The primary file extensions for Autodesk Design Review are .DWF and .DWFx. These highly compressed formats are specifically designed for reviewing and sharing design data efficiently.
Understanding DWF and DWFx Files
Autodesk Design Review is a free software that allows users to view, print, and mark up DWF and DWFx files. These files serve as a digital equivalent of a traditional paper plot, offering a lightweight, secure, and accurate way to communicate design information without requiring the original design software. They are particularly advantageous for collaboration and distribution, especially when sharing design data over the internet.
Key Benefits of DWF/DWFx Files for Design Review
DWF and DWFx files are engineered to streamline the design review process, providing several advantages over native CAD files.
- Highly Compressed: Unlike larger native CAD files, DWF and DWFx files are highly compressed, making them much smaller in size. This compression makes them ideal for easy distribution via email or over the internet, facilitating quick sharing among team members and stakeholders.
- Secure Distribution: These formats are designed to be secure, preserving the intellectual property of the design while still allowing for detailed review. They are "read-only" in the sense that they cannot be directly edited back into a CAD drawing.
- Rich Data Retention: Despite their compression, DWF/DWFx files retain rich design data, including layer information, object properties, and 3D models (in 3D DWF files). This ensures that reviewers have access to essential details.
- Universal Viewing: Autodesk Design Review, along with other DWF/DWFx viewers, makes it accessible for anyone to view and mark up design files, even if they don't have the original CAD software installed.
- Markup and Collaboration Tools: Reviewers can add comments, markups, dimensions, and other annotations directly to the DWF/DWFx files. These markups can then be imported back into the original CAD application, creating a seamless feedback loop.
Comparing DWF/DWFx with DWG
While both DWG and DWF/DWFx files originate from Autodesk software, they serve distinct purposes in the design workflow.
| Feature | .DWF / .DWFx | .DWG |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Review, markup, print, secure distribution, collaboration | Authoring, editing, storing native design data |
| File Size | Highly compressed, smaller | Larger, contains all native design information |
| Editability | Not directly editable into CAD; markups can be imported | Fully editable within native CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD) |
| Software Needed | Free viewers like Autodesk Design Review | Native CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, Revit) |
| Security | More secure for distribution, protects IP | Less secure for distribution if not protected |
| Internet Use | More suitable for internet distribution for review | Generally too large for efficient internet distribution |
How to Create and Open DWF/DWFx Files
Creating DWF and DWFx files typically involves "publishing" them from a CAD application. Most Autodesk design software, such as AutoCAD, Revit, and Inventor, have built-in functionalities to export or publish drawings and sheet sets directly into DWF or DWFx formats. You can export a single drawing or publish multiple drawings and sheet sets into a single DWF or DWFx file.
To open these files, you can use:
- Autodesk Design Review: This free application is the primary tool for viewing, printing, and marking up DWF and DWFx files.
- Autodesk Viewer: A web-based viewer that allows you to view DWF/DWFx files in your browser.
- Other Autodesk products: Many Autodesk CAD applications can also open DWF/DWFx files for reference or to import markups.
For more information on Autodesk Design Review and its capabilities, you can visit the official Autodesk Design Review page.
