Which program opens dwg. How to open dwg file online without autocad? A program that opens files with the dwg extension. What program to open the dwg. Russian development - NanoCAD

The most common problem that users cannot open this file is an incorrectly assigned program. To fix this in Windows OS, you need to right-click on the file, in the context menu, point to the "Open with" item, and select the "Select program ..." item in the drop-down menu. As a result, you will see a list installed programs on your computer, and you can choose the right one. We also recommend that you check the box next to "Use this app for all DWG files".

Another problem that our users also encounter quite often is that the DWG file is damaged. This situation can arise in many cases. For example: the file was downloaded incompletely as a result of a server error, the file was damaged initially, etc. To fix this problem, use one of the recommendations:

  • Try to find desired file in another source on the Internet. You may be lucky enough to find a more suitable version. Google search example: "filetype: DWG". Just replace the word "file" with the name you want;
  • Ask to send you original file again, it may have been damaged in transit;

This article will be useful not only for those who have been sent by mail (or transferred on a disk, flash drive, ...) drawings with the * .dwg extension and you do not know what to do with them and how to open these files, but also for experienced users of programs that work with this extension.

We will not talk about what the DWG format is, when it appeared and who its author is, but you can read about it in the topic:.

How to open dwg file? To do this, you must have AutoCAD installed on your computer and the later version, the better, since not all people save their files to a later one before sending. autoCAD versions... However, not all users can afford to install such software product like AutoCAD due to its cost and the large size it takes on disk.

And if you just need to view a drawing, then the ideal option for you will be using free programs for viewing dwg format files, which in turn take up little disk space and are intuitive to use.

And so, before choosing a program, you need to find out for yourself what you need to do with the DWG file. If you just look, then all the programs that you find in the list below will suit you; if reading and editing, then paid and more serious software is suitable for this, although there is free analogues (for example: nanoCAD).

List of free programs for viewing DWG-format files:

  • DWG TrueView - the program allows you to view and print drawings in DWG and DWF format;
  • Autodesk Design Review - this program expands the capabilities of the previous one and, in addition to viewing, allows you to add notes to the drawing and observe changes in the project in 2D and 3D files;
  • nanoCAD - this program is a full-fledged CAD system and contains all the necessary tools for basic design and production of drawings. The free version of the program is practically unlimited in functionality (it was not possible to find a comparison of the free and paid versions on the site). Has the most similar interface to AutoCAD;
  • DraftSight - free CAD software produced by Dassault Syst? Mes, the only drawbacks are that the materials for studying the program on english language.

List of paid professional programs:

  • autodesk products ;
  • AutoCAD ;
  • COMPASS ;
  • Archicad ;
  • Advance Steel .

But there are two more interesting options: this is a free online service for viewing files in DWG format:

  • ShareCAD - free online service for viewing files in DWG format;
  • Autodesk 360 cloud service... Although it is paid, it allows you to view and edit drawings in DWG format.

Now you know what programs can open a file with the * .dwg extension.

DWG is the extension of files containing database 2D or 3D drawings, usually generated by AutoCAD software. This format is considered the most popular for creating and storing projects in CAD (Computer Aided Design) applications.

The format was developed by Mike Riddle of Autodesk. The period of creation of the extension is considered to be the end of the 70s, but it was only actively used since 1982.

The information in these files is in vector form and also includes metadata describing the structure of the content. It should also be noted that the project file contains two more extensions: DWS - drawing standard and DWT - its template.

Let's consider the most convenient programs for viewing DWG files.

Using FreeDWGViewer

This program is suitable if you need quick view project in DWG format. The utility contains the minimum set of necessary functionality: scaling, copying the selected fragment, splitting the image into layers, changing the background color and saving the picture in JPG. As the name suggests, FreeDWGViewer is free.

Opening with ABViewer

Complete software software for working with drawing files, including DWG format. The functions of viewing, editing, converting and printing are available. There is a possibility changes parameters of 2D and 3D models. To use, you need to purchase one of the three versions of the program. However, there is a 45-day demo version of ABViewer.

DWGTrueView Program

Free of charge utility from Autodesk developers that allows you to quickly view files with the DWG extension. Supports standard layering, converting and printing capabilities. Has an intuitive interface similar to AutoCAD. However, the possibility of making changes to the drawing project not provided.

Using CorelDraw

An image editor specialized in vector graphics... Among the many possibilities, it also allows you to open DWG format. Allows you to modify the drawing in a graphical plan to create a visually clearer image. To open, you must select the file type DWG.

DWG is a graphical file format containing drawings for AutoCAD. To open DWG files it is not necessary to have AutoCAD at hand: there are convenient free programs and online services.

Separately collected converters, convert files from DWG format to PDF and vice versa. You can convert drawings both on your computer and online.

