The AutoCAD® Reader/Writer enables FME to read and write files used by Autodesk® AutoCAD and compatible systems. AutoCAD drawing files consist of drawing settings and configuration, as well as a series of entities, or graphic elements, organized into layers.
FME provides broad support for many AutoCAD entity types and options and for reading and writing AutoCAD DWG and DXF files with versions up to and including 2010. FME also provides support for reading and writing AutoCAD DWF files up to and including version 6.0. When AutoCAD data is output, header information may be copied from a supplied template, or prototype, file.
This chapter assumes familiarity with AutoCAD-compatible systems and the entities (features) that are manipulated within these systems.
Note: Throughout this chapter, the AutoCAD file is referred to as a drawing file rather than a DWF file.
Overview
There are three supported formats used by AutoCAD:
- DXF (drawing exchange format) files, which are large ASCII files,
- DWG (drawing) files, which are binary and support the most entity types, and
- DWF (drawing web format) files, which are binary files of reduced size and functionality intended for display on limited-bandwidth mediums such as the Internet.
Logically, both DWG and DXF files are identical and, therefore, FME treats both file types in the same manner. DWG/DXF files are read by the AutoCAD DWG/DXF reader and writer.
DWF files are handled seamlessly but internally they undergo a different series of translation processes. These are read separately by the AutoCAD DWF reader and writer. Currently the DWF reader and writer can read and write sheets and models from two-dimensional (2D) DWF files.
This chapter contains information related to the AutoCAD DWF reader/writer. For general AutoCAD DWG/DXF information and AutoCAD feature types supported by FME, please refer to the Autodesk AutoCAD DWG/DXF Reader/Writer.