Open DWG files

  • Full name
    AutoCAD Drawing Format
  • Developer
    Autodesk
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a DWG file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a DWG file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your DWG file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is DWG file?

The extension DWG derives from Drawing and is a file format of AutoDesk AutoCAD. It contains the design data for 2D or 3D drawings as well as metadata for their description.

More info

AutoDesk changes this format from version to version of AutoCAD, so older versions can only handle the files to a limited extent. DWG is a proprietary and closed format that AutoDesk constantly seeks to protect.

With the help of the free AutoDesk DWG Viewer you can convert a DWG file into another version. This is useful because many programs can import DWG files but do not always support the latest version.

DWG is the quasi-standard for CAD (Computer Aided Design) files and is also used by IntelliCAD, PowerCAD, and other programs as the default format. The free Blender software can also read DWG files using Stani's Pythonscript Architects.

AutoDesk also provides a licensed library so that many programs can read the format. However, these z.T. Limitations.

As an alternative, dxf, IGES or STEP, either directly stored or converted there, are recommended as these formats are open and therefore better supported. However, the export or conversion may be subject to restrictions.

Programs which can open a DWG file

How to open file with DWG extension?

In order to open a file with DWG extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening DWG file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with DWG files, follow the instructions below.
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Install AutoCAD or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening DWG files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support DWG files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of DWG files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set AutoCAD as the default program for opening DWG files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate DWG files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the AutoCAD applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where AutoCAD has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with DWG files

Sometimes problems with opening DWG files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • DWG files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open DWG files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • DWG file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

Possible conversions of DWG file

Similar extensions