This extension indicates that the file contains graphic data, a drawing. Information is stored in vector format - this format is the most popular option for projects in CAD programs. The data can be in 2D or 3D, but some users find it difficult to view dwg files.

How to open dwg file

To open such a format, you should use a specialized dwg viewer. At best it should be AutoCAD software(AutoCAD), but you will have to pay a lot of money for its use. If you do not work with this format all the time, such a purchase will not be appropriate, and it is much easier to download a free viewer (a program for dwg viewer files) and open the drawing through it. Many of these applications are compatible with all modern operating systems:

  • Mac (Apple);
  • windows;
  • linux.

Free programs for working with dwg

There are a number of free programs that can open the drawing format. They do not provide such wide functionality as their paid counterparts, but they are quite enough to get acquainted with a drawing or a project. How to open dwg format for free:

  1. DWG Trueview. A free utility that allows you to open the format but not edit it. Designed "read-only". To use the application, you need to register on the developer's website.
  2. Autodesk Design Review - free option programs from the creators of AutoCAD themselves. Unlike its "full" version, this utility does not require payment. Provides the ability to view the document, leave notes and comments, but not edit.
  3. Brava! Free DWG Viewer is the easiest option than to open dwg format. It is not possible to make changes to the drawing. Able to read this program and the XRef extension.
  4. eDrawings Viewer - free app from the developers of SolidWorks. It provides an opportunity not only to open, but also to send documents in dwg, dxf, edrw format for printing.
  5. nanoCAD- free editor for CAD management entry level. It has direct support for the project format, has all the necessary functionality for working with drawings, design and production. Download to be latest version nanoCAD, which contains all the necessary fixes and additional functions: DirectX support, autocad files, quick pick objects, auto-correction and auto-completion.
  6. DraftSight is a product of Dassault Systèmes that is distributed free of charge. It does not have a manual in Russian, so to study it you need to know English.

Viewing dwg files with free online services

Not every computer owner will want to install some kind of software that will have to be used only once. In such cases, viewing is well suited online services that do not require downloading, installation on a PC. How to open dwg format online:

  1. ShareCAD - the service is easy to find in Google search, designed to read documents with an extension from the AutoCAD program. The application interface is very simple, understandable for any user. Able to open a project, the size of which does not exceed 50 mb. If the file size is exceeded, then it will need to be reduced.
  2. Autodesk 360 is cloud service from Autodesk. To use it, you need to go through the registration procedure, after which you will receive 5 GB of memory for storing files, the ability to view and edit the document.

List of paid professional programs

If a person needs not only the ability to read projects with drawings, but also to make changes, or maybe create their own, you should use full-fledged, professional options programs. They will also help with the question of how you can open the dwg format.

  1. Compass is a domestic product from the ASCON company. Opens full functionality for working with drawings, provides the ability to perform work in accordance with the standards of the ESKD series. The program has several options: Home, LT, 3D, Graph, SPDS. The first three versions are used for non-commercial purposes. The functionality of such software provides the ability to quickly generate a set of documentation, create additional images, import, export models, open third-party formats.
  2. AutoCAD is the main tool for design engineers, architects. This is a very powerful tool for creating projects, drawings in three-dimensional space. Regular user it will be difficult to figure it out, because the work environment is designed for people with knowledge in this area. The program is distributed on a subscription system, you will have to pay for it regularly. The developers have provided full-fledged functionality for creating documentation, working with tables, text inserts, and checking drawings. The application has the ability to interact with MS Excel.
  3. ArchiCAD is a CAD software package for architects from Graphisoft. It is widely used for the design of landscape solutions, building structures, design elements, furniture. The main advantage of this software is the close interconnection of all parts of the project with each other. It is based on the technology of the "virtual building", which opens up the possibility of working both with individual elements and with the entire drawing. If you make changes in the plan, then all specifications will be recalculated, changes will be automatically made to sections. This greatly reduces the time spent on design. A professional, even during the creation of a drawing, will be able to identify possible problems, eliminate them so that they do not show up in later stages or on the construction site.
  4. Advance Steel is an application for AutoCAD that opens up the possibility for fast modeling of steel structures. The utility is capable of creating automatic mode working and general drawings, statements, data files for CNC machines. The application simplifies interaction with the format for both an individual employee and the entire team during collaboration. Advance Steel is part of complete solution GRAITEC, which is able to automate the construction process.

Many designers, planners and people with similar professions often have a question related to how to open a DWG file online.

The fact is that this is a fairly popular format of the most famous design in the world.

It is most often used to demonstrate drawings. But there are situations when there is no need to buy a licensed AutoCAD, and you just need to look at the project.

Then the opportunity comes to the rescue right in the browser.

We will look at some of the most convenient resources that allow you to complete the task.

