How to Export DXF from SOLIDWORKS

DXF files are commonly used for laser cutting, waterjet cutting, CNC routing, sheet metal flat patterns, and 2D CAD exchange. SOLIDWORKS can export DXF from drawings, sketches, faces, and sheet metal flat patterns. The best method depends on what the vendor or machine needs.

Choose what to export

Before exporting, decide whether the DXF should come from a drawing view, a flat pattern, a sketch, or a selected face. For sheet metal parts, the flat pattern is usually the most useful export. For profiles or layouts, a sketch or face export may be enough.

This choice affects the output. A drawing view may include annotations or projected geometry, while a flat pattern is usually closer to what a cutting machine needs.

If you are unsure, ask the recipient what they want before exporting. A fabrication shop may prefer a clean flat pattern, while a drafting exchange may need a drawing-based DXF with views, centerlines, and notes.

Export from a part or drawing

1. Open the part or drawing.
2. Choose File > Save As.
3. Select DXF as the file type.
4. Choose export options when prompted.
5. Preview the output if SOLIDWORKS provides a preview.
6. Save the file and inspect it before sending.

Check units and scale

DXF files are often used directly by machines, so units and scale matter. Confirm whether the recipient expects millimeters, inches, or another unit. Open the exported DXF in a viewer or another CAD program and measure a known dimension.

Do not rely only on file name or drawing units. A quick measurement after export is the safest way to catch a scale problem before the file is sent to a vendor.

Clean the geometry

Before exporting, remove construction geometry, duplicate sketch entities, and details that should not be cut. For sheet metal, check bend lines and export options so the file includes only the geometry the shop expects.

Small duplicate segments or open contours can cause trouble in CAM software. If a vendor reports problems, inspect the DXF for overlapping lines, tiny gaps, or extra entities.

For laser or waterjet cutting, simplify the file as much as practical. A clean outline with intentional holes and bend information is usually easier to process than a DXF that includes sketches, dimensions, hidden edges, and construction geometry.

Review layers and bend lines

Some workflows require bend lines, etch lines, center marks, or separate layers. Others need only the outer cut profile. Match the DXF export options to the manufacturing process and confirm the required layer setup with the vendor.

For sheet metal, ask whether bend lines should be included, excluded, or placed on a separate layer. Different shops handle this differently.

Troubleshooting

If the DXF opens at the wrong size, check units and scale settings. If the profile is not closed, repair the sketch or face boundary. If extra lines appear, review export options and hide or remove unwanted annotations before exporting.

Always inspect the DXF before sending it to manufacturing. A quick check can catch scale, layer, and geometry problems before material is cut.

Save a copy of the exported DXF with the project revision. This makes it easier to trace which flat pattern or profile was sent if the part changes later.

When exporting more than one part, use clear file names that include the part number, material thickness, and revision if those details matter to the shop. Clear naming reduces the chance of sending the wrong profile for cutting.