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.
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.