DWF vs DWG: the drawing and its published copy
The difference between DWF and DWG is the difference between a source file and a printout: a DWG is the editable AutoCAD drawing with all its layers, blocks and dimensions, while a DWF is a compressed, read-only snapshot published from that drawing for viewing, printing and markup. One letter apart, but they are used for different jobs. This viewer opens DWG; DWF needs Autodesk's readers.
DWG vs DWF at a glance
| DWG | DWF / DWFX | |
|---|---|---|
| Stands for | Drawing | Design Web Format |
| Role | Working file, the design itself | Published output for review, like a PDF |
| Created by | Saving in AutoCAD, BricsCAD, LibreCAD and others | PLOT or PUBLISH from AutoCAD, Export from Inventor and Revit |
| Editable | Yes, fully | No; markups can be added on top |
| Contents | All geometry, layers, blocks, dimensions, layouts, xrefs, custom objects | Plotted sheets with layers and scale baked in, optional 3D models, embedded fonts |
| Size | Larger: full precision data | Smaller: compressed for sending |
| Container | Autodesk binary | ZIP (DWF) or XPS/OPC (DWFX) |
| Specification | Closed | Partly documented; DWFX uses the open OPC container |
| Readers | AutoCAD, DWG TrueView, this viewer, most CAD | Autodesk Design Review, Autodesk Viewer, XPS Viewer (DWFX) |
| Round trip | DWG to DWF: one command | DWF to DWG: approximate reconstruction only |
DWG: the source drawing
A DWG file is the file the designer works in. It keeps the model at full precision in real units, the layer structure, block definitions, external references, dimension styles and every layout with its plot settings. Anyone with AutoCAD or a compatible program can change it, which is its strength and its risk: when you send a DWG you hand over the design, including the parts you did not plot, such as hidden layers, construction geometry and reference drawings. Versions matter too; a recipient on an older AutoCAD may not be able to open it (see DWG versions).
DWF: the published copy
A DWF file is what AutoCAD produces when you plot to the DWF6 ePlot or DWFx ePlot driver, or run PUBLISH on a set of layouts. Autodesk designed it in the 1990s for exactly the problem above: sharing drawings with clients, contractors and reviewers without giving them the editable file or a 50 MB download. The DWF contains the plotted sheets as compressed vectors, so the viewer can still zoom in cleanly, measure, toggle the layers that were visible at publish time and read object properties, but nothing can be moved or redrawn. Reviewers add markups in Autodesk Design Review and return them; the designer imports the markups into AutoCAD and makes the changes in the DWG. A DWF never becomes the master.
In practice PDF has taken over most of this role, because everyone has a PDF reader and few people have Design Review, which Autodesk no longer develops. DWF survives where its extras matter: multi-sheet sets with sheet navigation, 3D DWF models from Inventor and Revit, and the markup round trip with AutoCAD.
When to send a DWG, a DWF or a PDF
- The recipient will edit or build on the drawing (consultant, subcontractor, surveyor): DWG, saved to a version they can open.
- The recipient will review, measure and mark up and has Autodesk tools: DWF or DWFX, published as one multi-sheet set.
- The recipient only needs to see or print it: PDF, exported from AutoCAD or from this viewer via DWG to PDF. See also DWG vs PDF.
- You need to archive what was issued: keep the DWG as the record of the design and a DWF or PDF as the record of the issued sheets.
Converting between DWF and DWG
DWG to DWF is a plot: in AutoCAD choose the DWF6 ePlot.pc3 or DWFx ePlot.pc3 printer in PLOT, or use PUBLISH for several layouts. Steps are in DWG to DWF.
DWF to DWG is not a reverse of that. The DWF stores plotted lines and text, not the drawing database, so converters can only trace the sheet back into lines, arcs and text. Blocks come back as loose geometry, dimensions as lines and text, and layers only as far as the publish kept them. AutoCAD itself does not convert DWF; it can attach one as an underlay with DWFATTACH for tracing. If the editable drawing exists, requesting the DWG is faster and more accurate. More in DWF to DWG.
This viewer sits on the DWG side: it opens DWG (R14 to 2018+) and DXF in the browser without uploading them, shows layers, measures and exports PDF, SVG and PNG. It does not open DWF or DWFX; for those use Autodesk Design Review, Autodesk Viewer online or, for DWFX, the Windows XPS Viewer, as described in how to open a DWF file.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between DWF and DWG?
DWG is the editable CAD drawing; DWF is a compressed, read-only version published from it for viewing, printing and markup. You design in DWG and distribute DWF (or PDF).
Can I convert a DWF to DWG?
Only approximately. Converters trace the plotted sheet into lines and text, losing blocks, dimensions and most layer logic. AutoCAD can attach a DWF as an underlay but does not convert it. Ask for the original DWG when possible.
Can AutoCAD open a DWF file?
Not as a drawing. AutoCAD attaches DWF files as underlays (DWFATTACH) and imports Design Review markups, but editing happens in the DWG.
Is a DWF smaller than a DWG?
Usually yes, often by a large factor, because the DWF stores only the plotted sheets as compressed vectors rather than the full drawing database with xrefs and unplotted layers.
DWF or PDF: which should I send?
PDF, unless the recipient uses Autodesk Design Review or needs multi-sheet navigation, 3D models or the markup round trip into AutoCAD. Everyone can open a PDF.
Does this viewer open DWF files?
No, it opens DWG and DXF. For DWF use Autodesk Design Review, the Autodesk Viewer online, or the Windows XPS Viewer for DWFX.