Format comparison
DXF vs FlatGeobuf: CAD vs Modern Binary GIS
DXF is AutoCAD's established exchange format for engineering drawings. FlatGeobuf is a modern binary GIS format optimized for web delivery and spatial indexing. They serve entirely different domains but both handle vector geometry.
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Bottom line
Use DXF for CAD and engineering. Use FlatGeobuf for web GIS data delivery and modern geospatial pipelines.
DXF vs FlatGeobuf: feature comparison
| Feature | DXF | FlatGeobuf |
|---|---|---|
| Primary use | CAD engineering drawings | Web GIS data delivery |
| CRS metadata | None | Yes |
| Spatial index | No | Yes (Hilbert R-tree) |
| HTTP streaming | No | Yes |
| Curves and arcs | Yes | No (approximated) |
| Web browser support | No | Yes (via GDAL/JS) |
DXFWhen to use DXF
- AutoCAD, Civil 3D, Revit workflows
- Engineering and infrastructure projects
- Technical drawings with precise curves
FlatGeobufWhen to use FlatGeobuf
- Web map data delivery via CDN
- Large GIS datasets requiring fast spatial queries
- Cloud-native geospatial pipelines
Convert between DXF and FlatGeobuf
Frequently asked questions
Q.Can I convert DXF to FlatGeobuf online?
Yes. Maparz converts DXF to FlatGeobuf — upload your .dxf and download a .fgb file.