topic Re: Can't open .dwg objects in Libraries & objects

Can't open .dwg objects

Alex_V — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 21:21:35 GMT

Hi all,

I am quite new to archicad, but can't seem to open .dwg files. When I choose the .dwg file type I get an error message "the selected file is not a DXF File. Please select a valid DXF file".

If I try to open the object as a .dxf file, I get the message "the selected file is not a file. Please select a valid file".

I tried a few different .dwg files, same error.

The project was created in archicad 26 student version, not sure if that makes a difference.

What am I doing wrong?

Thank you.

Operating system used: Windows

Re: Can't open .dwg objects

Eduardo Rolon — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 18:47:53 GMT

Normally DWG files are regular drawings (2D) not objects (3D) so you can use the Drawing Tool to place them.
Check that the downloaded file is not corrupted or didn't finish the download. Try opening the file in either a copy of Rhino or SketchUp to see if there is an issue.
There used to be a bug that file name size causes problems with imports so maybe renaming the file will let you open it.

Read here:

https://help.graphisoft.com/AC/29/INT/index.htm?rhcsh=1&rhnewwnd=0&rhmapid=#t=_AC29_Help%2F120_Interoperability%2F120_Interoperability-26.htm&rhsearch=dwgs&rhhlterm=dwgs&rhsyns=%20

Re: Can't open .dwg objects

Laszlo Nagy — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 21:26:53 GMT

You could also download and install the free Autodesk DWG Trueview app. Since it is Autodesk's official app, if it can't open it, it is not a valid DWG/DXF file:

https://www.autodesk.com/products/dwg-trueview/overview

Re: Can't open .dwg objects

Alex_V — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 00:28:07 GMT

Thank you both, opening the files in Sketchup and placing them as drawings was no problem, problem solved, thank you!