Content:

ShareCAD

2 Click on "Download". It is a blue folder icon. A standard dialog will open in which you need to select the location of the source. Do this and the drawing will load.

Thanks to such simple actions, you can not only open, but also perform various actions with DWG files.

program-pro.ru

2 Click on "Select File". A standard dialog will open, in which you will also need to specify where the source drawing is located. Do it and click "Download".

3 An image will open slightly below. As you can see, there are several cropped version of ShareCAD, in which there are only buttons for scaling, changing the background, layers, and returning to the standard view.

In principle, there are a lot of such resources that use the API. But the next resource is not like that.

Autodesk Viewer

This is a completely unique platform that other resources do not use. Registration is required to use it.

But it's worth it as Autodesk Viewer is a much more powerful option than ShareCAD or any other options.

3D models are displayed much more detailed and beautiful here.

To use the platform, do the following:

  • An authorization window will appear. If you already have an account in the system, just enter your email address and click "Next". And if not, click on the inscription "Create account» . In this case, you will need to enter your full name, and other data, as well as set a password. A standard letter will be sent to the mail with a link to confirm registration, which will need to be opened. After that, follow this step again from the beginning, that is, click on "Get Started Viewing", but now calmly enter your e-mail and click "Next".

  • Authorization can also occur automatically after you have indicated all the data as part of the registration of a new account. In any case, you will get to new page, where you will need to click on "Upload new file".

Causes confusion. Non-standard format, which is not clear how to open. And the answer is not so complicated. In this format, most of the design and

design documentation, which is developed using the world-famous package of this class - "AUTOCAD". This CAD system is ideal for a wide range of tasks, which makes it widely used. But besides this complex, there are other programs that can open such files. First of all, it is worth highlighting the various viewers, for example, "Illustrator" from "Adobe". Among the domestic means of this class, one can single out the development of the Ascon company called Compass. For him, also, in principle, the DWG-extension is "native".

main product

The first CAD system to start working with this file extension in operating systems Windows was "AUTOCAD". The ability to develop any drawings: from modest 2D scans to 3D assemblies - has led to the fact that this system is rightfully one of the most popular in the world today. But such

the solution was well suited for designers and designers. Those who work with documentation created in this way were not in a very good position. There was no point in buying a separate license from Autodesk. There were 2 solutions left. Or require paper copies (also an inconvenient solution - a lot of drawings on large format difficult to process and deal with them). But the second option eventually received practical implementation. This German software developer has released a free program for viewing such documentation - "Trueview". It is also capable of processing files that have the DWG extension.

Viewers

Many third-party developers have tried to create an analogue free utility from a German company. At the same time, those that have more functionality than Trueview even try to sell their developments. Such a decision is fully justified. The following programs are examples:

  • "DraftSight";
  • "nanoCAD";
  • "Illustrator".

They all have one thing in common - an attempt to provide more functionality for the user than it is in the original product. With their help, you can open a file with a DWG extension. Which one to choose depends on the end user.

Domestic analogues

All the software presented earlier is not Russian-speaking. Also, it is not optimized for our GOSTs. In this regard, it became logical for Ascon to issue

a program of this class, which would be Russified and contain domestic standards. It is called "Compass" and the DWG file extension is capable of handling. There are 2 versions of this program. One of them is the usual "Compass Viewer" viewer. The second is "Compass 3D". With it, you can even edit such documents and save changes to them. True, at the same time they are transformed, and it is impossible to open them with the help of German software later.

Summary

This material answers the question: "DWG file extension: how to open it?" It is important to understand that this is a highly specialized electronic document. It can only be edited or viewed using special programs. The range of such software is quite wide, but it can be divided into 2 types: viewers and editors. Depending on your requests, you can choose the appropriate program.

The DWG format is used by CAD applications to store 2D or 3D designs. It can be a sectional drawing of a prism or a few gears from wrist watch. It happens that you urgently need to view an AutoCAD file when there is no computer at hand or programs for opening such files are not installed.

How to View DWG Files Online

Development modern technologies and the relevance of this issue have led to the fact that you can even open a DWG file via the Internet on several online services. This article provides a short overview of three resources where you can do this.

Method 1: A360 Viewer

Autodesk is one of the main companies that supports this format and you can open and view the DWG file on their website. Someone may be repelled by the fact that there is no Russian language, but for simple viewing this is not at all necessary.

Go to A360 Viewer Online Service

    1. At the very beginning of the page there is a button " Upload your designs”and even without knowing the language, the design itself suggests that this is exactly what you need.


    1. Next, you can download the file from the cloud or from your device. Button " select file” will bring up a dialog where you can select a document to view from your computer or mobile device.


    1. After that, the site will ask you to agree to the terms of use and ask if there are other files. If there is only one file, you can safely click on the button "No more files«


  1. After uploading the file to the server, you can simply view it, measure individual parts of the file, and even turn off certain layers, if any.


