CAD stands for Computer-Aided Design, a software technology that helps designers and engineers create, modify, analyze, and optimize two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) digital models of physical objects. It replaces manual drafting with digital tools, increasing accuracy, detail, and efficiency in industries like manufacturing, architecture, and product design, enabling visualization and virtual testing before physical production.
AutoCAD is a professional computer-aided design (CAD) software developed by Autodesk used for 2D and 3D design, drafting, and modeling across various industries like architecture, engineering, and manufacturing. It provides tools for precise drawing, automation of repetitive tasks, and creation of detailed technical documentation, enabling users to increase productivity and create accurate designs for a wide range of projects, from buildings and infrastructure to mechanical parts and products.
Export CAD from Giraffe
Access the export menu via the main menu (☰) → Export
Select DXF (Cad Line Format)
A .dxf file will download to your computer. The dxf CAD layers = usages from your giraffe project.
If your Giraffe project has multiple drawing layers, a zipped folder of one dxf per drawing layer will be generated.
Open the DXF with the CAD program of your choice. DXF is a native CAD format.
Import CAD to Giraffe
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.
If there is a large amount of useful data that is only accessible as DXF files, you can follow these steps to import a DXF file into Giraffe.
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.
Closed polylines are easier to turn into Giraffe geometries with bulk copy or right-click.
Geolocate the DXF in your CAD software, if possible
Do your best to include only building outlines as closed polylines.
Remove any text and dimensions
Remove any hatches or fills
Merge or remove all xrefs and references
Ensure everything in the file is 2D
Run "flatten" and "purge" commands
Remove all sheets
Down save to an old version of CAD/DXF. If you're on CAD 2025, it's likely too new to be compatible.
Make sure the file is not password protected or encrypted in some way
Coordinate Geographic Projection
If you know your drawing's projection
Click Main menu (☰) -> Project -> Project Settings.
Navigate to “other”
Click “Add a project CRS”
Paste the CRS into the field
Refresh your Giraffe tab to ensure the CRS has been applied
If you don't know your drawing's projection
Click Main menu (☰) -> Export Project -> DXF (CAD Format) to download giraffe-[your file id].dxf
Import giraffe-[your file id].dxf into your CAD program and add and align your content with it.
Don't move the Giraffe content!
Instead, move your design to fit within the Giraffe boundary you exported.
Save the aligned content as [your filename].dxf.
You can delete the Giraffe content after you have aligned everything to it.
Once prepared, you can upload the DXF as a layer
Click Main menu (☰) -> Layers -> Vector (Geojson and Shapefile)
Upload your .dxf file and follow the steps to add a layer or import as Giraffe features.