CAD Glossary
DWG File Format
AutoCAD's native file format for 2D technical drawings — stores geometry, text, dimensions, and layer information.
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DWG is AutoCAD’s proprietary native file format, used primarily for 2D technical drawings. It stores geometry (lines, arcs, polylines), text, dimensions, blocks, and layer information. DWG is the most widely used format in 2D drafting and engineering drawing.
DWG vs DXF
- DWG — AutoCAD’s binary native format. More compact. Requires compatible software to open reliably.
- DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) — AutoCAD’s open ASCII exchange format. Wider compatibility but larger file size.
Both formats are closely related. CAD services and manufacturers generally accept either.
Version history
DWG versions track AutoCAD releases. Common versions:
- R12 / R14 — Legacy formats from the 1990s, still in wide circulation for archived drawings
- 2000–2010 — Most common in current use
- 2013, 2018 — Current AutoCAD formats