representation of CAD data as text makes it more compatible with non-Autodesk products. Computer-aided design programs such as QCAD, CorelCAD, and Canvas X can open a drawing saved in a DXF format. A different type of DXF file contains a special effect used by Picture Publisher photo painting software.

How to open DXF files

You need a suitable software like AutoCAD to open a DXF file. Without proper software you will receive a Windows message "How do you want to open this file?" or "Windows cannot open this file" or a similar Mac/iPhone/Android alert. If you cannot open your DXF file correctly, try to right-click or long-press the file. Then click "Open with" and choose an application. You can also display a DXF file directly in the browser:. Just drag the file onto this browser window and drop it.

Online DXF File Viewer

Choose your .dxf file to view

or drag and drop it here

Online File Viewer

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How to convert DXF files to JPG, PDF, HTML, DOC, ...

You can convert DXF files using our online DXF file viewer (powered by Convert.Guru):

To do this, click the button "Choose your .dxf file to view" on this page.
After your file is opened in browser,
click "Save as..." in the menu.
Then click the file format (e.g. PDF, JPG, DOCX, TXT, ...) you want.
Download the converted file.

Programs that open and convert DXF files:

AutoCAD by Autodesk
See the previous paragraphs to learn more about the main application. DXF files are often referred to as AutoCAD cads because this type of file is primarily created or used by this software.
CAD file by CST CAD Navigator
Enables to open and convert different 2D/3D files, get their dimensions and create section views. The software is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Picture Publisher (special effect) by Corel
Picture Publisher is a discontinued image processing software. It saves a special effect in a DXF file. This file format is classified as Raster Image.
XMap (drawing and spatial reference information) by Garmin
XMap is a geographic information system data mapping and visualization software. It uses a DXF file to store spatial reference information and drawings. This file format is classified as CAD.

DXF file extension format:

If you know the file format, you can also find out how to open or edit the file. The first characters in a file identify the file format, for example, HTML files start with the bytes <html>. If the file extension does not match the file format, double-clicking on the file will cause an error upon opening. Exact knowledge of the format is therefore important in order to solve problems occurring in files. In the following you will find our evaluation of the DXF files:

The DXF extension is very commonly found and predominantly uses a uniform format. However, the following two file formats are common:

90% of all DXF files are AutoCAD Drawing eXchange Format files. The content consists of binary data as well as text and words. The files are often between 27 KB and 3 MB in size. The file type is old but is used even today. The following keywords are characteristic: SECTION, HEADER, $ACADVER, $DWGCODEPAGE, $INSBASE, $ACADMAINTVER, $EXTMIN and ANSI_1252. Such DXF files store data about logo, plate, plan, laser, panel, model, drawing, pattern, design and shirt.
5% of all DXF files use the same file format, which have the signature 999 . The content also consists of readable text fragments, which can be viewed with the help of a text editor. The files are 13 KB to 1 MB in size, with a median of 140 KB. The keywords SECTION, HEADER, $ACADVER, ANSI, Technology, file and $DWGCODEPAGE are typical for these files.

All the rest of the DXF files (5%) have different formats. They are often associated with project, floor, layout, front, free, diagram, vector, base or flat. Drag & drop your file here to see the file format and a preview of your DXF file!

Technical Data for DXF File Extension

File classification:

CAD

Related files:

dfx, rul, xdf, dxv, dxl, dsx, dwg, dwx, ezd, dxp, dxg, dxd, dtx, dx, bxf, drx, check, dxi, plt, dhf, svs

Mime type:

image/vnd.dxf, application/dxf

The following listing is compiled from the database produced by the 'Associate This!' program, selected data from the main FILExt database and file extension information submitted by users.

