Files with the CDW extension are created in the computer-aided design "Compass". They are drawings that can be viewed and printed either directly with the Compass family of applications or with the free Compass-3D Viewer.
The CDW extension contains files of drawings created in the Compass program. These drawings are used to model assemblies and parts and are often used in design documents, in manufacturing, and as technical illustrations.
The Compass application is a design environment that meets the standards of SPDS (system of design documentation for construction) and ESKD (unified system of design documentation). Files prepared in "Compass" can have several formats. The documents responsible for the specification are saved in SPW format, textual explanations - in KDW format, 3D models - in M3D and A3D formats, drawing fragments - in FRW format, and the drawings themselves have the CDW extension.
You can view CDW files in two ways - using the Compass program itself and the free Compass-3D Viewer viewer.
Compass
The Compass program is being developed by the Russian company Ascon. Depending on the needs of the developer, "Ascon" offers to use different versions of the program - "Compass-3D", "Compass-3D Home", "Compass-3D LT", "Compass-Graphic" or "Compass-SPDS". Regardless of the version of the application, all Compass products allow viewing and editing files with the CDW extension. Some are more suitable for sketching and drawing, while others are more suitable for 2D or 3D design.
You can download the Compass-3D version from the official website of the program developers. Although it is paid, users are provided with a free trial period for 30 days.
Compass-3D Viewer
In order for people not directly involved in CAD systems to view and print drawings created in the Compass family of programs, Ascon has developed a special viewer application called Compass-3D Viewer. This viewer supports all major Compass file formats - CDW, A3D, M3D, SPW, KDW and FRW.
In addition, "Compass-3D Viewer" allows you to view files created in AutoCAD (DXF, DWG). At the moment, there are versions of the application focused on use in 32- and 64-bit Windows operating systems. You can download "Compass-3D Viewer" from the official website of the developer. The installation file size for 32-bit systems is 223 megabytes, and for 64-bit systems it is 193 megabytes.
