Match the format to the job
| They need to… | Send | How |
|---|---|---|
| Look at it, print it, sign it off | Plot to PDF from your CAD tool, or convert DWG to PDF free | |
| Check dimensions or toggle layers | The DWG plus a free viewer | Point them to a viewer such as Caddis, which needs no install or account |
| Drop it in a slide or chat | PNG | Convert DWG to PNG at up to 4096 px |
| Cut or machine it | DXF (often R12) | Convert to R12 DXF and see the laser-cutting checklist |
| Keep working on it in CAD | DWG via eTransmit | Package it with xrefs, fonts and images so nothing is missing |
PDF: the universal answer
Everyone can open a PDF on any device. A vector PDF keeps lines crisp at any zoom, unlike a screenshot. Plotting from your CAD software gives you full control over sheets, scale and line weights. When you don't have the CAD software either, the free converter produces a vector PDF of the whole drawing in your browser.
When a PDF isn't enough
Site supervisors and reviewers often need more than a picture: switching layers off to see the structure, or measuring a span. Send the DWG and point them to a free viewer. Caddis opens DWG, DXF, STEP and STL files on iPhone and in any modern browser, measures them, and keeps their markup separate from your drawing.
Sending DWG to another CAD user
- Save down if needed. Check which AutoCAD version they use and Save As that format. Newer formats won't open in older AutoCAD. The version checker shows what you're sending.
- Use eTransmit. It bundles external references, images, fonts and plot styles, so the drawing doesn't arrive with missing backgrounds.
- Zip it. Zipping protects large drawings from email systems that truncate or block attachments.
Confidential drawings
Many free online converters and viewers upload your file to their servers. If the drawing is under NDA or contains security-sensitive layouts, use tools that work locally: your own CAD software, or browser tools such as Caddis that process the file on your device.
Free, local-first CAD viewer
Open DWG, DXF, STEP and STL files without uploading them.
Frequently asked questions
What's the easiest way to send a DWG to a client?
A PDF. Plot it from your CAD software or convert DWG to PDF for free in your browser.
Can someone open a DWG on their phone?
Yes, with a DWG viewer app. Caddis opens DWG files on iPhone from the Files app, and the web viewer works in mobile browsers.