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.dxf, AppName: Adobe Illustrator

ProgramID: AutoCADDrawingInterchange.16, FileType: AutoCAD Drawing Interchange, AppName: AutoCAD Application

ProgramID: AutoCADLTDrawingInterchange.16, FileType: AutoCAD LT Drawing Interchange, AppName: Not applicable.
EXEFile: aclt.exe

ProgramID: CorelDRAW.Graphic.11, FileType: CorelDRAW 11.0 Graphic, AppName: CorelDRAW(R)
EXEFile: coreldrw.exe

ProgramID: cta_extension_progid, FileType: Microsoft Picture It! Document, AppName: Dreamweaver MX

ProgramID: cta_extension_progid, FileType: Microsoft Picture It! Document, AppName: Picture It!
EXEFile: Pip.exe

ProgramID: ICPlus, AppName: ImageEditor Plus
EXEFile: ICPlus.exe

ProgramID: Microsoft Picture It! Document, FileType: Microsoft Picture It! Document, AppName: Picture It! 2001

ProgramID: Microsoft.Picture.It.Document.7, FileType: Microsoft Picture It! Document, AppName: AceHTML 5 Freeware Executable
EXEFile: acehtml.exe

ProgramID: Microsoft.Picture.It.Document.7, FileType: Microsoft Picture It! Document, AppName: Picture It! 7.0
EXEFile: pip.exe

ProgramID: PaintShopPro8.Image, FileType: Paint Shop Pro Image, AppName: Paint Shop Pro 8
EXEFile: Paint Shop Pro.exe

ProgramID: PictureIt!.Picture, FileType: Microsoft Picture It! Picture, AppName: Microsoft Picture It!
EXEFile: PICTURE.EXE

ProgramID: PSP.Image, FileType: Paint Shop Pro Image, AppName: Paint Shop Pro Windows 32 bit Executable

ProgramID: PSP5.Image, FileType: Paint Shop Pro 5 Image, AppName: Paint Shop Pro 5 Release Executable
EXEFile: PSP.EXE

ProgramID: PSP7.Image, FileType: Paint Shop Pro 7 Image, AppName: Paint Shop Pro 7
EXEFile: psp.exe

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.dxf
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator CS\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe %1

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.dxf
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Illustrator 10 Tryout\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe %1

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.dxf
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Illustrator 10.0.3\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe %1

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.dxf
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Illustrator 9.0.1\Illustrator.exe %1

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.dxf
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Illustrator 9.0\Illustrator.exe %1

ProgramID: AutoCADDrawingInterchange
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ACAD2000\acad.exe %1

ProgramID: AutoCADDrawingInterchange
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\AutoCAD 2002\acad.exe %1

ProgramID: AutoCADDrawingInterchange
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Autodesk Architectural Desktop 3\acad.exe %1

ProgramID: AutoCADLTDrawingInterchange
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\AutoCAD LT 2000i Ita\aclt.exe %1

ProgramID: CadStd
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Apperson\CadStd\cadstd.exe %1

ProgramID: cta_extension_progid
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Picture It! 2002\Pip.exe

ProgramID: cta_extension_progid
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Picture It! 2002\Pip.exe %1

ProgramID: DXF_UV
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Advanced Image Viewer and Converter\ImgViewer.exe %1

ProgramID: eDrawings.edrw
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Common Files\eDrawings2005\EModelViewer.exe %1

ProgramID: Microsoft Picture It! Document
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Picture It! PhotoPub\Pip.exe %1

ProgramID: Microsoft Picture It! Document
EXEFile: C:\PSP\PSP.EXE %1

ProgramID: Microsoft.Picture.It.Document.7
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Picture It! 7\pip.exe %1

ProgramID: Microsoft.Picture.It.Document.9
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Picture It! 9\pi.exe %1

ProgramID: PaintShopPro8.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 8\Paint Shop Pro.exe /dde

ProgramID: PaintShopPro9.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 9\Paint Shop Pro 9.exe /dde

ProgramID: PictureIt!.Picture
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Picture It!\PICTURE.EXE /nostartup /nointro

ProgramID: PictureIt!.Picture
EXEFile: D:\MS Picture It\PICTURE.EXE /nostartup /nointro

ProgramID: PSP.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PAINTS~1\PSP.EXE /dde

ProgramID: PSP5.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PAINTS~1.01\Psp.exe /dde

ProgramID: PSP5.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PAINTS~1\psp.exe /dde

ProgramID: PSP5.Image
EXEFile: F:\PAINT~14\Psp.exe /dde

ProgramID: PSP7.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Jasc Software Inc\Paint Shop Pro 7\psp.exe /dde

ProgramID: PSP7.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Paint Shop Pro 7\psp.exe /dde

ProgramID: Microsoft.Picture.It.Document.7
EXEFile: rundll32.exe %SystemRoot%\System32\shimgvw.dll,ImageView_Fullscreen %1

