Thursday 15 September 2016

CAD File Format

  • CAD stands for "Computer Aided Design".
  • CAD is the use of computer system to aid in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimization of a design.
  • CAD is an image file format. This file may contains 2D or 3D designs. Which are generated by CAD software program, which can be used to design models and architectural plans.
  • 2D CAD files are often referred  to as drawing, while 3D files are often refereed to as models, parts, or assemblies.

Different Types of CAD File Format:

.DXF
  • The DXF stands for "Drawing eXchange Format" or "Drawing Interchange Format".
  • It is used for CAD vector image files, such as AutoCAD documents.
  • A DXF file is an ASCII file containing 2D and 3D components representing a drawing. Those components are known as Entities.
  • You can actually open DXF files with any text editor such as Notepad, and the information will be presented this way: 

DXF File Editors: 
  • AutoCAD 
  • Adobe Illustrator 
  • CorelCAD 
  • TurboCAD etc.
DXF File Viewers:
  • CADKit Viewer
  • eDrawings Viewer
  • Microsoft DWG Viewer


 .DWG
  • The native file format for CAD files is drawing file format(.dwg). It contains all the pieces of information a user, such as:
    • Designs
    • Geometric data
    • Maps
    • Photos 
  • The .dwg file format is one of the most commonly used data formats, found in nearly every design environment.

.DGN
  • DGN(Design) is the name used for CAD file formats supported by Bentley Systems MicroStations.
  • The DGN format is used in many large projects, including buildings, highways, bridges, process plants, shipbuilding.

.STL
  • Design format used for stereo lithography, a rapid prototyping technology used for producing three-dimensional parts.
  • It contains a 3D design used as a master model for creating numerous prototypes.

.CCDX
  • CCDX(Circuit Design) is a CAD file created by Circuit Diagram, a free circuit design application for Windows.
  • It contains layout information for a circuit and includes connection information and components used in the circuit.
  • It can be exported to .PNG or .SVG formats and used within presentations or technical documents.

.BAK
  • This is AutoCAD's backup file format. 
  • Whenever you save a drawing, AutoCAD will automatically create a duplicate backup file.