Quick Guide: How to Use Apowersoft CAD Viewer for Viewing DWG/DXF Files

How to Convert CAD Files Using Apowersoft CAD ViewerApowersoft CAD Viewer is a lightweight, user-friendly tool for opening and viewing popular CAD formats such as DWG and DXF. It also includes built-in conversion features that let you export CAD drawings to other formats for sharing, printing, or further editing. This guide explains step-by-step how to convert CAD files using Apowersoft CAD Viewer, tips for preserving accuracy during conversion, common pitfalls, and alternatives when you need different output formats or advanced editing.

What you can convert with Apowersoft CAD Viewer

Apowersoft CAD Viewer supports common CAD input formats like DWG and DXF. Depending on the version, export options commonly include PDF, BMP, PNG, and sometimes other image formats. Converting to PDF is useful for sharing and printing, while raster image exports (PNG/BMP) are handy for inclusion in documents or web pages.

Before you start — preparation checklist

• Make a backup copy of the original CAD file.
• Confirm the target format (PDF for vectors/prints; PNG/BMP for images).
• If the drawing contains multiple sheets or layouts, note which pages you need to export.
• Install the latest version of Apowersoft CAD Viewer and ensure you have sufficient disk space.

Step-by-step: converting a CAD file to PDF (recommended for most users)

1. Open Apowersoft CAD Viewer.
2. Click File > Open, or use the Open toolbar button, and select your DWG/DXF file.
3. Navigate to the layout or model space you want to export. Use the viewport controls to zoom and pan to the desired area.
4. Choose File > Export (or Print). If there’s a direct “Export to PDF” option, select it.
5. In the export dialog:
   • Select PDF as the output format.
   • Choose page size and orientation (A4, Letter, etc.).
   • Set scale (Fit to page or a specific scale ratio) to preserve dimensions if required.
   • Toggle options such as “Export layers” or “Include line weights” if available.
6. Click Export (or Save) and choose the destination folder and file name.
7. Open the exported PDF to verify layout, scale, text legibility, and line weights.

Step-by-step: converting a CAD file to PNG or BMP (raster image)

1. Open the DWG/DXF file in Apowersoft CAD Viewer.
2. Adjust the view to frame the area you want to capture (zoom, pan, turn layers on/off).
3. Choose File > Export and select PNG or BMP as the output format.
4. In the export options:
   • Set image resolution/DPI (higher DPI for better quality).
   • Choose background color (white or transparent, if supported).
   • Confirm image size or scaling options.
5. Click Export, choose folder/name, then verify the saved image.

Tips to preserve accuracy and readability

• For scaled technical prints, export to PDF to keep vector data and accurate dimensions.
• Use a higher DPI (300+) when exporting raster images intended for print.
• Turn on or off layers before export to include only relevant information.
• Check line weights and text sizes in the preview to ensure readability.
• If the viewer lets you choose vector vs raster PDF, choose vector for smallest files and best zoom quality.

Common issues and solutions

• Text appears scrambled or missing: enable TrueType text or embed fonts if the option exists; otherwise, try exporting via PDF with font embedding.
• Lines look thicker or thinner: adjust line weight/export settings or switch to a vector PDF to preserve line definitions.
• Large file sizes: reduce image DPI for raster exports or simplify layers before exporting.
• Missing blocks or external references: ensure Xrefs and linked resources are accessible and located in the same folder before opening the DWG.

When Apowersoft CAD Viewer isn’t enough

• Need to edit geometry or re-save to native DWG versions? Use a full CAD editor (AutoCAD, BricsCAD, LibreCAD).
• Require high-fidelity PDF with searchable text or advanced plotting options? Consider a CAD package with professional plotting drivers.
• Want batch conversion of many files? Look for dedicated batch converters or scripting in full CAD software.

Comparison (quick pros/cons)

Example workflow: convert multiple layouts to a single PDF

1. Open the DWG in Apowersoft CAD Viewer.
2. Switch to each layout tab you need; export each layout to a separate PDF.
3. Use a PDF merge tool (many free options exist) to combine individual PDFs into a single document.

Final checks after conversion

• Open the output file and verify scale, legibility, and that all intended layers are present.
• For measurements-critical drawings, measure a known dimension in the exported file to confirm scale preservation.
• Keep the original DWG/DXF in case you need to redo exports with different settings.

Converting CAD files in Apowersoft CAD Viewer is straightforward for sharing and printing needs. Use PDF for vector-accurate exports and PNG/BMP for quick images; when you need full editing or advanced plotting, switch to a full CAD application.