A Daring X-Factor
The drawing exchange format (DXF) is a file type for drawings and was made by Autodesk. It’s a versatile file format because it’s able to support 3D models, text, and curves. Though native to AutoCAD, a DXF file can be used with third-party software while holding the exact contents of a DWG file, which can’t move to third-party applications.
DXF files are used for various purposes and are CNC machinable. As a vector format, DXF drawings can be scaled without significant loss in quality. Moreover, DXF files tend to take up a lot of space, so when finding a model, make sure it isn’t too large.
In this article, we’ll go over 10 great online sources and repositories for free (some also offer premium) DXF files. Before we get into the choices, though, let’s go over what we’re looking for in these websites.
Considerations
When finding a repository for DXF models, there are many things to think about to make sure you’re using the best.
- Wide selection of models: Sources with various categories of models are best because you’re not limited to one type of file.
- Quality for price: Though these sites all offer free models, we still wanted them to provide high-quality options.
- Easy searching: Most sites have a basic search bar, but others are easier to navigate with various filters and search options.
- Quick downloading: It can be annoying to create an account for a site to download models. Though this is now commonplace and necessary for most sites, places that don’t require an account make the download process quicker. At the same time, there can be benefits to having an account.
Now that we know what we’re looking for, let’s get to the sites!
3axis.co
First up, 3axis.co is an online repository for vector files, including the DXF format, containing many designs meant for CNC and laser cutting. You can find a model by using the file format filters on the left side of your screen or the basic search tool at the top of the page. They also offer a “Related Searches” tool at the bottom of pages to show you other searches that might yield more models relevant to your search.
For each model, you can use the built-in 3D viewer tool to preview the drawing or model. After clicking on a model, you can also see the file size and a button to download. Another great part about this site is that you don’t even need an account to download a free file!
- Approximate selection size: 8,600
- Search tools: Search bar, file type categories, related searches
- Typical models: Furniture, home decor
- Typical price: Free
- Account required for download: No
Scan2CAD
Scan2CAD isn’t meant to be a DXF repository and is primarily a file conversion tool and CAD program. However, Scan2CAD does have a portion of their site dedicated to sharing and finding DXF files. Scan2CAD contains all sorts of free DXF models, from unicorns to tanks to famous buildings and more.
Files are divided into categories that contain a collection of relevant DXF drawings. While this repository has a wide selection of categories (27 pages), you unfortunately can’t preview what designs are in each category until you download the entire category. To download files, you’ll need an account on Maker Union, a subsidiary of Scan2CAD.
- Approximate selection size: 2,000
- Search tools: Search bar, categories
- Typical models: Buildings, structures, characters
- Typical price: Free
- Account required for download: Yes
CNC Cookbook
CNC Cookbook is a CNC-focused website, primarily dealing with G-code editing and viewing, but they do offer some great, free DXF files. With hundreds of DXF drawings divided into different categories, finding the right model is super convenient. While the interface can be a little slow at times, the easy, one-slick downloads are super helpful.
- Approximate selection size: 500
- Search tools: Search bar, categories
- Typical models: Signs, cars
- Typical price: Free
- Account required for download: No
My DXF
My DXF is another great repository for, as the name suggests, DXF files. This website has hundreds of free DXF drawings from animals to distinct patterns.
The site has organized the selections into categories making it easy to locate similar drawings. However, you can’t do a direct search for drawings! Instead, you can comment on posted designs, which can be helpful in other ways.
- Approximate selection size: 600
- Search tools: Categories, ratings
- Typical models: Animals, patterns
- Typical price: Free
- Account required for download: No
CNC Designshop
CNC Designshop, formerly known as simply Designshop, is a great place to download free DXF files. It also includes premium designs: For $60 a month, you can download five designs. While this doesn’t sound like many, the quality of DXF files is pretty high.
The website has a great interface, including a basic search bar and a plethora of categories covering different designs like ovals to trellis screens.
- Approximate selection size: 2,000 (hundreds are free)
- Search tools: Search bar, categories, collections, filters
- Typical models: Home decor, signs
- Typical prices: Many are free; $60/month for five designs
- Account required for download: Yes
DXFdownloads
DXFdownloads is an online repository for vector drawings, including DXF drawings and even STL 3D models. This website has many great designs, split into relevant categories, such as Vectors Furniture and Vectors Toys/Games. You can also use their generic search tool to find designs. Just make sure the vector file you find contains a DXF file, as some only contain STL or SVG files.
DXFdownloads has a unique points system where you have to post to gain points, which you can then use to download other people’s models. If you don’t want to post your own designs, you can also buy points from DXFdownloads directly. Still, there are completely free models that you can download.
- Approximate selection size: 3,000 (about half are free)
- Search tools: Search bar, categories
- Typical models: Furniture, home improvement
- Typical prices: Many are free; $0.005 per point (designs cost points), or you can post designs to earn points
- Account required for download: No
LoveSVG
While LoveSVG might be a website meant for SVG files (SVG and DXF formats are similar), many DXF files can still be found on the website. Additionally, many drawings come in both formats. LoveSVG contains premium and free designs, and you can find them using the search tool and filter features on the website’s homepage. Typical designs on this repository include wearables (like bracelets), signs, and text.
You can purchase drawings and models individually or in bundles.
- Approximate selection size: 10,000 (several thousand are free)
- Search tools: Search bar, categories, bundles
- Typical models: Wearables, signs, text
- Typical prices: Many are free; $60/year for unlimited access to premium models
- Account required for download: Yes
Obrary
Next, Obrary is a great DXF repository for furniture models like stackable drawers, a desk, and even a DIY desk lamp. While Obrary might be limited in models, they all are super well-designed and functional. Even better, every design is free. Besides CNC-machinable DXF drawings, Obrary also offers files for laser cutting.
Obrary allows users to review models, making it easy to locate the most popular ones available. To find DXF files, you can use the search tool in the CNC Router section and the limited categories on the site.
- Approximate selection size: 100
- Search tools: Search bar, categories
- Typical models: Furniture, home decor, home improvement
- Typical price: Free
- Account required for download: No
DXFforCNC
DXFforCNC is a popular repository for DXF files, containing many premium models, costing around $10-$25 per drawing. Besides their many paid models, they also have a free section, but as you might expect, there are fewer choices here.
Typical designs include drawings of automobiles, animals, and more, which you can search for using the collections or the basic search feature. You can also check out each design’s reviews and even see posted pictures of CNC-machined drawings.
- Approximate selection size: 3,000 (over 400 are free)
- Search tools: Search bar, categories, reviews, advanced filters (price, type, collection, etc.)
- Typical models: Automobiles, animals
- Typical prices: Some are free; $10-$25 per model; $1,250/year for unlimited access
- Account required for download: Yes
FreeDXF
Lastly, FreeDXF is a site for DXF files with various designs, from garden accessories to wall art. To find designs on FreeDXF, you can use their search tool and category filters. The site even has a gallery and blog to find more designs and get support.
Despite the name, drawings on FreeDXF can get kind of expensive, with some collections costing over $1,200. Similar to other selections on this list, you can purchase a full-access pass to the website to avoid paying for each individual design.
- Approximate selection size: 3,000 (10 are free)
- Search tools: Seach bar, categories, basic filters
- Typical models: Garden accessories, wall art, home decor
- Typical prices: A few are free; $100-$250 per model; $1,250 for unlimited access
- Account required for download: Yes
Lead image source: Luthrasena via 3axis.co
License: The text of "Free DXF Files: The Best Sites" by All3DP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.