DXF Editor required

[tigersaw]

I need a simple and free DXF editor programme; nothing too clever.

I can get our radar system to burn all the radar maps and aircraft tracking areas onto a CD as a DXF file. I can open the file with either VISIO or a freebee viewer, and I can see a picture made up from many layers, all the same colour. What I would like to do is chuck out the layers I dont want, and recolour the ones I do, perhaps adding some text annotations as well - so I can use them in presentations, meetings etc.

I've tried A9CAD, but it refuses to control the layers, complaining about it cannot delete a 'layer containing objects'. VISIO isn't suitable either.

Any other suggestions that I can try?

I have GIS software (ArcView) at work that could probably do what you want provided the layers have co-ordinate (OS) info. It will then export the map as a .bmp file.

On the other hand, I have in the past opened dxf files in PaintShop Pro, too. Trial version is available on the jasc website. Might be the best option

How big are the files? As long as they are not stupidly large you could try emailing one over and I'll have a play at work tomorrow if you like?

[tigersaw]

Thanks - tried Paint shop pro but it just produces a small iconic size image, no layers.

I've found a really tedious way of doing it in A9CAD, by selecting each 'item' individually I can re-colour it from a pop up menu, but its not what I really want; I want to recolour layers in their entirety.

I can see a visit to the torrent fairies for autocad at this rate...

The maps don't contain any OS info, they are just representations of different features of the radar system - presentation maps to controllers, processing areas, tracking areas, etc.

I can send you a small sample if your email addy is correct.

Originally Posted by tigersaw

I can send you a small sample if your email addy is correct.

It is, but I won't get a chance to play with the file until this afternoon.

At work I use Volo View , it can turn layer on and off with out any problem.

I also have a program called Deep exploration , it's from a company called Right hemisphere . It can open and work with most 3D and 2D files.

I have opened your file in ArcView.

I can see four layers:

1 Line (looks like an outline)
2 polygon (i.e. filled in outline
3 Point (which doesn't seem to display anything on-screen)
4 Text (J1, J2, J3, J4)

Does this sound hopeful?

[tigersaw]

Originally Posted by Jabba

I have opened your file in ArcView.

I can see four layers:

1 Line (looks like an outline)
2 polygon (i.e. filled in outline
3 Point (which doesn't seem to display anything on-screen)
4 Text (J1, J2, J3, J4)

Does this sound hopeful?

Yes, though the layers have names on my viewer, like Airfield Boundary, Runway and taxiway etc.
I need to be able to remove unwanted layers, recolour them, and add annotations ( though that could be in pencil on the printouts if nescessary )

[tigersaw]

What you should have is a portion of this picture, with the layers intact

Originally Posted by tigersaw

What you should have is a portion of this picture, with the layers intact

I have the red outline, but no green

[tigersaw]

Originally Posted by Jabba

I have the red outline, but no green

Yes, I just sent a portion as an example. No idea why its coloured most layers red, and some green. Its norwegian.