Open Design Specification for .dwg files - Version 5 - Specification and documentation

Sep 22, 2026

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Open Design Specification for .dwg files (Version 5.4.1) describes the DWG file format supported by Open Design Alliance, including organization for multiple release ranges such as R13–R15, R2004, R2007, R2010, R2013, and R2018. The document enumerates data sections and structures like AcDb:Header, Classes, SummaryInfo, Preview, VBAProject, AppInfo, FileDepList, RevHistory, Security, AcDbObjects, and related object mapping and storage sections. It also includes legal notices, trademarks, and usage disclaimers governing the provided technical materials.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages279

Reading Time11 h 43 min

AccessFree to download

Table of Contents

Introduction

BIT CODES AND DATA DEFINITIONS

R13-R15 DWG FILE FORMAT ORGANIZATION

R2004 DWG FILE FORMAT ORGANIZATION

R2007 DWG FILE FORMAT ORGANIZATION

R2010 DWG FILE FORMAT ORGANIZATION

R2013 DWG FILE FORMAT ORGANIZATION

R2018 DWG FILE FORMAT ORGANIZATION

Data section AcDb:Header (HEADER VARIABLES)

Data section AcDb:Classes

PADDING (R13C3 AND LATER)

Data section: ""

Data section AcDb:SummaryInfo Section

Data section AcDb:Preview

Data section AcDb:VBAProject Section

Data section AcDb:AppInfo

Data section AcDb:FileDepList

Data section AcDb:RevHistory

Data section AcDb:Security

Data section AcDb:AcDbObjects

Data section AcDb:ObjFreeSpace

Data section: AcDb:Template

Data section AcDb:Handles (OBJECT MAP)

Section AcDb:AcDsPrototype_1b (DataStorage)

UNKNOWN SECTION

SECOND FILE HEADER (R13-R15)

Data section

Open Design Specification for .dwg files Version 5 .4.1 Open Design Alliance [www.opendesign.com](www.opendesign.com) Copyright © 1998-2018 Open Design Alliance, Inc. All rights reserved. Information in these materials is furnished for informational use only, is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Open Design Alliance. Open Design Alliance assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or inaccuracies that may appear in these materials. Use these materials at your own risk. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, OPEN DESIGN ALLIANCE AND ITS SUPPLIERS DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND THOSE ARISING OUT OF USAGE OF TRADE OR COURSE OF DEALING, CONCERNING THESE MATERIALS. THESE MATERIALS ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL OPEN DESIGN ALLIANCE OR ITS SUPPLIERS (OR THEIR RESPECTIVE AGENTS, DIRECTORS, EMPLOYEES OR REPRESENTATIVES) BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER (INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION, CONSEQUENTIAL, INCIDENTAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, ECONOMIC, PUNITIVE OR SIMILAR DAMAGES, OR DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS, LOSS OF GOODWILL, BUSINESS INTERRUPTION, COMPUTER FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION, LOSS OF BUSINESS INFORMATION OR ANY AND ALL OTHER COMMERCIAL OR PECUNIARY DAMAGES OR LOSSES) ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THESE MATERIALS, HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY LEGAL THEORY OF LIABILITY (WHETHER IN TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE), EVEN IF OPEN DESIGN ALLIANCE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES, OR FOR ANY CLAIM BY ANY OTHER PARTY. Because some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of liability for consequential or incidental damages, the above limitation may not apply to you. Teigha® is a trademark of Open Design Alliance in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks, trade names or company names referenced herein are used for identification only and are the property of their respective owners. US Government Restricted Rights: These materials are provided with RESTRICTED RIGHTS. Use, duplication or disclosure by the Government is subject to restrictions as set forth in subparagraph (c)(1)(ii) of The Rights in Technical Data and Computer Software clause at DFARS 252.227-7013 or subparagraphs (c)(1) and (2) of the Commercial Computer Software-Restricted Rights at 48 CFR 52.227-19, as applicable. The contractor/manufacturer is Open Design Alliance, 5025 N Central Ave \#602, Phoenix, AZ, USA. Printed in USA. * DWG is the native and proprietary file format for AutoCAD® and a trademark of Autodesk, Inc. The Open Design Alliance isnot associated with Autodesk. Open Design Specification for .dwg files Table of Contents 1 Introduction .........................................................................................................................6 2 BIT CODES AND DATA DEFINITIONS...........................................................................7 3 R13-R15 DWG FILE FORMAT ORGANIZATION ..........................................................20 4 R2004 DWG FILE FORMAT ORGANIZATION ..............................................................23 5 R2007 DWG FILE FORMAT ORGANIZATION ..............................................................36 6 R2010 DWG FILE FORMAT ORGANIZATION ..............................................................69 7 R2013 DWG FILE FORMAT ORGANIZATION ..............................................................70 8 R2018 DWG FILE FORMAT ORGANIZATION ..............................................................71 9 Data section AcDb:Header (HEADER VARIABLES) .......................................................72 10 Data section AcDb:Classes .................................

FAQs

What document and version does the specification cover?

It covers “Open Design Specification for .dwg files” with the stated version “5.4.1.”

Which DWG release ranges are covered by the file format organization sections?

The table of contents lists organization sections for R13–R15, R2004, R2007, R2010, R2013, and R2018.

What kinds of data sections are listed in the specification?

The table of contents includes data sections such as AcDb:Header (HEADER VARIABLES), AcDb:Classes, SummaryInfo, Preview, VBAProject, AppInfo, FileDepList, RevHistory, Security, AcDbObjects, and related template/handles/storage sections.

Sep 22, 2026

Upload by Eliana