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You are here: Home / AutoCAD / DWG TrueView: Open and Save to Any Version of DWG

DWG TrueView: Open and Save to Any Version of DWG

October 1, 2009 by Edwin Prakoso 15 Comments

dwg

I include DWG in several AutoCAD tips/tutorial posts. So you can try it by yourself without drawing it from scratch. But I just realize that you might not be using the same version as me. You might not be able to open the DWG. But don’t worry, you still can use it!

DWG TrueView

You can download the latest version of TrueView and use TrueView to open and save it to an older DWG version. TrueView is a FREE application you can download from Autodesk site. It’s a DWG viewer.

You can open any DWG files with it. You can use TrueView to save a file back to older version. The beauty of TrueView for me, you can batch convert all files in a folder. AutoCAD can’t do that!

You just need to download it here: http://autodesk.com/dwg. So don’t worry if you are still using an old version of AutoCAD. You can convert the files to your DWG version!

Version vs. Release

About Autodesk file version, let’s take a look at DWG file version.

acad file version

You will see AutoCAD 2007, 2004, 2000, and R14. Where’s the rest of it? Where’s my 2009, 2008?

Well, after R14 Autodesk looks like want to change the application name. Not using release anymore, but using version. AutoCAD 2000, actually is the first version of R.15. That’s why you don’t see 2000i, 2002 (I can’t recall if there’s any 2001 and 2003, am I right?). They are using the same file format.

But in the next release, the file format changed again. It’s a three years cycle. 2004, 2005, and 2006 is the same file format, R. 16.

Note: Since AutoCAD 2013, Autodesk hasn’t changed the file version. AutoCAD 2013 can open AutoCAD 2017 files.

 

About Edwin Prakoso

I work as a Sr. Consultant in PT Cipta Satria Informatika. I've been using AutoCAD since R14 and Revit since Revit Building 9. I occasionally write for AUGIWorld magazine and I am also active in Autodesk discussion forum. I'm a member of Autodesk Expert Elite, an appreciation for individuals who give contributions to the Autodesk community.
Connect with me on twitter or LinkedIn.

Filed Under: AutoCAD

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15 Comments
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usman yakubu
usman yakubu
9 years ago

plz I have downloaded the true viewer I don’t know how to make use of it to convert AutoCAD 2014 to AutoCAD 2007 version help me plz.

0
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Angela Chu
Angela Chu
10 years ago

I created a drawing file using AOTOCAD2011 MEP 3D and saved to 2010 version, but our client only has the AUTOCAD 2007, can I save the drawing back to 2007 version for their use?

0
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Edwin Prakoso
Edwin Prakoso
Author
Reply to  Angela Chu
10 years ago

If you use SAVEAS command, you will have option to save it to older AutoCAD version. Yes, you can save it to AutoCAD 2007.

0
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johary
johary
11 years ago

http://autodwg-dwg-dxf-converter-2013.software.in…

0
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johary
johary
11 years ago

im using this application to convert my autoCAD drawing from higher as 2013 version to lower,

"AutoDWG DWG DXF Converter 2013"

0
Reply
Rose
Rose
11 years ago

Hello Edwin,

I have the VERY old version of AutoCad R14. But, my intern has ACAD 2012. How do I convert my intern's drawing to my version of ACAD?

0
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Edwin Prakoso
Edwin Prakoso
Reply to  Rose
11 years ago

Have you tried to download TrueView from the link above? TrueView can convert AutoCAD 2012 file to R14.

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Reply
Terrry
Terrry
12 years ago

Why when I create a drawing in 2000LT and then print in trueview do I get a boarder around it saying educational????

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Reply
archi.girl
archi.girl
12 years ago

i have autocad 2009 version on my computer..i need to open my 2009 version files on a computer in my college with autocad 2006 version..i can not download DWG viewer on my college computer so how can i open my files on my college compter??

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Edwin Prakoso
Edwin Prakoso
Reply to  archi.girl
12 years ago

You have to save the file to 2004 version in your home computer. Or you can download TrueView at home and install it at college.

0
Reply
Warephilip66
Warephilip66
13 years ago

I have autocad 2000 I cant open newer versions is their any free downloads to open these files . 

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Reply
jim
jim
13 years ago

You can try dwConvert6 only for trial if you only need to convert 10 files (dwg or dxf). http://www.guthcad.com. it´s a very nice application. Regards

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Mily Hostetler
Mily Hostetler
14 years ago

I tried the DWG true viewer and actually works! I could open my 2011 file in a computer that has a 2009 auto cad.

But what I could not do was modify or copy the drawings. They are just open as a image. I could not even apply layers or any of the properties created when i supposed to printed.

Do you know is any way to convert the file and still use it and modified it.

Thanks

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Edwin Prakoso
Edwin Prakoso
Author
Reply to  Mily Hostetler
14 years ago

Mily,
TrueView is supposed to be able convert the DWG files. Are you sure they are not proxy objects?
Other free application that I know can open DWG is Bentley View. But I’m not sure if it can convert it to other version.
You may also want to try AutoCAD 360. You can upload the file online and download it as older version.

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