Guide · drawings
Save your drawings as DXF
Plotlay reads plans, elevations and sections from your drawings: their rooms, walls, doors and windows, heights and roof. How exactly depends on the file. A DXF from the CAD program is best, because it holds every line, layer and word at true size. A DWG, AutoCAD’s own format, can’t be read in a browser, so save it as DXF first.
Best file first
- DXF from the CAD program. Walls, doors and sizes come in exactly.
- A PDF exported from CAD or design software. Real lines and words at the scale it states (1:100). Nearly as good.
- SVG. Real lines, but rarely a scale: you give one measurement.
- A scan or image. Read from the picture: solid walls work best, and sizes need checking.
- A photo of a printed plan. An estimate: flat, straight on, and check sizes against a tape.
Saving a DXF
| Program | How |
|---|---|
| AutoCAD | Save As, then AutoCAD 2018 DXF (*.dxf) as the file type. |
| Revit | File → Export → CAD Formats → DXF, choosing the plans, elevations and sections to export. |
| ArchiCAD | File → Save As, with DXF as the format, for each layout or view. |
| SketchUp Pro | File → Export → 2D Graphic, then AutoCAD DXF File (*.dxf), from a top view for a plan. |
| Vectorworks | File → Export → Export DWG/DXF, choosing DXF. |
| Chief Architect | File → Export → Export DWG/DXF, choosing DXF. |
| No CAD program | The free ODA File Converter from the Open Design Alliance (Windows, Mac, Linux) turns a folder of DWG files into DXF. |
Asking your designer or drafter
Something like: “Could you send the drawings as DXF files (a DWG saved as DXF), please? A PDF exported from the CAD program as well is helpful.” Plotlay shows the same note, ready to copy, whenever it is given a DWG.
Then
In the app, Add overlay → A set of drawings reads every view; Quick start’s Rooms from drawings makes the rooms. The Learn lesson Read a set of drawings from your designer walks through both.