In today’s fast-paced, increasingly digital world, professionals across various sectors are seeking solutions that offer flexibility, convenience, and efficiency. Whether you’re an architect, an engineer, a product designer, or any sort of CAD professional or hobbyist, the ability to access and manipulate DWG files on the go can be a time-saving game changer. And that’s exactly why AutoCAD Web is an ideal solution for your DWG viewing needs, offering light markup and editing features to boost collaboration and streamline design adjustments on the go. In this blog post, we’ll cover exactly how you can go about viewing and marking up 2D and 3D DWG files in AutoCAD Web, as well as other benefits that using AutoCAD Web can give you access to.
About DWG files
Autodesk created the DWG format in 1982 with the very first launch of the AutoCAD software. They are not only the native format for AutoCAD, but have become an industry standard. These files store comprehensive design data, including 2D and 3D geometric information, annotations, and metadata – making them ideal for detailed documentation. Their widespread adoption ensures compatibility and interoperability, facilitating collaboration among different professionals. DWG files are also reliable for long-term use and archiving, which enhance the precision and sophistication of design processes. This makes the DWG format an invaluable asset for creating, sharing, and maintaining complex design documents.
TrustedDWG and maximizing security
TrustedDWG is a feature developed by Autodesk to ensure the integrity and compatibility of DWG files. It verifies that the file was created and maintained by Autodesk software or other authorized applications, thus ensuring that no data has been lost or corrupted in the process. Using TrustedDWG, AutoCAD Web can help users ensure that their DWG files are accurate and reliable, maintaining the high standards expected in professional design and documentation workflows. This feature is particularly important for maintaining data fidelity and ensuring compatibility across different versions of Autodesk software.
The Benefits of AutoCAD Web
AutoCAD Web is a trusted solution for architects, engineers, product designers and construction professionals, offering not only DWG viewing capabilities, but also core AutoCAD commands for light editing and markups. It features familiar drafting tools in a simplified online interface, allowing you to access and update DWG files from anywhere. AutoCAD Web gives you access to AutoCAD on the web or on a mobile device, which facilitates quick collaboration on designs no matter where you are – whether it’s at your desk at the office or on a job site. Accessible via any web browser, AutoCAD Web offers a streamlined, intuitive interface that enables users to view, edit, and share DWG files without the need for a full desktop installation.
Access to AutoCAD on mobile even allows you to design and draw without an internet connection and sync your changes later. Whether you’re at the actual job site, traveling to and from the office, or anywhere else – you can always use AutoCAD Web to view and markup DWGs.
And if someone is a CAD beginner, or not used to complicated functions, AutoCAD Web provides a simplified experience for them. Whether it’s an intern-level technician, or a collaborator who doesn’t have the technical experience that an architect, engineer, or experienced AutoCAD user would have, AutoCAD Web’s intuitive UI lets users benefit from the familiarity of web browsers and mobile apps to view & collaborate on drawings.
Viewing and marking up DWGs with AutoCAD Web
To view a DWG in AutoCAD Web, simply log on to your Autodesk account, click on the “Open Drawing” button, then choose the file you want to view. The DWG file, whether it’s 2D or 3D, will open in a new window where you can zoom in and out, pan around, and switch between model space and paper space. You can also use the Layer Manager to control the visibility of various layers in your drawing. With AutoCAD Web, you can even make small edits and markups to your DWG files. It includes basic 2D drawing and editing tools, and you can change properties like color, layer, and line type. Once you’ve made your changes, you can save your drawing to keep the edits.
In AutoCAD Web, you can even view 3D objects created in the AutoCAD Architecture toolset, allowing you to use 3D viewing and navigation tools to orbit around a 3D model. (For a complete list of commands and system variables that can be launched using the command line in AutoCAD Web, check out the Help page here.
AutoCAD Web is there to help you view DWGs and get your work done, however you choose to do it. Simply sign in at web.autocad.com or install the mobile app, available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, and work straight from your device. Try AutoCAD Web out for yourself with a 30-day free trial.
