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Quick Start

Convert your first file in five steps. This walkthrough uses a GDSII-to-DXF conversion as an example, but the same workflow applies to any format pair.

Step 1 — Select Input Format

Launch LinkCAD. The main window presents the conversion wizard.

  1. In the Import section, click Browse and select your input file (e.g., design.gds)
  2. LinkCAD auto-detects the format from the file extension. You can also select the format manually from the dropdown.

Tip

Drag and drop a file onto the LinkCAD window to open it directly.

Step 2 — Configure Import Options

The import options dialog appears with settings specific to the detected format. For GDSII, common options include:

  • Ignore text elements — skip text labels during import
  • Font size — set the size for imported text elements

For most conversions, the defaults work well. Click Next to continue.

Step 3 — Select Output Format

  1. Choose the export format from the Export dropdown (e.g., DXF)
  2. Specify the output file path, or let LinkCAD generate one automatically

Step 4 — Configure Export Options

The export options dialog shows settings for the chosen output format. For DXF, common options include:

  • Format version — R12, R14, or 2000+ for compatibility with your target CAD system
  • Output units — match the unit system expected by the receiving application
  • Precision — coordinate decimal places
  • Flatten hierarchy — expand cell references into a single level

Step 5 — Convert

Click Convert. LinkCAD reads the input file, applies any configured tools, and writes the output file. A progress bar shows the conversion status.

When complete, the viewer displays the converted geometry. Use the mouse wheel to zoom, middle-button drag to pan, and the measurement tool to verify dimensions.

What's Next