DWG and DXF
DWG is the native file format of AutoCAD and the standard file format for Autodesk products. DWG is used for 2D and 3D CAD data that is supported by Tekla Structures.
Drawing eXchange Format (DXF) was developed by Autodesk for enabling data interoperability between AutoCAD and other programs. As the file format does not contain any form of part ID it is not possible to track changes between different physical objects contained within different versions of a file. Clash checking is not possible with a DXF file in Tekla Structures.
The DWG and DXF files imported with the DWG/DXF tool do not show the surfaces of the imported objects, only the construction lines or lines converted to part profiles that can be used to create a model. If you want to show surfaces of the objects, insert DWG and DXF files as reference models.
In DWG/DXF import, Tekla Structures supports ACAD2023 or earlier.
To determine the AutoCAD version of the DWG file, open the file in a text editor. You will find the version code in the first six bytes:
AC1032 = 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
AC1027 = 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
AC1024 = 2010, 2011, 2012
AC1021 = 2007, 2008, 2009
AC1018 = 2004, 2005, 2006
AC1015 = 2002, 2000i, 2000
AC1014 = 14
AC1012 = 13
AC1009 = 12, 11
AC1006 = 10
AC1004 = 9
AC1002 = 2
Click the links below to find out more:
Import 2D or 3D DWG or DXF files
Export in 3D DWG or DXF format
Link DWG or DXF files in drawings
You can also add links to DWG or DXF files in drawings through the 2D Library or by using the drawing ribbon command DWG/DXF.