What to Know
- A DWG document is a drawing created through AutoCAD.
- Open one with AutoCAD or without cost with Design Review, DWG TrueView, or Autodesk Viewer.
- Convert from DWG to PDF, JPG, and greater with the loose on line converter Zamzar.
This article explains what a DWG report is, a way to open one, and a way to convert one to a different document format like PDF, DXF, DGN, STL, and others.
What Is a DWG File?
A record with the .DWG report extension is an AutoCAD drawing. It shops metadata and 2D or 3D vector image drawings that can be used with CAD applications.
This layout is compatible with lots of 3-d drawing and CAD programs, which makes it easy to transfer drawings between programs. However, due to the fact there are numerous versions of the format, some DWG viewers can not open every kind.
Tip: DWG is also brief for some tech phrases that have nothing to do with a report format, like domain work institution and device operating group.
How to Open a DWG File
Autodesk has a unfastened DWG document viewer for Windows called DWG TrueView. They also have a free on line viewer referred to as Autodesk Viewer so one can work with any operating machine.
Of route, the complete Autodesk applications—AutoCAD, Design Review (this one is unfastened), and Fusion 360—apprehend this layout, too.
Some other DWG file visitors and editors encompass ABViewer, Adobe Illustrator, CorelCAD, ArchiCAD, eDrawings Viewer, BricsCAD, and DWG DXF Sharp Viewer.
How to Convert a DWG File
Zamzar can convert DWG to PDF, JPG, PNG, and different similar report codecs. Since it is a web DWG converter, it’s a lot faster to apply than one you have to install on your pc. However, it is simplest the quality alternative if the document isn’t always too massive, since anything absolutely massive will take a long term to upload/download. Plus, the unfastened version limits upload to 50 MB.
Another unfastened converter is Filestar. This one receives mounted in your pc, and it helps lots of export codecs, consisting of PNG and other pix, plus DXF, DWF, CDR, and CGM.
Other DWG documents may be converted with the viewers stated above. For instance, DWG TrueView can convert DWG to PDF, DWF, and DWFX, and DWG DXF Sharp Viewer can export DWGs as SVGs.
Newer DWG document codecs can’t open in older variations of AutoCAD. See Autodesk’s commands on saving a DWG file to an in advance model. You can do it with the unfastened DWG TrueView application via the DWG Convert button.
Microsoft has instructions on using a DWG report with Microsoft Visio. Once it’s opened there, the document may be converted to Visio shapes. You also can keep Visio diagrams to the DWG layout.
AutoCAD have to be able to convert the record to other formats like STL (Stereolithography), DGN (MicroStation Design), and STEP (STEP 3-d Model). However, you might get a better conversion to the DGN layout in case you use the MicroStation software.
TurboCAD supports the ones formats, too, so that you can use it to keep the DWG record to STEP, STP, STL, OBJ, EPS, DXF, DGN, 3DS, CGM, photograph formats, and several different document types.
Still Can’t Open It?
If your report doesn’t open after following the suggestions described above, test the report extension one greater time. You might be coping with a very one of a kind report extension. Especially if you’re now not familiar with CAD software program, there is little chance you are surely handling this particular record type.
For example, perhaps your record simply results in OWG or DYC. Although they might look just like DWG, these are Outwit database documents and Xerox printer motive force configuration files, respectively
Another instance of a comparable-looking, but totally unrelated extension, is BWG. This audio file is used by BrainWave Generator. Attempting to open one in a CAD software could throw an error message.
Other AutoCAD Formats
Several CAD codecs can hold 3D or 2D facts. Some of them look an lousy lot like “.DWG,” so it may be confusing how they vary. However, others use definitely special report extensions however are still used in the AutoCAD program.
DWF documents are popular because they may be given to inspectors who have no expertise of the format or CAD programs. The drawings can be visible and manipulated, however some of the information may be hidden away to prevent confusion or theft.
Some variations of AutoCAD use DRF documents, which stands for Discreet Render Format. These are crafted from the VIZ Render application that comes bundled with some older variations of AutoCAD. Because this layout is so old, starting one in AutoCAD would possibly make you store it to a more moderen format like MAX, for use with Autodesk 3ds Max.
AutoCAD additionally uses the PAT record extension. These are vector-based, plain textual content Hatch patterns used for storing image records for creating styles and textures. PSF files are AutoCAD PostScript patterns.
In addition to filling in patterns, AutoCAD makes use of Color Book documents with the ACB file extension to store a group of colors. These are used to color surfaces or fill in lines.
Text documents that hold scene records created in AutoCAD are stored with the ASE report extension. These are undeniable text files so that they’re extra easily utilized by similar programs.
Digital asset change files (DAEs) are used by AutoCAD and different CAD packages to exchange materials between applications, like pics, textures, and fashions.
