An EDRW file is an eDrawings drawing file, a CAD-related file format commonly created from SOLIDWORKS or other supported design software. It is mainly used for sharing 2D engineering drawings with people who need to view, inspect, or review a design without needing the full CAD program that created the original file. The "E" refers to eDrawings, while "DRW" refers to drawing, so the file is usually a viewable version of a technical drawing rather than the original editable CAD document.
An EDRW file may contain drawing sheets, design views, dimensions, annotations, notes, callouts, tolerances, labels, and other details used in engineering, manufacturing, and product design. For example, if a designer creates a machine part or product drawing in SOLIDWORKS, they may export it as an EDRW file so a client, manufacturer, supplier, manager, or teammate can review the drawing without receiving the original source file. In this way, an EDRW file works somewhat like a PDF for CAD drawings, but with tools made specifically for technical design review.
The main purpose of an EDRW file is viewing, sharing, and collaboration, not full editing. Someone who receives the file can usually open it, zoom in, move around the drawing sheet, view different pages, and inspect the information included by the designer. Depending on how the file was saved, the viewer may also allow measuring, printing, markup, comments, or other review features. However, some EDRW files may have restrictions, so certain actions like measuring, exporting, or printing may be disabled by the file creator.
EDRW files are usually opened with eDrawings Viewer, the official viewer commonly used for eDrawings formats. This is useful because not everyone who needs to review a technical drawing has SOLIDWORKS or another full CAD application installed. With the viewer, engineers, machinists, manufacturers, clients, and production teams can check the design details without needing expensive design software or access to the original CAD files.
It is also important to understand that an EDRW file is usually not meant for redesigning or making major changes to the actual model or drawing. For full edits, the original CAD file would normally be required, such as a SOLIDWORKS drawing, part, or assembly file. The EDRW file is more like a controlled review copy that allows others to inspect the drawing while helping protect the original editable design data.
In simple terms, an EDRW file is a shareable CAD drawing preview or review copy. It allows technical drawings to be distributed in a convenient, controlled format so other people can view and understand the design, while the original CAD file remains protected from unwanted changes.
An EDRW file may contain drawing sheets, design views, dimensions, annotations, notes, callouts, tolerances, labels, and other details used in engineering, manufacturing, and product design. For example, if a designer creates a machine part or product drawing in SOLIDWORKS, they may export it as an EDRW file so a client, manufacturer, supplier, manager, or teammate can review the drawing without receiving the original source file. In this way, an EDRW file works somewhat like a PDF for CAD drawings, but with tools made specifically for technical design review.
The main purpose of an EDRW file is viewing, sharing, and collaboration, not full editing. Someone who receives the file can usually open it, zoom in, move around the drawing sheet, view different pages, and inspect the information included by the designer. Depending on how the file was saved, the viewer may also allow measuring, printing, markup, comments, or other review features. However, some EDRW files may have restrictions, so certain actions like measuring, exporting, or printing may be disabled by the file creator.
EDRW files are usually opened with eDrawings Viewer, the official viewer commonly used for eDrawings formats. This is useful because not everyone who needs to review a technical drawing has SOLIDWORKS or another full CAD application installed. With the viewer, engineers, machinists, manufacturers, clients, and production teams can check the design details without needing expensive design software or access to the original CAD files.
It is also important to understand that an EDRW file is usually not meant for redesigning or making major changes to the actual model or drawing. For full edits, the original CAD file would normally be required, such as a SOLIDWORKS drawing, part, or assembly file. The EDRW file is more like a controlled review copy that allows others to inspect the drawing while helping protect the original editable design data.
In simple terms, an EDRW file is a shareable CAD drawing preview or review copy. It allows technical drawings to be distributed in a convenient, controlled format so other people can view and understand the design, while the original CAD file remains protected from unwanted changes.