Search

2D Drafting3D Modelling

What is DWG? - Back to Basics

By Rose Barfield 3 min December 7, 2020
What is DWG - Back to Basics

If you're new to CAD, or even if you've been using it a little while, you might have heard the term "DWG" but don't know what it really means. Don't panic! In this article, you'll learn the answer to all your DWG questions!

What is DWG?

DWG is a file type used to store CAD drawings.

null

Example of a DWG drawing, open in BricsCAD.

What is a DWG file?

A DWG file is one of the most frequently used CAD file types on the planet. It is the native file type for BricsCAD® and many other and other OpenDesign Alliance applications. This makes it highly compatible.

DWG is a binary file type, originally created by Autodesk®, but was reverse engineered by the OpenDesign Alliance. After a fierce court battle, the OpenDesign alliance were allowed to release their work, allowing CAD users everywhere to open DWG files, without having to pay for expensive software packages.

What opens DWG files?

null

Example of DWG drawing opened in BricsCAD® Shape, the free software program from BricsCAD®.

There are lots of ways to open a DWG file, some of them are even free!

You can use BricsCAD®, even BricsCAD® Shape (the free CAD software package from Bricsys®). With a software package like BricsCAD®, you can import, edit and create DWG files, and even export them to another file format.

What does DWG stand for?

The letters DWG doesn't stand for anything. It's actually a play on the word DraWinG.

Does DWG mean 2D?

DWG files can work in 2D and 3D! Many people wrongly assume that because DWG means "DraWinG", that DWG files can only be in 2D. Whilst this might have been true 30 years ago, it's certainly not anymore!

null

Example of DWG file containing 2D and 3D geometry, point cloud data and annotiation, open in BricsCAD®.

A DWG file can contain a lot of different types of information: images, 2D and 3D geometry, BIM data, point clouds and more.

What is a dxf?

DXF files were created as the "open" format for DWG.

Learn more about DXF files →

Did you know?

That .bak (drawing backup), .dws (drawing standards), .dwt (drawing template) and .sv$ (temporary automatic save) files are also different types of DWG file?

More Back to Basics:

Rose Barfield

by Rose Barfield - CAD User Experience & Interface Design Specialist

LinkedIn logo (b&w)

Rose is responsible for taking user feedback and improving the BricsCAD product. Before coming to BricsCAD, she was a CAD user and worked in the Automotive, Aerospace, and Defense industries as a Technical Illustrator. She loves finding out how things work, taking them apart, and (hopefully) putting them back together again.

November 6, 2024 4 min

On-site document management made easy with Bricsys® 24/7 & LB Aproplan

The construction industry faces several challenges regarding document management. To deliver projects on time and within budget, project managers must easily maintain document version control, manage user access to documents, and streamline approval processes. Poor document management inevitably leads to complications, delays, efficiency loss and increased costs down the line.

September 17, 2024 3 min

Customizing Line Types in BricsCAD

Creating custom line types in BricsCAD can significantly enhance the detail and clarity of your drawings. Whether you’re working on complex engineering plans or simple layout designs, understanding how to create your own line types can give your projects a professional edge. Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to create both simple and complex line types in BricsCAD.

September 10, 2024 3 min

BricsCAD Partner Apps for Civil and Survey Workflows

At Bricsys, we provide a solid foundation for our specialist survey and civil app developers to create specialist civil and survey tools that deliver robust and efficient workflows for BricsCAD users. Let’s see what updates and improvements our various developer partners have made to complement BricsCAD V24's civil and survey workflows.

These civil and survey applications are among multiple third-party applications supported by BricsCAD, with our developers working to improve their functionality and remain on pace with our new features introduced with every release.

Follow us on social media