How to Import dwg files into SolidWorks?

What is the DWG file format?

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Autodesk AutoCAD is a professional CAD program that creates a DWG file which is a 2D or 3D drawing file. It contains vector image data and metadata that AutoCAD and other CAD applications use. DWG files are related to.DXF files.

DWG is a proprietary binary file format used for storing two and three-dimensional design data and metadata. This format is native to several CAD packages including DraftSight, AutoCAD, BricsCAD, IntelliCAD, and Open Design Alliance-compliant applications. DWG file is supported by many other CAD applications.

What are DWG files used for?

The primary use for DWG files is drawing specialist blueprints and designs spanning a variety of industries. Engineers are working hard towards bringing imagination into reality. Weather is an Architectural building, Bridge, Automobile, Machinery, Mechanical parts, or components. The use of DWG files is very important in all the mentioned domains.

To open the DWG file you will need specialised CAD software. Once you do, you’re likely to find complex layers of detailed technical specs along with drawings and diagrams. As DWG files contain both vector images and metadata to support the designations of those vector images. This gives the author the ability to fully flesh out their 2D and 3D ideas on the screen. Rather than relying on off-book information to support their work.

Importing Dwg file into Solidworks

To open a DWG file in Solidworks,

On the start-up page of Solidworks, Click on the Open icon or File > Open or you can press Ctrl + O to open the file.

A file Browse window will come up. Usually, in fill format, it is selected as All files* that is it will show all file formats.

But sometimes the DWG file will not be visible. Solidworks by default shows the .sldprt or .sldasm file to select and open. In order to show the DWG file, click on File format and using the dropdown option select the Autodesk AutoCAD Files (*.dwg; *.dxf) file format. Now all the files with .dwg file format will be visible in the browse window screen.

Browse the DWG file and select it then, Click on Open.

In the next step, Solidworks will open the window and we need to set some settings before opening the file.

We get various methods to open DWG/DXF files in Solidworks.

Create a new SOLIDWORKS drawing

Convert to Solidworks Entities
Embed as a sheet in native DXF/DWG format

Importing to a new part as:

2D Sketch
3D curves or model

Convert to Solidworks Entities

Select Convert to Solidworks Entities and then Click on Next.

In the next window, you can select the Layers to show in the drawing. You can set the orientation of the drawing as well. After selecting the needed options and setting click on Next.

In the next window, you will have options to Change or set the Data Units. The drawing paper size can be adjusted, drawing scale and geometry positioning onto the sheet. The drawing will be created in the Solidworks Drawing. Now you can give annotations or descriptions about the drawing.

Importing to a new part as:

1. 2d sketch

Select 2D Sketch and then Click on Next.

In the next window, you can select the Layers to show in the drawing. You can set the orientation of the drawing as well. After selecting the needed options and setting click on Next.

In the next window, you will have options to Merge points or overlap the entities which are closer. We can define the sketch origin and also rotate it about the origin. We can also remove the entities which are not important. The 2d Sketch will open in Solidworks now you can edit or apply features to this sketch.