DRW File

What are DRW files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a DRW file or are you simply curious about its contents? We're here to explain the properties of these files and provide you with software that can open or handle your DRW files.

What is a DRW file?

DRW files have multiple uses, and CADS Planner Drawing is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

CADS Planner Drawing

We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

How to open DRW files

Important: Different programs may use files with the DRW file extension for different purposes, so unless you are sure which format your DRW file is, you may need to try a few different programs.

While we have not verified the apps ourselves yet, our users have suggested ten different DRW openers which you will find listed below.

Last updated: August 6, 2026

All known file formats using extension .DRW

While CADS Planner Drawing is a popular type of DRW-file, we know of 10 different uses of the .DRW file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

DosStart Icon

We know that one DRW format is DosStart Icon. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Freelance Graphics Drawing

We know that one DRW format is Freelance Graphics Drawing. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

GE PSLF Drawing

We know that one DRW format is GE PSLF Drawing. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

MacDraw Drawing

We know that one DRW format is MacDraw Drawing. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Micrografx Designer Drawing

Micrografx Designer Drawing is a binary vector graphics format used by early versions of Micrografx Designer (versions 2.x and 3.x) under Windows. These files store scalable illustrations such as technical diagrams or illustrations composed of lines, curves, shapes, text, and possibly embedded raster images. They enable drawings that maintain visual fidelity when zoomed or resized. The format was used before later versions moved to other extensions such as .dsf or .des.

This file format is produced (written) by Micrografx Designer and Micrografx Windows Draw, particularly for version-2.x and version-3.x of Designer. Users typically create .DRW drawings in those programs, then later reuse or convert them (for display, printing, or editing) in newer tools such as Corel DESIGNER, which supports importing these older .DRW files. Visual elements like layers, vector primitives (lines, curves, text), and possibly bitmap masks combine in one file to allow precise technical or page-layout work.

Files of this format begin at offset zero with the specific byte signature 01 FF 02 04 03 02 which helps identify them uniquely among other .DRW variants.

DRW opener for Windows

We have identified 2 DRW openers that are compatible with this specific type of DRW file.

Pro/ENGINEER Drawing

Pro/ENGINEER Drawing files are proprietary CAD drawing files used by PTC Pro/ENGINEER (now Creo) for capturing engineered designs in 2D or 3D drawing form. They store detailed technical drawings such as assembly and part views, annotations, dimensions, and layout information, typically derived from solid or surface models. Their main purpose is to document how a mechanical component or assembly should be manufactured or inspected.

The .drw files are authored by Pro/ENGINEER when users create or update drawing objects. Users start a drawing then associate a sheet format file (.frm) which defines reusable graphic borders, title blocks, revision tables and other standard elements. Then the drawing (.drw) adds on top the specific views, dimensions, symbols and annotations that reference part (.prt) or assembly (.asm) files. These files are commonly used for manufacturing, inspection, and collaboration, often being converted or exported to formats like DWG or DXF for sharing across different CAD systems.

The drawing file does not itself store 3D solid or NURBS model geometry; it relies on supplied part and assembly files for geometry. Sheet formats (.frm) supply fixed graphical layout per sheet, and detail setup files (.dtl) provide default drawing standards (text size, scale, units, layout options) which affect both drawings and formats.

Internally the file can be recognized via a unique byte signature: it begins at offset zero with ASCII "#UGC:2DRAWING" and contains the string "-END_OF_UGC_HEADER" elsewhere in the header.

Programs that open these DRW files

We have identified one DRW opener that is compatible with this specific type of DRW file.

PWDraw Drawing

We know that one DRW format is PWDraw Drawing. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

WillDraw Drawing

We know that one DRW format is WillDraw Drawing. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Windows Draw Drawing

We know that one DRW format is Windows Draw Drawing. We have not yet analyzed in detail what these files contain and what they are used for. We're working on it.

Various apps that use files with this extension

These apps are known to open certain types of DRW files. Remember, different programs may use DRW files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.

Help us help others

File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about DRW file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.