How to open .dwg files:

DWG TrueView and Autodesk Design Review

The easiest and most popular way to view and edit DWG drawings at a basic level is free program DWG TrueView... Available from AutoCAD manufacturer AutoDesk.

The freeware runs on both 32-bit and 64-bit systems, so there should be no problems getting started. Latest version the program, according to the manufacturer's statement, is designed to work on the following systems:

  • Microsoft® Windows® 7 SP1 (32-bit & 64-bit)
  • Microsoft Windows 8.1 with Update KB2919355 (32-bit & 64-bit)
  • Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit only) (version 1607 and up recommended)

Moreover, the full version of Autodesk® AutoCAD 2018 is perfectly optimized for work on Mac: Apple® macOS® High Sierra v10.13 or later; Apple macOS Sierra v10.12 or later; Mac® OS X® El Capitan v10.11 or later. But there is no DWG TrueView Free for Apple technology, you will have to use analog programs, or free online services for working with drawings.

For of viewing DWG files are sufficient to install DWG TrueView. In order to be able to edit files (make notes and markings on drawings), you additionally need to install Design Review... Download Autodesk Design Review on the official website is available in Russian. The latest version of the program is from 2013, which means that there should be no problems with compatibility with old operating systems (Windows Vista, XP and earlier).

Marking or writing on documents is far from what is needed for a full-fledged job. An AutoCAD subscription currently costs $ 1,575.00 per year. There is a free trial version for those who need software once - sometimes it can save the day.

Online viewing and editing.DWG

The first online service to use is the official online editor viewer.autodesk.com. According to the manufacturer, "Autodesk Viewer supports most 2D and 3D formats, including DWG, STEP, RVT and SolidWorks." The only problem is that there are practically no possibilities for editing drawings - you will have to go to third-party online services for them.

Online services for viewing, editing and converting the DWG:

  1. Free DWG Viewer... In the first place is the official Free DWG Viewer service from Autodesk. Allows you to view and resave drawings, but does not provide the ability to make full-fledged changes. The address is viewer.autodesk.com.
  2. ShareCAD.org, there is a version in Russian. Allows you to view and save all popular vector, raster and 3D graphics formats in the browser. Works in all browser platforms: Windows, OS X, Linux, Android, iOS, Windows phone... Allows you to access files and archives from all devices after simple registration. There is also a version of the PC program - ABViewer, available on the same page.
  3. Program-pro.ru... Simple functionality for viewing DWG drawings online. The maximum file size is limited to 50 MB, there are no possibilities for editing the picture. Address - http://program-pro.ru/.
  4. Free AutoCAD Online... The service is located at http://www.autocadws.com and allows not only viewing, but also editing and then re-saving DWG drawings online. To work, you must register. In addition, the browser must support flash.
  5. LibreCAD Online... The service is intended for 2D design - 3D drawings are not supported. It is possible to both create drawings from scratch and edit existing ones by uploading a file in one of the available formats. DWG is not included in them - you will have to translate (resave) into one of the following: SVG, JPG, PNG, PDF. To use it, go to www.rollapp.com/app/librecad and click on the Launch Online button.
  6. Onshape... Only 21 days of using www.onshape.com is given for free, after which you have to pay a decent amount. The service works only in English, but it gives really wide opportunities for online 2D and 3D design. You can load and save drawings in various formats, edit and create documents in DWG format.

Of all the services that we managed to find on the Russian-speaking and English-speaking Internet, only Free AutoCAD Online and Onshape make it possible not only to view, but also to edit drawings in the browser. Since Onshape has only a 21-day trial version, the AutoCAD WS website (http://www.autocadws.com/) is recommended. You must first create an account in the service, confirm your email and update Adobe Flash player in the browser to the latest version.

Online converters DWG-\u003e PDF and PDF-\u003e DWG

Online converters allow you to quickly convert one format to another ( DWG, PDF, JPG, CDW, DXF, CDR) in any direction. The obvious task of converters is to change the file format when the original format of the graphic document does not match the required one.

For infrequently used formats such as PLN, FRW, VSD, XML, it is quite difficult to find the possibility of converting online. If there are no such services in the list below, you will have to install the program on your computer in order to be able to change formats.

Online DWG converters:

  1. Zamzar.com... Allows you to convert .dwg files not only to .pdf, but also to any other formats, of which there are several dozen to choose from ( bmp, gif, jpg, pdf, png, tiff...). By default, the converter has a file limit of 50 megabytes, but it can be increased. The file conversion result will be sent to the specified email address.
  2. PDF to DWG... If on the first site drawings in DWG format can be translated into another format, here Pdf-converted in the opposite direction to DWG. An online converter from the creators of the ABViewer program is located on their own website. Since the purpose of the site is to sell an extended version of the program for a computer, the online solution has a number of limitations. At the moment: file size up to 3 MB, conversion of 2 files per day, conversion of the first 2 pages Pdf file, file vectorization is not supported ( bitmap images to PDF are converted to OLE objects).
  3. DWG / DXF to PDF... A simple English-language site that allows you to translate images from DWG / DXF format to PDF without registration and e-mail input. Since converting an image in this direction is slow and creates a load on the server, the maximum file size is limited to 10 megabytes.
  4. Coolutils.com... A free script at coolutils.com/ru/online allows you to convert a drawing to DWG in any of the following formats: PDF, JPEG, TIFF, CGM, PNG, SWF.
  5. Aconvert.com... The site is in English, but the script itself is very simple and straightforward. Allows you to convert in two directions: both from DWG to PDF and vice versa, and to the following formats: DOC, DOCX, XLS, XLSX, PPT, PPTX, XML, CSV, ODT, ODS, ODP, HTML, TXT, RTF, SWF , PNG, JPG, TIFF, BMP, PCX, PNM and PSD.
  6. Dwg.autodwg.com... An impossibly simple site that online converts .pdf files into drawings recognized by AutoCAD. There is an opportunity to select even a specific version of the program: AutoCAD 14, 2000/2002, 2004/2005/2006, 2007/2008/2009, 2010/2012. Since then, the site, apparently, has not been updated - there is no adaptation for new versions of the program.

These sites allow converting from DWG in all directions. Despite their convenience, online services are usually slow and have limitations on the number of files or their size. In order not to face such restrictions and not to depend on the availability and speed of the Internet, you can install a converter program on your computer.

Free converters and editors

All programs for working with DWG can be divided into two categories: converters and editors. In turn, in each category there are paid and free programs, so all software is divided into four lists. Converters allow you to change the drawing format from any popular to DWG and vice versa. The rest of the programs are intended for viewing and / or editing drawings.

Free converters:

  • XnView Extended 2.45 - allows you to open not only drawings, but also photo and video content, and then save it to any convenient format... Available in Russian.
  • DWG TrueView 2018 - the latest version from the developer of AutoCAD. It is guaranteed to open any desired drawing and save it in the required format.
  • Free DWG Viewer - there is an opportunity to change the format of the document when saving (Save as ...). The latest version of the program is 16.0.2.11.
  • IrfanView 4.51 - simple and light program, allowing you to quickly open large files, even on slower computers. Available in Russian.
  • PDF24 Creator 8.6.0 - a free program from the developer geek Software GmbH, which is a "virtual printer". It weighs only 22 MB, provides a convenient work with the explorer, supports all popular formats.
  • doPDF 9.4.241 - a simple and convenient program that allows you to convert any documents to PDF, from drawings to Microsoft Excel tables.

Concerning free editors for DWG drawings, the only complete solution can be considered LibreCAD (current version is 2.1.3). It is the only free CAD software that has an open source source and is available for download at librecad.org. The program is in Russian, there are many instructions on how to work and configure on the network.

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

DWG (from English - drawing) is a specialized format for drawings and projects used in design. Files for CAD systems, 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 be used to read a file with the .dwg extension increases.

How to open dwg file 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

Free utility for reading and viewing dwg, dwf and dxf files from Autodesk. To work with the 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 search form or just below and search the list of all programs. Click on the name with the mouse.

  3. Download setup fileby clicking on the "Download" button.

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

  5. Click "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, wait for completion.

  7. Then click "Install".

  8. Accept the license agreement by checking the appropriate box and clicking “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, launch DWG TrueView from Start or from a shortcut on your desktop.
  13. In the upper left corner in the "Menu" panel, click on the icon with the image of a folder, 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, Plot and Save DWG Autodesk DWG TrueView

Open DWG on Mac

Not all of the available CAD file openers have a Mac version. One of the most popular viewers is SolidWorks eDrawing Viewer... In the AppStore you can download free version, and on the official website, read the instructions in Russian.

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

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

How to open a DWG file online

With the development of web services, some files do not need to be downloaded and installed at all to read some files. For this, there are specialized sites that have the functionality of reading and displaying DWG files.

Important!Typically, web services have difficulty handling 3D objects, or none at all. To draw volumetric projects, you must use software.

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


The site follows program-pro.ru... This service allows you to open most of the well-known CAD-formats, including DWG. This service has a limit for files of 50 MB, and also has difficulties with displaying 3D objects.

Software for converting DWG to PDF

Besides reading, one of the most popular queries is converting DWG to other formats, specifically PDF. The programs listed above allow, after opening, to save a file with a different extension, for example, PDF. To do this, in ABViewer, select the "Save As" item in the main menu and select the format of interest in the pop-up window.

Online converters such as zamar.com or coolutils.com do the job best. To convert a DWG file to PDF, you must upload or drag a document from the folder, select a format and confirm the conversion. After successfully changing the extension, the document turns into a raster PDF that can be opened in a browser, in the Adobe Reader.

Video - DWG, how to open?

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