Method 2: ShareCAD

Another resource where you can view DWG files is ShareCAD. The interface here is not as intuitive as on the previous site, but it can please the presence of the Russian language. On the other hand, the page will look the same on all devices, which is also good.
Go to ShareCAD Online Service

    1. The button for uploading to the server is at the very top left. After clicking, it is enough to select a document from the computer.

  1. When viewing a file, you can change the scale and turn off layers. This site is limited.


Method 3: ProfiCAD

Another resource, made in a very minimalist style, also allows you to view DWG files. Here you can’t turn off layers at all and the image may look inverted, i.e. black instead of white and vice versa. There is no Russian language here either. But the site copes with the task of viewing the document as such.
Go to ProfiCAD Online Service

    1. First you need to click on the button Browse” and select a file from your device. After that, you need to click on the button "OK".


  1. After uploading on the site, you can view the drawing as a PNG image in a separate tab, or view individual parts of the drawing and at the same time see the full picture.


Conclusion

You can open a DWG file online on various resources, and the availability of alternatives allows you to choose what is more necessary. However, it is still recommended to use the A360 Viewer as this site is maintained by a commercial company interested in the operation of the site.

Design people use special software in their work. The result is one or more DWG files containing information about a 2D or 3D object. Inexperienced users often wonder how to open a DWG file.

DWG (from English - drawing) is a specialized format of drawings and projects used in design. CAD files, which include files with the DWG extension, are intended for specialized programs for working with vector graphics.

The creator of this format is considered to be Autodesk. It was she who first applied this format in her software AutoCAD. Subsequently, this extension became canonical for drawing documents and plans. However, every year the number of third-party solutions that can read a file with the .dwg extension is increasing.

How to open a file in DWG format instead of AutoCAD?

If the user does not have an AutoCAD license but needs to open the file, it is recommended to use third party programs Fortunately, in 2018 there are plenty of them. However, the vast majority of such services only allow you to view the file without the possibility of changing it.

DWG TrueView

A free utility for reading and viewing "dwg", "dwf" and "dxf" files from Autodesk. To work with dwg format you need to do a few simple steps:

  1. Go to the Autodesk website and expand the "All Programs" section.

  2. Find DWG TrueView by typing in the search form or just below and search in the list of all programs. Click on the name with the mouse.

  3. Download the installation file by clicking on the "Download" button.

  4. Run the file and start the installation following the instructions of the utility installer.

  5. Click on "OK" if you want to change the installation location by clicking "Change", select a different location, and then "OK".

  6. The installation process will begin, please wait for it to complete.

  7. Then click "Install".

  8. To accept license agreement, marking the appropriate item, click "Next".

  9. Click "Install" again.

  10. Click OK.

  11. The program may ask you to restart your computer, confirm the action by clicking "Yes".

  12. After installation, run DWG TrueView through the "Start" or through a shortcut on the desktop.
  13. In the upper left corner in the Menu panel, click on the folder icon, select the file and click "Open".

  14. Subsequent files can be opened via the "Open" option.

In addition to DWG TrueView, there are other programs for working with DWG:


Video - View, Print, and Save DWG Autodesk DWG TrueView

Open DWG on Mac

Not all available programs for opening CAD files have versions for Mac. One of the most popular viewers is SolidWorks eDrawing Viewer. You can download from the AppStore free version, and on the official website read the instructions in Russian.

Next comes Turboviewer– free program for drawing 2D and 3D files with the .dwg extension. To open a file, the user must send it email on your mail client iPad. Projects are opened by reading from Web, FTP or other cloud storages.

Unlike specialized programs and applications, web services open on Mac without problems, which makes it easier to read files.

How to open DWG file online

With the development of web services, reading some files does not require downloading and installing programs at all. For this, there are specialized sites that have the functionality of reading and displaying DWG files.

Important! As a rule, web services hardly process 3D objects or do not process them at all. To draw large projects, you need to use software.

The first thing to mention is free service from Autodesk - A360 Viewer. In order to view a file with the DWG extension, you must:


Website follows program-pro.ru. This service allows you to open most of the well-known CAD formats, including DWG. This service has a file limit of 50 MB, and also has difficulty displaying 3D objects.

Programs for converting DWG to PDF

In addition to reading, one of the most popular requests is to convert DWG to other formats, specifically to PDF. The programs listed above allow you to save the file with a different extension after opening, for example, PDF. In ABViewer, for this, select the "Save as" item in the main menu and select the format of interest in the pop-up window.

Best of all, online converters such as zamar.com or coolutils.com cope with the task. To convert a DWG file to PDF, you need to upload or drag a document from a folder, select a format and confirm the conversion. After successfully changing the extension, the document turns into a bitmap PDF, which can be opened in the browser, in the Adobe Reader program.

Video - DWG, how to open?