Free online FODG to DXF converter

FODG files are commonly converted when a mind map or flowchart must be opened in CAD software, sent to a plotter, or delivered to a system that accepts DXF geometry. DXF is also more widely supported for exchanging editable vector outlines between technical drawing applications.

What the FODG format is

FODG is the flat XML version of the OpenDocument Graphics format used by LibreOffice Draw and Apache OpenOffice Draw. It stores drawing-page information, text, connectors, arrows, flowchart shapes, styles, embedded objects, and other vector content in readable XML rather than in a compressed package.

You may encounter FODG files when a diagram was saved with LibreOffice Draw using File → Save As and the Flat XML ODF Drawing (.fodg) format. The format is suitable for editing mind maps and flowcharts in Draw, but many CAD, cutting, and plotting programs do not open it directly.

What the DXF format is

DXF, or Drawing Exchange Format, is a text- or binary-based CAD interchange format originally associated with AutoCAD. It represents drawing entities such as lines, polylines, arcs, circles, layers, blocks, and sometimes text or hatch patterns.

DXF is useful when the converted diagram must be imported into AutoCAD, DraftSight, QCAD, CNC preparation software, laser-cutting workflows, or other applications that use CAD geometry. It generally provides better interoperability for outlines than FODG, but it does not preserve every OpenDocument drawing feature.

How to convert FODG to DXF

Using the built-in converter

1. Open the FODG file on 101convert.com.
2. Select DXF as the output format and start the conversion.
3. Download the generated DXF file and inspect it in the target CAD or drawing program.

This option requires no installed software and is free on the 101convert.com website.

Using LibreOffice Draw and Inkscape

1. Make a copy of the original FODG file.
2. Open the copy in LibreOffice Draw and check page size, object positions, connectors, and text.
3. Export it as SVG through File → Export, selecting SVG. For a headless conversion, use libreoffice --headless --convert-to svg --outdir output diagram.fodg.
4. Open the resulting SVG in Inkscape.
5. For geometry-only output, select relevant objects and use Path → Object to Path. Keep a copy with live text if text editing is still required.
6. Use File → Save a Copy or File → Export, choose an AutoCAD DXF option such as Desktop Cutting Plotter (AutoCAD DXF R14), and save the file.
7. Open the DXF in the destination application and verify scale, layers, line types, text, and connector placement.

Quality and compatibility limitations

DXF is not a complete representation of an FODG drawing. Basic lines, polygons, circles, and converted text usually transfer best. FODG-specific connectors, gradients, shadows, grouped objects, arrowheads, embedded images, page backgrounds, and complex flowchart shapes may be simplified, separated into several entities, or omitted.

Set the intended drawing units and page scale before exporting. SVG commonly uses pixels while DXF workflows may expect millimeters or inches; confirm the resulting dimensions with a known measurement in the target program.

Text can become missing or incorrectly substituted if the original font is unavailable. Converting text to paths improves visual consistency but removes searchable and editable text. DXF support also varies by application, so choose R12 or R14 when the receiving software has limited support for newer DXF entities.