Open, insert, convert, and save DWG and DXF (AutoCAD) drawings

If you have AutoCAD objects that would be great in your drawing, use Visio to open them and convert them to Visio shapes. You can also convert Visio drawings to AutoCAD files.

Open an AutoCAD drawing

1. Click File and then click Open.

2. Find the folder where the drawing that you want is kept. Click the folder or click Browse.

3. Click the All Visio Files list, and then click AutoCAD Drawing.

4. Browse to the file and click Open.

Insert a DWG or DXF file into an existing Visio diagram

1. On the Insert tab, click CAD Drawing.

2. Browse to the file and click Open.

Convert DWG and DXF objects into Visio shapes

You can convert CAD objects on individual layers into Visio shapes, and then modify or delete the Visio shapes. For example, you might want to move an interior wall in a CAD floor plan that you have converted.

1. Right-click the object.

2. Point to CAD Drawing Object.

3. Click Convert.

4. Select the layers to convert and click OK.

When you convert a drawing in DWG or DXF format, you convert the last saved spatial view of the CAD drawing. A CAD drawing may have been saved in model space or paper space:

• Model space     is the primary drawing workspace in which CAD drafters create drawings.

• Paper space     is a workspace that is analogous to a sheet of paper, in which CAD drafters can arrange different views of the drawing.

When you convert a drawing saved in model space, all objects and text on the layers you select are converted into Visio shapes.

When you convert a drawing saved in paper space, only the objects that are not cut off (clipped) by the edge of the viewport are converted into Visio shapes. Objects and text that are cut off are converted into lines. For example, a circle that is completely enclosed by a viewport is converted into a Visio circle shape. A circle that is clipped by the viewport is converted into a series of lines.

Save a diagram as a DWG or DXF file

1. Click File and then click Save As.

2. Browse to find the location or folder where you want to save the drawing.

3. In the Save as type list, click the file type you want:

   • AutoCAD Drawing (*.dwg)

   • AutoCAD Interchange (*.dxf)

If your Visio file has more than one drawing page, you must save each page separately.