There are two ways to work with AutoCAD drawings, pictures, stock images, and other graphic files in Visio: you can import them to start a new Visio drawing, or you can insert them into an existing Visio drawing.
Import a graphics file to start a new Visio drawing
You can import graphics files of different formats to start a new Visio drawing by using the Open command on the File tab.
The following graphics file formats are supported:
- AutoCAD Drawing File Format (.dwg, .dxf)
- Compressed Enhanced Metafile (.emz)
- Enhanced Metafile (.emf)
- Graphics Interchange Format (.gif)
- JPEG File Interchange Format (.jpg)
- Portable Network Graphics (.png)
- Scalable Vector Graphics Drawing (.svg, .svgz)
- Tag Image File Format (.tif, .tiff)
- Windows Bitmap (.bmp, .dib)
- Windows Metafile (.wmf)
Note
File formats may vary slightly between language versions. You may not get exactly the same results if you import files created in different language versions.
- On the File tab, select Open and then browse to the location of the file that you want to import.
- In the Files of type box, select the file format of the file you want to import.
If you don't see the file format listed, Visio doesn't have a file filter for that format. Try saving the document in a format Visio can open. - Select the file, and then select Open.
Insert a graphics file into an existing Visio drawing
You can insert AutoCAD drawings, pictures, and stock images into an existing Visio drawing by using commands on the Insert tab.
Insert an AutoCAD drawing
On the Insert tab, select CAD Drawing.
Locate the CAD file and select Open.
To accept the default CAD drawing settings, select OK.
Note
The default CAD drawing settings are designed to ensure optimal results when you insert a CAD drawing. It is best to avoid adjusting the default settings unless you have a specific aim in mind.
When you insert a drawing in AutoCAD DWG or DXF format, you insert the last saved spatial view of the CAD drawing. A CAD drawing may have been saved in model space or paper space.
- Model space is the primary drawing workspace in which CAD drafters create drawings.
- Paper space is a workspace that is analogous to a sheet of paper, in which CAD drafters can arrange different views of the drawing.
The following image shows a DWG drawing saved in paper space.
The drawing contains two rectangular viewports. A viewport is a window into the three-dimensional CAD drawing. Each viewport can be set to a different scale or angle.
Insert a picture or stock images
On the Insert tab, select Pictures > Online Pictures.
Browse to the location of the file that you want to insert, select the file, and then select Open.
Tip
You can also open graphics files from the File tab. On the File tab, select Open. Browse to the location of the graphic, and in the Files of type list, select the graphics file format that you want. Locate the file, and select Open. Some files that you import into Visio drawings as graphic images appear as metafiles. However, bitmap files, such as .dib, .bmp, .pcx, and so on, remain bitmaps in the Visio drawing.