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.dxf
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\illustrator\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe %1

ProgramID: PictureIt!.Picture
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Picture It! Express\PICTURE.EXE /nostartup /nointro

ProgramID: Microsoft.Picture.It.Document.10
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Microsoft Digital Image 10\pi.exe %1

ProgramID: View Station Document
EXEFile: C:\View\Station\Image.exe %1

ProgramID: eDrawings.edrw
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\SolidWorks\eDrawings\EModelViewer.exe %1

ProgramID: Microsoft.Picture.It.Document.10
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Picture It! Premium 10\pi.exe %1

ProgramID: Canvas.X.DXF
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\ACD Systems\Canvas X\canvasX.exe %1

ProgramID: XnView.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\XnView\xnview.exe %1

ProgramID: AutoCADDrawingInterchange
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\AutoCAD 2000i\acad.exe %1

ProgramID: AutoCADDrawingInterchange
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Volo View Express\voloview.exe

ProgramID: AutoCADDrawingInterchange
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Autodesk Building Systems 3\acad.exe %1

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.dxf
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Illustrator CS\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe %1

ProgramID: quick3D.dxf
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\quick3D Geo\quick3D.exe %1

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.dxf
EXEFile: Illustrator.exe %1

ProgramID: Microsoft.Picture.It.Document.9
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%r\Microsoft Picture It! 9\pi.exe %1

ProgramID: DXFAssoc.Drawing
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\SolidWorks\dwgeditor\English\DWGEditor.exe %1

ProgramID: DXFAssoc.Drawing
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\SolidWorks (2)\dwgeditor\English\DWGEditor.exe %1

ProgramID: AutoCADLTDrawingInterchange
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\AutoCAD LT 2002\aclt.exe %1

ProgramID: eDrawings.edrw
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\COMMON~1\EDRAWI~1\EMODEL~1.EXE %1

ProgramID: PaintShopProX.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Corel\Corel Paint Shop Pro X\Paint Shop Pro X.exe

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.dxf
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Illustrator 10\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe

ProgramID: DXFAssoc.Drawing
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\SolidWorks\dwgeditor\DWGEditor.exe

ProgramID: eDrawings.edrw
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Archivos comunes\eDrawings2005\EModelViewer.exe

ProgramID: PSP6.Image
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PAINTS~1\Psp.exe

ProgramID: AutoCADLTDrawingInterchange
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\AutoCAD LT 2000i\aclt.exe

ProgramID: AutoCAD.DrawingInterchange.15
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Autodesk Map 6\acad.exe

ProgramID: AutoCAD.DrawingInterchange.15
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\AutoCAD 2000i\acad.exe

ProgramID: DWGEditor.Drawing1
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\DWGeditor\DWGEditor.exe

ProgramID: dxffile
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\formZ\formZ RadioZity v4.1.0\formZ RadioZity.exe

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.dxf
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator CS2\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe

ProgramID: AutoCADDrawingInterchange
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Autodesk Volo View\voloview.exe

ProgramID: Icad.Drawing
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\PROGES~1\PROGEC~1\icad.exe

ProgramID: eDrawings.edrw
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\COMMON~1\EDRAWI~1\EDRAWI~1.EXE

ProgramID: BravaFreeDWG.FILE
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\IGC\Free DWG Viewer\BravaFreeDWG.exe

ProgramID: Adobe.Illustrator.dxf
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Adobe\Adobe Illustrator CS3\Support Files\Contents\Windows\Illustrator.exe

ProgramID: eDrawings.edrw
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\Gemeinsame Dateien\eDrawings2008\eDrawingOfficeAutomator.exe

ProgramID: MyViewPad.dxf
EXEFile: %ProgramFiles%\My ViewPad\MyViewPad.exe

Show all 81 listings To Top

a dxf drawing is a special file format by Autodesk and should only be edited and saved with the appropriate software.

How to solve problems with DXF files

Associate the DXF file extension with the correct application.
Update your software that should actually open drawings. Because only the current version supports the latest DXF file format. Search, therefore, e.g. on the Autodesk manufacturer website after an available AutoCAD update.
To make sure that your DXF file is not corrupted or virus-infected, get the file again and scan it with Google's virustotal.com.
Click here to open your .DXF file online - secure, fast, and no downloads needed.