Information AboutDwg |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT AUTOCAD DWG | |
| autodesk | |
| cad file formats | |
DWG ("drawing") is a format used for storing two and three dimensional design data and for their AutoCAD package. HISTORY OF THE DWG FORMAT Originally the file format was developed by Mike Riddle for his Interact Cad package http://www.retrothing.com/2007/05/mike_riddles_pr.html in the late 1970's which in turn became AutoCAD http://www.digibarn.com/stories/mike-riddle/index.html http://www.opendesign.com/about/whtpaper/alwhtpap.htm . Since then development continues inside Autodesk and TrustedDWG is the native format for AutoCAD software and AutoCAD-based products. Autodesk owns, develops, and iterates the DWG file format . The DWG format changes every few years, as Autodesk adds new features to AutoCAD. The DWG format, along with the more portable ASCII variant, DXF , has since become the ''de facto'' standard file format for CAD drawing exchange; it has been estimated that there are over one billion DWG files in existence. Several software libraries exist that simulate the DWG file format with various levels of success in providing DWG read and write capabilities. Since 2004 Autodesk selectively licenses a developer toolkit called "RealDWG" so other software can implement their DWG technology http://www.opendesign.com/about/whtpaper/alwhtpap.htm. New versions of AutoCAD will open many older variants of DWG - AutoCAD 2008 will open versions of DWG back to 2.0; and will save back to version R14. Autodesk also offers a free DWG viewer, "DWG TrueView," to view DWG files of any version. Since its early use, some developers and users of CAD software have felt the need to work with their data stored in AutoCAD DWG files without reliance on AutoDesk software. For that reason the Open Design Alliance was formed in 1998 and developed code libraries so non-Autodesk software can access and write DWG files, saving them with the same .dwg file extension as AutoCAD. The success of AutoCAD has meant that the DWG name has come to be closely associated with Autodesk. Originally the .dwg file extension was not trademarked but in 2006 Autodesk applied for a Trademark on the namehttp://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=78852808 and icon http://tarr.uspto.gov/servlet/tarr?regser=serial&entry=78852798. This, despite saying in 1996 and 1998 that they did not make an exclusive claim to the DWG namehttp://www.evanyares.com/the-cad-industry/2006/4/24/autodesk-tries-to-trademark-dwg.html. On 22nd November 2006 Autodesk sued the Open Design Alliance alleging that their DWGdirect libraries infringe the Autodesk trademark on TrustedDWG by simulating its behaviour and placing the TrustedDWG watermark in files http://aecnews.com/files/Court_issues_temporary_restraining_order_22nov06.pdf . The Open Design Alliance responded to the lawsuit by denying all allegations and filing nine counter claims, including that Autodesk cannot trademark DWG because of its widespread prior use and that they have engaged in anti-competitive practises to restrict others from naming their files as DWG files http://aecnews.com/articles/2192.aspx . The two parties settled the case in April 2007. SOFTWARE WHICH SUPPORTS DWG
FREE VIEWERS There are no .
Note: Autodesk DWG TrueView and Autodesk Design Review 2008 by Autodesk requires a questionnaire to be filled before downloading. REFERENCES SEE ALSO |
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