DWG and DXF are two of the most widely used graphics formats in the construction and engineering industry. They are usually created via AutoCAD, the popular software for drafting 2D and 3D computer-aided design projects, and they store large layered files with detailed building plans, maps, model designs etc. DXF represents the interchange version of DWG and both formats are scalable vectors storing images as polygons.
Are you an architect or a designer? Then DWG (Drawing) is probably a format you use very often. Highly popular in the construction and engineering business, DWG files store sketches and building projects, maps and geometric data. They represent the native format of AutoCAD, which is probably the best known computer-aided design software.
One of the advantages of using the DWG format is the possibility to attach referenced drawings or XREFs. These are linked to the main drawing, but the best part is they are not actually inserted into it, which means they do not add to its file size. However, when an editing or update is made to the xref drawing, it also appears in the main DWG file.
DWG is one of the most commonly used formats in the construction industry. Created in the 1980s as a proprietary extension of AutoCAD — probably the best known software in this business — DWG is perfect for storing design and geometric data, building project and sketches, detailed maps etc. So if you are an architect, engineer, designer or have another profession connected to constructions, you probably use this format a lot.
Though extremely practical for storing detailed representations of building details, DWG files have the downside of being extremely large and offering a relatively limited compatibility with other software. That’s why most professionals in the industry choose to convert DWG vector files to PDF — which offers significantly wider accessibility options — when sending them to clients or partners who don’t have AutoCAD installed, for example.
If you are one of those professionals who need to handle a large number of DWG to PDF conversions on a regular basis, we have some great news for you! reaConverter offers a handy solution that helps avoid repeating the same set of operations over and over again, thus saving time and effort. Using the Watch Folders feature, you can now automate your conversions in no more than 4 easy steps.
Do you have a scanned drawing, a map or some other type of raster image that you would like to turn into a DWG or DXF vector? Supporting most existing raster formats as input files, reaConverter makes this process easier than ever and provides you with a handy scaling tool too.
Vectorization can be done using the two available methods: outlining (creating lines / curves along the borders of linked pixels) or centerlining (generating lines / arcs along the center of linked pixels). And because vector files can contain drawings at any scale set by the designer, when you convert from raster reaConverter allows you to pick the desired scaling unit for the output DXF or DWG image. Available options are: millimeters (set as default), inches and pixels.
There is a variety of 3D graphics formats available out there and they can be created using quite a few types of specialized programs. From Autodesk software to Blitz3D and QuickDraw to Blender, there is a long list of software using over one hundred types of 3D output formats.
However, not all enjoy a lot of popularity and some provide more advantages than others. For this reason, converting between 3D extensions might be a great way to improve the accessibility of your files while at the same time preserving their quality content intact. And it can be done in no more than a few clicks using reaConverter’s latest edition.
For example, conversion from STL to DWG formats can not only be done fast and easy, but also includes a series of handy customizable features. STL is a computer-aided design (CAD) 3D format used in model prototyping through stereolitography, 3D printing and computer-aided manufacturing. While supported by several software packs, STL enjoys less popularity than DWG, which is probably the most widely used format for CAD modeling. A native format for Autodesk software, DWG is supported by most CAD programs, including AutoCAD, Caddie, IntelliCAD and many others.
DWG is a proprietary format of AutoCAD — probably the most popular software for drafting 2D and 3D models in the construction industry. Widely used by engineers, architects, designers and other professionals in this branch, the DWG extension is also compatible with several other computer-aided design programs, including IntelliCAD or Caddie.
Most CAD programs offer users 2 types of drafting environments. One is “model space”, where a draft model is initially sketched according to a defined representation scale, and the other is “paper space”, to which users can switch to when preparing a model for printing. The latter allows you to create several layouts, offering different views of the model. Multipage DWG files can contain both “model” pages and “paper” pages.
DXF and DWG are two popular file formats for professionals in the construction industry. Whether architects, designers or project managers, most of those involved in planning and erecting a building are familiar with these two extensions and with the software that creates them: Autocad — one of the most widely used computer-aided design program for drafting 2D and 3D building models.
If you are an architect or an engineer, you probably use AutoCAD a lot. This popular computer-aided design (CAD) software is also used by project managers, designers and several other professionals involved in designing and constructing buildings.
Since its initial release in 1982, AutoCAD has launched a large number of subsequent upgraded versions throughout the years. Because of this, you may have encountered the situation where a DWG or DXF file — two of the extensions commonly used in association with AutoCAD — created with an older version of AutoCAD are not compatible with the current version you are using.
The PCL (Printer Command Language) format was initially designed only for Hewlett-Packard inkjet printers in the 1980s, but in time it became a standard applied all over the printing industry. Though similar to PostScript in terms of features, PCL works faster and simpler. It is also less expensive, being an open language used almost universally by laser-jet printers.
Are you designing a program targeting people who work in architecture, construction engineering or design? If so, you probably want to add DWG conversion as one of its useful features. DWG (“Drawing”) is one of the most helpful and popular formats in handling computer-aided design or drafting (CAD).
However, though preferred by many for its ability to edit and optimize 3D design data and metadata, DWG files also have a few drawbacks. Firstly, in order to open them you need to have AutoCAD or IntelliCAD installed, and using these programs requires not only a powerful computer, but also special training. Secondly, DWG files tend to have very large sizes and require long loading times. For all these reasons, most people who work with DWGs prefer to be able to convert them into PDFs, because thus it becomes much easier to store, open and e-mail them.