Import (DXF): Edit Parameters Dialog

The Edit Parameters dialog allows you to configure, import and save the parameters for importing a DXF file.

Item

Description

Import parameters

Allows you to load parameters that are stored in a file, using the Open dialog.

Export parameters

The parameters that you configure in this dialog can be saved to a file, using the Save As dialog.

Layer Mapping

Allows you to map the layers in an imported DXF file to the layers in your design. To add a combination of layers, select Add Row from the assist menu.

DXF file for reference

Specify a DXF file to use as a reference for mapping the layers in the imported DXF file. The layers in the specified DXF file are displayed in the DXF layer configuration box. By default, the file is selected that you specify in the File box, in the Import (DXF) dialog.

DXF layer configuration

Displays the layers in the DXF file that you specify in the DXF file for reference box.

Adds the layer that is selected in DXF layer configuration box to the Layer to convert box.

Layer to convert

Allows you to map the layers in an imported DXF file to the layers in your design. To map additional layers, right-click in the Layer to convert box and select Add Rows on the assist menu. Specify a layer in the displayed Select Layer dialog. This dialog is launched by pointing the cursor in this column, and clicking the displayed

button.

Item	Description
DXF layer name	Shows the name of the layer in the DXF file that is being imported, and allows you to edit it.
Layer name	Set the layer in the design by pointing the cursor to this column, and clicking "...".

Moves the row that is selected in the Layer to convert box to the Layer not to convert box. Select multiple rows using the CTRL or Shift keys.

Moves the row that is selected in the Layer not to convert box to the Layer to convert box. Select multiple rows using the CTRL or Shift keys.

Layer not to convert

The Layer not to convert box allows you to save the settings in the Layer to convert box.

The values in the Layer not to convert box are read-only.
Only the settings specified in the Layer to convert box are referenced during the import process.

Item	Description
DXF layer name	The name of the layer in the DXF file.
Layer name	The layer in the design.

Import

Allows you to specify how objects in the DXF file are converted during the import process, and specify the units associated with values in the imported DXF file.

Conversion figure

Specify how objects in the DXF file are converted during the import process.

Item	Description
Scale	Set a scale parameter between 0.01 and 100.0 to enlarge or reduce an object that is imported from a DXF file. A value of 0.5 reduces the size by half. A value of 2.0 makes it twice as large.
Tolerance for converting curved line	Specify the maximum tolerable error for the conversion of curved lines. During the import process, curved lines that cannot be drawn are approximated by multiple, short, straight lines in a process called curved line conversion, as shown below. The arrows indicate the maximum tolerable error.
Convert circle to area fill	Selected: circular objects are imported as circular area fills. Not selected: circular objects are imported as circle shape lines.
Convert open polyline to area fill	Allows you to control whether polylines are converted into area fills by specifying a value in the Tolerance for open polyline box. Selected: the Tolerance for open polyline box is made available. This allows you to set the maximum distance between the start and end points of polylines. This determines whether they are converted into area fills. Not selected: polyline objects are imported as polylines.
Tolerance for open polyline	Specify the maximum distance between the start and end points of polylines. This value determines whether they are converted into area fills. If the distance between the start and end points is smaller than the specified value, then polylines are imported as area fills. If the distance between the start and end points is equal to or greater than the specified value, then they are imported as polylines.

Unit

Specify the units that are associated with values in the imported DXF file.

Item

Description

DXF file unit

mm: values in the DXF file are imported as mm.

inch: values in the DXF file are imported as inches.

micron: values in the DXF file are imported as microns.

mil: values in the DXF file are imported as mil.

Saves the values that you set in the Edit Parameters dialog and closes the dialog.

Cancel

Closes the Edit Parameters dialog without saving your settings.

Note

If you specify the same DXF layer name in multiple rows in the Layer to convert box, it is only imported to the layer shown in the highest row of the Layer name column.
The following object elements in DXF Release 12 are not supported:
POINT
SHAPE
VIEWPORT
The following object elements in DXF Release 14 are not supported:
POINT
SHAPE
VIEWPORT
MLINE (Multiline)
3DSOLID (3D solid)
IMAGE
LEADER
RAY (Radial)
REGION
Because each footprint layer has specific input restrictions, you must correct the objects for area fill, line and character before adding them (see below).

Layer type	Area fill	Line	Character
Board outline layer	Independent area fills do not require correction. Convert area fills included in another area fill into cutouts.	Move the object to the drawing layer.	Move the object to the drawing layer.
Layout area layer	No correction.	Move the object to the drawing layer of the board outline layer.	Move the object to the drawing layer of the board outline layer.
Hole layer	Circles do not require correction. Move other area fills to the drawing layer of the board outline layer.	Move the object to the drawing layer of the board outline layer.	Move the object to the drawing layer of the board outline layer.
Conductor layer	Independent area fills do not require correction. Convert area fills included in another area fill into cutouts.	Lines that have a width do not require correction. Move lines that do not have any width to the drawing layer.	No correction.
Component keepout layer Only track keepout layer Track & via keepout layer Only via keepout layer Via hole keepout layer	Independent area fills do not require correction. Convert area fills included in another area fill into cutouts.	Lines that have a width do not require correction. Move lines that do not have any width to the drawing layer.	Move the object to the drawing layer.
Height limit area layer	Convert the area fill into a height limit area.	Move the object to the drawing layer.	Move the object to the drawing layer.
Symbol mark layer Solder Resist layer Metal mask layer	Independent area fills do not require correction. Convert area fills included in another area fill into cutouts.	No correction.	No correction.
Component area layer	Move the object to the drawing layer.	Move the object to the drawing layer.	Move the object to the drawing layer.
Rule area layer	Convert the area fill into a rule area.	Move the object to the drawing layer.	Move the object to the drawing layer.
Sub conductor area layer	Independent area fills do not require correction. Convert area fills included in another area fill into cutouts.	Lines that have a width do not require correction. Move lines that do not have any width to the drawing layer.	No correction.
Non-circular hole layer	No correction.	No correction.	Move the object to the drawing layer.
Dielectric layer	No correction.	No correction.	No correction.
User-defined layer	No correction.	No correction.	No correction.

Related Topics
Import (DXF) Dialog
Importing Board Information from a DXF File