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View DWG files online. What programs open project files with the cdw extension? How to open cdw file

If you have come across a CDW file and do not know how to work with them, then you have come to the right address - this review is devoted to issues such as the cdw file: how to open this type of file, what software is best to use to create, modify, save such files. And, of course, you will find out what CDW files store, and who has to work with them most often.

CDW - Compass Drawing File Format

So, if you have not worked with CDW files before, then when you try to simply open any of them, in the vast majority of cases, an error window will pop up or a notification that operating system cannot find a program that is associated with the CDW extension. Therefore, first of all, you need to imagine what files of this format contain, and then decide whether you really need to work with such files.

Thus, the CDW file is extremely rare for ordinary users in everyday life. Most often, files of this extension are created and used when working with Compass 3D, a software product created by ASCON for engineers. The program allows you to produce volumetric modeling and mechanical computer-aided design (or CAD for short). Thus, the contents of a CDW file may include various diagrams, maps, models, drawings, and technical documentation.

We open CDW with ASCON products

Compass 3D is a popular CAD system that uses CDW format files when working.

Since CDW files are most often encountered when working with the Compass 3D program, it will be proposed as the first candidate for working with such files. The program provides wide functionality for working with the CDW format, but at the same time it is paid and is quite expensive. However, for familiarization purposes, you can download a trial (trial) version of the program from the manufacturer's website, which allows you to work without any restrictions for 30 days.

In addition to Compass 3D itself, on the same site you can download another product designed to work with CDW format files. This is "Compass 3D Viewer" - a free program that allows you to open CDW, as well as in read-only mode. Thus, you can view and, if necessary, print such a file, but you will not be able to make changes to it.

And even when trying to open a CDW file using Compass, problems may arise. This is due to the fact that, firstly, Compass is not the only program that uses the CDW format in its work. And secondly, if you try to open a version of the document that was created in a new version program than is installed on your computer, this can also lead to an error. It happens that old version programs cannot work with documents created in newer versions. The third problem with opening CDW files is the following: CDWs can store links to external sources. However, if the linked files are not on your computer, you may also get an error when opening them.

If the file is not damaged and you have a problem opening it, and the information above did not bring a positive result, that's okay. You can open the CDW file in other ways and programs, which will be discussed below.

How else to open the CDW file extension?

As a CDW file viewer, you can use the FileViewPro utility - a unique product in some way that allows you to open more than a hundred types of formats, which include media formats - audio, video, images, presentations, documents. Unfortunately, this program is distributed on a paid basis, but there is a trial free version, for a limited time working with full functionality. You can download it from the official website of the utility, which will not be a problem to find.

Other programs that use the CDW format

It is quite rare to encounter CDW files that were created with a small number of programs that also use given format. It:

  • CeledyDraw (developer - Celedy) - drawing files, i.e. actually contains a drawing. The program is ideal both as a graphic editor and as a publishing software for small businesses, as well as for homes and schools. Allows you to easily create various logos, diagrams, business cards, flyers, flowcharts, etc.
  • CADKEY (developer - Kubotek USA Inc.) - dialog box files. An old program that first saw the light of day back in 1984. The first representative of 3D-CAD, designed to work on a PC.
  • CanoDraw (developer - Petr Smilauer) - the CDW format is used to store the project files of this program. Almost completely correspond to Canoco project files. The difference is that, firstly, Canoco projects have a CON file extension. Secondly, CanoDraw projects allow you to store more data obtained as a result of the work of Canoco and CanoDraw.

How and with what to open a cdw file for normal viewing and printing or for making changes to it?

A file with the cdw extension most often represents a Compass program project. It can store drawings of construction objects, details of mechanisms and complex engineering structures, as well as technical documentation for them and other auxiliary data.

What programs other than Compass use the same format?

Several applications that are rare in our country can also save their projects in cdw format. If the file could not be opened in Compass, it may have been created in one of the following types of software:

  1. CeledyDraw- not a very common program for graphic design and layout. The editor stores graphical objects in such files.
  2. CanoDraw- an application for statistical analysis of data and their presentation in a visual form (for example, three-dimensional). It also saves its projects as *.cdw files.
  3. CADKEY- one of the pioneers among CAD for PC with 3D support. In this format, the program stores the settings of its dialog boxes.

What is the best way to view and edit cdw files?

Most often, Ascon's developments are used to view, print or edit such files.

KOMPAS-3D LT and other versions

The product is a 2D and 3D modeling system, which can be used for educational or professional purposes. The basic version is free for home use and will help you learn the basics of CAD on your own. More advanced paid versions will allow you to create drawings and three-dimensional models for production activities.


