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.dwg

 
Wikipedia: .dwg
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DWG
Filename extension .dwg
Internet media type application/acad
application/x-acad
application/autocad_dwg
image/x-dwg
application/dwg
application/x-dwg
application/x-autocad
image/vnd.dwg
drawing/dwg[1]
Developed by Autodesk, Open Design Alliance and others
Type of format CAD

DWG ("drawing") is a file format used for storing two and three dimensional design data and metadata. It is the native format for several CAD packages including AutoCAD, IntelliCAD (and its variants) and Caddie. In addition, DWG is supported non-natively[2] by many other CAD applications. The .bak (drawing backup), .dws (drawing standards), .dwt (drawing template) and .sv$ (temporary automatic save) files are also DWG files.

Contents

History of the DWG format

DWG (denoted by the .dwg filename extension) was the native file format for the Interact CAD package, developed by Mike Riddle in the late 1970s[3], and subsequently licensed by Autodesk in 1982 as the basis for AutoCAD.[4][5][6] From 1982 to 2007, Autodesk created versions of AutoCAD which wrote no fewer than 18 major variants of the DWG file format, none of which are publicly documented.[7]

The DWG format is probably the most widely used format for CAD drawings. Autodesk estimates that in 1998 there were in excess of two billion DWG files in existence.[8]

There are several claims to control of the DWG format.[9] It is Autodesk who designs, defines, and iterates the DWG format as the native format for their CAD applications. Autodesk sells a read/write library, called RealDWG,[10] under selective licensing terms for use in non-competitive applications. Several companies have attempted to reverse engineer Autodesk's DWG format, and offer software libraries to read and write Autodesk DWG files. The most successful is Open Design Alliance,[11] a non-profit consortium created in 1998 by a number of software developers (including competitors to Autodesk), released a read/write/view library called the OpenDWG Toolkit, which was based on the MarComp AUTODIRECT libraries.[12] (ODA has since rewritten and updated that code.) There are no open-source DWG libraries currently available, and neither RealDWG[10] nor DWGdirect are licensed on terms that are compatible with the GNU GPL, or similar free software license.

In 1998, Autodesk added file verification to AutoCAD R14.01, through a function called DWGCHECK. This function was supported by an encrypted checksum and product code (called a "watermark" by Autodesk), written into DWG files created by the program.[13][14] In 2006, in response to Autodesk users experiencing bugs and incompatibilities in files written by reverse-engineered DWG read/write libraries, Autodesk modified AutoCAD 2007, to include "TrustedDWG technology", a function which would embed a text string within DWG files written by the program: "Autodesk DWG. This file is a Trusted DWG last saved by an Autodesk application or Autodesk licensed application."[15] This helped Autodesk software users ensure that the files they were opening were created by an Autodesk, or RealDWG application, reducing risk of incompatibilities.[16] AutoCAD would pop up a message, warning of potential stability problems, if a user opened a 2007 version DWG file which did not include this text string.

In 2008 The Free Software Foundation asserted the need for an open replacement for the DWG format by placing 'Replacement for OpenDWG libraries'[17] in 9th place on their High Priority Free Software Projects list.

In 2008 Autodesk and Bentley agreed on exchange of software libraries, including Autodesk RealDWG, to improve the ability to read and write the companies' respective DWG and DGN formats in mixed environments with greater fidelity. In addition, the two companies will facilitate work process interoperability between their AEC applications through supporting the reciprocal use of available Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).[18]

Version history

Version Internal version AutoCAD versions
DWG R1.0 MC0.0 AutoCAD Release 1.0
DWG R1.2 AC1.2 AutoCAD Release 1.2
DWG R1.40 AC1.40 AutoCAD Release 1.40
DWG R2.05 AC1.50 AutoCAD Release 2.05
DWG R2.10 AC2.10 AutoCAD Release 2.10
DWG R2.21 AC2.21 AutoCAD Release 2.21
DWG R2.22 AC1002, AC2.22 AutoCAD Release 2.22
DWG R2.50 AC1002 AutoCAD Release 2.50
DWG R2.60 AC1003 AutoCAD Release 2.60
DWG R9 AC1004 AutoCAD Release 9
DWG R10 AC1006 AutoCAD Release 10
DWG R11/12 AC1009 AutoCAD Release 11, AutoCAD Release 12
DWG R13 AC1012 AutoCAD Release 13
DWG R14 AC1014 AutoCAD Release 14
DWG 2000 AC1015 AutoCAD 2000, AutoCAD 2000i, AutoCAD 2002
DWG 2004 AC1018 AutoCAD 2004, AutoCAD 2005, AutoCAD 2006
DWG 2007 AC1021 AutoCAD 2007, AutoCAD 2008, AutoCAD 2009
DWG 2010 AC1024 AutoCAD 2010

