Extension

Type

Where Used

Description

Notes

3DS

Solid

3D Path Editor

3D Studio 3D Scene

Can be viewed (but not edited) using the "Insert 3D Reference Object" command in the OMAX 3D Path Editor

A

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

G-Code (1)

Flavor of G-Code

AI

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

Adobe Illustrator file

This is the preferred file format for importing files that come from Adobe Illustrator. For best results, always use AI, and do not use DXF files when working with Adobe Illustrator.
See AI Note below.

ART

Vector

Layout's import from other CAD

ART file

A post script derivative

AVI

Raster (Video)

Layout's Intelli-Trace / OMAX Camera

Audi Video Interleave File (video)

OMAX Layout reads the first frame as raster, ignores other frames. OMAX Camera loads and saves AVI files

BAT

Text file (3)

Custom Reports in Make

Batch File

It's possible to use batch files to launch 3rd party applications

BMP

Raster

Intelli-Trace / Render as Solid / Camera

Windows bitmap file

This is a preferred file format for Intelli-Trace, because it is uncompressed and is typically cleaner than other raster formats.

BTS

Motor Data

OMAX Make, OMAX Axis vs Time Viewer

OMAX compiled bitstream

tool path

Compiled tool path file, created by OMAX Make, contact softwareengineering@omax.com for details. Can be used in applications where extreme control is required, but is difficult to use. Commonly used by OMAX Technical Support for diagnostics.

CAM

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

FastCam save file

CDL

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

Cadkey file

CMX

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

CorelDraw file

OMAX Layout converts CorelDraw CMX files into DXF format.

Note: Only version 2 CMX files are supported. Version 1 CMX files do not load and will generate an error

CNC

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

G-Code (1)

Control file for other machine tools, which Layout reads back in as vector data (See note 1)

CRW

Raster

Layout's Intelli-Trace

Cannon Digital Raw Image Format

CUR

Raster

Layout's Intelli-Trace

Windows Cursor file

Very small bitmap images - typically not suited for tracing. Consider experimenting with the "up convert" feature in the Image tracing for best results

DCX

Raster

Layout's Intelli-Trace

PC Paintbrush file

DWF

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

AutoCAD DWF file

Autodesk Design Web Format (typically read-only, but OMAX dissects into lines and arcs for editing)

DWG

Vector

Import From Other CAD

AutoCAD DWG file

This is a preferred file format for importing vector data. Three different DWG file importers are available for maximum compatibility (See note 4)
Supports up to AutoCAD version 2008

DXF

Vector

Import From Other CAD, and "Open"

AutoCAD DXF file

This is the OMAX preferred file format for importing vector data. Four different DXF file importers are available for maximum compatibility (See note 4)
Supports up to AutoCAD version 2008

EMF

Raster

Layout's Intelli-Trace

Enhanced Windows MetaFile

OMAX converts to raster, then reads as raster

EPS

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

Encapsulated Post Script

Encapsulated Post Script is mostly supported, but some "flavors" of EPS are not supported.

GIF

Raster

Layout's Intelli-Trace

Graphic Interchange Format

Commonly used for web site graphics, and typically low resolution or low quality

HTML

Text file (3)

Custom Reports in Make

Hypertext Markup Language

Widely used for web pages and similar documents. This is a good file fomat to use if custom reports need to have pictures of the part in them

HPG (6)

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

Hewlett Packard Graphics

Used for some pen plotters, as well as torch and plasma cutting

HPGL (6)

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

Hewlett Packard Graphics Language

Used for some pen plotters, as well as torch and plasma cutting

ICO

Raster

Layout's Intelli-Trace-Trace

Windows Icon file

Very small bitmap images - typically not suited for tracing. Consider experimenting with the "up convert" feature in the Image tracing for best results

IGES

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

Initial Graphics Exchange Specification

(Same as igs) A graphics format for exchanging data between CADs similar to DXF. 2 Different IGES importers are available for maximum compatibility (See note 4)

IGS

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

Initial Graphics Exchange Specification

(Same as IGES) A graphics format for exchanging data between CADs similar to DXF 2 Different IGES importers are available for maximum compatibility (See note 4)

j2k

Raster

Layout's Intelli-Trace

Jpeg 2000 file

An improvement on the JPG file format that allows greater image quality at higher compression levels and smaller file sizes

JP2

Raster

Layout's Intelli-Trace

Jpeg 2000 file

An improvement on the JPG file format that allows greater image quality at higher compression levels and smaller file sizes

