Metadata Export - CADshift Docs

This guide explains how to use CADshift’s metadata export feature to embed part information directly into your DXF files as text annotations.

What is Metadata Export?

Metadata export adds text annotations to your DXF files containing important part information such as:

Part name and configuration
Material type
Thickness
Quantity
Mass/weight
Bounding box dimensions
Custom properties

This information travels with the DXF file, making it easy for machine operators to identify parts and verify specifications.

Why Export Metadata?

Benefit	Description
Part identification	Operators can identify parts without external paperwork
Specification verification	Material and thickness visible on the file
Traceability	Part numbers and revision info embedded
Automation	Machine software can read and use the data
Quality control	Easy to verify correct file is loaded

Enabling Metadata Export

Open the DXF Export PropertyManager
Click the Settings tab
Scroll to the Metadata Export section
Check Export metadata to DXF
Configure the metadata template

Metadata Template

The metadata template uses tokens that are replaced with actual values during export.

Available Tokens

Token	Description	Example Value
`<MODEL_TITLE>`	Part file name	“Bracket”
`<MATERIAL>`	Material property	“Steel AISI 304”
`<THICKNESS>`	Sheet metal thickness	“2.0”
`<QUANTITY>`	Quantity (from BOM)	“4”
`<MASS>`	Part mass	“0.245”
`<CONFIGURATION>`	Configuration name	“Default”
`<AABB_WIDTH>`	Axis-aligned box width	“150.00”
`<AABB_HEIGHT>`	Axis-aligned box height	“200.00”
`<MABB_WIDTH>`	Minimum box width	“142.35”
`<MABB_HEIGHT>`	Minimum box height	“185.20”
`<UNIT>`	Length unit name	“mm”
`<CUSTOM:PropertyName>`	Any custom property	(varies)

Example Template

Part: <MODEL_TITLE>
Material: <MATERIAL>
Thickness: <THICKNESS> <UNIT>
Size: <AABB_WIDTH> x <AABB_HEIGHT> <UNIT>
Qty: <QUANTITY>

Example Output

Part: Bracket-001
Material: Steel AISI 304
Thickness: 2.0 mm
Size: 150.00 x 200.00 mm
Qty: 4

Custom Properties

Access any SOLIDWORKS custom property using the <CUSTOM:PropertyName> syntax:

Custom Property	Token
PartNumber	`<CUSTOM:PartNumber>`
Revision	`<CUSTOM:Revision>`
Description	`<CUSTOM:Description>`
Vendor	`<CUSTOM:Vendor>`
Cost	`<CUSTOM:Cost>`

Property Names

Property names are case-sensitive. Ensure your token matches the exact property name defined in SOLIDWORKS.

Text Placement

Metadata text is automatically positioned:

Location: Adjacent to the part geometry
Offset: Small gap from the bounding box
Layer: Placed on the configurable Note/Metadata layer

The text won’t overlap with cutting geometry.

Layer Configuration

Set the metadata text layer on the Notes row of your Output Profile’s Layers grid:

Note Layer - Set custom name for metadata text
Color - Choose a distinct color (e.g., green, cyan)
Typical names: “NOTES”, “METADATA”, “INFO”, “TEXT”

Tip

Use a color that stands out but won’t be confused with cutting paths. Many shops use green for informational text.

Workflow Example

Step 1: Configure Template

Create a template matching your shop’s requirements:

P/N: <CUSTOM:PartNumber>
Rev: <CUSTOM:Revision>
Mat: <MATERIAL> - <THICKNESS><UNIT>
Box: <AABB_WIDTH>x<AABB_HEIGHT>

Step 2: Set Up Custom Properties

In SOLIDWORKS, ensure your parts have the required custom properties:

Go to File → Properties
Add properties: PartNumber, Revision, etc.
Fill in values

Step 3: Export

Select parts to export
Verify metadata preview (if available)
Export DXF files

Step 4: Verify

Open the DXF and confirm:

Text is present and readable
Values are correct
Placement doesn’t interfere with geometry

Use Cases

Machine Shop Identification

JOB: <CUSTOM:JobNumber>
PART: <MODEL_TITLE>
QTY: <QUANTITY>

Material Verification

MATERIAL: <MATERIAL>
THICK: <THICKNESS><UNIT>
VERIFY BEFORE CUTTING

Nesting Information

<MODEL_TITLE>
<AABB_WIDTH> x <AABB_HEIGHT> <UNIT>
Min: <MABB_WIDTH> x <MABB_HEIGHT>

Full Part Data

═══════════════════════════
Part: <MODEL_TITLE>
Config: <CONFIGURATION>
───────────────────────────
Material: <MATERIAL>
Thickness: <THICKNESS> <UNIT>
Mass: <MASS> kg
───────────────────────────
Box: <AABB_WIDTH> x <AABB_HEIGHT>
Qty: <QUANTITY>
═══════════════════════════

Best Practices

Keep it concise - Include only essential information
Use consistent formatting - Standardize across all exports
Test with operators - Get feedback on what info is needed
Consider automation - Format data for machine software parsing
Use distinct layers - Keep text separate from cutting geometry

Text Formatting

The metadata text is exported as simple single-line or multi-line text:

Font: Standard CAD font (typically simplex or similar)
Size: Appropriate for the part scale
Alignment: Left-aligned by default

Troubleshooting

Token not replaced

If you see <TOKEN> instead of a value:

Check the token spelling (case-sensitive)
Verify the property exists in SOLIDWORKS
Ensure the property has a value (not blank)

Text not visible

Check the metadata layer is visible
Zoom to extents to find the text
Verify Export metadata is enabled

Text overlapping geometry

The text is placed outside the bounding box
If overlap occurs, check for stray geometry extending the bounds
Adjust text position in post-processing if needed

Missing custom properties

Custom properties must exist in the SOLIDWORKS file:

Open the part in SOLIDWORKS
Go to File → Properties
Add the missing property
Re-export

Integration with Other Features

Metadata export works seamlessly with:

Bounding Box Export - Include box dimensions in metadata
File Naming - Use same tokens for consistent data
Batch Export - Metadata generated for each part individually

Next Steps

Configure Layer Settings for metadata text
Set up Custom File Names using the same tokens
Learn about Bounding Box Export for dimension data