.DRW File Extension
Corel Drawing File
| Developer | Corel |
| Popularity |
3.6 | 43 Votes |
What is a DRW file?
A DRW file is a drawing format used by Micrografx Designer and Micrografx Windows Draw programs. It contains a technical drawing if it was created by Designer and an artistic drawing if it was created by Windows Draw.
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The DRW format was originally used to save drawings created by Micrografx Designer and Micrografx Windows Draw in the 1990s. Designer was used in engineering, construction, and other related fields while Windows Draw was used in content publishing-related fields.
Micrografx was acquired by Corel in 2001 and Corel renamed Designer as DESIGNER and integrated it into CorelDRAW Technical Suite. Corel also integrated Windows Draw into CorelDRAW Graphics Suite.
You can still open DRW files with CorelDRAW software but not all formatting is supported. For example, text and shading in a drawing may be moved or removed when opened in CorelDRAW software.
Programs that open DRW files
Drawing File
| Developer | N/A |
| Popularity |
3.7 | 15 Votes |
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The various programs that create DRW files save them in different file formats, which are often not compatible across programs. Thus, a program that can open one type of DRW files may not be able to open other types of DRW files.
How to open a DRW file
If you know which drawing program or image editor created your DRW file, you should open the file in that program. Otherwise, you can try to open your DRW file with one of the programs listed below.
Programs that open DRW files
Personal Designer Drawing File
| Developer | Personal Designer |
| Popularity |
3.0 | 5 Votes |
A DRW file contains a drawing created by various CAD programs, such as Personal Designer, Personal Machinist, MicroDraft, 4Design, and microCADDS. It stores a 2D or 3D drawing, which includes the layout, dimensions, and layers of the object.
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You can open a DRW file in the program that created it, whether it be Personal Designer, Personal Machinist, MicroDraft, 4Design, or microCADDS. You can also open the file in DraftView for Personal Designer (PD), which can view, print, markup, or export DRW files.
Programs that open DRW files
ANVIL Drawing File
| Developer | Manufacturing and Consulting Services |
| Popularity |
2.4 | 5 Votes |
A DRW file contains a drawing created by ANVIL software, most commonly ANVIL-1000MD, which is a 2D CAD program used by mechanical engineers and tool designers. It stores a drawing of a part, which includes the layout and dimensions.