Giraffe imports and exports a variety of GIS and BIM formats.

Here we describe how to import line drawings in DXF (dwg) format.

Quick Links

Layers

Add Your own Spatial data

Set the project CRS

• Guide Contents

<aside> 🚨 Importing CAD (.dxf) vector data is often complex. DXF files are not typically geolocated, and depending on how they are authored, they may consist of many line segments rather than the line-strings and polygons which are native to Giraffe.

On the other hand, even line segments can be very useful to allow tracing using Giraffe's snap feature (holding down "s" will snap to any vector features on the map).

If there is a large amount of useful data that is only accessible as DXF files, you can follow the steps in How to import DXF files into Giraffe. Reach out to us using the in-app chat for support doing this.

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Prepare your DXF for import

CAD files can be extremely complex. To ensure everything uploads smoothly, best practice is to prep your file prior to import.

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Closed polylines are easier to turn into Giraffe geometries using Use Map features to Create Geometry and Query Information or Bulk Copy Features from Vector data

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1. Geolocate the project, if possible
2. Do your best to include only building outlines as closed polylines.
   1. Remove any text and dimensions
   2. Remove any hatches or fills
   3. Merge or remove all xrefs and references
3. Ensure everything in the file is 2D
4. Run "flatten" and "purge" commands
5. Remove all sheets
6. Down save to an old version of CAD/DXF. If you're on CAD 2025, it's likely too new to be comparable.
7. Make sure the file is not password protected or encrypted in some way

Coordinate Geographic Projection

If you know your drawing's projection

1. Click Main menu (☰) -> Project -> Project Settings.
2. Navigate to “other”
3. Click “Add a project CRS”
4. Paste the CRS into the field
5. Click Main menu (☰) -> Layers -> Vector (Geojson and Shapefile)
6. Upload your .dxf file and follow the steps to add a layer or import as Giraffe features.

<aside> 🎓 Learn more about how to Set the project CRS

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If you don't know your drawing's projection

1. Click Main menu (☰) -> Export Project -> DXF (CAD Format) to download giraffe-[your file id].dxf
2. Import giraffe-[your file id].dxf into your CAD program and add and align your content with it. Don't move the Giraffe content.
3. Save the aligned content to [your filename].dxf. You can delete the Giraffe content after you have aligned everything to it.
4. Click Main menu (☰) -> Layers -> Vector (Geojson and Shapefile)
5. Upload your [your filename].dxf file and follow the steps to add a layer or import as Giraffe features.

Import the File

There are 2 ways to open the layer upload applet:

Data layer → Create Your own → select layer type

Main menu (☰) → Layers → select layer type

<aside> 💡 You can also drag any file into your giraffe window to automatically open the correct applet for that filetype.

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1. Upload a file

   1. Browse your computer
   2. Select a file
   3. click “Next”

2. Style layer

   1. Select “To create a layer” to add a layer
   2. Filter and Style your Layer using Data Table controls

3. Layer details

   1. Name the layer
   2. add details.

4. Click “save layer” to add the layer to your project.

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Click Import to Project if you want to add the shapes as polygons in your project rather than creating a layer

This option will import linework or points in straight to your project. The usability of the linework will depend on the quality of the CAD formatting.

• If the drawing is created using enclosed polylines, you can Use Map features to Create Geometry and Query Information or Bulk Copy Features from Vector data
• If the drawing is made from disconnected lines, you can still trace it. Use Hotkeys to snap to corners for more accuracy. </aside>

<aside> 👉 Learn how to filter and style with Data Table

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• All Mapping Articles </aside>