> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.rayon.design/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.rayon.design/documentation/import-export/dwg-dxf-import.md).

# DWG/DXF import

Rayon supports almost **all concepts native to the DWG or DXF formats, offering a loss-less import experience**. 

### DWG import compatibility

Rayon supports most of AutoCAD's concepts. It is important to understand how each one gets mapped in Rayon. We outline here what each concept translates to in our software...

<details>

<summary><strong>Geometries</strong></summary>

**AutoCAD geometries are today converted into Rayon shapes.** Very little changes happen here. As of now, Rayon supports AutoCAD main geometrical concepts: line, polyline, circle, rectangle, etc.

[More on shapes here.](/documentation/design/shape-tools.md)

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Layers</strong></summary>

**Layers are today converted into Rayon layers**. Rayon layers achieve the same function as AutoCAD layers: they store entities. However, 2 things are important to consider:<br>

* **Occlusion** — In Rayon, layer ordering define the scene ordering. IN other words, the order of layers defines which entity comes above which other. In this way, layers control occlusion in Rayon, which is something that is not similar to AutoCAD
* **Styling** — In Rayon, the style of things (shapes, blocks, etc) is not controlled at the layer-level, but at the style-level. Styles in Rayon are distinct from layers, and offer more customization options. When importing in Rayon, our software will...\
  (1) translate the layer colour into the colour entities take in wireframe mode, based on their layer.\
  (2) translate the viewport colour into a Rayon style.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Annotations</strong></summary>

**AutoCAD annotations are today converted into Rayon annotations.** Very little changes happen here. As of now, Rayon supports AutoCAD main annotation concepts: dimensions, leaders, angular dimensions, texts, etc.\
[More on annotations here.](/documentation/design/annotations-dimensions-leaders-text.md)

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Blocks</strong></summary>

**AutoCAD blocks are converted into Rayon blocks.** Regular blocks import directly. Dynamic blocks also import: supported parameters and actions are converted, and anything Rayon cannot yet read falls back to a standard block that keeps its original name. Full native dynamic-block support is coming later this year.\
[More on blocks here.](/documentation/design/blocks.md)

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Viewports</strong></summary>

**AutoCAD viewports are today converted into Rayon views.** \
[More on views here.](https://docs.rayon.design/documentation/layout-and-present/views)

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Layout</strong> <strong>space</strong></summary>

**AutoCAD layout spaces are turned into Paper canvases.** \
[More on canvases here.](https://docs.rayon.design/documentation/layout-and-present/canvases)

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Xrefs</strong></summary>

**AutoCAD Xrefs are today converted into Rayon references.** However, for the time being, Rayon does not support advanced Xrefs features (*etransmit* packages for instance).\
[More on Xref import here.](#importing-xrefs)

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Others</strong></summary>

There are still a few concepts that Rayon **does not support natively.**&#x20;

* Advanced Xref features (etransmit)
* *AutoCAD architecture* add-on feature (walls, schedules, etc)
* CTBs
* 3D files
* A few drawing concepts like XCLIP and Ray lines.

</details>

### Importing options <a href="#h_e434426e1e" id="h_e434426e1e"></a>

{% hint style="info" %}
Please note that DWG/DXF, PDF and image import is capped at 25mo, and that popup blockers need to be disabled for the import to work properly.
{% endhint %}

Import can happen either **from the** **project manager** or **from the editor**.

**From the project manager**, click on **`Import`** in the top right of the screen and **choose a file.**

<figure><img src="/files/gLIVxtqVwRgsxGzRLLib" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**From the editor**, you will find the import option in the **`Menu`** in the top left corner of the screen. The following steps to import will then be **similar.**&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/rq9tqk5KwdLwjh0LdH1g" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You will then be offered to toggle **a few import options** (model name, whether to keep empty layers, blocks, etc). Clicking on **`Import`** with take you to the import window.

<figure><img src="/files/tzXYGx4vxFw8I46l7tDs" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

In the import window, you will be invited to **specify the scale of your drawing**. This will happen in 2 steps...

* First, **draw a line of a known distance.**
* Then, pick the **unit you deem most representative** of the distance you drew. Not that as this step, Rayon will ***only*** ask you for unit, and will not allow you to change the distance specified.
* Press **`Continue`** to complete your import.

<figure><img src="/files/LCELrcYibsE7Fy6HIVhP" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

The editor will then open. To complete your import, click on the canvas to **`Pick an insertion point`**. **That's it!** Your file is imported In **a new Model.** Please note that if the scale of the resulting import doesn’t look right, you can scale your model after import.

<figure><img src="/files/bdF9tseNwKZ6weWPshif" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Importing Xrefs

In Rayon, **Xref files are imported as references**. During the import flow, if your DWG contains some Xref, **an option to import missing Xrefs will appear** in the import bar.

<figure><img src="/files/rRy36MoFJPymm4AOUrHO" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

When clicking on **`Open Xref`**, a panel will open, prompting you to **upload missing DWG files**.

<figure><img src="/files/cHdgLLJEe9fpeNIKc2rw" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

For each new DWG you upload, a blue tick will appear to confirm the upload. Once all **Xrefs** have been loaded, you can click on **`continue`** to now scale your model and **`Import`** it to your workspace.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/nw2prfhxTrG0Hy1SnHen" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

In your model, the **Xrefs** panel will allow you to upload missing references, as well as update them.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/OA49mFuw3SU1x3LUqicY" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Tutorial

For more step-by-step information, watch our tutorial about how to import in Rayon:

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYf8OhgGpRc>" %}

***

### We are always available

Book a demo with our team, [right here](https://b1kzip68v9f.typeform.com/to/Hgr0eQ4k#source=docs).\
To get some support, reach out to us through our **in-app support chat**. \
More about [our support policy right here](/other-resources/others/support-policy.md).


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