As a drawing format for general CAD needs, the DXF / DWG format is restricted to specific application circumstances, especially in the mechanics area. As a result, for example, coordinates are also tailored. The option of rendering the logic that distinguishes a diagram is not available in these formats. For this reason, the DXF / DWG interface in EPLAN is intended for the import and export of general graphics because the logic information of the diagram pages can't be transferred.

The internal EPLAN data format therefore differs greatly in this way from the data structure of a DXF or DWG file. This way a DT in EPLAN is not just a text made up of a certain number of letters, but it rather contains additional information that is reported, like when creating a cross-reference list, for example. In the same way, a symbol is not just a graphical line connection, but it rather contains the significant information regarding cross-reference capability. Such information is lost when transferring data between formats!

The manner in which symbols, plot frames, and standard forms behave can be specified using predefined settings (Options > Settings > User > Interfaces > DXF / DWG export and import, Block definition tab) so that these elements are then either interpreted as AutoCAD blocks or as pure graphics. In the case of AutoCAD blocks, EPLAN-specific object properties are accepted as expanded block properties.

EPLAN standard settings are available for DXF / DWG export and import. In the settings, you can create schemes with your own settings.

For DXF / DWG exports of individual pages or of an entire project, a DXF / DWG file will be generated for each selected page. Images inserted into project pages are also exported. In this case, images in DXF / DWG files are only referenced and not integrated. In order to display the images in the exported files for another user you must send the image files as well. It is not possible to export external documents integrated into the project.

Importing DXF / DWG formats is restricted to two-dimensional drawings. When importing DXF / DWG files into project layers, one "Graphics" type page is generated for each selected file. Images referenced in the DXF / DWG files can also be imported (as long as EPLAN supports the image type and the image files are available).