How to open DWG

Browsing through the folders on your PC, did you come across a file in DWG format that you don’t know how to open? Don’t worry, if you want, I’ll be here to help you. DWG files are databases that contain 2D / 3D designs, maps, photos and geometric data created with AutoCAD or other design software used by engineers, architects and other professionals.

As easily understood, AutoCAD is a paid software and it is also quite expensive (at least from the point of view of those who do not have to use it to work on it every day). However, do not worry, to view DWG files you can use alternative solutions that can be downloaded for free from the Internet: all in a completely legal way.

So, what do you say, do you want to know more? If your answer is yes, take five minutes of free time and read on: below I will show you how to open DWG on PC, smartphone, tablet and even directly online without installing any additional software. I would say not to waste any more time and start now!

Index

• How to open DWG on Windows
• How to open DWG on Mac
• How to open DWG online
• How to open DWG on smartphones and tablets
  • Android
  • iOS / iPadOS

How to open DWG on Windows

Are you wondering how to open DWG on Windows for free? In this case I suggest you to use DWG TrueView , a free application created by the same manufacturer of AutoCAD , which allows you to view files in DWG format in a very simple way. But be careful: it only allows you to open and view files, but you will not be able to make any changes to them.

That said, to download DWG TrueView on your PC, connected to the program website , select the Viewer tab for Windows and, to start the download, click the Download now button (English) . As you have probably understood, the program is only in English and is only compatible with 64-bit systems .

Once the download is complete, start the installation process by double clicking on the .exe file you just downloaded, then click the OK button from the window that opens. This will start the process of extracting the program files, which will last a few seconds; then, click on the Yes button when Windows asks for confirmation to install the program.

On the initial installation screen, check the I agree to the Term of use item , then click on the Next button and then on the Install button to start the installation process. Once the installation process is finished, which will take a few minutes, click the Start button to launch the program.

Well, you’ve finally managed to install and open the program, so you just have to find out if you can open the DWG file (I don’t doubt it). To do this, from the initial screen of the software, click on the Open… button and select the DWG file you want to open. After a few seconds of loading, the document will open and you will be able to view every little part of it.

How to open DWG on Mac

If you have a Mac , you cannot install DWG TrueView but you can use an alternative, equally good application: Fast CAD Reader .

The program in question is available for download directly from the Mac App Store , so all you have to do is click on the link I gave you a moment ago and then click on the Get and Install buttons . To confirm the installation request, you may be asked to enter your Apple ID password or confirm using Touch ID . Once the installation is finished, which should take a few seconds, click the Open button to open the newly installed application.

Once the application is open, all you have to do is click on the Open button at the top left, select the DWG file you want to open and wait for it to be loaded. It wasn’t difficult, was it?

How to open DWG online

How do you say? Don’t have a Windows PC or Mac but use a Chromebook ? Or would you just like to figure out how to open DWG online without installing additional software? Don’t worry: even in this case there is a very convenient solution.

In fact, you can use Autodesk Viewer , an online viewer that supports most 2D and 3D files, including files with the DWG extension. To start it, go to this web page with any supported browser (eg Chrome ) and click on the View Now button .

A new Autodesk Viewer screen will open: click the Start Viewing button . Now, in order to use the service, you need to enter your Autodesk account credentials (completely free). If you do not yet have an account of this type, click on Create account , enter the required data (name, surname, email and password), accept the conditions of use by checking the appropriate box and click on the Create account button .

If, on the other hand, you already have an account, enter your email and password in the respective fields and click on the Login button .

Perfect, now you just have to load the DWG file you want to view: to do so, click on the Upload new file button , then click on the Select file item and choose the document to view. Convenient, right?

How to open DWG on smartphones and tablets

I know what you are thinking: you are tired of having to use the PC for everything and would rather perform all the operations via smartphone and tablet. For this reason, you are wondering how to open DWG on smartphones and tablets , right?

Until recently it would have been impossible to think of being able to only open a DWG file on a smartphone, but today, thanks also to the computing power achieved by these devices, it is possible in a really simple way.

Android

If you have a smartphone or tablet Android , you can use the app DWG FastView-CAD Viewer available to download directly from the Play Store or alternative store for devices without Google services: to install it, look for it in the store on your device, press on its icon (or connected directly to the download link I gave you a moment ago, to do first) and press the Install button .

The application in question is free, supported by minimally invasive advertising, but there is also a premium plan available at a cost of € 5.49 per month or € 49.99 per year . In this case, however, the free version will be more than enough.

So open the app and grant access to the internal memory, by tapping the Allow button from the pop-up that appears. At this point, all you have to do is open the DWG file you previously downloaded on your smartphone. To do this, you can tap on the Drawings item which will scan your smartphone to find all compatible files within the device. This is a very handy feature if you don’t remember which folder you saved it in. Once you have located the file you want to view, tap on it and wait for the app to open it.

Alternatively, tap on the Browse item at the bottom and select the file you want to open from the folder where you saved it (usually Download ).

An alternative is AutoCAD , an app developed by Autodesk, which, however, I didn’t show you in the tutorial because from the tests I carried out it didn’t seem as valid to me as its counterpart for iOS, which I’ll tell you about shortly. If, however, you limit yourself to using it only to view files it could be a valid alternative, but it requires the creation of an Autodesk account if you do not already have one.

iOS / iPadOS

If you have an iPhone , you can safely use the AutoCAD app made by Autodesk, which is really well designed and will allow you to easily open any DWG file. The app is available for download directly from the App Store : to install it, search for it in the store of your device, press on its icon (or connect directly to the download link that I have provided you just now, to do first) and press the button Get . You may be asked to verify your identity with Face ID , Touch ID, or Apple ID password .

Once installed, open the app and log in to your Autodesk account , if you have one, or create a new one (completely free) by choosing the appropriate item and filling out the form that is proposed to you ( as seen before ). Once logged in, tap on the Files App item and then on the Browse button at the bottom. Now, locate the DWG file you want to open, tap on it and wait for it to load.

If you don’t want to create an Autodesk account, you can use an alternative app, DWG FastView-CAD Viewer & Editor , available for download on the App Store . To understand how it works you can take a look at the previous chapter , in which I told you about its version for Android.

How do you say? Would you like to understand how to open DWG on iPad ? Don’t worry, the information I gave you just now is valid for both iPhone and iPad, so go ahead without any fear.