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Format

Drawing Interchange File Format (ASCII)

Summary

Name
Drawing Interchange File Format (ASCII)
Version
1.3
Identifiers
  • PUID: fmt/66
  • 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. ASCII DXF version 1.3 is the version of the format associated with Version 1.3 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
Is subsequent version of

Internal signatures

Drawing Interchange File Format 1.3

Note
Header section with $ACADVER group code (AC1.3), 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)4143312E33(0D0A|0A|0D)*30(0D0A|0A|0D)454E44534543(0D0A|0A|0D)
Endianness
None
Min Frag Length
Absolute from EOF
Offset
0
Max offset
2
Byte Sequence
30(0D0A|0A|0D)454F46
Endianness
None

Changelog

  • Updated in V97

    Release date
    1 October 2020

    Drawing Interchange Format (ASCII) 1.3: 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.