Import DXF

When you select Import DXF from the File menu, you may import section geometry from a DXF file created by a CAD application.

• Each part is defined by a continuous 2D Polyline at the Centerline of the material
• It may be a general polyline or a lightweight polyline (LWPolyline)
• The vertices of the polyline identify coordinates on the Centerline of the part
• The Width of the polyline defines the thickness of the part
• A closed polyline defines a closed CFS part
• If geometry is not in inches, the units must be specified in the DXF file

Polyline Requirements:

• The segments should alternate line, arc, line, arc, etc. (exceptions are allowed)
• The Polyline vertices must lie in the XY plane (Z=0)
• The Polyline Width must be greater than 0 and constant throughout the polyline
• The Polyline Width cannot exceed 1 inch (25.4 mm)
• Element lengths cannot exceed 100 inches (2540 mm)
• Radii cannot exceed 10 inches (254 mm)
• Arc segments must be less than 180 degrees
• The polyline cannot exceed the CFS limit of 254 elements
• Example DXF file: 400S162-54

Tips

• Create the polyline initially with straight line segments (square corners). Then use the Fillet command to insert the bend radii.
• Specify a constant width for the entire polyline, rather than setting the widths at each vertex.

CFS automatically centers the section at the origin. Material properties and web elements must still be specified after the import. For sections with multiple parts, you may also need to override J and Cw, and define the connector spacing.