This page has been updated. For the latest version, visit: http://rkmcswain.blogspot.com/2006/08/drawing-viewers.html
Since Autodesk quit providing a free application to view it's own DWG files, there has been a demand for said application. Plenty of other software vendors have provided a solution for this need.
- Autodesk does offer a DWG viewer, but it's only available bundled with their DWF Composer $
- guthrie CAD Viewer $
- Bentley View FREE
- Cimmetry Systems $
- Informative Graphics $ and FREE versions.
- AutoDWG $
- Trix Systems $
DWG Conversion...
Note that Solidworks offers an add-on to "Open and edit any DWG file using any version of AutoCAD". For example, install this utility and you can open AutoCAD version 2004 drawings using AutoCAD 2000. Read what Autodesk has to say about this utility.
Autodesk also offers their own Batch Drawing Converter that will "convert any AutoCAD or AutoCAD-based drawing file to AutoCAD Release 14, AutoCAD 2000, AutoCAD 2000i, AutoCAD 2002, AutoCAD 2004, AutoCAD 2005, and AutoCAD 2006 file formats..."
Labels: Viewers
PermaLink Posted 6/09/2005 06:01:00 AM
Comment from:
Mistress of the Dorkness
Date: June 9, 2005 at 11:12:00 AM CDT
cool... that's a handy list/links to have!
Comment from:
R.K. McSwain
Date: June 13, 2005 at 9:21:00 PM CDT
IG - Thanks, I updated the main page to reflect this.
Comment from:
Date: June 14, 2005 at 7:38:00 AM CDT
Bentley offers a free viewer that supports viewing of virtually any version of DWG (back to R9 I think) and can also be used to view our own MicroStation drawings. We believe you deserve better than to have to pay for a viewer. You can download Bentley View at http://www.bentley.com/en-US/Products/Bentley+View/
Dave
Comment from:
R.K. McSwain
Date: June 14, 2005 at 7:45:00 AM CDT
David, maybe you missed it, but a link to Bentley View was included in the initial post.
Thanks.