Format

Drawing Interchange File Format (ASCII)

Download XML

Summary

Version

Generic

Identifiers

PUID: fmt/63
MIME: image/vnd.dxf

Format type

Image (Vector)

Family

DXF

Disclosure

None

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. It is not mandatory for ASCII DXF files to include a version identifier - some DXF files may therefore be identifiable only as generic DXF.

File extensions

dxf

Source

Digital Preservation Department / The National Archives

Developed by

Autodesk

Supported by

Autodesk

Relationships

Has lower priority than

Internal signatures