QGIS: Dxf2Shape Converter

Dxf2Shape Converter

What is Dxf2shp? It is a "dxf-to-shp" file. Simply put, it's a handy plugin tool in QGIS that converts .dxf files -> .shp files. It's useful for creating shapefiles from data that is typically stored in .dxf format, like AutoCAD vector image files that need to be exported into a spatial design platform, like QGIS.

*Fun fact: "DXF" stands for Drawing Exchange Format.

How to Use the Plug-in

  1. Make sure you've got it installed. Go to your plug in manager in QGIS and look for "Dxf2Shape Converter" in the list and make sure it's checked.
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  2. Got it? Great. Now, under "Vector" in your toolbar, search for the plugin in the list. Click it to open it.
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  3. A dialogue box will appear. In the first line, browse to your .dxf file. This is the file you want to convert to use with GIS.
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  4. In the second box, browse to your preferred location for the new file you're making and name it appropriately.
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  5. Click on 'polygon' (or 'polyline' or 'point' as appropriate) and then click OK.
  6. The new layer will appear in your table of contents and you yell "EUREKA!"

Other Resources

  1. http://file.org/extension/dxf#
  2. http://www.fileformat.info/format/dxf/egff.htm
  3. http://www.qgis.org/en/docs/user_manual/plugins/plugins_dxf2shape_converter.html#dxf2shape

Credit:
Images embedded by Phuong Tseng