How to load a file with CAD .NET?

The CADImage class defines the drawing object. All available drawing data can be received via properties of this class.

The library includes the CADImage derived classes that must be used only to import drawings of the corresponding format:

Classes	File format
DWGImage	DWG
CGMImage	CGM
HPGLImage	HPGL/2
GBRImage	Extended Gerber (RS-274X)
CADRasterImage	Raster images and metafiles
CADImage	DXF

Let's open a CAD file with CAD .NET.

1. Add the using directive with the CADImport and CADImport.FaceModule namespaces.

using CADImport;
using CADImport.FaceModule;

More information about CADPictureBox

The CADPictureBox class is the basic implementation of the control element for displaying vector drawings. Visually CADPictureBox includes only area for drawing visualization and can be extended by the required control elements in the project under development.
To get more information about the CAD .NET controls, see What controls does CAD .NET have?

2. Use the control element of the CADPictureBox class:
   • Set the Location property as new Point(10, 30).
   • Set the BackColor property as Color.Black.
   • Set the Size property as new Size(995, 500).
   • Finally, add it to the form.

...

CADPictureBox pictureBox1 = new CADPictureBox(){
  Location = new Point(10, 30),
  BackColor = Color.Black,
  Size = new Size(995, 500),
}

public Form1()
  {
    Controls.Add(pictureBox1);
    InitializeComponent();
  }   

3. Add a new button. Name it CreateCADDrawing. Then create the CreateCADDrawing_Click function.

 private void LoadCADFile_Click(object sender, EventArgs e){

4. Use the ShowDialog method to load a CAD file from the dialog window. Create a new instance of the CADImage class.

{
  if ((openFileDialog1.ShowDialog() != DialogResult.OK)) return;
  CADImage vDrawing = CADImage.CreateImageByExtension(openFileDialog1.FileName);
  vDrawing.LoadFromFile(openFileDialog1.FileName);

Tip

We recommend creating a new drawing object using CreateImageByExtension in case of importing from an existing file or stream.

5. Declare the local variable vRect and specify RectangleF as its type. This variable stores four floating values that represent the location and size of a CAD file. Use the following code to fit the CAD file to pictureBox1. Finally, render the result with the Draw method.

RectangleF vRect;
double vRatio = (double)(vDrawing.AbsHeight * pictureBox1.ClientSize.Width)/ (vDrawing.AbsWidth * pictureBox1.ClientSize.Height);
if (vRatio > 1)
  vRect = new RectangleF(0, 0, (float)(pictureBox1.ClientSize.Width / vRatio), (float)pictureBox1.ClientSize.Height);
else
  vRect = new RectangleF(0, 0, (float)pictureBox1.ClientSize.Width, (float)(pictureBox1.ClientSize.Height * vRatio));
vDrawing.Draw(pictureBox1.CreateGraphics(), vRect);

You have created the function to load CAD files.

The full code listing:

using CADImport;
using CADImport.FaceModule;
...

namespace WindowsFormsApp1
{
    public partial class Form1 : Form

    {
        CADPictureBox pictureBox1 = new CADPictureBox()
        {
            Location = new Point(10, 30),
            TabIndex = 10,
            BackColor = Color.Black,
            Size = new Size(995, 500)
        };
        public Form1()
        {
            Controls.Add(pictureBox1);
            InitializeComponent();
        }     
        private void LoadCADFile_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)
        {
            if ((openFileDialog1.ShowDialog() != DialogResult.OK)) return;
            CADImage vDrawing = CADImage.CreateImageByExtension(openFileDialog1.FileName);
            vDrawing.LoadFromFile(openFileDialog1.FileName);
            RectangleF vRect;
            double vRatio = (double)(vDrawing.AbsHeight * pictureBox1.ClientSize.Width) / (vDrawing.AbsWidth * pictureBox1.ClientSize.Height);
            if (vRatio > 1)
                vRect = new RectangleF(0, 0, (float)(pictureBox1.ClientSize.Width / vRatio), (float)pictureBox1.ClientSize.Height);
            else
                vRect = new RectangleF(0, 0, (float)pictureBox1.ClientSize.Width, (float)(pictureBox1.ClientSize.Height * vRatio));
            vDrawing.Draw(pictureBox1.CreateGraphics(), vRect);
        }
    }
}