Editing AutoCAD (section)

==File formats==
AutoCAD's native file formats are denoted either by a <code>[[.dwg]]</code>, <code>.dwt</code>, <code>.dws</code>, or <code>[[DXF|.dxf]]</code> [[filename extension]]. <code>.dwg</code> and, to a lesser extent, <code>.dxf</code>, have become de facto, if proprietary, standards for CAD data [[interoperability]], particularly for 2D drawing exchange.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Björk|first1=Bo-Christer|last2=Laakso|first2=Mikael|date=2010-07-01|title=CAD standardisation in the construction industry — A process view|url=http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0926580509001800|journal=[[Automation in Construction]]|series=Building information modeling and interoperability|language=en|volume=19|issue=4|pages=398–406|doi=10.1016/j.autcon.2009.11.010|issn=0926-5805|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

The primary file format for 2D and 3D drawing files created with AutoCAD is <code>.dwg</code>. While other third-party [[CAD]] software applications can create <code>.dwg</code> files, AutoCAD uniquely creates RealDWG files.<ref>{{cite web |title=RealDWG Platform Technologies |url=https://www.autodesk.com/developer-network/platform-technologies/realdwg |access-date=January 14, 2022 |work=Autodesk Developer Network |publisher=[[Autodesk]]}}</ref> The drawing version code changes between AutoCAD releases.<ref name="dwg code">{{Cite web |title=Drawing format version codes for AutoCAD |url=https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/drawing-version-codes-for-autocad.html |date=November 22, 2022 |access-date=June 22, 2023 |website=Autodesk Support}}</ref>

Using AutoCAD, any <code>.dwg</code> file may be saved to a derivative format. These derivative formats include:
* Drawing Template Files <code>.dwt</code>: New <code>.dwg</code> are created from a <code>.dwt</code> file. Although the default template file is <code>acad.dwt</code> for AutoCAD and <code>acadlt.dwt</code> for AutoCAD LT, custom <code>.dwt</code> files may be created to include foundational configurations such as drawing units and layers.
* Drawing Standards File <code>.dws</code>: Using the CAD Standards feature of AutoCAD, a Drawing Standards File may be associated to any <code>.dwg</code> or <code>.dwt</code> file to enforce graphical standards.
* Drawing Interchange Format <code>.dxf</code>: The <code>.dxf</code> format is an ASCII representation of a <code>.dwg</code> file, and is used to transfer data between various applications.<ref>{{cite web |title=About Importing and Exporting DXF Files |url=https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2019/ENU/AutoCAD-Core/files/GUID-D4242737-58BB-47A5-9B0E-1E3DE7E7D647-htm.html |access-date=January 14, 2022 |work=AutoCAD User's Guide |publisher=[[Autodesk]]}}</ref>