AutoCAD DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) is a widespread file exchange format for CAD data developed by Autodesk, Inc., that enables vector data exchange as well as 2D and 3D graphics drawing. Originally introduced in December 1982 as part of AutoCAD 1.0, it was intended to provide an exact representation of the data in the AutoCAD native file format DWG (Drawing), but since Autodesk didn't publish its specifications until many years later, correct imports of DXF files have been a problem since the beginning. Another problem is that DXF typically is dimensionless meaning it doesn't provide all necessary information to permit interoperability with other programs. That's why it's essential that the viewer knows the unit that was used to produce the drawings. With AutoCAD supporting more complex data types over the years, DXF has become less useful but due to its good documentation and with being the lowest common denominator of all CAD based systems, it is still quite popular and therefore also supported by PCB-Investigator.

The DXF Export has following options:

1) You can combine all active layers in one file or only one layer

2) It is possible to write multi files while the export

3) Switch the unit and the outline mode

4) It is possible to split all arcs in lines by fix length value. This can be filtered only for areafills/surfaces.

5)List of additional options:

- Export only selected objects instead of complete layers

- Combine objects to nets, this remove overlappings and export only the combine outline.

- Use DXF Layer per Package, to export one layer foreach package type.

- Add profile contour, adds the contour to the file(s).

- Add Pin Labels to switch the pin label to ignore.

- Write CMP-References, add text foreach component reference.

- Add Notes, export note objects.