ARCHITECTURAL CAD DRAWINGS: 5 BASIC FORMATS OF FILES

Modern CAD software simplifies and speeds up the process of working with architectural CAD drawings. Thankfully, it not only automatically duplicates repeating elements and has convenient templates for drafting sheets. Unlike old-fashioned drawing by hand that often led to errors due to the human factor, 2D CAD services provide accurate drawings and precise calculations.To get more news about architecture cad drawing, you can visit shine news official website.

There are many CAD programs and each draftsman and architect can easily find and utilize software that is convenient for them. Moreover, there are various programs and add-ons tailored specifically for the particular construction industry, for example, separate soft for civil, plumbing and electricity engineers.

However, how should everyone cooperate and work on the same project if each CAD program has its own file format? We made a compilation of 5 most popular and universal file formats for architectural CAD drawings that could be easily opened and imported to various CAD software. Take a look.

#1. DWG
What Is It
A .dwg format is AutoCAD drawing database file. Most architectural and construction companies work in AutoCAD so .dwg is one of the most common files used for both 2D and 3D. A .dwg format has been updated several times, the last time in 2010, therefore there are new and old versions of .dwg. It is important to note, all new versions of AutoCAD software open old versions of the file, but older versions of the AutoCAD program can’t open a new .dwg file.
#2. DXF
.dxf — drawing exchange format — was also developed by Autodesk for a more convenient exchange of drawings. A .dxf file is universal for almost any software and can be converted to another format with the help of many programs for Windows, MacOS and Linux. Moreover, architectural CAD drawings of such format can be opened even in graphic vector soft, without installing special architectural drafting programs.

#3. DGN
A .dgn file is an abbreviation for the word “design” and is a MicroStation drawing file created by Open Design Alliance and Bentley Systems. A .dgn file is usually used for creating and saving designs for building constructions and civil projects such as highways and bridges. It’s quite similar to Autodesk’s .dwg format and is its competitor.

#4. RFA
.rfa is an Autodesk Revit Family file. A Family is a group of design elements combined into one object, so basically, .rfa is an archive for a particular Revit Family.

#5. PLN
A .pln extension comes from the word “Plan” and it’s the file type for Graphisoft ArchiCAD. There’s a long battle going on between architects on which soft is more convenient to use and some architects prefer using ArchiCAD for architectural CAD drawings. A.pln file is equivalent to Autodesk Revit .rvt and AutoCAD .dwg files and contains the data of the model and views generated for the project.