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Format

Drawing Interchange File Format (ASCII)

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Summary

Name
Drawing Interchange File Format (ASCII)
Version
2010/2011/2012
Identifiers
  • PUID: fmt/435
  • MIME: image/vnd.dxf
Format type
Image (Vector)
Description
ASCII DXF format is the ASCII encoded variant of the Drawing Interchange File Format, an exchange format for vector graphics developed by AutoDesk. They are probably the widely-used formats for exchanging vector data, and have become a de-facto industry standard. The format is owned by AutoDesk and typically changes with each release of their AutoCAD family of products. DXF files contain a tagged representation of the vector data. The structure comprises a Header section, followed by sections containing data on Classes, Tables, Blocks, Entities and, optionally, thumbnail images. Each section contains a series of data elements. each preceded by a group code tag, which indicates the type of data element. ASCII DXF version 2010-2012 is the version of the format associated with Releases 2010, 2011 and 2012 of the AutoCAD family of software products.
File extensions
dxf
Source
Digital Preservation Department / The National Archives
Developed by
Autodesk
Supported by
Autodesk

Relationships

Has priority over
Is previous version of

Internal signatures

Drawing Interchange File Format 2010/2011/2012

Note
Header section with $ACADVER group code (AC1024), EOF marker

Byte sequences

Min Frag Length
Variable
Offset
None
Max offset
None
Byte Sequence
30(0D0A|0A|0D)53454354494F4E(0D0A|0A|0D)202032(0D0A|0A|0D)484541444552(0D0A|0A|0D)*39(0D0A|0A|0D)2441434144564552(0D0A|0A|0D)202031(0D0A|0A|0D)414331303234(0D0A|0A|0D)*30(0D0A|0A|0D)454E44534543(0D0A|0A|0D)
Endianness
None
Min Frag Length
Absolute from EOF
Offset
0
Max offset
5
Byte Sequence
30(0D0A|0A|0D)454F46
Endianness
None

Changelog

  • Updated in V97

    Release date
    1 October 2020

    Drawing Interchange Format (ASCII) 2010/2011/2012: File format information updated and signature updated to allow for seperate new line characters. Submitted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Canadian Centre for Architecture and The National Library of Australia.

  • Updated in V68

    Release date
    1 May 2013

    Drawing Interchange File Format 2010/2011/2012: MIME-Type information added.

  • Updated in V66

    Release date
    18 December 2012

    Drawing Interchange File Format (ASCII): Improved signature with assistance from Ross Spencer.

  • Added in V60

    Release date
    11 June 2012

    Drawing Interchange File Format (ASCII) 2010/2011/2012: Signature developed through PRONOM Research.

    Drawing Interchange Format (ASCII) 2007/2008/2009: Outline entry added.