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DWG guide

How to edit DWG files without AutoCAD

Open, edit and save DWG natively in progeCAD.
$540 one-time, with a free 30-day trial.

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Short answer

You can edit DWG files without AutoCAD.

Yes. Any CAD program that reads and writes DWG natively can open, edit and save AutoCAD drawings. progeCAD Professional does this on Windows for a one-time $540, and iCADMac does it on the Mac for a one-time $925. The file you save is a standard DWG that AutoCAD users can open, and you can try progeCAD free for 30 days.

How to do it

Edit a DWG in progeCAD in four steps.

No conversion step, no AutoCAD license.

1

Download the free trial

Install progeCAD on Windows. The 30-day trial includes every feature, so you can test it on your own drawings.

2

Open your DWG

Open the file from the File menu or drag it in. progeCAD reads DWG natively (DWG 2.5 through the current format), so nothing is converted on open.

3

Edit with AutoCAD-style commands

Use the command names and shortcuts you already know. Standard AutoLISP routines generally run without changes.

4

Save as DWG

Save back to DWG. To share with someone on older software, use Save As and pick an earlier DWG version.

Your options

Desktop CAD programs that edit DWG.

Prices are each vendor's own, checked October 2026, and may change. progeCAD USA sells progeCAD.

One-time price: progeCAD

$540 one-time on Windows with 2D, 3D solids and PDF-to-DWG import; iCADMac for Mac at $925. See progeCAD Professional.

Free or low cost: nanoCAD, QCAD

nanoCAD has a free edition with no time limit; its paid licenses are subscriptions. QCAD is free and open source for 2D, with DWG support as a paid add-on. progeCAD vs nanoCAD · progeCAD vs QCAD.

Budget perpetual: ActCAD, SmartCAD

ActCAD lists Standard at $249 and Premium at $399 for year 1. SmartCAD lists Standard at $395 and Professional at $495, one-time. progeCAD vs ActCAD · progeCAD vs SmartCAD.

Subscription tools: DraftSight, BricsCAD

DraftSight's store sells Professional at $299 a year and Premium at $599 a year. BricsCAD is sold as a subscription or perpetual license. progeCAD vs DraftSight · progeCAD vs BricsCAD.

Only need to look at a drawing? A free viewer is enough. To edit, you need a CAD program. Windows users can also read the DWG editor guide, and PDF drawings can be converted with PDF to DWG.

Common questions

Editing DWG without AutoCAD — FAQ.

Quick answers before you start.

Yes. DWG is the file format AutoCAD uses, and other CAD programs can read and write it natively. progeCAD Professional opens, edits and saves DWG files on Windows for a one-time $540, and iCADMac ($925 one-time) does the same on the Mac.
There are free options for light work: nanoCAD has a free edition with no time limit, and QCAD is free and open source for 2D (DWG support is a paid add-on, per Wikipedia and Capterra). Free viewers and browser apps are mainly for viewing and markups. progeCAD offers a free 30-day trial with all features.
Yes. progeCAD saves standard DWG files, so AutoCAD users can open them. To share with someone on older software, use Save As and choose an earlier DWG version.
progeCAD reads and writes DWG natively (DWG 2.5 through the current format) rather than converting the file, so layers, blocks, text, dimensions and layouts stay in the drawing you save. Check your own files during the free 30-day trial.
Yes. iCADMac is the Mac-native edition: AutoCAD-compatible, native DWG, Apple Silicon and Intel supported, sold as a one-time perpetual license at $925. progeCAD Professional, the Windows edition, is $540.

Try progeCAD free for 30 days.

Native DWG, AutoCAD-style commands, 2D and 3D — one-time price of $540, sold and supported in the US.

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Perpetual license · No annual renewal · Instant download · Windows