This command allows you to export your VisualCAM design to one or more DXF files (as desired). Each VisualCAM layer creates a corresponding DXF layer. In addition, a DXF layer 0 is created containing items which appear within the Blocks section. The Blocks section contains information necessary for displaying each of the apertures used in the design. Block names are created with a convention that allows for easy import of aperture information back into VisualCAM (using DXF Import's Block Mapping function). Each pad in the design is output into the DXF file as a block insert. Outputting the pads as references in this manner instead of duplicating the draws for each instance can significantly reduce the size of the generated file.
Because DXF does not support the concept of polarity, items with clear or negative polarity will not appear correctly when the file is imported into other applications. If you have items with negative (clear) polarity in your database, run the Tools|Convert|Composite To Layer command to convert everything to positive (dark) data.
Select the File|Export|DXF command. The Export DXF dialog box appears.
In the Output File box, specify the filename you wish to use for the DXF file. By default, the file is saved in VisualCAM's Samples folder. Use the browse button if you wish to save to a different folder, or find a file to overwrite.
The export function produces a report file, which contains a summary of the DXF file: the number of layers, flash inserts, lines, polygons, and blocks. Enter a name for the .txt file in the Report File box.
Select Metric to have the coordinates in the DXF file expressed in millimeters. Otherwise, coordinates are in inches.
Select Batch Mode to output each visible layer in a design to a separate file. If the Output File box is empty, the output filenames will be derived from each layers filename and the current output filename extension. If the output field contains a name, a number is appended, representing each layer's respective number.
Select Output Endcaps to have endcaps output for each draw in the DXF file.
Select Round Pads As Circles to export round pads as unfilled circles. Otherwise, pads are exported as "solid" entities using arcs.
If you have polygons, select the way in which you want to output them. Polyline outputs the polygons as with just an outline. Hatch outputs the polygons with a solid "raster" fill. Vector Fill outputs the polygons with a vector fill, where you specify the width of the vector fill line in the Size box.