Legal issues

On 13 November 2006, Autodesk sued the Open Design Alliance alleging that its DWGdirect libraries infringed Autodesk's trademark for the word "Autodesk", by writing the TrustedDWG watermark (including the word "AutoCAD") into DWG files it created.[19] Nine days later, Autodesk's attorneys won a broad and deep temporary restraining order against the Open Design Alliance.[20] In April 2007, the suit was settled, essentially on Autodesk's terms, with Autodesk modifying the warning message in AutoCAD 2008 (to make it somewhat less alarming), and the Open Design Alliance removing support for writing the TrustedDWG watermark from its DWGdirect libraries. The effect of the temporary restraining order and subsequent consent decree was to render the Open Design Alliance's DWGdirect libraries incapable of creating DWG files that are 100% compatible with AutoCAD.[21]

In 2006, Autodesk applied for registration of US trademarks on "DWG"[22][23], "DWG EXTREME"[24], "DWG TRUECONVERT"[25], "REALDWG"[26], "DWGX"[27], "DWG TRUEVIEW"[28]. As early as 1996, Autodesk has disclaimed exclusive use of the DWG mark in US trademark filings.[29] Out of these applications, only TRUSTEDDWG has been registered as a trademark by the USPTO. The REALDWG and DWGX registrations were opposed by SolidWorks. The DWG EXTREME, DWG TRUECONVERT, and DWG TRUEVIEW trademark registration applications all received substantial resistance, with the USPTO examining attorney requiring Autodesk to disclaim exclusive use of DWG as a condition for their registration.

In a non-final action in May, 2007, the USPTO examining attorney refused to register the two DWG marks, as they are "merely descriptive" of the use of DWG as a file format name. In September, 2007, Autodesk responded, claiming that DWG has gained a "secondary meaning," separate from its use as a generic file format name.[30].

As of June 22, 2008, all of Autodesk's DWG-related trademark registration proceedings were suspended by the USPTO, pending disposition of trademark opposition and cancellation petitions Autodesk had filed against the Open Design Alliance and Dassault Systemes SolidWorks Corporation. The USPTO office actions notifying Autodesk of this noted the following as facts:

“

1. DWG is a file format.
2. Applicant is not the exclusive source of files with the format name DWG.
3. Applicant does not control the use of DWG by others, either as a trademark or as a file format name.
4. The submitted survey does not reflect recognition of DWG as a trademark, since no distinction was made between use as a trademark and use as the name of a file format.

 ”

In 2006, Autodesk filed an opposition with the USPTO to the trademark registration of DWGGATEWAY by SolidWorks.[31] Autodesk subsequently filed a petition for cancellation of SolidWorks' trademark registration for DWGEDITOR.[32] In both cases, Autodesk's basis was that they had "been using the DWG name with its CAD software products since at least as early as 1983." The opposition and cancellation actions have been consolidated, and are under suspension pending disposition of Autodesk's US District Court suit against SolidWorks.[33]

In early 2007, Autodesk petitioned the USPTO to cancel the Open Design Alliance's "OpenDWG" trademarks, claiming that they had been abandoned.[34] This cancellation action has been suspended pending disposition of Autodesk's US District Court suit against SolidWorks.[35]

In 2008, Autodesk sued SolidWorks in US District Court, arguing that through its marketing efforts, the term "DWG" has lost its original generic meaning and taken on a secondary meaning referring specifically to Autodesk's proprietary drawing file format, and therefore any use of "DWG" in competitive products amounted to trademark infringement.[36] As of September, 2009, this suit is proceeding forward, with the docket hinting that discovery will close before the end of the month, and no indication that the matter will be settled prior to trial. The outcome of this suit will likely affect the disposition of the USPTO opposition and cancellation proceedings between Autodesk and SolidWorks, and Autodesk and the Open Design Alliance, as the USPTO's Trademark Trial and Appeal Board is bound by decisions of US District Courts.

Free viewers

There are no open source viewers for DWG files since the licensing of the libraries needed by lx-viewer[37] now restricts their use to members of the Open Design Alliance.

