Configuration Datasets
- Last UpdatedNov 27, 2025
- 3 minute read
It is possible to control the format of DXF and DWG output using configuration datasets. The configuration dataset controls how the database information is to be mapped into DXF format. It does the following:
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Controls how Draft graphics are to be grouped as AutoCAD Block and Group definitions.
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Enables database elements to be assigned to AutoCAD layers.
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Maps fonts, colours and linestyles between Draft and AutoCAD.
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Allows database attribute information to be exported from Draft as AutoCAD Block attributes.
The configurable DXF and DWG facility uses ‘loadable image’ (LI) applications, usable at Sheet level. The export application can be executed using the LIEXEC command (which also loads the application if it has not already been loaded).
Configurable DXF Output
The following example command uses the configuration data set ’MyConfigData’ to control the export of DXF information:
LIEXEC /Draft_DXF_LI ’DXFOUT’ ConfigData ’MyConfigData’
Here ’DXFOUT’ is an application feature. At the current release of PDMS, DXF for AutoCAD 2004-2006 is the only supported DXF version. (DXFOUTR13 is supported as an alternative for compatibility, but no longer produces AutoCAD R13 DXF.)
This will create a DXF file with a name and format defined in the specified dataset for the current picture element (for example, SHEE, SYLB, ). Before giving the above command, the configuration dataset must have been defined in Draft by typing in the configuration data at the command line or by reading in a predefined macro file.
Three example macro files are provided:
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default_dxf.mac |
Defines the default configuration settings. |
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full_dxf.mac |
Defines a sample set of configuration settings to produce fully -blocked, grouped and layered DXF files closely mapped to the Draft Sheet exported. Note: Blocking commands for Design graphics in this file are only intended as an example, and may require modification to suit your own requirements. Layers can be created with all the properties and exported. New switches can be added to create new layers for Design elements and set their properties. These can be exported with all applied properties to DXF and DWG format. |
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graphics_dxf.mac |
Defines a configuration for graphics-only DXF files, minimal in size, which can be imported into some systems, which do not support full AutoCAD DXF file format. |
The configuration options may be overridden by LIEXEC command line options; in particular the Outputfilename switch would normally be overridden by an LIEXEC option. For example:
LIEXEC /Draft_DXF_LI 'DXFOUT' CONFIGDATA
'MyConfigData' OutputFileName '%PDMSUSER%/new.dxf'
It is also possible to omit the CONFIGDATA, in which case the default values of all the switches will be assumed and no blocking will take place. However, in such a case a DXF header file must be specified; for example:
LIEXEC /Draft_DXF_LI 'DXFOUT' HeaderFileName 'header.dxf'
Configurable DWG Output
The following example command uses the configuration data set 'MyConfigData' to control the export of DWG information. The format of the configuration data set is identical to that for DXF output.
LIEXEC /Draft_DWG_LI 'R15' ConfigData 'MyConfigData'
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'R15' indicates the AutoCAD version number, and can be one of the following: |
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R13 |
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R14 |
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R15 |
for 2000, 2002 |
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R18 |
for versions 2004, 2005, 2006 |
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R21 |
for versions 2007, 2008, 2009 (R22 and R23 may also be used) for these versions |
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R24 |
for AutoCAD 2010 |
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DWGOUT |
for a "default" DWG version, currently 2006, but this may change for future releases |
Configuration Datasets
A Draft Configuration Dataset is made up of a series of switches and Blocking rules. The {configuration options} will contain the BLOCK and SWITCH syntax that control the content of the DXF file produced. See Switches and BLOCK Rules to Control DXF and DWG Export for a full list of the switches and their permissible and default values.
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Example: |
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SWITCH GroupGLAB ON Group GLABs into AutoCAD groups SWITCH HeaderFileName 'header.dxf' Specify the DXF header file name |
The switch names are case-independent, but are shown as mixed case here to aid legibility.
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.
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Example: |
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BLOCK ALL STRU, INCLUDE NAME BLOCK ALL BRAN WITH ( HBOR GE 100 OR TBOR GE 100 ) , INCLUDE NAME SPREF |
Elements that can be blocked are:
SITE, ZONE, STRU, SUBS, FRMW, SBFR, EQUI, SUBE, PIPE,
BRAN, HVAC, REST
Other Commands
Other commands related to this facility are:
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LILIST |
Lists features of application(s) loaded by LILOAD/LIEXEC. |
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DLICON |
Defines a named set of configuration options. For example: DLICON {configuration options} EXIT |
The datasets currently defined within Draft can be determined by:
DLICON LIST
The definition of a specific dataset can be determined by:
DLICON name DUMP
The value of a specific switch within a dataset can be determined by:
DLICON name CHECK SWITCH switchname
Whether or not there is a blocking rule applicable to a specified Design element can be determined by:
DLICON name CHECK BLOCK element_identifier