Menu path
File > Export
🧾 What file export does
The export functions allow you to share your roof geometry and project details with other parties by converting your AppliCad models into industry-standard file formats. Each format serves different purposes and contains different levels of detail.
Available export formats
Format | Description |
XML | RXF format file with XML headers (refer to manual for details) |
RXF | AppliCad proprietary Roof eXchange Format files |
DXF | Universal ASCII CAD file format |
GRIM | ASCII text GRIM format file generated by Roof Wizard (accessed from the SupplyOnly or Supply+Install dialog box after quotation details have been completed) |
⚠️ Important: The Export XML code only exports roof and wall planes - gable planes and ceiling planes are ignored. However, many other attributes about the roof geometry, line attributes, notes and fixtures are included.
🔧 RXF Export - AppliCad's Proprietary Format
The RXF file is AppliCad's proprietary format for exporting 3D roof geometry with intelligent labels. It's widely adopted around the world as the standard format for sharing roof and wall geometry because it contains meaningful labels - a ridge line knows it's a ridge line, and roof planes know their cover type (tile, shingle, or metal). Originally developed to share roof model geometry with roof truss design software.
Note - When you read an RXF file from another user/company the roof/wall model is recreated by the software using your own default settings for line styles and colours etc. When you open a model from a DAB (CAD data file) from another user, you get their colours etc.
RXF Export Settings
Setting | Description |
RXF Output File Name | Name of the RXF file to create. Use the [...] button to browse for output folder and filename |
Elements to Output | Choose [Roof Elements] (roof and wall elements only) or [All Elements] (all points, lines and planes) |
Pack Model before Export | Set to Yes to combine multiple points at the same location into a single point, simplifying the output |
Delete Free Points | Set to Yes to remove unused points that don't define lines or planes |
🛠 RXF Export Uses
Reconstructing corrupted 3D geometry (check with Tools > Check Model first)
Sending geometry to older AppliCad software versions
Sharing with roof truss designers (several truss programs accept RXF)
Preserving intelligent roof element labels and types
⚠️ RXF Limitations: Only exports roof geometry (points, lines, planes and their identifying tags). Materials, costs, customer details and other job data from CAD database files are not included. RXF is the only export format that supports entity tags.
File > Export >XML
An RXF format file with XML headers and footers that are required to setup the file for input to certain systems.
Setting | Description |
XML Name | The name of the XML file to be output. |
XML File Format | Changes the output format of the XML File – see below: |
AppliCad Standard Format | Dimensions are not included |
AppliCad Enhanced Format | Dimensions are included |
Symbility Format | The same as AppliCad Standard Format, any lines not directly attached to a roof or wall plane will not be output. |
Xactimate Format | Similar to AppliCad Enhanced format, see below: |
Xactimate format varies from the AppliCad Standard Format in the following areas:
“<SKETCH_IMPORT xmlns://xsi=…” used in the header instead of “<APPLICAD_EXPORT xmlns:xsi=…”,
No “<REFERENCE FILE=” output
No “<DATABASE FILE=” output
No “<NOTES>” output
No “<NORTHORIENTATION=” output
No holes allowed in plane output
AutoCAD-style Orientation of FACE ORIENTATION, 0 degrees is along X-Axis of CPL and angles counter-clockwise.
No “SIZEUOM” “PITCHUOM” “TYPE” “MAT=” or “SIZE=” output.
“FASCIA”, “FASCIA-ONLY” and “GUTTER-ONLY” lines output as “EAVE”
“GABLE”, “FASCIA-GABLE” lines output as “RAKE”
“APRON” lines output as “FLASH”
“STEP”, “TUCK-UNDER” lines output as “STEPFLASH”
“User1 lines output as “PARAPET”
“HIP”, “RIDGE” lines output as “RIDGE”
Reference File – Allows the user to specify a file that the XML file was created from. This option was provided to allow modellers to input the reference file such as a PDF or Image File that the model was created from.
Database Name – The name of the AppliCad Database file containing the reference data being output for the XML file.
Model Name – The name of the Model within the AppliCad Database containing the reference data being output for the XML file.
Delete Free Lines and Points – Determines whether to remove free lines and points from the model prior to export.
Additional Notes – Allows the user to specify additional notes to be included in the XML output. These notes will not be exported for the Xactimate format.
🔧 DXF Export - Universal CAD Format
The DXF export creates industry-standard .dxf files that can be opened in most CAD programs. DXF files use AppliCad's current layer, line style, colour and font conversion files.
DXF Export Settings
Setting | Options | Description |
Write all entities | Yes / No | Yes = write all entities; No = write only visible entities |
Unpack sub-figures | Yes / No | Yes = vectorise sub-figures as 2D lines; No = write as insert records |
Triangulate surfaces | Yes / No | Yes = write surfaces as 3D Face records; No = write as 3D line records with hatching |
Convert curves | Yes / No | Yes = convert curves to arc/line records; No = write as polyline records |
Maximum radius | Numeric value | Maximum curve radius for arc calculations (when Convert curves = Yes) |
Maximum path error | Numeric value | Maximum path error allowed for arc calculations (when Convert curves = Yes) |
DXF Conversion Files
DXF export uses .cvt conversion files to map AppliCad properties to AutoCAD equivalents:
File Type | Default File | Purpose |
Layer conversion | dwglayer.cvt | Maps AutoCAD layer names to AppliCad layer numbers |
Line style conversion | dwgltype.cvt | Maps AutoCAD line types to AppliCad style numbers (0-14) |
Colour conversion | dwgcolor.cvt | Maps AutoCAD colour table to AppliCad colours and weights |
Font conversion | dwgfont.cvt | Maps font names between AutoCAD and AppliCad (manual setup required) |
💡 All .cvt files ignore leading and trailing spaces. The last line should end with a carriage return.
🔧 GRIM Export - Text Format
GRIM export creates ASCII text files in GRIM format from the SupplyOnly or Supply+Install costing summary dialog. For complete details on GRIM file format and usage, see the help section on Reporting.
💡 Tips for File Export
Use RXF when sharing with other AppliCad users or truss designers
Use DXF for universal CAD compatibility
Check your model with Tools > Check Model before exporting
Consider packing the model before RXF export to reduce file size
Test conversion files with small models first