Its interchange file format is DXF, which is an ASCII version of the contents of a DWG file. Each DWG files contains metadata that describes the contents of the file. Since it contains vector image data, the drawings in each DWG file can be scaled while still preserving resolution. Best of all, they’re all free! What are DWG files?ĭWG (from drawing) is the native file format for 2D and 3D drawing created in AutoCAD, as well as in other CAD packages such as BricsCAD and IntelliCAD. If you’re one of these people, then read on as we look at the best alternative DWG viewers. For users, who just want to view DWG files, a free DWG viewer software could be really useful. However, not all people have the budget to buy the AutoCAD software platform, which costs more than $1000. Until today, there are still so many AutoCAD users that the standard AutoCAD output file – the DWG – can be found everywhere. First launched by AutoDesk in the 1980s, AutoCAD was considered THE standard software platform for drafting for decades. In the field of drafting and 3D design, few names are as well-known as AutoCAD. 3D Insider is ad supported and earns money from clicks, commissions from sales, and other ways.

Open source cad for 3d printing