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.CAD File Extension

Softdesk Drafix Cad file

Question: What is an CAD File?

Have you found, downloaded or received an CAD file, but don't know which software program is required to open it?

Before attempting to open an CAD file, you'll need to determine what kind of file you are dealing with and whether it is even possible to open or view the file format.

Answer: Files which are given the .CAD extension are known as Softdesk Drafix Cad files, however other file types may also use this extension. If you are aware of any additional file formats that use the CAD extension, please let us know.

How to open a CAD file:

The best way to open an CAD file is to simply double-click it and let the default assoisated application open the file. If you are unable to open the file this way, it may be because you do not have the correct application associated with the extension to view or edit the CAD file.

This file format was added to our database by a visitor to this site, but no additional information was provided. We have yet to investigate this file type further, or there was not enough information available at the time to report accurately on the format.

Please check back soon for more information as we are constantly updating our file descriptions based on search frequency.

Tip: Try to open the CAD file using a text-editor such as Notepad, as many file types contain simply contain unformatted plain-text and can viewed correctly using this method.





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Comments (9)
showing 1-9
Richard B
2009-03-26 17:51:01
#1
".CAD" files were produced by Drafix CAD, which seems to have been bought by AutoDesk to form the basis of AutoSketch. I have AutoSketch 5.01 (dated Feb 6 1998) originally from a magazine cover and first used on Windows 98. Now on XP. AutoSketch 5 was always problematic - inclined to crash. It writes .CAD and .SKF files as well as DXF and DWG but (possibly because the program can't cope with later hardware) I can no longer open old .CAD files with it. I have just used it to convert some old SKF files to DXF but would like to convert some others which I only have as CAD. If it can help anyone crack open the format, I could supply the same file in CAD, SKF and DXF forms.
J.B
2009-12-27 06:20:57
#2
Is there any way I can run Drafix 4.1 on WINDOWS 7 HOME
Gunter W
2010-03-14 01:02:50
#3
Not sure whether your question is still current, but I am running Drafix CAD Pro 4.1 on Windows 7 Home Premium. No problem at all.
Drafix is a very good-natured program, I am now even using it on the latest iMAC within Windows 7 (I run Windows 7 under WMware Fusion simultaneously with OSX 10.6.2). Try this with another CAD program!
I keep using Drafix CAD since 1997 during all Windows versions since (except VISTA), and although I often have to use other CAD software for compatibility reasons, I still like it because it is fast and easy. Just a shame that there seem to be no conversion program for the DrafixCAD .cad file format...
Fraser E
2010-03-22 17:58:07
#4
I've tried installing Drafix CAD Pro 4.11 on my new Windows 7 Home Premium desktop (64-bit version) and the install failed almost immediately. (Sorry I'm away from home, and don't have more details). Any idea if Drafix is 64-bit compatible?
disaksen
2010-10-15 18:53:26
#5
I don't suppose you could tell me where I could buy a copy of Drafix CAD Pro? I'm working on a friends computer that became infected with a couple pretty nasty virus'. He has Drafix CAD Pro v3.0 installed and has quite a bit of work using Drafix CAD that he needs to recover and continue working on. The program files on the computer is corrupted, so the program will not start up. He has the three original installation disks, but two of the three (#1 & #3)give an error message when placed in the disk drive indicating the disks have not been formated. I need to find a way of either recovering the original data from those two disks, or find a source where I can download another copy of Drafix CAD Pro. I don't care if the copy I buy is V3.0 or higher, as long as it's capable of working with the files already produced in my friends projects. Hope you or someone else can help me with my hunt.
Ralf K
2010-11-07 11:40:39
#6
For me Drafix CAD Pro 4.11 does not work in Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit. Installation fails (setup.exe). On the other hand it works fine with my Windows 7 Ultimate desktop. Virtual-PC with Windows XP SP3 is not possible with Home Premium 64 bit but could maybe solved some way.
Cuddles Woodburn
2011-02-08 16:39:42
#7
I have been using Drafix Professional for years and found it to be fantastic. Very robust and reliable.
The only problem I have is producing DXF and DWG files.
They are incompatible with the latest versions. the only way I have found around this is to load them into Adobe Illustrator and then resave them. This is very time consuming. Is there a DXF to DXF or DWG to DWG version converter?
Gunter W
2011-03-07 20:37:04
#8
I always struggled with the same problem. Drafix CAD produces a strange DXF format which I think is incompatible to most other programs. I use an old Autocad version (Vers.10) as a format converter since this can read the Drafix CAD Pro DWG file and convert it to compatible DXF or newer DWG.

I also tried to answer disaksen's question twice, but my posts are always censored... Very frustrating, I would be happy to help. Not sure, but maybe it is against the rules of this board for some reason to let others know where you can get a program or tool?

[No idea why - I'll have words! - Admin]
Ian
2015-08-12 04:44:55
#9
Try Using Windows Dosbox