DXF/DWG File Import Methods

To open the DXF/DWG Import dialog box:

  1. Click File > Open.
  2. In Files of Type, select Autodesk AutoCAD Files (*.dwg;*.dxf).
  3. Select the file, and click Open.
  4. In the DXF/DWG Import dialog box, select the method to open the DXF/DWG file:
    Create new SOLIDWORKS drawing Creates a new drawing according to the selected option.

    Convert to SOLIDWORKS entities

    Imports the file to a drawing with the .dwg or .dxf file entities converted to SOLIDWORKS entities.

    Embed as a sheet in native DXF/DWG format

    Imports all DWG file sheets in native format (view only) to SOLIDWORKS drawing sheets, which you can view and print. To maintain a link to the source file, select Link to original file.
    Import to a new part as: Imports .dwg or .dxf file data as a 2D sketch or 3D curves or model. To import a 2D DXF/DWG file as a reference sketch, select Import as reference.
    You can also convert the sketch to a 3D part. See 2D to 3D Conversion Overview in the main SOLIDWORKS help.
    Import MDT data from file (imports as parts, assemblies and/or drawings) Imports Mechanical Desktop files as both models and layouts. When you click Next, you skip Drawing Layer Mapping and go directly to Document Settings.
  5. Click Next to access Document Settings and Drawing Layer Mapping or click Finish on any of the three screens to import the file.