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What is DWF

Drawing Web Format

DWF, or Design Web Format, is a file format developed by Autodesk for the distribution of drawing files to anyone who needs to view, review, or print design files. DWF files are highly compressed and are usually smaller and faster to transmit than the original design files, like DWG or DXF. The original design files, for example AutoCAD DWG, may depend on external resources such as referenced drawings, plot styles and fonts. The DWF file will contain all information that is needed for displaying the design correctly. The main purpose of DWF is to allow designers, engineers, and others to communicate design information and design content to anyone needing to view, review, or print design information without the need of knowledge of a specific CAD software, like for example AutoCAD. Files in DWF format usually end with a .dwf or a .dwfx extension.

DWFx DWFx is the newest version of the DWF file format, and it is based on the XML Paper Specification (XPS). You can read more about the XPS specification, ISO/IEC 29500-2:2008 Open Packaging Conventions online. DWFx files are typically larger than DWF files due to the XPS format overhead, although both DWF and DWFX formats offer considerable compression compared to native CAD formats. DWFx is a more universally accessible version of the DWF format, offering better compatibility with standard Windows environments through its XPS foundation.

Software for Viewing and Converting DWF and DWFx Files ViewCompanion is a Windows application for viewing, printing, comparing, annotating, and converting Autodesk DWF and DWFx files. ViewCompanion is commonly used for: Technical drawing review File conversion and publishing Markup and annotation Print and plot workflows Digital takeoff Engineering document distribution Features for DWF and DWFx Files With ViewCompanion you can: Open and view DWF and DWFx drawings Convert DWF files to PDF, DXF, TIFF, PNG, SVG, and other formats Compare two DWF drawings and highlight differences Add annotations, stamps, measurements, and markup elements Batch convert multiple DWF files at once Measure distances and areas directly in the drawing Print large-format engineering and CAD drawings
All ViewCompanion editions support DWF and DWFx viewing and conversion. Depending on the edition, ViewCompanion also supports PDF, PLT, CGM, Gerber, TIFF, CALS, HPGL/2, and additional file formats. ViewCompanion Editions Learn more about the available editions: ViewCompanion Standard ViewCompanion Pro ViewCompanion Premium Frequently Asked Questions What is a DWF file? A DWF (Design Web Format) file is a compressed drawing format developed by Autodesk for sharing CAD drawings, engineering documentation, and technical designs. What is the difference between DWF and DWFx? DWFx is an XML-based version of the DWF format that uses Microsoft XPS technology. Both formats are commonly used for sharing engineering drawings. How can I open DWF files? You can open DWF and DWFx files using ViewCompanion on Windows. Can ViewCompanion convert DWF to PDF? Yes. ViewCompanion can convert DWF and DWFx files to PDF, DXF, TIFF, PNG, JPG, SVG, and several other formats. Can I batch convert multiple DWF files? Yes. ViewCompanion support batch conversion of multiple DWF and DWFx files. Does ViewCompanion support annotations and measurements? Yes. ViewCompanion can add annotations, stamps, redlines, and measurements directly to DWF drawings. Is there a DWF SDK available? Yes. scViewer and scConverter provide SDK and automation solutions for developers who need DWF viewing, printing, annotation, or conversion features in custom applications. Where can I find more information about the DWF format? For additional technical and historical background information about the Autodesk Design Web Format (DWF), see the Wikipedia article about DWF.