DWS File

What are DWS files and how to open them

Are you having problems opening a DWS 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 DWS files.

What is a DWS file?

DWS files have multiple uses, and AutoCAD Drawing Standards is one of them. Read more about the other uses further down the page.

AutoCAD Drawing Standards File

AutoCAD Drawing Standards files (extension .dws) store definitions of style and structure rules used by AutoCAD to ensure drawings conform to specified design standards. They are created to define settings for things like layers, text styles, dimension styles, linetypes and multileader styles, so that when working in a drawing (DWG), AutoCAD can check whether that drawing matches those rules.

The standards file is generated by using the STANDARDS command or "Save As → AutoCAD Drawing Standards" in AutoCAD after configuring desired styles in a drawing. Once saved, one or more DWS files can be associated with any drawing. When a drawing is audited or checked, AutoCAD compares its named objects against those in the DWS file(s), reports violations, offers fixes for mismatches (e.g. wrong color, linetype, or missing style), or flags nonstandard names. The order of attached standards files matters; in case of conflicting rules, the first takes precedence.

Technically, a DWS file is saved in the same internal format as the native AutoCAD drawing file (DWG format) of the release in which it is created. To use a DWS file with earlier versions of AutoCAD, one must save it in an earlier DWG format and then manually rename the extension from .dwg to .dws. DWS files support digital signatures just like other drawing files (except AutoCAD LT) so their authenticity and integrity can be verified.

How to open DWS files

We have identified three DWS openers that are compatible with this specific type of DWS file.

Programs that open AutoCAD Drawing Standards files

Last updated: January 3, 2024

All known file formats using extension .DWS

While AutoCAD Drawing Standards File is a popular type of DWS-file, we know of 2 different uses of the .DWS file extension. Different software may use files with the same extension for different types of data.

Dyalog APL WorkSpace

Dyalog APL WorkSpace (.dws) is a binary file format used by Dyalog APL to store a workspace - a snapshot of everything you've defined (variables, functions, classes, namespaces, operators) during an interactive APL session. It lets you save your complete working environment to disk so you can quit and later reload and resume from exactly the same state.

The workspace is created by Dyalog APL via the system commands or functions such as )SAVE or ⎕SAVE for saving, and loaded with )LOAD. Under Windows, workspaces are saved with the ".dws" extension. After loading, the workbench, code, and custom data you saved become active in your session. If a filename is given without an extension, ".dws" is assumed.

Technically, files of this format begin with the byte signature 0xAA03 at offset 0.

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

Various apps that use files with this extension

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

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