Free for unlimited time

  • Linux Drawing Viewer / Lx-Viewer only for members of the Open Design Alliance
  • Design Review 2010 (36 MB) from Autodesk can view DWG files if installed with the DWG Reader (DWG TrueView) option (153 MB total) that also includes DWG TrueConvert that can convert to AutoCAD R14, AutoCAD 2000, AutoCAD 2004, AutoCAD 2007 and AutoCAD 2010 DWG file formats. For Windows XP/Vista, also 64-bit.
  • Caddie Requires registration, the free version plots and edits but does not save.
  • eDrawings Viewer by SolidWorks, 11.8 Mb. For Windows NT/2000/XP & Mac OS X 10.4+
  • Bentley View by Bentley, 58.2 Mb. Requires registration. For Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP.
  • VariCAD Viewer is a CAD/CAM file viewer able to render DWG files. It is the only such application which runs on the Linux operating system.
  • Free DWG Viewer No registration required. Updates every 8 months, viewing and measurement to scale with geometry coordinate snapping.

See also

References

  1. ^ "File Extension .DWG Details". FILExt - The File Extension Source. Computer Knowledge. http://filext.com/file-extension/DWG. Retrieved 2007-07-12. 
  2. ^ Non-natively: i.e., the file format is supported by translation from or to another file formats.
  3. ^ "Mike Riddle's Prehistoric AutoCAD - Retro Thing". Archived from the original on 2009-06-14. http://www.webcitation.org/5hXExcLhs. Retrieved 2009-06-11. 
  4. ^ "Existing products". Archived from the original on 2009-06-14. http://www.webcitation.org/5hXEy2oiJ. Retrieved 2009-06-11. 
  5. ^ The Autodesk File: Footnote
  6. ^ "DigiBarn Stories: Mike Riddle & the Story of AutoCAD, EasyCAD, FastCAD & more". Archived from the original on 2009-06-14. http://www.webcitation.org/5hXEyRZFr. Retrieved 2009-06-11. 
  7. ^ Autodesk[dead link]
  8. ^ Autodesk, Inc.. "DWG Unplugged". Archived from the original on 1998-01-19. http://web.archive.org/web/19980119080401/http://www.autodesk.com/products/autocad/dwgoem/unplgfq2.htm. "With over two billion AutoCAD DWG files worldwide..." 
  9. ^ DWG: The Registration Attempts & Successes from WorldCAD Access
  10. ^ a b Autodesk - Developer Center - RealDWG
  11. ^ Originally, OpenDWG Alliance. "Open Design Alliance". http://www.opendesign.com. 
  12. ^ http://www.opendwg.org/node/86
  13. ^ Between the Lines: How to identify some problem DWG files
  14. ^ http://www.opendesign.com/dwg2007update.asp
  15. ^ This "TrustedDWG code" is encoded into DWG files in a fashion that is not humanly readable. This may be validated by using a binary editor to search a DWG file.
  16. ^ Autodesk originally used the term "Trusted DWG", with an embedded space. They modified it removing the space, prior to filing a US trademark application in September, 2006. See http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=77009317
  17. ^ FSF promotes need for open DWG packages
  18. ^ "Autodesk and Bentley to Advance AEC Software Interoperability". 2008-07-08. http://pressreleases.autodesk.com/index.php?s=press_releases&item=436%3C%2Ftd%3E. Retrieved 2009-01-01. 
  19. ^ Autodesk v. ODA
  20. ^ Autodesk v. ODA See line 35, Transcript
  21. ^ Autodesk v. ODA See line 50, Consent Judgment
  22. ^ "Latest Status Info". Archived from the original on 2009-09-12. http://www.webcitation.org/5jkOlfnj2. Retrieved 2009-09-10. 
  23. ^ Latest Status Info
  24. ^ Latest Status Info
  25. ^ Latest Status Info
  26. ^ Latest Status Info
  27. ^ Latest Status Info
  28. ^ Latest Status Info
  29. ^ Latest Status Info
  30. ^ United States Patent & Trademark Office
  31. ^ "dwg#page1.tif". Archived from the original on 2009-09-12. http://www.webcitation.org/5jkOm3Ntl. Retrieved 2009-09-10. 
  32. ^ http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/ttabvue-92046253-CAN-1.pdf
  33. ^ http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/ttabvue-91170857-OPP-32.pdf
  34. ^ http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/ttabvue-92047002-CAN-1.pdf
  35. ^ http://ttabvue.uspto.gov/ttabvue/ttabvue-92047002-CAN-53.pdf
  36. ^ "Docket -> 3:08-cv-04397 (Autodesk v. SolidWorks)". Archived from the original on 2009-09-12. http://www.webcitation.org/5jkOmUL6B. Retrieved 2009-09-10. 
  37. ^ Linux Drawing Viewer - DWG and DXF support

External links

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Release 9 · Release 10 · Release 11 · Release 12 · Release 13 · Release 14
2000 · 2000i · 2002 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010
File formats
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