Q.01What is a DXF AAMA file?+
DXF AAMA is the apparel-industry flavour of the DXF format, defined by the American Apparel & Footwear Association. Each pattern piece is stored as a block with its cut line, sew line, grain line, notches, internal lines and text (piece name, size, quantity) on standard layers, so pattern CAD and 3D software can import it as real pattern pieces instead of loose lines.
Q.02Which programs can open the file?+
Any software that imports DXF AAMA: CLO3D and Marvelous Designer, Browzwear VStitcher, Gerber AccuMark, Optitex, Lectra Modaris, Tukatech, Valentina / Seamly2D and most other apparel CAD systems.
Q.03Which PDFs work?+
Vector PDFs, which is how almost every digital sewing pattern is sold: A0 / copy-shop sheets, large-format single sheets and print-at-home A4 or US Letter tiles. Multi-size patterns are supported: you pick the size and we extract only those lines. Scanned paper patterns (photos or image-only PDFs) are not supported yet.
Q.04Do I pay before I see the result?+
No. Upload is free and you get a preview of every detected piece with its size, seam allowance, grain line and notches. You only pay €15 when the preview looks right, and you can switch sizes for free before or after paying.
Q.05Is the pattern drawn at the correct scale?+
Yes. Coordinates are taken from the vector drawing in millimetres, so pieces come out at 1:1 — there is no printer scaling involved. As with any pattern, measure a known piece after import before you cut.
Q.06What if the file doesn't open in my CAD software?+
Write to us with the program and version. We will fix the file or refund the €15 — see the refund policy.
Q.07Is my file private?+
Yes. Your files are never shared, published or used to train anything. Files you buy stay in your account so you can download them again; the privacy policy explains what we keep and for how long.
Q.08Can I get my PDF as one page for the copy shop, or split for my printer?+
Yes. From any PDF pattern we make print files for €5: one long sheet for a copy-shop roll (the print-at-home tiles assembled, or several A0 sheets joined), and the pattern split into A0, A1, A2, A3, A4 or US Letter sheets. Tile frames and page numbers of the original are taken out, and every file starts with test squares and an assembly map.
Q.09Can I print a DXF pattern?+
Yes. Upload a DXF AAMA file from your pattern CAD and we lay the pieces out at 1:1 on an 80 cm roll, with names, grain lines and notches, and split the layout into A0 to A4 or Letter sheets. The print files cost €5.
Q.10Can I convert patterns I bought from a designer?+
Only upload patterns you own or have the right to use, and confirm that with the box on the upload form. Converting a pattern you bought for your own sewing or sampling is usually covered by the designer's personal-use licence; sharing or reselling the converted file is not, and you are responsible for it. When in doubt, ask the designer.
Q.11Do you add seam allowance?+
We keep what the pattern contains. If the PDF has both a cut line and a sew line, both go into the DXF (layers 1 and 14). If the pattern has no seam allowance, the outline is exported as the boundary and you add allowance in your CAD.
Q.12How long does a conversion take?+
Usually a few seconds. Large A0 files with many sizes can take up to a minute or two.