DWG is the industry-standard file format for 2D and 3D CAD data: geometry, layers, blocks and annotations in one drawing file. It is used across architecture, engineering, manufacturing and construction, and it is the native format of Octave BricsCAD.

What is the difference between DWG and DXF?

DWG is the binary working format for CAD drawings. DXF is its text-based counterpart, designed for exchanging drawing data between applications. Octave BricsCAD reads and writes both, so you can work in DWG and exchange in DXF when another tool requires it.

Can I open a DWG file without AutoCAD®?

Yes. DWG is supported by many CAD applications, not only AutoCAD®. Octave BricsCAD opens, edits and saves DWG natively across 2D and 3D, with version support from R11/12 through DWG.

What is the difference between BIM and CAD?

CAD software creates precise 2D and 3D technical drawings, while BIM creates an intelligent, data-rich 3D model of a building or infrastructure project. Octave BricsCAD bridges both in one DWG environment, so you can draft in CAD and model in BIM without switching tools.

What is the best CAD software for DWG files?

The best DWG software is DWG-native: it reads, writes and edits DWG without conversion. Octave BricsCAD is built on a native DWG engine across 2D and 3D, supports DWG versions from R11/12 through 2021 and scales from 2D drafting to BIM and mechanical design on the same core.

Can Octave BricsCAD convert a PDF to a DWG file?

Yes. Octave BricsCAD converts PDF files to DWG: straight lines become polylines, TrueType and SHX fonts become MTEXT and filled solids become hatches. You get an editable working drawing in place of the PDF. PDFs can also be attached as an underlay.

Which DWG versions does Octave BricsCAD support?

Octave BricsCAD natively supports reading and writing all major DWG file versions, from legacy DWG Release 11/12 (AC1009) through DWG 2018/2021 (AC1032). It defaults to the DWG 2018 schema (fully compatible with modern AutoCAD releases) while allowing you to save down to older legacy formats.

Do I need a separate converter to work with DWG in Octave BricsCAD?

No. Because Octave BricsCAD is DWG-native, you open and save DWG directly with no conversion step. It also imports DWG, IFC, PDF, ACIS SAT and other formats without additional conversion tools.

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The DWG format

What is DWG and why does it matter?

DWG is the industry-standard file format for 2D and 3D CAD data, storing geometry, layers, blocks and annotations inside a single drawing.
 It is used across architecture, engineering, manufacturing and construction, and it is the native format of Octave BricsCAD. Because DWG is so universally supported, it has become the common language of technical drawings teams exchange without conversion.

Icon of a .dwg file with a gradient cyan-to-green outline on a dark background, representing a CAD drawing file format.

CAD and BIM

BIM vs CAD: understanding the difference

A man in a white coat works at dual monitors displaying a 3D building model and architectural floor plans in CAD software.

A CAD file is a digital design document for drafting, designing and modeling physical objects or engineered structures.
 A BIM file is a collaborative, data-rich model of a building or infrastructure project, with structured information attached to every component.   Octave BricsCAD bridges both within a single DWG environment, so you draft in CAD and model in BIM without switching platforms.

Why Octave Bricscad

Why teams choose DWG-native CAD

Octave BricsCAD reads, writes and edits DWG directly, with no conversion and no translation. You keep the workflow you know and scale it from 2D drafting to BIM and mechanical design on the same platform.

Native DWG, no conversion

PDF to DWG in one step

Five levels, one DWG platform

Discover BricsCAD

CAD Software to Suit Your Design Needs

BricsCAD allows experts to create more accurate design representations. CAD replaced manual design drafting, allowing better development, alteration, and optimization. BricsCAD enables engineers to craft more detailed designs and manipulate them virtually. CAD software calculates how multiple materials relate.

BricsCAD has designed the ultimate suite of tools to meet your design needs. From the earliest stages of 2D drafting to the finalized 3D models utilized for manufacturing or building, our robust set of products makes it easy to create a streamlined workflow.

€330 €330
/year
High-performing, compatible, and concise 2D drafting and detailing.
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€710 €710
/year
Professional 2D & 3D CAD - powerful and flexible.
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€998 €998
/year
2D & 3D Mechanical CAD to document manufacturing processes.
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€1,060 €1,060
/year
2D & 3D CAD for building modeling and documentation.
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€1,176 €1,176
/year
Integrated 2D & 3D CAD for Mechanical, Building, and Surveying.
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Built on DWG

Octave BricsCAD, built on DWG

Whether you draft in 2D, model in 3D or build BIM data, every Octave BricsCAD level works on the same native DWG engine. These are the tools that keep everyday DWG work fast and clean.

Native DWG engine

Read, write and edit DWG without conversion, with stability and usability comparable to the tools you already use. Version support runs from R11/12 through DWG.

Explore BricsCAD Pro

PDF-to-DWG conversion

Block libraries and content

AI-assisted productivity

One platform, five product levels

A person wearing glasses works at a desktop computer running BricsCAD, displaying a 2D CAD floor plan drawing.

One platform

Five product levels at a glance

Octave BricsCAD scales with you. Every level shares the same DWG-native core, so moving up never means changing formats or retraining your team.

Product level	Focus	Best for
Lite	2D drafting	Fast, familiar 2D documentation in native DWG
Pro	2D and 3D CAD	General design work, with LISP and third-party apps
Mechanical	Manufacturing	Assemblies, sheet metal conversion and BOMs
BIM	Building design	Architectural and structural BIM in DWG
Ultimate	Everything	All modules combined in one license

Need more help

You can’t find what you’re looking for?

From the official BricsCAD logo set to the latest press releases, we are here to help.

Check BricsCAD’s Help Center

Do you have specific questions? Search through help articles, tutorials and command references.

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Contact Support

Didn’t find what you were looking for? Get in touch with BricsCAD support.

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Get in touch with Sales

Questions about BricsCAD or which BricsCAD product level is right for your business? We are here to help. Please reach out and we will get in touch as fast as possible.

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Get the Facts

Frequently Asked Questions

Our clients

Teams that chose Octave BricsCAD for DWG

Source: www.g2.com/bricscad

Concept Systems Technologies, an audio-visual design firm in Singapore, switched to Octave BricsCAD Pro to cut CAD costs without losing usability. Perpetual licensing made the move affordable, and 2D tools like Copy Guided and Move Guided kept their product-layout drafting fast.

Concept Systems Technologies · Audio-visual systems design, Singapore

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Q8 Italy designs and maintains a network of around 2,800 service stations in Octave BricsCAD, using native DWG compatibility and VBA and .NET customization to automate design tasks and meet tight deadlines.

Q8 Italy · Service-station design, Italy

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Zurich architecture firm Slik Architekten produces architectural drawings in Octave BricsCAD, valuing native DWG compatibility and the control it gives them over licensing and document access.

Slik Architekten · Architecture, Zurich
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