DXF Import

MapleCAM imports DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) files — the standard interchange format for CAD software.

How to Import

• Drag and drop a DXF file onto the canvas
• File > Import DXF (menu)

Supported DXF Entities

MapleCAM supports common DXF entities including LINE, ARC, CIRCLE, ELLIPSE, LWPOLYLINE, POLYLINE, and SPLINE.

Units

MapleCAM reads the $INSUNITS header variable and converts to millimeters automatically. Inches, feet, miles, mm, cm, m, km, microinches, and mils are all recognised. If $INSUNITS is missing or 0 (unitless), the file is treated as already-mm — set the header in your CAD software if your "unitless" drawing is actually in another unit.

Tips for Preparing DXFs

• Join open paths — disconnected line segments may not form closed contours. Use your CAD software's "join" or "pedit" command to create closed polylines.
• Flatten to 2D — MapleCAM imports 2D geometry. If your DXF contains 3D elements, flatten them before importing.
• Remove construction geometry — layers containing reference lines, dimensions, or annotations should be removed or hidden before export.