User Guide > Importing DXF Files

FlexPDE supports the import of DXF files, allowing you to use AutoCAD to prepare your FlexPDE problem descriptor files.

To prepare the problem in AutoCAD, use the following rules:

•On layer 0, enter as text the entire body of the problem description, excluding the BOUNDARIES section.

•Use one layer for each region of the problem. Draw on each layer the boundaries pertaining to that region. Enter as text on each layer the necessary regional definitions for that region. For boundaries that are shared between regions, be sure that the points are recognizably the same (within 1e-6*domain size). Snap-to-grid is advised.

•Enter as text the necessary boundary conditions. Place the text so that the insertion point is near the boundary to which the boundary condition applies.

•Export the drawing as a DXF file in R14 format.

To run the problem in FlexPDE, do the following:

•Select the "Import->DXF 2D" item from the "File" menu.

•Select the DXF file to import and click "open".

•Enter a minimum merge distance. This is the distance at which two points will be considered the same, and merged.

•FlexPDE will read the DXF file and translate it into a corresponding .PDE file. This file will be displayed in the FlexPDE editor and also written to disk as a .PDE file for later use.

•Examine the translated file for errors, then proceed as for a standard .PDE file.

You may chose to modify the translated .PDE file, or to continue to update the .DXF file, whichever is most convenient for your needs.

Examples:

See the sample problem "Samples | Usage | Import-Export | AcadSample.dxf" and its associated drawing file AcadSample.dwg.