Options available in DXF/DWG Configuration Files
- Last UpdatedFeb 25, 2026
- 3 minute read
All options are Switches (prefixed with SWITCH) except BLOCK and LAYER.
|
Option |
Value (default in bold) |
Description |
|---|---|---|
|
NestedBlocks |
ON, OFF |
Enables or disables nesting of blocks in the exported file. When OFF, all blocks are created at the same hierarchical level. |
|
BlockBack |
ON, OFF |
Enables or disables the creation of a single Block definition for the DRAW backing sheet. |
|
BlockOlay |
ON, OFF |
Enables or disables the creation of a Block definition for each DRAW overlay sheet. |
|
BlockFill |
ON, OFF |
Enables or disables the creation of a single Block definition for each DRAW hatch/fill pattern |
|
HeaderFileName |
Text string |
Specifies the header file name, which will be read into DRAW and used as a backbone template for generating the information. Must be a valid AutoCAD DXF or DWG file. Usually over-ridden with the HEADERF/ILE command line option. |
|
LayerDefAA |
Text string |
Defines a layer to be used with one or more layer rules. The letters AA should be replaced by AB, AC, … AZ for additional definitions. |
|
OutputFileName |
Text string |
Specifies a default filename to use for output. Usually over-ridden by the OUTPUTF/ILE command line option. |
|
ScaleFactor |
A positive real number 1.0 |
Scale Factor applied to entire exported file to enable full scale Design units to be output in the exported file, or to export to fit a different paper size. Usually known as ‘ScaleUp’. |
|
OwnerFrame |
ON, OFF |
Enables or disables the drawing of paper and view frame(s) in the exported file. |
|
IgnoreBlockRules |
ON, OFF |
Enables or disables the use of blocking rules to create blocks in the exported file. |
|
UseLayerRules |
ON, OFF |
Enables or disables the use of layer rules to set layers for design elements in the exported file. |
|
ViewNumberPrefix |
ON, OFF |
Enables or disables the prefixing of layers created with a view-specific prefix; only operative if either LayerZone or LayerSite is enabled |
|
LayerZone |
ON, OFF |
Enables or disables the creation of a unique layer for each Design ZONE and places all design information from that zone onto the layer (unless matched by a layer rule). |
|
LayerSite |
ON, OFF |
Enables or disables the creation of a unique layer for each Design SITE and places all design information from that site onto the layer (unless matched by a layer rule). If both LayerSite and LayerZone are specified, layering by Zone takes precedence. |
|
BLOCK |
- |
Defines a blocking rule. |
|
LAYER |
- |
Defines a layer rule. |
LAYERDEF
Each definition consists of a layer name (for example, Ventilation) followed by a | and then a comma-separated list which may include any combination of:
-
A line thickness, in mm or inches.
-
A color chosen from the following list:
RED, YELLOW, GREEN, CYAN, BLUE, MAGENTA, WHITE, GREY, BRIGHTRED, PINK, ORANGE, TURQUOISE, INDIGO, MAUVE, VIOLET, BROWN.
-
A line pattern chosen from the following list:
CONTINUOUS, DASHED, DOTTED, CHAINED, LDASHED, DDASHED, DDOTTED, FDOTTED, DCHAINED, TCHAINED.
Example
switch LAYERDEFAA 'Ventilation|0.3mm,GREEN
switch LAYERDEFAB 'Pipes|YELLOW,DASHED'
switch LAYERDEFAC 'Structures|0.02"
LAYER Rules
Standard selection syntax is used to define Layer Rules. These specify which design elements are to be organized onto AutoCAD Layers. The selection syntax is followed by a comma and the layer definition to be used, which must have a LAYERDEF. The matching of the layer names is case blind, but the export will use the case of the name from the definition, as AutoCAD is not case blind.
Example
LEVEL ALL STRU, 'Structures'
LEVEL ALL BRAN WITH ( HBOR GE 100 OR TBOR GE 100 ) , 'Pipes'
LEVEL ALL EQUI WITH :purpose EQ HVAC, 'Ventilation'
LEVEL ( /C1101 ) , 'Pump'
LAYER rules are applied in order; therefore, if a rule has already been applied for a given element, a later rule will not affect it.
Design elements which can have level rules include: SITE, ZONE, STRU, SUBS, FRMW, SBFR, EQUI, SUBE, PIPE, BRAN, HVAC, REST, GRDM, PTRA, BOUN, DRAWI (when owned by a SITE or ZONE) and all Piping Components.
Note:
The command line option DESRULEBYLAYER will cause the elements that match layer rules to be exported with their color set
to 'ByLayer'.
BLOCK Rules
Standard selection syntax is used to define Blocking Rules. These specify how design elements are to be organized into DXF Blocks. Attributes can be included in block definitions.
Example
BLOCK ALL STRU, INCLUDE NAME
BLOCK ALL BRAN WITH ( HBOR GE 100 OR TBOR GE 100 ) , INCLUDE NAME SPREF, INCLUDE NAME SPREF
Elements that can be blocked are:
SITE, ZONE, STRU, SUBS, FRMW, SBFR, EQUI, SUBE, PIPE, BRAN, HVAC, REST.