Convert DWS to CFM

Understanding dws and cfm file formats

DWS files are AutoCAD Drawing Standards files used to enforce CAD standards in DWG drawings. They contain layer, dimension, linetype, and text style standards but do not store drawing geometry. CFM files are ColdFusion Markup files, which are web templates written in CFML (ColdFusion Markup Language) and used for dynamic web content generation.

Is direct dws to cfm conversion possible?

There is no direct conversion between DWS and CFM formats, as they serve entirely different purposes: DWS is for CAD standards, while CFM is for web development. However, if you need to extract information from a DWS file and use it in a CFM template (for example, to display CAD standards on a website), you must first extract the data from the DWS file and then manually or programmatically insert it into a CFM file.

How to extract data from a dws file

To access the contents of a DWS file, use AutoCAD or a compatible CAD application:

• Open AutoCAD.
• File → Open and select your DWS file.
• Review the standards (layers, linetypes, etc.).
• Export or note the required information for use in your CFM file.

How to use dws data in a cfm file

Once you have the standards information, you can create a new CFM file using a text editor or an IDE like Adobe ColdFusion Builder:

• Open your editor and create a new file with a .cfm extension.
• Insert the extracted standards information as needed, using CFML tags to format or display the data dynamically.
• Save the file and deploy it to your ColdFusion server.

Recommended software for the process

• AutoCAD – for opening and extracting data from DWS files.
• Adobe ColdFusion Builder or any text editor – for creating and editing CFM files.

Summary

While direct conversion from DWS to CFM is not possible, you can manually extract standards from a DWS file using AutoCAD and incorporate them into a CFM file for web use. This process requires both CAD and web development tools.