DWG File
What are DWG files and how to open them
Are you having problems opening a DWG file or just wondering what they contain? We explain what these files are used for and show you software that we know can open or otherwise handle your files.
What is a DWG file?
DWG files have multiple uses, and AutoCAD Drawing is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.
AutoCAD Drawing
The .dwg extension is primarily given to files that have been created with the AutoCAD "Computer-Aided Design" software application. AutoCAD is a CAD development platform that AutoDesk, Inc developed. The .dwg extension can also be given to files created with various other CAD software packages, such as the IntelliCAD application.
The files with the .dwg extension contain a database of 2D or 3D drawings that have been created within CAD software. These files store design and metadata that describe the contents of the file. The .dwg format is considered the most widely-used format for CAD drawings.
How to open DWG files
We have identified seven DWG openers that are compatible with this specific type of DWG file.
Programs that open AutoCAD Drawing files
![]() | AutoCAD | Verified |
![]() | Adobe Illustrator | Verified |
![]() | DWG TrueView | Verified |
![]() | DraftSight | Verified |
![]() | PowerDraft | Verified |
![]() | MicroStation | Verified |
![]() | eDrawings RapidFire Lite | Verified |
Last updated: December 18, 2022
More file formats using the DWG extension
Through our research of DWG files, we know that the following formats exist. However, we have not yet analyzed them in detail.
- CAD Vantage Drawing
- CIRCAD Data File
- IBM CAD/3X Drawing
- MICROCAD Drawing
- PC-Draft-CAD Drawing
Various apps that use files with this extension
These apps are known to open certain types of DWG files. Remember, different programs may use DWG files for different purposes, so you may need to try out a few of them to be able to open your specific file.
![]() | Digi-Watcher.com's Watcher software | Discontinued |
![]() | EModelViewer Module | User submitted |
![]() | Corel PaintShop Pro | User submitted |
![]() | Ashampoo Photo Commander | User submitted |
![]() | DWGSee Application | User submitted |
![]() | Adobe Acrobat | User submitted |
![]() | OpenText Brava! | User submitted |
![]() | Volo View Express | Discontinued |
![]() | Jw_cad | User submitted |
![]() | ABViewer | User submitted |
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File.org helps thousands of users every day, and we would love to hear from you if you have additional information about DWG file formats, example files, or compatible programs. Please use the links below or email us at submit@file.org to discuss further.
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