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Format

Drawing Interchange File Format (ASCII)

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Summary

Name
Drawing Interchange File Format (ASCII)
Version
2000-2002
Identifiers
  • PUID: fmt/78
  • MIME: image/vnd.dxf
Format type
Image (Vector)
Family
DXF
Disclosure
Full
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 2000-2002 is the version of the format associated with Releases 2000. 2000i and 2002 of the AutoCAD family of software products.
File extensions
dxf
Source
Digital Preservation Department / The National Archives
Developed by
Autodesk
Supported by
Autodesk

Relationships

Equivalent to
Has priority over
Is previous version of
Is subsequent version of

Internal signatures

Drawing Interchange File Format 2000-2002

Note
Header section with $ACADVER group code (AC1015), 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)414331303135(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|0D|0A)454F46
Endianness
None

Changelog

  • Updated in V97

    Release date
    1 October 2020

    Drawing Interchange Format (ASCII) 2000-2002: 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 V91

    Release date
    25 July 2017

    Drawing Interchange File Format (ASCII) 2000-2002: Modified signature to account for UNIX line endings. It will likely be necessary to make similar changes for other DXF ASCII files. Please contact the PRONOM team if you have any currently unidentified DXF files. New signature and samples provided by Henk Vanstappen, Datable.

  • Added in V60

    Release date
    11 June 2012

    Drawing Interchange File Format 2000-2002 (0A): Signature developed through PRONOM Research.