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DwgConvert Documentation

DwgConvert is a single window: add drawings, choose a format, convert. It never changes the original files and needs no AutoCAD. The list you build turns into the report once a run has finished.

Getting started

Converting

Adding drawings

Add Files… and Add Folder… fill the list; you can also drop files and folders onto the window.

  • Add Files… picks individual .dwg and .dxf files (the file dialog can show both, only DWG or only DXF). Add Folder… scans a folder for them.
  • Include subfolders (top right) decides whether subfolders are searched too. It applies the next time you add a folder.
  • Files already in the list are not added twice. Clear List empties it; adding files or clearing the list also clears an earlier report.

Choosing the format and where to save

Convert to sets what is written, Save to sets where it goes.

  • Convert to: pick DWG or DXF, then the oldest AutoCAD release that has to open the result. It opens in that release and every newer one. DWG offers 2018, 2013, 2010, 2004 and 2000; DXF offers 2018, 2010, 2004 and 2000 (DXF is written in the standard text form). The 2007 format is not offered.
  • Save to → Next to each source file keeps each copy beside its original. If that would give the copy the same name as its source (for example DWG 2018 to DWG 2010 in the same folder), _2010 is added to the name. Save to → To a folder collects the copies in a folder you choose.
  • Keep the folder structure (only with To a folder) recreates the subfolders of the folder you added.
  • Replace files that already exist is off by default: a file whose name is taken is Skipped. Turn it on to overwrite earlier results. A file that is already in the chosen format and version is Skipped as well.

Converting and reading the report

Convert runs the batch; the list then shows what happened to every file.

  • Convert starts the run, several drawings at a time. The bar shows progress and Cancel stops after the files in progress, keeping what was done.
  • Check only runs the whole conversion without writing any file and fills in the report, so you can see what would change first.
  • Each file ends as Converted, Converted with changes (something was renamed or could not be carried over), Skipped or Failed. The Details column says what: "Not carried over: 2 × 3DSOLID" lists object types (by their DXF names) with counts; "N block name(s) shortened to fit the format" applies to DXF 2000, whose block names may have at most 31 characters. Shortened names look like HOM_BED_JP_Semidouble_12_001.
  • Before a result is kept it is written to a temporary file, read back and counted. A file that cannot be read back is not saved and shows as Failed.
  • Copy Report puts one line per file on the clipboard (path, result, details). Show in Folder opens the folder of the first converted file.

Next-step suggestions

After a run, a short suggestion may appear under the list.

  • For example to open the result in the free DWG Viewer, or to plot the drawings to PDF with Dwg2Pdf. Each kind is shown once; the ✕ closes it.

Settings

Opened from the gear icon in the title bar. Every field saves immediately — there's no separate Save button.

Language

Settings → General

English / 简体中文 / 繁體中文 / 日本語 / 한국어 / Deutsch / Français / Italiano / Español. Restart the app for a language change to take effect.

Default: English

Theme

Settings → General

System / Light / Dark. Restart the app for a theme change to take effect.

Default: Match system

Drawings converted at once

Settings → Performance

How many drawings are converted at once (choices: 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 12). Higher is faster but uses more memory. Turn this down for very large drawings.

Default: Half your CPU cores (1–8)

Licensing

DwgConvert is free: there is no Pro edition, no license key and no limit on the number of files. The title bar shows Free; clicking it explains this.

Troubleshooting

A file shows Failed with "This file could not be read"

The file may be damaged, protected or in a format this tool does not read. Check that it opens in your CAD program. If it does, contact support and mention the log folder (Settings → Diagnostics → Open Log Folder).

Objects are missing after converting

Check the Details column: the report lists every object type that did not carry over. 3D solids, regions, tables and shapes are the usual ones. Keep the original and use the converted copy for the content it does carry.

Block names in a DXF 2000 file are different

DXF 2000 allows block names of at most 31 characters, so longer ones are shortened (the report says how many). Choose DXF 2004 or newer if you need the original names.

I cannot find the converted file

Check Save to. With Next to each source file the copy is in the same folder as the original; with To a folder it is in that folder, in subfolders if Keep the folder structure is on. Show in Folder opens it.

Files on disk

Settings → Diagnostics → Open Log Folder gets you straight to the logs if something needs troubleshooting.

Settings%LocalAppData%\CADXChange\DwgConvert\settings.json
Logs%LocalAppData%\CADXChange\DwgConvert\Logs\