Native CAD interfaces
Direct support for the CAD formats listed here.
DWG-DXF-DWF Viewer
Open AutoCAD 3D and 2D files
intuitive & practical 3D without CAD expertise
affordable & universal many 3D/2D interfaces
Modern, easy-to-use CAD viewer
Cost-effective CAD converter for all formats
The 3D-Tool Viewer opens DWG and DXF files in 2D and 3D, as well as 3D DWF files, without any additional CAD software.
The 3D-NativeCAD Converter converts models to exchange formats such as STEP, IGES, JT, SAT, and Parasolid X_T. It also supports visualization formats such as STL, OBJ, 3D-PDF, 3D-HTML, FBX, 3MF, and glTF.
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Windows support
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Open DWG, DXF, and DWF - No AutoCAD Required
DWG, DXF, and DWF files often land in an inbox from a client, architect, or supplier who never installed AutoCAD in the first place - the 3D-Tool Viewer opens all three formats directly, whether the file holds a 2D drawing, a 3D model, or both. Unlike a plain online viewer, the drawing can be measured and checked for dimensions and geometry, not just displayed.
DWG, DXF, and DWF are used far beyond mechanical engineering, across architecture, construction, and many other industries, so the viewer covers more ground than software built for a single CAD system. That makes it easy to confirm whether a drawing someone else sent actually contains the dimensions and geometry needed before using it further.
What are DWG, DXF, and DWF files?
- DWG is Autodesk AutoCAD's native file format. DXF is an exchange format developed by Autodesk. Both formats are used mostly for 2D drawings, but they can also contain 3D solids. Files may be purely 2D, purely 3D, or mixed 2D/3D.
- DWG is Autodesk AutoCAD's primary native format. Autodesk originally developed DXF for exchanging data between operating systems. Compared with DWG, DXF offers fewer functions, but more CAD applications can load DXF.
- DWF is a web-based, highly compressed vector format developed by AutoCAD. It was designed for presenting and sharing designs. It does not require specialized CAD software, so all project stakeholders can access the data.
DWG, DXF, and DWF versions
- DWG and DXF versions follow AutoCAD development. However, the version numbering is not very intuitive. File version AC1027 applies to AutoCAD 2013 through 2017. The current file version is AC1032; it applies to AutoCAD 2018 through today. The first six bytes (characters) of a DWG file indicate the version. In a DXF file, the version is specified in the header. The DXF variable is $ACADVER.
- There are mainly two versions of DWF: the older DWF (Design Web Format) version and the newer XML-based DWFx format. DWFx is the latest version and is often used to exchange design data with people who do not have AutoCAD installed.
DWG, DXF, and DWF characteristics
Due to the close relationship, DWG files can be used in Autodesk AutoCAD and Autodesk Inventor. However, you can modify a DWG file created with Inventor only in Inventor. You can modify a DWG file created with AutoCAD only in AutoCAD.
The DXF format is suitable for exchange between Autodesk programs and with third-party software. However, it does not offer any special Autodesk functions, such as those from Autodesk Civil 3D, Revit, and Inventor. DXF files are ASCII-coded and significantly larger than binary DWG files.
DWF files contain vector-based data and, for 3D models, triangulated data (MESH). DWF and DWFx are intended for publication only and not for further editing in CAD software.
How do I open DXF, DWG, and DWF files?
All three formats can be opened with Autodesk programs such as AutoCAD and Inventor. DXF and the newer DWF/DWFx files are also supported by numerous other applications. For example, DWFx files can also be viewed in the Microsoft XPS Viewer.
Autodesk offers various viewing solutions with DWG TrueView, AutoCAD Web, and the Autodesk Viewer, ranging from free without registration to registration and paid.
The 3D-Tool CAD Viewer opens DWG and DXF files in 2D and 3D, as well as DWF and DWFx files containing 3D data. It offers numerous measurement and analysis tools in an easy-to-use application. 3D-Tool can be tested free of charge for 14 days.
How do I convert DWG, DXF, and DWF files?
Converting DWG to DXF is possible with DWG TrueView from Autodesk.
Converting 3D DWG to STEP or 3D DXF to STEP with converter software only works for exact geometries (BREP). Triangulated models (MESH) cannot be converted to STEP, IGES, CATIA, SolidWorks, or other CAD formats. This means that converting 3D DWF or 3D DWFx to CAD formats is impossible.
The 3D-NativeCAD Converter in 3D-Tool Premium reliably converts DXF and DWG models to common 3D exchange formats such as STEP, IGES, JT, SAT, and Parasolid X_T. This also applies to models from many other CAD systems. It converts DWF models to visualization formats such as 3MF, FBX, 3D-PDF, or 3D-HTML.
Try the DWG-DXF-DWF viewer and converter for free
3D-Tool is a CAD Viewer with many native CAD interfaces, including Inventor. 3D-Tool provides professional measurement tools, draft analysis, and wall thickness analysis.
- Open, dimension, annotate, and publish DWG and DXF files in 2D and 3D, as well as 3D DWF files, for the 3D-Tool Free Viewer or as 3D-PDF
- Open DWG, DXF, and DWF files (3D) and save them as STL, 3DS, PLY, WRL, or OBJ
- Convert DWG and DXF data (3D-BREP) to STEP, IGES, SAT, X_T, and JT
- Convert DWG, DXF, and DWF models (3D-MESH) to 3D product visualizations such as 3D-HTML, FBX, 3MF, and glTF
Free, no-obligation 14-day trial with all features, the AutoCAD interfaces, and the 3D-NativeCAD Converter. The trial key activates all 3D interfaces, such as CATIA, Designcenter (Siemens NX), SolidWorks, Creo, STEP, and SAT.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can DWG and DXF contain 2D and 3D data?
Yes. Both formats can contain 2D drawings, 3D solids, or mixed 2D/3D data. 3D-Tool opens them without additional CAD software. The extension alone does not tell you whether a file contains a drawing or a solid model. This distinction matters when converting to STEP, because a 2D drawing does not supply exact 3D geometry.
What is the difference between DWG, DXF, and DWF?
DWG is the primary native AutoCAD format. DXF is used to exchange drawing and model data between applications. DWF is a compressed publishing format whose 3D models contain mesh data. For conversion to an exact CAD format, the contained geometry is decisive. A DWF visualization model does not provide the same basis as exact 3D geometry in a DWG or DXF file.
Does 3D-Tool open DWFx files?
Yes. The 3D-Tool CAD Viewer opens DWF and DWFx files containing 3D data and provides measurement and analysis tools. A DWFx file can therefore be inspected without using the original CAD application. Its contents determine whether you are working with a drawing or a 3D visualization model and which analysis is appropriate.
Can DWG or DXF models be converted to STEP?
The 3D-NativeCAD Converter in 3D-Tool Premium converts exact 3D geometry (BREP) from DWG and DXF files to STEP, IGES, SAT, and Parasolid X_T. A 2D drawing or a triangulated model does not provide this exact 3D geometry. If only a drawing is available, request the corresponding 3D model from the sender.
Which formats can DWF models be converted to?
The 3D-NativeCAD Converter in 3D-Tool Premium converts DWF models to visualization formats such as 3MF, FBX, 3D-PDF, and 3D-HTML. Their mesh data is not reconstructed as exact CAD surfaces. The result remains a visualization model. If the recipient requires STEP geometry for CAD processing, request the original model in an exact CAD format instead of relying on the DWF export.