DWF (Design Web Format) is a special type of drawing file developed by Autodesk for the purpose of sharing CAD files over the internet. Users can zoom and pan through the layout with no loss of resolution, and can compose and print at will.
Best of all, users do not need to possess CAD software in order to view drawings orginated in applications such as AutoCAD and converted to the new DWF format; AutoDesk has made available a DWF viewer that is downloadable for free:
If you already have AutoCAD (r14 or later), you probably have the ability to read a DWF file, but it would still be a good idea to follow the link above to make sure that you have the latest version; those without CAD software may simply download and install the viewer for their particular operating system.
Test for DWF viewer installation:
Click here to view the test drawing; if it does not open, follow the link above to download and install the DWF viewer onto your machine.
Directions for Navigation:
Navigation controls consist mainly of Zooming and Panning; the trick is to watch to see which cursor icon is visible -if it is a hand, then you are in Pan mode, and if it is a magnifying glass, then you are in Zoom mode.
Switching between modes can be done through the control panel at the top of the browser window, or by right-button mouse clicking to get a selection menu, and then setting the mode you want with a left-mouse click.
In Pan mode you hold the left mouse button down and drag in the direction in which you wish to pan; In Zoom mode you hold the left mouse button down and drag upwards to zoom in and drag downwards to zoom back out.