DXF Overlays: Visualization and Cut/Fill Analysis
DroneDeploy supports DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) files to help you visualize design plans, underground utilities, and grading surfaces directly over your aerial data.
Availability: Who has access?
Advanced, Teams, or Enterprise required for 3D Visualization
Supported File Types
To ensure successful processing, your DXF must meet these requirements:
Coordinate System: Export your DXF in the same published coordinate system (EPSG code) as your DroneDeploy Project-CRS
Supported Entities: DroneDeploy visualizes 3DFACE, ARC, LINE, CIRCLE, LWPOLYLINE, and POLYLINE.
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Format:
- DXF (ASCII) - ideally including 3DFACE surface triangulation
- DXF (ASCII) - including POLYLINE & LWPOLYLINE - will be triangulated automatically
How to upload a DXF
Follow these steps to add a DXF to your project:
Open your project and navigate to the Explore tab.
In the left sidebar, click Add next to Overlays
Select 2D/3D Visualization or Design Surface.
Choose your DXF file from your computer.
Click Upload.
Note: You will receive an email notification once processing is complete.
Interacting with DXF Layers
Once the upload completes, the DXF appears in the Layers panel.
Toggle Layers: Click the checkbox next to the DXF name to show or hide the overlay.
Layer Detail: Click the DXF name to reveal individual layers. You can toggle specific layers to customize your view.
Opacity and Color: Adjust the transparency and color settings within the layer menu to ensure the overlay does not obscure the aerial map.
View 2D DXF on 3D terrain: Reveal DXF on aerial model by toggling on "clamp lines to the project"
Annotations: Select polygons in your DXF to add volumes and area annotations
Attributes: Click on a specific line or object in the map view to display its metadata and CAD attributes.
FAQs
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Q: Why is my DXF not aligning with my map?
A: Ensure the DXF was exported using the exact same coordinate system (EPSG code) as your DroneDeploy project. -
Q: Can I use a DXF for Cut/Fill if it only has lines?
A: If the DXF contains elevated contour polylines, DroneDeploy can often process them into a surface model. However, flat 2D lines cannot be used for Cut/Fill. -
Q: How do I hide specific CAD text or blocks?
A: For best results, clean your file in Civil 3D or AutoCAD to remove non-relevant layers before uploading. See: How to Create 2D/3D Visualization DXFs and Design Surfaces in Civil 3D
Known Limitations
- Occasionally, if a DXF contains a surface mesh higher in elevation than the DEM, it can block the view of DEM.
- We have applied a default light opacity to all DXF triangle meshes to limit occlusion of the DEM.
- You must designate whether or not the DXF is intended for Cut/Fill comparison
- Not all DXF files can be converted into a design surface that is suitable for cut/fill comparison
- In the case of a DXF file that contains elevated contour polylines, but no surface, DroneDeploy can often process that file into a surface model suitable for Cut/Fill comparison against the DEM
- As an alternative example, a DXF containing polylines of as-built underground utilities has great value as a coordination and visualization tool, but cannot feasibly be converted into a surface suitable for Cut/Fill comparison
- Automatically create annotations from DXF linework. Check out our guide here!
V2.2