JPEG

Raster

Layout's Intelli-Trace

lossybitmap image format

(Same as jpg)

JPG

Raster

Intelli-Trace / Render as Solid / Camera

lossy bitmap image format

(Same as jpeg) A very popular compressed file format used for pictures and images. Digital compression introduces "noise" into the image - for best results use files with minimum compression

MC2

Solid

3D Path Editor

Quake 2 Player Model

Can be viewed (but not edited) using the "Insert 3D Reference Object" command in the OMAX 3D Path Editor

MPG

Raster (Video)

Layout's Intelli-Trace

Video file

OMAX reads the first frame as raster, ignores other frames

N

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

G-Code (1)

Control file for other machine tools, which Layout reads back in as vector data (See note 1)

NC

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

G-Code (1)

Control file for other machine tools, which Layout reads back in as vector data (See note 1)

NCC

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

G-Code (1)

Control file for other machine tools, which Layout reads back in as vector data (See note 1)

OMX

Vector

3D Path Editor /Make

OMAX extended tool path file

Created in OMAX Layout or 3D Path Editor, similar to ORD file, except extended for more features such as 3D, consult the OIR for details. Supported also by many 3rd party software products.

ORD

Vector

Layout, Make, 3D Path Editor

OMAX Routed Data

Tool path file created in Make or other software. Details on this file format can be found in the OIR. Supported also by many 3rd party software products

PCX

Raster

Layout's Intelli-Trace

PC Paintbrush bitmap image

PDF

Raster and

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD and Intelli-TRACE

Portable Document Format

PDF files often are low-resolution and precision is lost in conversion. However this format can be convenient for rough estimating. PDF files can contain a mix of both Raster and Vector data. The vector portion is automatically translated upon importing, but the raster portion must be "traced" using either the manual or automatic image tracing functions, if it is needed.

PLT (6)

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

AutoCAD Plot Drawing

AutoCAD Vector Plot File (similar to HPGL)

PLY

Solid

3D Path Editor

Polygon model format

Can be viewed (but not edited) using the "Insert 3D Reference Object" command in the OMAX 3D Path Editor

PNG

Raster

Layout's Intelli-Trace

Portable Network Graphic file format

PRF

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

Visual Profiler CAM

PS

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

Postscript file

Postscript files are partly supported but are not a recommended solution for transferring data.

PTE

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

PXM

Raster

Layout's Intelli-Trace

Pixel Magician image file

RTF

Text file (3)

Custom Reports in Make

Rich Text Format

Very common file format used by text editors such as WordPad and Microsoft Word

SHX

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

AutoCAD Shape file

AutoCAD Shape file

SMD

Solid

3D Path Editor

Half Life model

Can be viewed (but not edited) using the "Insert 3D Reference Object" command in the OMAX 3D Path Editor

STL

Solid

3D Path Editor

Solid Modeling / Prototype file

Can be viewed (but not edited) using the "Insert 3D Reference Object" command in the OMAX 3D Path Editor

SVG

Vector

Layout's Import from Other CAD

Scalable Vector Graphics

Used primarily in artistic vector drawing programs - a recommended way to import from many vector illustration programs

TGA

Raster

Layout's Intelli-Trace

Truevision Targa Graphic

TIF

Raster

Layout's Intelli-Trace

Tagged Image Format File

Common in the printing industry, and typically high quality

TIN

Solid

3D Path Editor

Triangular Irregular Network

Can be viewed (but not edited) using the "Insert 3D Reference Object" command in the OMAX 3D Path Editor

TXT

(as g code)

Vector

Layout's Import From Other CAD

txt extension G code files

Read in the OMAX software as G-Code, not as "text" (See note 1 regarding G code) (See also "TXT as Text" below)

TXT

(as text)

Text file (3)

Custom Reports in Make

Ascii Text file

Very common file format used by text editors such as WordPad, NotePad, etc. See also "TXT (as g code) above. See also True Type Font and Tool Path Text.

WBMP

Raster

Layout's Intelli-Trace

Wireless BitmapFile Format

Graphic format optimized for mobile computing devices

WMF

Raster and

Vector

Layout's Intelli-Trace

Windows MetaFile

OMAX converts to raster, then reads as raster

XML

Text file (3)

Custom Reports in Make

Extensible Markup Language

Generic file format used widely for a huge variety of applications

Zip

Archive

"Create Report for Technical Support"

Compressed archive

Zip files contain multiple files in a single file, and can be viewed by double-clicking on them from Windows. ZIP is also used for the "backup" feature in Make as well as Technical Support Reports.