This is small and free app will allow you to view and print Compass files (cdw) and other popular formats (dwg, dxf) without the ability to modify them.

Because the format created specifically for Ascon products, opening such files in anything other than Compass is not recommended.

If you want to use other software or online editors to view and edit them, you will need to convert them to a more popular format. So, by opening the cdw file in Compass and saving it with the dwg extension, you can work with it both in AutoCAD and using CAD services, online for free and without installing programs on your computer.


It is possible that such a file cannot be opened, despite the fact that it was actually created in Compass. The reason for this special protection installed on the computer, where the *.cdw drawing was created, this is done to combat illegal copying of developments. It will be possible to open such a file only in the environment where it was made.

CDW is an extension that refers to a type of engineering design software. The extension itself is a CanoDraw application format. Many utilities for opening this extension, which will be discussed below, were developed by ASCON in Russia. Applications created by this firm are used to model parts and their assemblies.

When opening a cdw file, the user may see designs, drawings, project documentation, technical illustrations, or other similar information. It is possible to open this extension with the KOMPAS 3D Viewer utility, as well as some others, which will be discussed below.

Opening CDW online is quite difficult, since there are practically no such services on the network.

How to open cdw

This is a simple utility for designing professional models. It is more suitable for people who do not have a professional engineering education. Used at home and in schools. The interface of this constructor is intuitive for a beginner. What can be created with Celedy Draw:

  • logos;
  • block diagrams;
  • Business Cards;
  • directories;
  • brochures.

Celedy Draw has twenty ready-made autoshapes, about a hundred exciting textures, professional templates. It can export drawings to JPEG, GIF, BMP, TIFF formats.

The software is not demanding on the resources of a personal computer. He needs a processor at least Pentium II and more than 64 MB of RAM. Distributed on a paid basis and has a 30-day trial version.

Download and install, then run and find the tab " file". Click on it and select " open».

Then, a window will appear with a folder containing the corresponding files. Click the left mouse button (LMB) on the element with the CDW extension. Click on the "Open" button.

The contents of the project will now be displayed in the window.

If Celedy Draw is set to run cdw files by default, then select the folder with the desired file and click on one of the documents with the desired extension.

The compass was developed by the Russian company ASCON. The abbreviation itself stands for "complex of automated systems." Program distributed in two versions.- Graphics and SPDS. But all modules can be integrated into one called Compass 3D. It is considered an analogue of the foreign design utility AutoCad.

With this utility, you can create drawings of any complexity, import DWG designs, model parts and assembly in 3D.

Distributed on a paid basis. The cost of the license is paid for a period of one year.

In order to open a document - download it, upload it to your computer, go to the "File" menu and click on the "Open" item.

In the window that appears, select the desired element.

It will open in this app.

KOMPAS-3D Viewer

This is a derivative utility from Compass, which serves only to view files and print them. By downloading the KOMPAS-3D Viewer, you can don't buy a license.

To get started with cdw, download and upload the utility to your computer. Open it and go to the "File" menu.

Click on the "Open" item and select the document in the new window.

Then click on the "Open" button, after which the drawing will start.

Other programs

Another application for working with cdw documents and many other files. created for viewing and printing ready-made projects and models created not only in Compass, but also in AutoCAD.


This application is designed for engineers, designers. It allows design and arrange blueprints. The design utility is able to use the latest Windows technologies that help you create accurate drawings, models.

The program is purchased on a paid basis. But still in many ways inferior to such programs as AutoCAD and Compass. However, it is possible to open a project with the cdw extension if none of the programs listed above are available anymore.

AutoCAD refers to computer-aided design systems. Using the application, engineers create drawings of 3D and 2D models. This program allows you to draw, prepare and view any drawing from different angles. Documents created in AutoCAD have the DWG extension. CDW can also be viewed using this program. The utility allows exchange documents through the internet. Users can also connect remote databases. The program is distributed on a paid basis.

This is a free software for working with the CDW format. Canodraw recognizes and reads variables and additional environments. Application documents contain information analysis, location results, source data.

The CDW file is a file format of the Cosmos 3D CAD program - a three-dimensional, solid modeling system. Developed by the Russian company Ascon. Such files are used for design, documentation and subsequent transfer to the CAM/CAE system.

If you need constant work with files of this type, then it makes sense to install the Cosmos 3D software package. Also, CDW files can be opened and printed free program KOMPAS-3D Viewer.

There is another possibility to open a CDW file. This can be done using the program "Compass 3D LT" - a lightweight version, hence the prefix "LT". Although many functions are disabled in the program, it allows simple editing, viewing and printing of the selected document. To open a CDW file, in the start window of the program, click on the button with the image of a blue arrow. As a result, the file will be loaded and you can work with it.

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