- CADCraft DWG viewer runs in your browser, so you can open DWG files without desktop software
- Supports DWG, DXF, PDF, and SVG across open, edit, save, and export workflows
- Command-driven drafting with familiar aliases like L, C, TR, EX, O, M, CO
- Desktop editions for macOS, Windows, and Linux are in development
- Always export a separate copy rather than treating your original upload as the deliverable
What Is the CADCraft DWG Viewer?
The CADCraft DWG viewer is the browser-based drawing environment at the core of CadCraft, an open-source CAD and BIM toolset built for architects, engineers, drafters, estimators, and detailers. Instead of installing a desktop program, you open the 2D drafting app directly in your browser and start working with existing DWG or DXF drawings immediately.
The viewer is more than a read-only preview tool. It combines a drawing canvas, command line, layer controls, and file operations into a single workspace, so you can move from inspecting an existing drawing to editing geometry and exporting a revised copy without leaving the browser tab.
CadCraft is an open-source project with 8 application directions covering drafting, BIM, modeling, markup, takeoff, civil design, detailing, and parts. The DWG viewer workflow lives inside the 2D drafting app, which you can follow on the official GitHub repository.
How the Browser Workflow Differs from Desktop CAD
| Aspect | Browser Version (Available Now) | Desktop Edition (In Development) |
|---|---|---|
| Access | Open directly from the official website | Native app for macOS, Windows, Linux |
| File handling | Work with drawings through the web experience | Local-file-oriented workflow |
| Installation | None required | Planned installer per platform |
| Best for | Quick viewing, edits, and exports on any machine | Deep local-file workflows |
| Availability | Immediate access | Early access and future releases |
Supported File Formats and Compatibility
The CADCraft DWG viewer is built around a file-oriented workflow. Understanding which format to use at each stage prevents lost work and unnecessary conversions.
| Format | Type | Workflow Stage | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| DWG | CAD drawing format | Open, edit, save, export | Working with existing CAD drawings, preserving structured 2D content |
| DXF | CAD data exchange format | Open, edit, save, export | Exchanging geometry between compatible applications |
| Document/print output | Export | Sharing a fixed-layout, readable drawing copy | |
| SVG | Scalable vector graphic | Export | Using drawing output in vector design tools |
Use DWG when your workflow requires a standard CAD drawing format, and DXF when interoperability and data exchange matter most. Reserve PDF and SVG for output and distribution, not for continued CAD editing.
Why DWG and DXF Serve Different Purposes
- DWG preserves structured drafting content, making it the default for continuing work in a standard CAD format
- DXF prioritizes cross-application exchange, useful when partners use different CAD software
- PDF and SVG exist for delivery, review, and graphic reuse, closing the loop after editing
Step-by-Step: Viewing and Editing a DWG File
Follow this workflow to take an existing drawing from import to exported copy.
Import an Existing Drawing
Open the CADCraft browser app from the official site and load your existing DWG or DXF file through the browser-based experience. The drawing loads into the canvas workspace without any desktop installation.
Inspect Geometry and Organization
Review the drawing at a useful zoom level. Check layers, linetypes, lineweights, blocks, layouts, and scale-related output settings right after opening the file, since migrated drawings often need organizational cleanup.
Edit with Commands and Aliases
Use the command line to run drawing and modification tools. Enter aliases such as L for Line or TR for Trim, follow the prompts, and provide points, distances, or selections as requested. Keep the original file separate from your edited result.
Organize Layers and Layouts
Assign geometry to appropriate layers, maintain layouts for sheet-oriented presentation, and confirm visibility settings so the drawing stays understandable for review and output.
Export a Separate Copy
Download or export the revised drawing in the format the next stage requires. Treat the export as the deliverable, not the original upload.
Review the active file operation before ending your browser session. Any unsaved edits are lost when the session closes, so confirm your changes are saved or exported first.
Core Drafting Tools for DWG Editing
Once your drawing is open, these command groups cover most day-to-day editing work in the viewer.
Drawing Commands
- Line (L): straight segments between points
- Circle (C): center point plus radius
- Interactive point selection in canvas
- Repeat last command with Enter
Modify Commands
- Trim (TR): remove geometry at boundaries
- Extend (EX): stretch to a boundary
- Offset (O): parallel copies at a distance
- Move (M) / Copy (CO): reposition or duplicate
Organization Tools
- Layers: separate content into named layers
- Dimensions: add measurements and annotation
- Blocks: reuse repeated elements consistently
- Layouts: prepare sheets for scaled printing
Command Reference Table
| Command | Alias | Category | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Line | L | Drawing | Creates straight line segments between points |
| Circle | C | Drawing | Creates circular geometry from center and radius |
| Trim | TR | Modify | Removes unwanted portions at selected boundaries |
| Extend | EX | Modify | Extends geometry to a boundary |
| Offset | O | Modify | Creates parallel or concentric copies |
| Move | M | Modify | Repositions objects between points |
| Copy | CO | Modify | Duplicates selected objects |
| Layer | Layer tools | Layers | Organizes geometry into controlled layers |
| Dimension | Dimension tools | Annotation | Adds measurements and documentation |
If you come from a command-driven CAD background, the command line, aliases, layers, and layouts in CADCraft will feel familiar. Note that CADCraft is an independent product, so evaluate it on its own capabilities rather than as an AutoCAD replacement.
Viewer Workflow Checklist
Use this checklist each time you work with a DWG file in the browser to avoid common pitfalls.
DWG Viewer Session Checklist:
- Open the drawing and confirm it loads without errors
- Check layers, linetypes, lineweights, and blocks after import
- Make edits with commands, keeping the original file untouched
- Organize geometry into layers before export
- Export a separate copy in the required format before closing the tab
Access, Roadmap, and FAQ
The browser version is available now, the desktop edition is in development, and early-access opportunities may apply by qualification or invitation. Planned desktop releases target macOS, Windows, and Linux. For help, use the official support page and follow development on GitHub.
CadCraft is presented as an open-source, evolving application family. Open-source updates and community participation are part of the long-term direction, so watch the repository for transparency and collaboration opportunities.
Q: Can the CADCraft DWG viewer edit files, or is it view-only?
The browser-based CADCraft experience goes beyond viewing. You can open DWG and DXF drawings, inspect and modify geometry with command-line tools, organize layers and layouts, and export a revised copy in supported formats.
Q: Do I need to install anything to view DWG files?
No. The current CADCraft DWG viewer runs in the browser and is available now from the official website. Desktop applications for macOS, Windows, and Linux are in development as a complementary way to use CADCraft.
Q: Which formats can I open and export?
DWG and DXF are supported for opening, editing, saving, and exporting CAD drawing content. PDF is used for readable, fixed-layout output, and SVG is available for scalable vector workflows.
Q: Is CADCraft related to AutoCAD?
No. CADCraft is an independent application. Its command-line workflow, aliases, layers, and layouts feel familiar to AutoCAD users, which shortens the learning curve, but it is not made by or affiliated with Autodesk.