DXF Export (File Menu)

Exporting DXF Files from GGP

Overview

The DXF export option in GGP allows you to create a DXF file that can include:

The selected OS map
Overlay detail
Or both

The content exported depends on what is currently displayed and what you select in the export dialog.

Export Location & File Naming

By default, the DXF file is saved with the current session name (with the .DXF extension) in the default DXF export directory, as set in Options > Directories.
It is recommended to export to this folder first, then copy the file to another location (e.g., CD, USB, or network) if needed.
Using the Save As dialog box, you can change the filename and/or browse to a different location.

Defining the Export Area

When you select the DXF export option, a dialog box opens to help you define the export area.

Map Area Options

Option	Description
Current View	Exports the current on-screen map area.
1 Km tile	Available only if current view > 1 km.
500 m tile	Available only if current view > 500 m.
User Defined	Allows you to draw or specify a custom box size.

Tip: For 1 Km or 500 m tile exports, a clipping box is displayed. If gridlines are visible, you can snap to them for accurate alignment.

Resizing the Box – Controls & Shortcuts

When drawing the export frame:

Left Click – Start at a corner (anchor point) and drag out a rectangle. Cannot be resized afterward.
Right Click – Creates a floating frame that can be adjusted.
- Hold SHIFT – Resize from the center point.
- Hold CTRL – Keep frame floating; move without changing size.
- Right Click – Switch to anchored mode.

These modes can be combined for flexible selection.

Units

Page Units (mm or inches)

Used for Desktop Publishing or graphics packages.
Coordinates shift to the bottom-left corner of the export area.
Scale setting is enabled when Page Units are chosen.
You can enter a custom scale in the User Scale box.

Example:
A 500 m square in Ground Units exports at 500 × 500 metres in National Grid coordinates. In Page Units (inches) at 1:1250 scale, it becomes ~15.748 inches square.

Ground Units

Retains National Grid coordinates at 1:1 scale.
Commonly used for CAD systems like AutoCAD.
Scale setting is disabled.

Basemap & User Layers

You can choose to export:

User Layers (overlay data from the current view)
MasterMap data
Both

Optional: Include MasterMap TOIDs (disabled by default). Only enable if required, as some systems cannot read DXF files with TOIDs.

Note:
The exported extent is based on current coordinates but may include objects that extend beyond the visible view, to maintain object integrity.

If you need cropped MasterMap images for documents, use Metafile Export instead.

Line Thickness

DXF uses physical units (mm) for line width, while GGP uses pixel sizes. Use the Line Thickness scale factor to adjust exported line weights. The ideal value depends on your export scale—experiment to find the best result.

Additional Information

OS Land-Line detail uses BS1192 Part 5 layer naming.
DXF attributes come from the current display settings.
A frame is added around the exported area for clipping in CAD.
Colours and styles can be mapped to match AutoCAD or other DXF-capable software.
CorelDraw® automatically rescales drawings over 18 inches—export in matching units and keep size ≤ 18 inches to avoid rescaling.
Advanced AutoCAD users can customize DXF output using a HEAD.DXF file.

Limitations

Polygon fills are not supported.
Text objects in overlays may not export perfectly; CAD software may alter colours or placement.

DXF Colours
DXF Styles
DXF Layer Names