2008 dwg file format

[Anonymous]

In 2006 dwg files it was possible to extract some information that was stored as plain text in the file. We exploited this feature for several in-house utilities. For example, it was possible to extract a list of Xrefs that the dwg used, or to read data from one of the user-defined fields.

Unfortunately, in the 2008 file format, none of these is visible anymore. Just a bunch of binary gobbleygook.

Does anyone have ideas on how to extract data from dwg files without using autocad? The ideal solution would work without autocad being installed, and the ideal ideal solution would be platform independent, since some of our web-based applications running on linux/apache/php also need this. (It was simple with 2006 dwgs using the unix "strings" command, or a perl equivalent).

Thanks,
Mark

[morrolan]

Look into the Open Design Alliance and associate membership. for internal use the libraries should be no-charge. If you ship commercial there's a cost involved.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, I've sent in my membership.
Mark