topic Re: DXF 2013 vs DXF2021 in AutoCAD Forum

DXF 2013 vs DXF2021

RobinCris — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 15:19:19 GMT

I wrote a java desktop program that work straight on the dxf files.

It mainly use those objects (layer, polyline, line) with their properties

I wrote it 7 years ago and we still use DXF 2013.

I am starting to make a new version based on the same engine but I do not know if the dxf file with the basic object will be read the same way.

Is the object stayed the same?

If not, is the a place I can see the changes?

Please advice

Thank you

Re: DXF 2013 vs DXF2021

cadffm — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 15:53:12 GMT

While you talking about the plain ovject data, it will works.

Re: DXF 2013 vs DXF2021

cadffm — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 15:55:51 GMT

More important than the program is the file format 😉

And the object data for simple drawing object in dxf2013 should be the same as in dxf2018, which is the newest file format for dxf.

Re: DXF 2013 vs DXF2021

RobinCris — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 15:59:17 GMT

So you think the group codes and the main data tables do not changed?
Just new one been added?

Re: DXF 2013 vs DXF2021

cadffm — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 16:08:44 GMT

@RobinCris wrote:

So you think the group codes and the main data tables do not changed?
Just new one been added?

group codes doesn't change

! Possible would be "new added", but only for new features, an i can not remember about

newer things between 2017 and 2018 (up to 2017, dxf2013 the newest DXF format, since 2018 versions, dxf2018 is the newest format

What do you mean with "main data table" in detail?

Re: DXF 2013 vs DXF2021

cadffm — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 16:14:48 GMT

One Question

Why not testing yourself (it's good to aks other, but the first test - you can do yourself, or?)

Re: DXF 2013 vs DXF2021

cheryl.buck — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 17:10:04 GMT

Hi @RobinCris,

The DXF file formats 2013 and 2018 (2018 is the lasted format, and is used by AutoCAD 2018-2021) are slightly different, so it would depend on what specific information you are using from the DXF. The vast majority will be the same, as noted by @cadffm .

One way to view DXF code is to open the files in NotePad. I have done this to compare 2 files side by side.

Please let me know if that helped.

You can use the Accept Solution button to mark any posts that provide the answer or solution.

Likes are always welcome.

All the best,

[This post has been edited for clarity by cheryl.buck]