Free Online DXF Viewer

DXF stands for Drawing Exchange Format. Autodesk introduced it with AutoCAD in the early 1980s so drawings could move between programs, and it became the common language of 2D CAD. A DXF stores vector geometry: lines, arcs, circles, polylines, splines, and text, organized in layers.

Cutting software turns that geometry into toolpaths, which is why laser, waterjet, and plasma shops ask for a DXF of the flat part. A DXF can also declare its units in a header setting called $INSUNITS. When that setting is missing, software has to guess, which is a common source of parts cut at the wrong scale.

• In your browser: drop the file into the viewer above. It shows the overall size and cut length, and the file stays on your computer.
• Free desktop software: LibreCAD (free and open source) opens and edits DXF files on Windows, Mac, and Linux.
• Vector design software: Inkscape imports DXF files for editing.
• CAD software: AutoCAD, DraftSight, Fusion, and SolidWorks all open DXF files.

• Draw at full size (1:1) and set the drawing units.
• Close every cut contour, so outlines have no gaps.
• Remove dimensions, title blocks, borders, and notes from the geometry you want cut, or put them on a separate layer.
• Delete duplicate and overlapping lines. A machine may cut every line it is given, so a doubled line can get cut twice.
• Convert text you want engraved or cut to outlines.

See the sheet metal gauge chart for material thickness.

For a given material and thickness, laser, waterjet, and plasma cutting time depends mainly on total cut length and the number of pierces, so cut length is a quick way to compare parts. The viewer adds up the lines, arcs, circles, polylines, and splines in the drawing, open or closed. Text and dimension objects are not counted.

Extra geometry still counts. Borders, title block lines, construction lines, and overlapping lines all add to the total. If the cut length looks too high, clean the file using the steps above and check it again.