Autocad File Extensions

What’s a file extension? Before we look at AutoCAD’s file extensions, let’s start firstly with what file extensions actually are. A file extension is a group of characters after a file name, e.g. The file extension ‘.docx ‘ lets Windows know which program on your computer the file can be opened with. The dwg file extension is associated with AutoCAD, a CAD software for Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac developed by Autodesk, Inc. The dwg (drawing) file format is a proprietary format used to store two or three dimensional data with any other metadata.

Open DWG File

DWG file extension is used to store files in DWG format. DWG file format was first introduced by Mike Riddle in 1970s and later was licensed by AutoDesk. It became a default file format used by AutoDesk and several other companies including IntelliCad, Caddie, DraftSight and Open Design Alliance compliant applications.

To quickly view what is inside DWG file there is no need to purchase a full featured Autodesk AutoCAD software. You can either use Autodesk DWG online viewer or download DWG TrueView. DWG online viewer is available at https://viewer.autodesk.com/ - it can import DWG, STEP, RVT and Solidworks files and show it in your browser.

You can download DWG TrueView from https://www.autodesk.com/products/dwg. DWG TrueView can open DWG file both on Windows 32-bit or 64-bit platforms and is available in English, French and Japanese.

If you want to view an AutoCAD drawing on your mobile device you can download AutoCAD mobile app which is available both for iOS and Android in Free and Premium versions. AutoCAD mobile only supports 2D drawings at this moment. For detailed comparison of the features of different mobile app subscriptions visit Autodesk mobile product comparison page.

Following file extensions are frequently used together with DWG:

  • .BAK: drawing backup file stored in DWG file format
  • .DWS: drawing standards file
  • .DWT: drawing template file
  • .SV$: temporary save file
  • .DWF: design web format file format was introduced by Autodesk to distribute AutoCAD data in a large groups and design projects in order to restrict access to intellectual project. Publishers of DWF files can selectively choose what parts of file to allow access to and which to restrict.
  • DXF: drawing exchange file format was created by Autodesk to facilitate data exchange between its software and third-party CAD software vendors. DXF implements limited subset of DWG format and not all details could be transferred using it.

Autocad File Format Dxf

Autocad File Extensions DWG files are transferred over e-mail or internet using following multipurpose internet mail extensions (MIME) types:

Autocad Inventor File Extensions

  • application/acad
  • application/x-acad
  • application/autocad_dwg
  • image/x-dwg
  • application/dwg
  • application/x-dwg
  • application/x-autocad
  • image/vnd.dwg
  • drawing/dwg