Free DXF to R12 DXF converter
Save any DXF as R12 for your laser or CNC.
Machine software that says "unsupported DXF version" almost always wants R12. Drop a newer DXF (or a DWG) and Caddis writes an R12 DXF your cutter or CAM tool can read.
Why convert DXF to R12 DXF?
Many laser, plasma, waterjet and CNC controllers, along with older CAM packages, only read the R12 DXF format from the early 1990s. Modern CAD software saves 2010- or 2018-era DXF by default, which those tools reject or misread.
How to convert DXF to R12 DXF
- Choose your DXF or DWG file above, or drag it onto the box.
- Check that DXF (R12) is selected. You can switch to any other output.
- Select Convert. The file downloads straight away. Nothing is uploaded.
Good to know
- Splines, ellipses and polylines with arcs become polylines of short straight segments, which machine controllers handle reliably.
- Layer names are kept (shortened to R12's 31-character limit) so cut and engrave layers stay separate.
- Use the free version checker to confirm which DXF version a file is before and after.
What converts, and what doesn't
- Geometry converts as it is drawn: arcs, circles and splines become runs of short straight segments, and blocks and dimensions are exploded into plain lines.
- Text becomes simple single-stroke lettering, so it reads correctly but is no longer editable text. Non-Latin characters may appear as character codes.
- Solid fills are kept. Hatch patterns may be missing.
- Only model space is converted. Paper-space layouts and viewports are not included.
- DWG files from Release 14 through the current AutoCAD 2018 format are supported. 2007-format (AC1021) files are only partially supported: some entities and colours may be missing.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know which DXF version my file is?
Drop it into the free Caddis version checker. It reads $ACADVER from the DXF header and names the release, such as AC1027 (AutoCAD 2013 format) or AC1009 (R12).
Why does my laser software reject my DXF?
The usual reasons are a DXF version newer than R12, splines the controller can't interpolate, or a binary DXF. Converting to R12 here fixes the first two.
Is my file uploaded?
No. The file is read and converted by the Caddis engine running inside your browser tab. It is never sent to a server, so confidential drawings stay on your device.
Is it really free?
Yes. There's no account, watermark, page limit or daily quota. The converter runs on your own computer, so it costs us nothing per file.
Need to measure or mark up the drawing too?
The same engine powers the free Caddis viewer on the web and on iPhone. Open DWG, DXF, STEP and STL files, measure, and add markup, all on your device.
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