What is MIME type "application/x-dxb"?

A MIME type is a string that tells browsers and other tools how to handle a particular kind of file.

application/x-dxb is a MIME type that identifies files using the Drawing Interchange Binary Format.
This format stores drawing data in a binary structure, making it suited for precise technical illustrations.

It supports the exchange of detailed drawing information.
It is used in computer-aided design systems.
It helps maintain the integrity of technical details during data transfers.

Files of this type use the file extension DXB.
For more detailed technical information, visit Wikipedia: Computer-aided design.

Associated file extensions

.dxb

Usage Examples

HTTP Header

When serving content with this MIME type, set the Content-Type header:


    Content-Type: application/x-dxb

HTML

In HTML, you can specify the MIME type in various elements:


    <a href="file.dat" type="application/x-dxb">Download file</a>

Server-side (Node.js)

Setting the Content-Type header in Node.js:


    const http = require('http');    
    
    http.createServer((req, res) => {    
      res.setHeader('Content-Type', 'application/x-dxb');    
      res.end('Content here');    
    }).listen(3000);

Associated file extensions

.dxb

FAQs

Which software is required to open application/x-dxb files?

Files with the application/x-dxb MIME type are primarily associated with Autodesk AutoCAD. This binary format is typically created via the AutoCAD "DXB file" plotter configuration to flatten 3D drawings into 2D wireframes.

How do I configure an Apache server to serve .dxb files?

To ensure your Apache server sends the correct headers, add the following line to your .htaccess file or main configuration file: AddType application/x-dxb .dxb. This tells the server to associate the extension with the Drawing Interchange Binary MIME type.

Will web browsers display application/x-dxb files natively?

No, modern web browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Edge do not have built-in support for rendering CAD formats. When a user clicks a link to a file served as application/x-dxb, the browser will prompt the user to download the file instead of displaying it.

What is the difference between DXB and DXF files?

While both are interchange formats, DXB (Drawing Interchange Binary) is a binary format, making it more compact and faster to process for machines. In contrast, DXF is an ASCII text format, which is human-readable but results in larger file sizes.

How do I add the application/x-dxb MIME type in Nginx?

Open your mime.types file (usually located in /etc/nginx/) and add the entry: application/x-dxb dxb;. Alternatively, you can include it inside a types { ... } block within your server configuration block to ensure proper handling.

Why does IIS return a 404 error when accessing a .dxb file?

Microsoft IIS blocks unknown file extensions by default for security reasons. To fix this, open the IIS Manager, select your site, double-click MIME Types, and add a new entry with the extension .dxb and the MIME type application/x-dxb.

Is application/x-dxb a standard IANA MIME type?

No, the x- prefix in application/x-dxb indicates that it is a non-standard or proprietary extension. It is not officially registered with the IANA but is widely recognized by CAD applications for handling binary drawing data.

General FAQ

What is a MIME type?

A MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) type is a standard that indicates the nature and format of a document, file, or assortment of bytes. MIME types are defined and standardized in IETF's RFC 6838.

MIME types are important because they help browsers and servers understand how to process a file. When a browser receives a file from a server, it uses the MIME type to determine how to display or handle the content, whether it's an image to display, a PDF to open in a viewer, or a video to play.

MIME types consist of a type and a subtype, separated by a slash (e.g., text/html, image/jpeg, application/pdf). Some MIME types also include optional parameters.

How do I find the MIME type for a file?

You can check the file extension or use a file identification tool such as file --mime-type on the command line. Many programming languages also provide libraries to detect MIME types.

Why are multiple MIME types listed for one extension?

Different applications and historical conventions may use alternative MIME identifiers for the same kind of file. Showing them all helps ensure compatibility across systems.