If you already have a site plan in AutoCAD, SketchUp, or another CAD program, you don't need to redraw it from scratch. SmartPluvia supports importing DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) files — an open format created by Autodesk. It's the standard for exchanging drawings in landscape architecture, surveying, and engineering design.

What is DXF?

DXF is a text-based drawing exchange format supported by virtually every CAD program: AutoCAD, BricsCAD, LibreCAD, SketchUp (via export), DraftSight. The file contains geometric objects — polylines, lines, arcs, circles — organized into layers. SmartPluvia reads closed polylines (LWPOLYLINE/POLYLINE) and uses them as property boundaries.

Why import DXF?

Professionals designing irrigation systems typically already have a surveyor's plot or architectural site plan in DWG/DXF format. Importing lets you:

  • Transfer an accurate property boundary in seconds instead of drawing manually
  • Preserve proportions and real dimensions from the survey
  • Jump straight to placing sprinklers, zones, and pipes

Supported elements

SmartPluvia processes these DXF entities:

  • LWPOLYLINE and POLYLINE — closed polylines become the property boundary
  • LINE — individual lines are read but a closed polyline is required for a boundary
  • Layers — displayed in the preview modal

TEXT, DIMENSION, HATCH, and other annotation entities are ignored — they don't affect plot geometry.

Step-by-step guide

Step 1: Prepare your DXF file

In AutoCAD (or another CAD program), save the file as DXF R12 or R14 for maximum compatibility. Make sure the property boundary is a single closed polyline. If the boundary consists of separate lines, join them with the PEDIT → Join command in AutoCAD.

Step 2: Click the DXF import button

In the SmartPluvia toolbar, find the file icon button (next to the export button). Click it to open the file selection dialog.

Step 3: Select your .dxf file

In the file dialog, choose your .dxf file. SmartPluvia will parse all polylines and layers from the file.

Step 4: Preview the result

A modal window appears with a preview of detected boundaries. If the file contains multiple polylines, SmartPluvia automatically selects the largest one by area as the main property boundary.

Step 5: Choose measurement units

Select the units your drawing was created in: millimeters, centimeters, meters, inches, or feet. SmartPluvia will attempt to auto-detect the units, but you can always change them manually in the preview modal.

Step 6: Click "Apply"

The property boundary is transferred to the planner canvas. Coordinates are automatically normalized — the minimum point is set to the origin.

Step 7: Adjust scale if needed

If dimensions look incorrect, use the dimensions panel to adjust the scale. Check the distance between known points (e.g., the length of a building facade).

Tips

  • Simplify complex DXF files before importing — remove unnecessary layers (furniture, plants, hatching)
  • The property boundary must be a single closed polyline — this is the key requirement
  • If units are wrong, change them in the preview modal before clicking "Apply"
  • After importing, add sprinklers, zones, and pipes as usual

Common issues and solutions

  • File too complex — remove unnecessary layers in your CAD program, keep only the plot outline
  • Wrong units — change them in the unit selector in the preview modal
  • Boundary not closed — go back to CAD and close the polyline (PEDIT → Close)
  • Boundary not showing — ensure the contour has ≥3 vertices and is a polyline, not a set of separate lines

After importing the DXF boundary, Generic pipes (unbranded PE/PVC) from the catalog are a convenient choice for pipe layout — they are universal and fit any system configuration.

DXF import is the fastest way to start a project in SmartPluvia when you already have a digital site plan.