Can you open a DWG file without AutoCAD?

How to Open DWG Files Without AutoCAD? – Stepwise Guide

To open DWG files in a 2D or 3D drawing created Autodesk AutoCAD, an alternate CAD program application. It contains vector image data and metadata that AutoCAD and other CAD applications use to load a drawing. Also, these DWG files are related to the .DXF files, which are ASCII versions of DWG files.

Variations of the DWG format

Over the years, AutoCAD has used several variations of the DWG file format. For example, since 2000, the program has saved users’ files in the DWG 2000, DWG 2004, DWG 2007, DWG 2010, DWG 2013, and DWG 2018 formats, all of which use the .dwg file extension. While these formats are similar, their file structures differ slightly. Therefore, some third-party CAD applications may be able to open some DWG files but not others.

Also Read: Convert DWG Files to PDF

  • What is DWG Files Used For?
  • Simple Way to Open DWG Files With AutoCAD
    • Alternate Approach to Open DWG Files Without AutoCAD
    • Step-by-Step Process to View DWG Files
    • Some Absolute Features of the Software
      • Conclusion

What is DWG Files Used For?

The primary use for DWG files is drawing specialist blueprints and designs spanning a variety of industries. From engineers poring over the latest design specs for a new project to architects and town planners creating public spaces, a whole range of professionals rely on DWG files to bring designs into reality.

You’ll need specialized CAD software to open a DWG file. Once you do, you’re likely to find complex layers of detailed technical specs along with drawings and diagrams.

DWG files contain both vector images and metadata to support the designations of those vector images. This gives the author the ability to fully flesh out their own 2D and 3D ideas on the screen, rather than relying on off-book information to support their work.

Simple Way to Open DWG Files With AutoCAD

AutoCAD from AutoDesk is a commercial drafting and design software application aided by computers. The professionals rely on it for creating precise 2D and 3D drawings.

Steps to open a DWG file using AutoCAD:

  • Go to the application menu denoted by the red A in the upper-left corner.
  • At the top, you will see a dropdown menu. Select the DWG file you want to open.
  • You will be able to see the contents of the DWG file.

You can also convert the DWG File to PDF by the following steps:

Launch AutoCAD.

  • Click on the AutoCAD logo button and select Open or press Ctrl+O.
  • Go to the DWG file you want to convert and click on the Ok button.
  • Now navigate back to the AutoCAD logo and select Print or press Ctrl+P.
  • Configure the printing options.
  • Select what you want to convert, Window, Extents, Layout, and Display from the Plot Area.
  • From the paper size option, choose your paper type.
  • Go to the plot scale option to select the scale of the printed drawing.
  • Select PDF from the printer/plotter section.
  • Click Ok and select where you want to save the PDF file.

Using the above steps you can open DWG files using the AutoCAD software. But the above process does not provide you with accurate results therefore, you can opt for the alternate approach that allows Opening DWG Files without AutoCAD.

Alternate Approach to Open DWG Files Without AutoCAD

Cigati DWG Converteris a robust solution capable of converting the AutoCAD file. It converts the AutoCAD file into PDF, JPEG, BMP, TIFF, DOC, HTML, PNG, & GIF. The software also converts the AutoCAD files in bulk. Apart from that, you can also view the file information after adding the DWG file to it. Furthermore, its interface is easy to use for novice users.

Can you open a DWG file without AutoCAD?
   
Can you open a DWG file without AutoCAD?

Step-by-Step Process to View DWG Files

  • Download and Run Cigati DWG Converter software.
  • Click on the Add File or Folder button to add the AutoCAD file.
  • Now, add the AutoCAD file from the system and press the Open button.
  • In the next step, choose the File Format from the drop-down menu and press the Next button.
  • After that, click on the Destination Path button to choose the specific location for the resultant file,
  • In the end, hit the Convert button to start the conversion process.

Some Absolute Features of the Software

  • This utility converts the 2D or 3D design objects from the entire DWG document files to other documents.
  • The software is also compatible with AutoCAD, TurboCAD, CorelCAD, DraftSight, LibreCAD, SOLIDWORKS, Adobe Illustrators, and SketchUp generated DWG files and exports them into PDF and other documents.
  • It facilitates you to save the AutoCAD graphics as several documents such as PDF, HTML, and word.
  • Users can also convert large DWG files without any restrictions.
  • You have the option to save AutoCAD graphics as various documents such as PDF, HTML, and Word.

Conclusion

The above article is all about Open DWG Files Without AutoCAD. By reading the above post, you can easily open DWG files without AutoCAD using the automated approach. The software instantly converts the DWG files into document files or other documents. Apart from that, the software has a user-friendly interface that provides a smooth working experience to its users.

Related Post

How can I view DWG files without AutoCAD?

Solution: Autodesk provides a freeware viewer program called DWG TrueView. In addition to opening DWG files, the software can also be used for plotting, creating PDFs, and converting from one DWG format to another. DWG TrueView can also be used to open, view, and plot DXF files.

What program will open a DWG file?

There are a few tools that you can use to open a DWG file. AutoCAD, Viewer, Microsoft Visio, Adobe Illustrator, A360 Viewer, etc are such tools to open this type of file.

Is DWG the same as AutoCAD?

Solution: Drawing (. dwg) files are the native data files that are created when using AutoCAD-based products. Each AutoCAD-based product uses the DWG format which was current at the time of its release (see table below) when saving to a file.

Is a DWG different from a cad?

DWG files are basically CAD (Computer Aided Design) drawings consisting of vector image data and metadata written with binary coding. It is the native format of most CAD applications, specially AutoCAD. In fact, it was developed in the 1970's by the same authority 'AutoDesk' who developed AutoCAD.