PVFARM – File navigation (Import / Export)

File Type / Category	What It Is	Typical Source Software	What It Is Used For	Workflow
DXF with 2D (flat) layouts	CAD drawing with lines, boundaries, equipment, roads	AutoCAD, Civil 3D, any CAD tool	Defines base project geometry: modules, transformers, roads, fences, boundaries	Table 3
SHP, KML, KMZ with Boundaries	GIS geospatial formats	Google Earth ArcGIS, QGIS,	Import buildable areas, exclusion/inclusion zones, protected areas, setbacks	Table 3
GeoTIFF, Contour DXF, XML with Terrain Data	Digital Terrain Models	GIS tools, survey data, LiDAR, CAD contour files	Provides elevation, slopes, terrain shape	Table 3
PNG with Images	Raster image only	Google Maps, screenshots, scanned drawings	Visual underlay only: aerial imagery, scanned DWG, map backgrounds	Table 3

Tool	Used For
AutoCAD (Standard)	Boundaries, roads, constraints, layout lines, block creation, basic exports
Civil 3D	Terrain, surfaces, grading, cut/fill, GIS data, CRS alignment
PVFARM CAD Plugin	Convert CAD objects into PVFARM‑standard layout objects
PVFARM Export Manager UI	Package and export site, layout and constraints for PVFARM
PVsyst	Energy yield and shading modeling (via tracker export)

File Type / Category	Workflow
DXF with 2D (flat) layouts	1. Preparing CAD File for PVFARM Import 2. Import in PVFARM 3. Import Troubleshooting Guide 4. Export from PVFARM
SHP, KML, KMZ with Boundaries	1. Preparing Google Earth file for PVFARM Import 2. Import in PVFARM 3. Import Troubleshooting Guide 4. Export from PVFARM
GeoTIFF, Contour DXF, XML with Terrain Data	1. Prepare and generate terrain files for PVFARM 2. Import in PVFARM 3. Import Troubleshooting Guide 4. Export from PVFARM
PNG with Images	1. Preparing and Importing image in PVFARM

Purpose: - this article helps you choose the right workflow based on the file you have. You do NOT need to understand technical terms. Just find your file type and click the guide.