DXF Simplify Tool
LocalDXF simplify tool, free online with no upload: reduce polyline vertices with Douglas-Peucker for lighter CAD, CNC or GIS files — runs in your browser.
Sample data loaded — click "Simplify DXF" to try it.
What is it? DXF Simplify reduces the number of vertices in DXF polylines and polygons using the Douglas-Peucker algorithm, keeping the overall shape within your tolerance while producing lighter files for CAD, GIS or CNC.
TL;DR: Simplify DXF files in your browser, no upload: Douglas-Peucker vertex reduction on polylines and polygons, with before/after vertex and byte counts plus a line-art preview. Paste an ASCII DXF, set the tolerance, then copy or download simplified.dxf — free, no sign-in.
How to use
- Paste ASCII DXF text into the input (a sample is pre-filled).
- Set the tolerance (in drawing units) — smaller keeps more detail.
- Click "Simplify DXF", then copy or download simplified.dxf.
FAQ
Do circles and arcs stay as arc entities?
No. Circles and arcs are flattened to sampled polyline points before simplification, and the result is written as polylines. Check curved edges after simplifying.
How do I choose a tolerance?
It is in drawing units — start small (for example 0.1) and increase until the shape is simplified enough without visible distortion.
Does it support binary DXF?
No — ASCII DXF only. Paste the ASCII text or re-export an ASCII DXF from your CAD editor; binary files are not accepted.
Why didn't my file get smaller?
Small drawings with few vertices may not shrink: the output is rewritten by a standardizing rewriter, and the panel shows byte counts before and after.
Is it free? Do I need an account?
Free and no sign-in — pasting, simplifying and downloading all run in your browser, and the drawing never leaves your device.
Can I simplify a DWG file?
No — DWG is AutoCAD's closed format, and binary DXF is not accepted either. Export or save your drawing as ASCII DXF from your CAD tool, then paste it in.
How do I know how much was removed?
The result line reports vertex and byte counts before → after, and says so when the byte size did not shrink — small drawings with few vertices may not get smaller because the output is rewritten by a standardizing rewriter.
Why simplify before laser cutting or CNC?
Fewer vertices mean less time for CAM software to decode and process the file, and a smaller file to share or store — while the shape stays within the tolerance you set.
Examples
- Paste DXF → set a tolerance → simplify
- Dense polyline layout → tolerance 0.1 → smaller simplified.dxf for CAM
- Client sent a heavy DXF → decimate vertices → lighter file to share
Supported formats
Limitations
- Larger tolerance means more simplification (less precision); tolerance is in drawing units — start at 0.1.
- Circles and arcs are flattened to sampled polyline points before simplification; the output is written as polylines.
- Only LINE/LWPOLYLINE/POLYLINE/CIRCLE/ARC/POINT/TEXT/MTEXT are processed; splines, ellipses, block references and hatches are skipped (kept out of the output, reported per type in the result panel), and text is kept as a point (position only, content dropped).
- The output is written by a standardizing rewriter: small drawings with few vertices may not get smaller — the summary line shows bytes before → after and says so when size did not shrink.
- Y is written as-is — no mirroring; the output declares no units ($INSUNITS=0), so millimeters are never assumed.
- ASCII DXF only; runs locally in your browser — nothing is uploaded.
Privacy
Privacy first: this tool runs entirely in your browser — your input and files never leave your device, and everything is cleared when you close the page.