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Home > Supported File Formats > DWF to DWG


How to convert DWF (DWFx) to DWG (AutoCAD, DXF)?


PolyTrans|CAD+DCC performs mathematically precise CAD, DCC/Animation, GIS and BIM 3D file conversions into all key downstream 3D packages and file formats. Okino software is used and trusted throughout the world by many tens of thousands of 3D professionals in mission & production critical environments, backed by respectable personal support directly from our core development team.

     

DWF

Okino knows of the DWF file format very well as we have been involved with its evolution since the year 2000. A DWF file is nothing other than a renamed "ZIP" file which contains other internal assets such as a HOOPS HSF 3D model file and several XML files used to describe meta data and other aspects of the model. You can rename the .dwf file to .zip and then open it in any ZIP handling software.

The HSF file format was created by Ithaca Software in the mid 1980's as an efficient, light weight, compressed 3D visualization format. Thereafter it was adapted and adopted by Tech Soft 3D in the early 2000s for use by Autodesk as a "3D variation" of its prior 2D-vector-centric DWF file format (and hence how HSF became DWF). DWF/HSF is considered a "polygonal mesh" file format and not a NURBS/solids MCAD file format.

DWF attained acceptable traction after 2006 when Autodesk made it a primary conduit to export high quality 3D visualization data from its main CAD products such as AutoCAD, Navisworks, Revit and Inventor. Okino considers DWF as one of its most important non-MCAD file formats to bring in very large 3D models (such as massive oil & gas rigs, 3D plants and refineries) from these 4 aforementioned Autodesk products as well as from AVEVA PDMS software.

     

DWG

DXF and DWG are the native file formats of the Autodesk AutoCAD product since 1982. DWG is the binary file variation to the ASCII DXF file format. These files can be viewed by many programs including Autodesk's free DWG TrueView application. It is a closed file format but has been documented by the Open Design Alliance.

At Okino we consider DXF/DWG to be one of the worst 3D file formats when translating 3D model data between applications (depending on its contents). There is very little understanding about this in the 3D graphics world. As outlined in our "CAD Data Sourcing Suggestons and Rules" page you should ideally use the DWF-3D file format when sourcing from either AutoCAD, Navisworks, Revit and optionally Autodesk Inventor.

Due to deep history, Autodesk software can embed ACIS SAT "BREP solids" data in some of its DXF/DWG files. This is the ideal case as the "BREP solids" geometry definitions lead to cleaner and higher fidelity MCAD file conversions. But even so, it would generally be a safer bet to use a STEP AP214 or "IGES BREP solids" file in such cases.