PIPE-FLO allows you to import DXF (drawing interchange format) files. DXF files are usually created by a CAD program and typically depict the piping system you want to design, or building layouts for a campus or any other schematic which can provide a useful backdrop for your system design in PIPE-FLO. The idea is to use the DXF file as a stencil for your piping layout.


Importing DXF Files:

When importing DXF files into a PIPE-FLO model, click the “File” menu and choose “Import DXF File…”.  Browse to select the DXF file you want to import, and click “Open”. The DXF file is pulled into the PIPE-FLO project essentially as just a background image. There is no other interaction between the DXF file and the PIPE-FLO model. You cannot move, copy, or edit the DXF image from within PIPE-FLO.  After you have finished building your PIPE-FLO model, it is advisable to remove the DXF file from the project as it has already served its purpose.

Some notes on importing DXF files:
•    PIPE-FLO can only import lines, polylines, polygons and circles from DXF files.
•    If a PIPE-FLO model has a DXF file associated with it, and if that model is sent to someone else on a different computer, the other user will not be able to see the imported DXF tracelines unless that DXF file is sent with the model and saved in the same location.
•    The DXF file drawing coordinates should be located near the origin (0,0) if possible. If the drawing is extremely offset from the origin, it’s possible that the drawing may not appear on the PIPE-FLO Flo sheet.


Exporting DXF Files:

When exporting DXF files from PIPE-FLO, click the “File” menu and choose “Export DXF File…”.  Browse to the location where you want to save the DXF file, and click “Save”.

Some notes on exporting DXF files:
•    PIPE-FLO can export the entire model to a DXF file including devices, symbols and limited text. 
•    Drawings which are in isometric grid mode will have the lines drawn isometrically, but the devices and symbols will not be skewed as in the isometric PIPE-FLO drawing.
•    Most pipelines and devices will only be able to export a limited amount of textual data. This is usually limited to just the name and one or two calculated variables.