What is CAD file?
- CAD stands for Computer Aided Design. There are various CAD softwares used to create 2-D and 3-D designs.
- CAD files holds information for the designs and draftings.
What are different CAD file formats?
- There are different CAD software packages available, all use different file formats.
- Different modules of software support different CAD file formats.
The CAD file formats fall into two categories:
Native ( Proprietary ):
These are file formats default to the particular CAD software. They are developed by and are under control of a CAD software maker.
Example:
DWG (an abbreviation for ‘Drawing‘) is a native file format of AutoCAD software created by AutoDesk in 1982. It is a binary file format used for storing two- and three- dimensional design data and metadata They’re smaller files due to their binary makeup. Although they are designed to be used in AutoCAD, users can view and edit DWG files with other programs.
Neutral ( Standard ):
A Standards-Based format developed by some organization to make it easier to exchange files with someone who uses different CAD softwares.
Example:
DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) is a vector file format most widely used and recommended for 2-D designs used in CAD. It was created by Autodesk as an exchange medium between different types of CAD software. It is an open standard, so it’s supported by practically every CAD program on the market. You can also view DXF files using a range of programs including Adobe Illustrator etc. This full support makes it perfect choice for collaboration. They are typically larger than DWGs—this is because DXFs are made up of ASCII text, whereas DWGs are binary.
STEP is the most popular and most recommended of the Neutral Formats for 3-D design data exchange created by ISO 10303 can represent 3D objects in Computer-aided design (CAD) and related information. Due to its ASCII structure a STEP-file is easy to read with typically one instance per line. The format of a STEP-File is defined in ISO 10303-21 Clear Text Encoding of the Exchange Structure.
The Initial Graphics Exchange Specification (IGES) is a vendor-neutral file format that allows the digital exchange of information among computer-aided design (CAD) systems. Using IGES, a CAD user can exchange product data models in the form of circuit diagrams, wireframe, freeform surface or solid modeling representations. Applications supported by IGES include traditional engineering drawings, models for analysis, and other manufacturing functions.
Other general viewing formats:
For general viewing (both 2D and 3D) PDF (Portable Document Format) is used.
Neutral ( Standard ):
A Standards-Based format developed by some organization to make it easier to exchange files with someone who uses different CAD softwares.
Example:
DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) is a vector file format most widely used and recommended for 2-D designs used in CAD. It was created by Autodesk as an exchange medium between different types of CAD software. It is an open standard, so it’s supported by practically every CAD program on the market. You can also view DXF files using a range of programs including Adobe Illustrator etc. This full support makes it perfect choice for collaboration. They are typically larger than DWGs—this is because DXFs are made up of ASCII text, whereas DWGs are binary.
Other general viewing formats: