CET allows you to import AutoCAD files with the file formats .dwg or .dxf. 

There are three ways to import an AutoCAD drawing into CET. You can:

• use the CAD dialog button on the Tools component tab
• drag the drawing in from Windows File Explorer
• select Import Drawing from the File menu

Before using any of these ways, make sure you place a zero point in your drawing, as described below.

Inserting a CAD zero point

Before importing an AutoCAD file, a zero point should be inserted in the drawing area. A zero point determines a CAD drawing’s position in the CET drawing area and corresponds to the zero point in AutoCAD. A zero point is important when multiple CAD drawings are being inserted. If no zero point is established, the drawings may not line up correctly.

To insert a zero point, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Tools component tab.
2. Under CAD Tools, select the CAD zero point:
   
   
   
   
3. Click it into position in the 2D or the 3D view. The zero point snaps to all components in the drawing by default. To override this behavior, press and hold the Shift key while placing the zero point.

Use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl+H to select and pan the 2D view to your CAD zero point.

Import a drawing through the CAD Settings dialog or the File menu

Follow the steps below to import a CAD drawing:

1. Click the CAD settings icon on the Tools component tab:
   

   

   Alternately, you can import a file through the File menu in the Import & Export section, then open the CAD settings by double-clicking the CAD plan, or by clicking Settings in the green quick properties box.
2. Click Import new:
   
3. In the Open dialog, locate the file you are looking for. Select the file name and click Open.
4. Select your settings on the CAD properties and CAD layers tabs.
5. Click Insert to insert the CAD file into your drawing.

Drag & drop dwg import

1. In your Windows File Explorer, locate the CAD drawing to insert.
2. Click-and-drag it into the CET drawing.

You can access the CAD Settings from the green quick properties box, or by simply double-clicking on the CAD drawing.

If you drag & drop a drawing file smaller than 1 MB (or 100 m2) into CET, it will behave like a symbol inserted from a component tab and will remain on your cursor so it can be placed multiple times. When you have finished, hit Esc or move your cursor outside of the drawing area to escape the command.

If there are there are errors during import, CET will alert you with this message:

This dialog will not block placement of your CAD drawing, and you can choose to block it from popping up again during the ongoing session.

After importing a CAD file, you can resize it by clicking and dragging the yellow resizing points. Just make sure to enable resizing first by selecting the CAD file and unchecking the Lock Scale option in the properties box: