How to Open and View DWG Files (on Windows, Mac, & More)

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Free solutions that can open .dwg files fast and easy

Co-authored by Garnik Ovsepyan and Darlene Antonelli, MA

Last Updated: August 21, 2024 Fact Checked

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Using AutoCAD

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Using Autodesk Viewer

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Using Microsoft Visio

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Using Adobe Illustrator

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Troubleshooting

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Video

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Q&A

You double-clicked on a DWG file you want to view but it’s not opening correctly. Don’t worry—there are several different programs you can use to view a DWG file (a file that contains CAD drawing data), so you have options to choose from. Try using one of the following programs to open DWG files (with or without AutoCAD).

Quickly and Easily Open DWG Files

Use programs like AutoCAD, A360 Viewer, Microsoft Visio, and Adobe Illustrator to open DWG files.
Free programs, like A360 Viewer, only allow you to view the DWG file, while paid programs, like AutoCAD, let you edit the blueprints or drawing file.
Most software works only on your computer, but A360 Viewer is also available as a mobile app so you can look at DWG files from anywhere.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Using AutoCAD

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1
Open AutoCAD 360. AutoCAD is the proprietary commercial drafting program from Autodesk.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Garnik Ovsepyan
Computer Specialist

Expert Interview. 1 July 2021.} AutoCAD 360 has an icon that resembles a red A. Click the icon to open AutoCAD.
- You can try a free 30-day trial of AutoCAD at https://www.autodesk.com/products/autocad/free-trial.
- Opening the DWG file with this program allows you to edit it.
It's the icon with a red "A" in the upper-left corner.

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Click Open. It's in the Application menu. ^{[2]
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- Alternatively, you can click the icon that resembles a folder at the top of AutoCAD next to the Application folder. You can also click Open File under the Start tab when you open AutoCAD.
Use the drop-down menu at the top to select a folder to look in. If the folder is not listed, click the icon that resembles a folder with a plus sign. Then navigate to the folder that contains your DWG file and select it.
Click the DWG file you want to open in the list to select it.
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Click Open. This opens the entire DWG file in AutoCAD.
- Alternatively, you can click the drop-down menu next to "Open". This gives you the options to open the file as a Read-only file, or select "Partial Open" which allows you to select which layers you want to open.

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Using Autodesk Viewer

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1
Navigate to https://viewer.autodesk.com/ in a web browser. Autodesk Viewer is a free online tool available from AutoDesk.^{[3]
X
Expert Source

Garnik Ovsepyan
Computer Specialist

Expert Interview. 1 July 2021.} It allows you to view any DWG file without having to install software or browser plug-ins.
- Alternatively, you can download the A360 app for iPhone or iPad from the App Store, or for Android smartphones and tablets using the Google Play Store.
- Using this tool, you can only view DWG files and cannot edit them.
Both options are in the upper-right corner. If you already have an Autodesk account, click Sign In. If you do not have an Autodesk account, click Sign up for free.
If you have an Autodesk account, use the email address and password to log in to your account. If you do not have an account, fill out the form to sign up for a free account.
It's the blue button in the upper-right corner.
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Drag and drop your DWG file into the window on the Autodesk Viewer page. The online tool will automatically open and display the DWG file in its viewer.^{[4]
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- Alternately, click “Upload Files,” or select the option to upload a DWG file from Dropbox, Box, or Google Drive.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Using Microsoft Visio

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1
Launch Microsoft Visio. Microsoft Visio is Microsoft's diagram drawing program.^{[5]
X
Expert Source

Garnik Ovsepyan
Computer Specialist

Expert Interview. 1 July 2021.} It has a blue icon with a V on it. Click the icon to open Microsoft Visio.
- Using this method, you can view and edit the file as long as you have a Visio subscription.
It's in the menu bar at the top of the screen.
It's in the File menu.
You can select this using the drop-down menu next to “Files of type”.
Use the file browser to navigate to the location of the DWG file on your computer and click it to select it.
Visio will open and display the DWG file.^{[6]
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Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Using Adobe Illustrator

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1
Open Adobe Illustrator. Adobe Illustrator is Adobe's vector graphics editing program.^{[7]
X
Expert Source

Garnik Ovsepyan
Computer Specialist

Expert Interview. 1 July 2021.} It has a yellow icon that says "Ai". Click the icon to open Adobe Illustrator.
- Many objects in DWG files aren't supported in the Illustrator mobile app, so you have to use a computer if you want to view or edit one.^{[8]
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It's in the menu bar at the top of the page.
It's in the File menu.
Use the file browser to navigate to the DWG you want to open on your computer.
Use the drop-down menu next to "Files of Type" to select "AutoCAD Drawing (.dwg).
This selects the file.
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Click Open. This opens the DWG file in Adobe Illustrator.
- Alternatively, right-click the file in your file manager (on Mac, press Cmd as you click to right-click), and select Open with > Adobe Illustrator.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Troubleshooting

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” This error occurs when you try opening a newer DWG file using an older version of AutoCAD. For example, if trying to open a DWG file in AutoCAD 2012 that was created in AutoCAD 2015, try opening the file using AutoCAD 2015.^{[9]
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Third-party apps integrated with AutoCAD may interfere with opening DWG files.
A DWG file may be corrupt if it originated from sources outside of AutoCAD or Autodesk products.^{[10]
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Community Q&A

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Can you open an Autocad file using a PDF format?

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Yes, Autocad may be old but it still supports up-to-date PDF files.

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Litha Jackson

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Log on a server Ctrl + L. Open a folder Ctrl + O Toggle the status bar display Ctrl + S Toggle the toolbar display Ctrl + T Display Help contents for Content Manager OnDemand F1 Display the File menu Alt + F Display the Edit menu Alt + E Display the Options menu Alt + O Display the Window menu Alt + W Display the Help menu Alt + H Display the View menu Alt + V Display the Search menu Alt + S Display the Notes menu Alt + N

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What about using nanoCAD?

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Click File > Open > Browse. Next to the File name box, click the All Visio Files dropdown, and then select AutoCAD Drawing. Find the . dwg or . dxf file on your computer, and then double-click it to open it. The AutoCAD file will appear as a new Visio drawing.

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