Open Source Python Library for AutoCAD DXF Creation

Getting Started with Ezdxf

The easiest way to install Ezdxf package is by using pip. It includes the optional C-extensions from PyPI as binary wheels. Please use the following command for a smooth installation.

pip install ezdxf 

Work with Polygon via Python 3D Library

A polygon is a two-dimensional shape with straight sides. Polygonal modeling is an approach for modeling objects by representing or approximating their surfaces using polygon meshes. The Open source Python Library Ezdxf enables software developers to create polygons for each stack point with just a couple of lines of Python code. It is very beneficial in 3d printers whose firmware does not correct for small hole sizes.

AutoCAD DXF File Creation via Python

The Open source Python Ezdxf has included complete supports for reading and writing AutoCAD DXF documents inside Python applications. The library creates the new DXF documents with very little amount of content which means only those resources which are completely necessary are included such as linetypes, text styles, and more. It is also possible to open an existing DXF file and modify its content with ease.

import ezdxf
from ezdxf import colors
from ezdxf.enums import TextEntityAlignment

# Create a new DXF document.
doc = ezdxf.new(dxfversion="R2010")

# Create new table entries (layers, linetypes, text styles, ...).
doc.layers.add("TEXTLAYER", color=colors.RED)

# DXF entities (LINE, TEXT, ...) reside in a layout (modelspace, 
# paperspace layout or block definition).  
msp = doc.modelspace()

# Add entities to a layout by factory methods: layout.add_...() 
msp.add_line((0, 0), (10, 0), dxfattribs={"color": colors.YELLOW})
msp.add_text(
    "Test", 
    dxfattribs={
        "layer": "TEXTLAYER"
    }).set_placement((0, 0.2), align=TextEntityAlignment.CENTER)

# Save the DXF document.
doc.saveas("test.dxf")
 

Open & Read AutoCAD DXF Drawings via Python

The Open source Python Ezdxf library enables software developers to open, load and get data from an existing DXF document with just a couple of lines of Python code. Please remember that it works well for DXF drawings from trusted sources like AutoCAD or BricsCAD and will load DXF files with minor or major defects. You can easily access and iterate over all DXF entities and can easily access the attributes of an existing entities.

import sys
import ezdxf

try:
    doc = ezdxf.readfile("your_dxf_file.dxf")
except IOError:
    print(f"Not a DXF file or a generic I/O error.")
    sys.exit(1)
except ezdxf.DXFStructureError:
    print(f"Invalid or corrupted DXF file.")
    sys.exit(2)

How to Handle Text in DXF Drawings via Python

The Ezdxf Python library has provided full support for handling text inside DXF documents. The library has included various features for text processing, such as adding simple one line text entity, basic text alignment like (top, middle, bottom, and baseline, let center, right), fit text, standard text styles and line-types, add new text style, use 3D text, use of stand fonts and so on.

import ezdxf
from ezdxf.enums import TextEntityAlignment

# The TEXT entity is a DXF primitive and is supported in all DXF versions.
# The argument setup=True creates standard linetypes and text styles in the
# new DXF document.
doc = ezdxf.new("R12", setup=True)
msp = doc.modelspace()

# Use method set_placement() to define the TEXT alignment, because the
# relations between the DXF attributes 'halign', 'valign', 'insert' and
# 'align_point' are tricky.
msp.add_text("A Simple Text").set_placement(
    (2, 3),
    align=TextEntityAlignment.MIDDLE_RIGHT
)

# Using a predefined text style:
msp.add_text(
    "Text Style Example: Liberation Serif",
    height=0.35,
    dxfattribs={"style": "LiberationSerif"}
).set_placement((2, 6), align=TextEntityAlignment.LEFT)

doc.saveas("simple_text.dxf")