AutoCAD is computer-aided drafting (CAD) software widely used in the design and engineering industry. Developed by Autodesk, AutoCAD helps create 2D and 3D drawings with high precision and efficiency.
AutoCAD files have a ".dwg" (for "drawing") file extension, which is an Autodesk proprietary format. This means that files created in AutoCAD can only be opened in software that supports this format, such as AutoCAD itself or other CAD software that supports importing .dwg files.
AutoCAD file extensions are:
.dwg (3D & 2D)
.dwf (3D & 2D)
However, AutoCAD also supports exporting to other CAD file formats, such as DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) and DWF (Design Web Format). These formats allow users to share their drawings with people who do not have access to AutoCAD, while preserving the quality and accuracy of the drawings.
Regarding CAD interoperability capabilities, AutoCAD has a wide variety of features to facilitate collaboration between different CAD software. For example, AutoCAD is compatible with industry standards such as IGES (Initial Graphics Exchange Specification), STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product Model Data), and STL (Standard Tessellation Language).
ACIS is the geometric engine of all software developed by Autodesk. Recording and playback in ACIS format from or to an Autodesk product is achieved without conversion and therefore without interoperability problems at the geometry level.
Additionally, Autodesk has also developed additional software solutions to improve interoperability with AutoCAD. For example, AutoCAD Mechanical is a mechanical CAD software based on AutoCAD, which allows users to create drawings of mechanical parts with specific features such as the design of gears, springs, screws and other mechanical elements. AutoCAD Architecture, on the other hand, is a CAD software for architects and construction professionals, which allows them to create construction plans with specific functionalities such as the design of walls, doors and windows.
In summary, AutoCAD is a CAD software developed by Autodesk. AutoCAD supported native or neutral formats are IGES, DXF, DWG, ACIS. AutoCAD file extensions are .dwg (3D & 2D) & .dwf (3D & 2D)
CAD Interop distributes several softwares to view, translate and validate AutoCAD files. Find below the list of our solutions compatible with AutoCAD:
