AutoCAD/DWG Files

DWG icon.

AutoCAD drawings are saved using the DWG extension, and over the years this has become a standard format for exchanging technical drawings, to the extent that even programs such as Adobe Illustrator will recognise DWG files. AutoCAD also supports an even more widely recognised format called DXF which was specifically designed as an interchange format. Unfortunately, as AutoCAD has passed through numerous editions, the DWG format has upgraded to keep pace with newer features. The most recent format was released with AutoCAD 2012 and any files saved using this format cannot be opened by AutoCAD 2011, 2010, 2009 etc.