How to check the version of a dwg file?

[Anonymous]

I want to know if a dwg file a 2000, 2010 or other version. How to check it?

[maratovich · Accepted solution]

Open with Notepad
Find the line "AС ....."

AC1015 = AutoCAD 2000
AC1018 = AutoCAD 2004
AC1021 = AutoCAD 2007
AC1024 = AutoCAD 2010
AC1027 = AutoCAD 2013
AC1032 = AutoCAD 2018

https://knowledge.autodesk.com

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AutoCAD

[Anonymous]

Can I check from any pane indicating file property within the program?

[maratovich]

What ?
Did you see the links in the previous message?

Upon opening a DWG file in AutoCAD, the Command line will show the current format of the DWG file.

[chriscowgill7373]

The only surefire ways is as what has been stated. in the program it will show up on the command line when opening the file, or when looking in notepad, typically the very first line. You used to be able to hover over a file in windows file explorer, but it has said files were created in 2014 since 2014.

Lee Mac also has this program:

http://www.lee-mac.com/drawingversion.html

[vladimir_michl]

The most common way is checking the initial "AC" string inside the DWG file - see http://www.cadforum.cz/cadforum_en/qaID.asp?tip=868

But you can also find more specific information about the originating AutoCAD version - vertical (like Civil, Mechanical...), service pack/build, language - see DwgIntVer:

http://www.cadforum.cz/cadforum_en/how-to-find-which-autocad-version-was-used-to-save-a-DWG-tip10702

Vladimir Michl, www.cadstudio.cz  www.cadforum.cz

[JTBWorld]

Our app DWG Columns is one option.

[BeKirra · Accepted solution]

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@Anonymous wrote:

I want to know if a dwg file a 2000, 2010 or other version. How to check it?

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1. Open the drawing with AutoCAD then press F2 key to turn on AutoCAD Text Window. Scroll to top. You will see the 1st line describing something similar to this:

"Opening an AutoCAD 2013 format file."

2. Do what maratovich's suggestion in post #2, if you can't open the drawing file with AutoCAD because it is a higher version.

HTH

[pendean]

http://jtbworld.com/dwg-columns-for-explorer

[paullimapa · Accepted solution]

Here's a couple of ways:

With drawing opened, type the command ETRANSMIT

Then click on the Files Table tab

Locate the row with the drawing name & expand the Version column

With an empty drawing opened, type the command DWGCONVERT

Drag & drop the drawing into the Files Tree window

Then click the Files Table tab

Locate the row with the drawing name & expand the Version column

See attached screen captures for reference.

Area Object Link | Attribute Modifier | Dwg Setup | Feet-Inch Calculator
Layer Apps | List on Steroids | VP Zoom Scales | Exchange App Store

[Anonymous]

Thanks so much Paul! 

Both of your methods work.

[Anonymous]

These solutions show the version of the program that the file was created. For example I specifically save everything in a Autocad 2013 version but it still shows Autocad 2018... Does anyone else have an actual solution to find out with which version a file was saved? 

[chriscowgill7373]

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@Anonymous wrote:

These solutions show the version of the program that the file was created. For example I specifically save everything in a Autocad 2013 version but it still shows Autocad 2018... Does anyone else have an actual solution to find out with which version a file was saved? 

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I'm not sure I even understand what you are asking.  All of the posts above give you the version in which the file was saved, that is what the drawing file format is..  There are no markers that say "this drawing was saved from AutoCAD 2021"  you will just see that it is the 2018 file format (or whatever the format was saved down to.)  So you really dont know what version of the program created the file, only what format it was last saved as.

[vladimir_michl]

DWGintVer gives you a more detailed information, incl. the specific release, build and flavor of the AutoCAD which saved that DWG.

See:

https://www.cadforum.cz/cadforum_en/how-to-find-which-autocad-version-was-used-to-save-a-DWG-tip1070...

https://www.cadstudio.cz/en/apps/dwgintver/

Vladimir Michl, www.cadstudio.cz

[chriscowgill7373]

interesting, the way I'm reading it is that it applies the additional data, which is read back from the program.  kind of surprised it works with LT, as it doesnt allow for 3rd party customization.  So this wouldnt work if someone sent you a drawing that did not also have this addon?  Or am I not reading it correctly?

[cadffm]

If your ACAD can read the file, you can open the file and you can see the dwg version in your log.[F2]

If no version message appears, it is the native version of your program(dwg version 2018 for programms 2018-2021 for example.

Or open the file with text editor to see the format at the first lines (ac1032) for example.

[vladimir_michl]

No, it is not an add-on for AutoCAD LT. DWGintVer is an add-on for a full AutoCAD and a standalone EXE to batch-check a whole folder. It can detect all kinds of AutoCAD variants as the source for a specific DWG file, incl. AutoCAD LT, Plant 3D, Mechanical, etc.

Vladimir Michl, www.cadstudio.cz - www.cadforum.cz

[JTBWorld]

JTB DWG Columns will show you both the DWG format version and what was used to save it.