Guide

How to open a DXF file on your phone

Someone has emailed you a DXF and you are not at a computer. You can open it on your phone in the browser with BenCAD, zoom in, measure it and even make changes.

START DRAWING — FREE

Step 1: save the DXF to your phone

Save the attachment to Files (iPhone and iPad) or Downloads (Android), or keep it in Google Drive, iCloud or Dropbox.

Step 2: open BenCAD

Go to bencad.com in Safari or Chrome. There is nothing to install and no account.

Step 3: import it

Tap the ☰ menu and, under File, tap IMPORT DXF. Pick the file. The drawing opens zoomed to fit. See DXF import for what BenCAD reads.

Step 4: look around and measure

Pinch to zoom and drag to pan. Add a dimension to check a length, or use area to measure a space.

Step 5: send it back

Download a PNG to share by WhatsApp or email, or export a new DXF with your changes.

If it opens at the wrong size

BenCAD reads the units saved in the file (millimetres, centimetres, metres, inches or feet) and converts them. If the file has no units set, it is read as millimetres. If something still comes in at the wrong size, fix it with the scale tool using a known length.

Questions

Can I open a DWG on my phone?

Not in BenCAD. Ask for a DXF instead — any program that saves DWG can save DXF too.

Is opening DXF free?

DXF import is part of BenCAD Pro.

Tools for this

DXF import PROOpen DXF files from other CAD DXF export PROSave for AutoCAD, CNC and laser PNG downloadFree high-resolution image Scale PROBigger or smaller, by factor or length