Program for opening dwg files. Open dwg file online. Programs for MacOS and Linux

DWG – drawing. Contains flat and three-dimensional models, photographs and other project data. Mostly created in AutoCAD. Other CAD systems also use this format, but they designate it in their own way. You can open a dwg file without AutoCAD. To view drawings there is free programs, incl. and Autodesk.

In addition to the official DWG format, there is an open non-commercial format. They are not fully compatible - a file created in a free program will not necessarily open in AutoCAD. This is due to the Autodesk watermark; in terms of functionality, free CAD programs are not particularly inferior to AutoCAD. More than seven hundred large companies use open DWG.

Programs for opening and editing dwg format

Programs installed on your computer view, edit and print drawings in dwg format. They are often called DWG Viewer and differ by developer.

  • NanoCAD is a Russian product. Uses domestic standards and design regulations;
  • DWG TrueViewer is the “native son” of Autodesk;
  • DraftSight.

Browser “viewers” ​​will help you open a file online if you cannot install the program. If they don't launch in Chrome, you can try Firefox or Opera.

Among them:

  • A360 Viewer. Link to view the file online: https://a360.autodesk.com/viewer/
  • Share CAD.

Autodesk has released a free program for Android and iOS. Let's take a closer look mobile app and Russian development.

AutoCAD 360 – bulky tubes with drawings are now a thing of the past

Mobile application for viewing, editing and collaboration on DWG files. Useful for viewing the drawing and model directly on site.

You can give a presentation to the customer. Instead of a bulky pile of paper, thousands of drawings fit into the memory of an Android tablet, or MacOS on an iPad. Does not have full AutoCAD functionality.

Download AutoCAD 360 for free on the official website after filling out the registration form at the link: https://client.autocad360.com/#/createaccount.html

Russian development - NanoCAD

Created based on an open version of the DWG format. There are free and paid versions. The price, however, is low. The user interface is no different from AutoCAD.

They provide an open programming interface - you can write your own program for automatic creation and reading drawings. Problems may arise with writing and executing scripts in VBA and Lisp.

Files with the dwg extension contain databases of two-dimensional and three-dimensional drawings. Such documents are intended for professional programs related to architecture, design, 2D and 3D vector graphics and similar tasks.

First of all, the extension is designed to work in AutoCAD - almost all professional drawings are created in this program. AutoCAD is expensive - over $1000. For most ordinary users purchasing software at such a cost is impossible or impractical. For this reason, you should turn to free programs and online services for viewing and editing documents with the dwg extension.

Ways to view dwg files

Before choosing how to open a dwg file, you should decide on the required functionality. Regular viewing of dwg files is available in any software, but the possibilities for editing drawings differ greatly. How easier way, the less functionality it assumes.

Three ways to work with drawings on a computer:

There are also services that offer work with drawings on a paid basis along with extensive additional functionality, operating on a subscription basis. This option is not considered, since it may be of interest only to a narrow circle of specialists.

Free programs for Windows

The capabilities of free programs are enough to open dwg files and minimally edit them. For tasks like developing new complex drawings, such software is not suitable.

You can open drawings on Windows:

All of the above programs either offer very limited opportunities for editing documents, or are limited to viewing, printing and other basic functions. The only complete free editor for controlling computer-aided design (CAD) systems on basic level on this moment is nanoCAD.

NanoCAD directly supports project formats and makes it possible to perform a full cycle of work from design and drawings to release. It's better to download the latest one free version programs on the official website www.nanocad.ru/products/nanocad_free/download/.

It includes all the additional components to get you started:

  • All corrections, additions and updates to the program.
  • The version of DirectX required for operation.
  • Auto-correction, auto-completion functions, quick selection objects.
  • AutoCAD for files.

The software is perfect for working with drawings at the entry-level and amateur level, but for developing serious projects it is better to pay attention to paid software.

Programs for MacOS and Linux

There are programs for working with dwg for Mac O.S. and Linux, although their choice is significantly smaller. For Linux there are only two such programs:

  1. Dassault Systemes DraftSight. Paid P.O., and you need to pay for it every year. You can download it on the website www.3ds.com, the cost is from $99 and above, depending on the functionality.
  2. Bricsys Bricscad. The option is better, since there is Russian voice acting and a free 30-day version.

For Mac O.S. there are more options to choose from:

  1. Adobe Illustrator CS5. Paid software with a wide range of functions for working with graphics. There is a free trial period.
  2. Autodesk AutoCAD 2013. Full-fledged AutoCAD with almost unlimited capabilities for 2D and 3D processing. There is a free-trial period of 30 days.

Among the software from other developers with similar functionality: CorelCAD, AutoCAD 2012 version (cheaper), Microspot DWG Viewer and others. Almost all programs are paid, but they are inexpensive and have a monthly trial period and allow you to buy a cheap subscription instead of an expensive one full version. The only question is how necessary the proposed functionality is, or can it be done without free viewing in online services or trial versions of paid software.

If you don’t need to edit drawings and simply viewing documents is enough, then there is usually no point in installing programs on your computer. It is enough to use the functionality of one of free services to display graphics directly in the browser. The capabilities of the services are sufficient for initial work with files.

You should choose between services depending on the required functionality. The ability to view is present everywhere, editing is only in AutoDesk 360, basic functions are available in ShareCAD.

DWG Viewer is a small free program created specifically for viewing dwg files. If you don’t know how to work with , but due to your line of work you often come across drawings and models made in this particular graphic editor. The question arises: "How to open DWG files?" - free DWG viewer!

Main functions and capabilities of DWG Viewer:

  • Printing images with DWG, DWF, DXF extensions (two-dimensional and three-dimensional models);
  • It is possible to work together with IE, Firefox and Netscape browsers;
  • Converting drawings made in Autodesk AutoCAD into images with a jpg extension;
  • Possibility of copying text information from AutoCAD drawings;
  • Ability to copy parts of an existing image;
  • Publishing images in CSF format;
  • The ability to correct the original color of the drawing (three options are available: color or original, black and white, shades of gray);
  • Ability to view not only “Sheets”, but also “Models”;
  • Possibility of image processing (rotation, enlargement of individual fragments, mirroring);
  • Determination of line sizes, perimeter and area of ​​shapes.

Installing DWG Viewer

The installation process of DWG Viewer is not difficult. First, download installation file on PC or removable media(if you plan to install it on other computers), where it will be easy to find. At the same time, we behave carefully and do not allow the installation of “additional” toolbars and programs. After the download is complete, find the file through “My Computer” or any other in a convenient way and double-click on it with the mouse. After this, we see a window displaying the beginning of the installation process, asking you to wait. After all the files have been prepared, the user will be asked whether he agrees with the proposed agreement - he needs to place the cursor opposite “I accept...” and click the mouse, then click on the “NEXT” button. A window will then appear asking you to select the address where the program itself will be located. You can leave the standard one, on the “C” drive, or you can change it, then click on the “NEXT” button again and start the installation process, at the end of which another message will appear asking you to click on “Finish”. This means that the process has completed successfully. Attention! You only need to download and install the latest version of the program. Otherwise, DWG Viewer will be useless, will not be able to open a single file, and will instead ask you to go to the site and agree to one of the paid updates. You don't have to do this, you just need to download new version program and install it, after completely getting rid of the old one.

Features of working with DWG Viewer

The program has an intuitive interface. Thanks to small set functions and the button layout familiar to users, even when working with the English version, problems almost never arise. However, when using DWG Viewer, you should pay attention to some significant features. For example, what to open required file The easiest way is from the program itself through the “Open” menu function. In order to use the standard “Open with” functionality for the first time, DWG Viewer has to be searched in the “Program Files” folder manually, after which (repeated openings) the system offers it by default. When you first encounter how DWG Viewer opens files, you can be a little confused. All this is due to the fact that by default it displays the image on which the user worked in the graphics editor. Very often this is a generated and ready-to-print representation of the drawing, that is, the one that can be seen on the “Sheet” tab in AutoCAD. To switch to “Model” you need to access the form located in the lower left corner of the program window. If you have any version of AutoCAD on your computer, DWG files will be opened by it, and only as an alternative the system will offer Viewer. Despite the obvious advantages graphic editor, the viewing program will also be useful to its owners. For example, when the “old” AutoCAD is installed on the PC, which does not support opening images made in later versions.

If you have installed on your computer antivirus program Can scan all files on your computer, as well as each file individually. You can scan any file by clicking right click mouse on the file and selecting the appropriate option to scan the file for viruses.

For example, in this figure it is highlighted file my-file.dwg, then you need to right-click on this file and select the option in the file menu "scan with AVG". When choosing this parameter will open AVG Antivirus, which will perform the check this file for the presence of viruses.


Sometimes an error may occur as a result incorrect installation software , which may be due to a problem encountered during the installation process. This may interfere with your operating system link your DWG file to the correct application software , influencing the so-called "file extension associations".

Sometimes simple reinstalling Adobe Illustrator CC can solve your problem by linking the DWG correctly with Adobe Illustrator CC. In other cases, problems with file associations may result from bad software programming developer and you may need to contact the developer to obtain additional help.


Advice: Try updating Adobe Illustrator CC to latest version to make sure you have the latest patches and updates installed.


This may seem too obvious, but often The DWG file itself may be causing the problem.. If you received the file via an attachment Email or downloaded it from a website and the download process was interrupted (for example, a power outage or other reason), the file may become damaged. If possible, try getting a new copy of the DWG file and try opening it again.


Carefully: A damaged file can cause collateral damage to previous or existing malware on your PC, so it is important to keep your computer up-to-date with an up-to-date antivirus.


If your DWG file related to the hardware on your computer to open the file you may need update device drivers associated with this equipment.

This problem usually associated with media file types, which depend on successfully opening the hardware inside the computer, e.g. sound card or video cards. For example, if you are trying to open an audio file but cannot open it, you may need to update sound card drivers.


Advice: If when you try to open a DWG file you receive .SYS file error message, the problem could probably be associated with corrupted or outdated device drivers that need to be updated. This process can be made easier by using driver update software such as DriverDoc.


If the steps do not solve the problem and you are still having problems opening DWG files, this may be due to lack of available system resources. Some versions of DWG files may require a significant amount of resources (e.g. memory/RAM, processing power) to properly open on your computer. This problem occurs quite often if you are using a fairly old computer. Hardware and at the same time a much newer operating system.

This problem can occur when the computer has difficulty completing a task because operating system(and other services running in background) can consume too many resources to open the DWG file. Try closing all applications on your PC before opening AutoCAD Drawing Database File. By freeing up all available resources on your computer you will be in the best possible position to attempt to open your DWG file.


If you completed all the steps described above and your DWG file still won't open, you may need to run equipment update. In most cases, even when using older versions of hardware, the processing power can still be more than sufficient for most user applications (unless you're doing a lot of CPU-intensive work, such as 3D rendering, financial/scientific modeling, or intensive multimedia work) . Thus, it is likely that your computer does not have enough memory(more commonly called "RAM", or RAM) to perform the file open task.

DWG files are drawings, both two-dimensional and three-dimensional, that are created using the AutoCAD program. The extension itself stands for “blueprint”. The finished file can be opened for viewing and editing using special software.

Don't want to download DWG drawing programs to your computer? Today we will look at the most functional online services that will help you open a popular format directly in the browser window without complex manipulations.

Method 1: PROGRAM-PRO

A Russian-language resource that allows users to manipulate files in professional formats directly in the browser. There are restrictions on the site, for example, the file size should not exceed 50 megabytes, but in most cases they are not relevant.

To start working with a file, simply upload it to the site. The interface is simple and clear. You can even open a drawing on mobile device. It is possible to zoom in and out of the image.


You can also change the image scale using the mouse wheel. If the image is not displayed correctly or the fonts are unreadable, try simply enlarging the image. The site was tested on three different drawings, all of them opened without problems.

Method 2: ShareCAD

A simple service that allows you to view files in DWG format without having to download to your computer special programs. As in the previous method, there is no ability to make adjustments to an open drawing.

The ShareCAD interface is completely in Russian; in the settings you can change the language to one of the eight offered. It is possible to go through a simple registration on the site, after which the built-in file manager and saving your drawings on the site.


Unlike the previous site, here the drawing can not only be viewed, but also immediately sent for printing. Just click on the appropriate button on top panel tools.

Method 3: A360 Viewer

Professional online service for working with files in DWG format. Compared with previous methods requires users to complete a simple registration, after which they provide trial access for 30 days.

The site is in Russian, but some functions are not translated, which does not prevent you from evaluating all the capabilities of the resource.


The site is much more functional than the resources described above, but the whole impression is spoiled by a rather complicated registration process. The service allows you to work with a drawing together with other users.