Graphics Output in .dwg Format

[jhadhar65]

Does anyone know of an affordable (or free) graphics program out there that outputs in .dwg format?  I looked at CorelDRAW, but I'm not putting out $450 for it.  It's probably well worth it, but my list of things I need that cost $450, which I don't have anyway, is already too long.  Did I mention I'd be really interested in freeware?

Oh, and if it's free, that's even better!

EDIT:  I think I may have found it:  http://www.opendwg.org/

EDIT AGAIN:  Maybe not.  I think that's more than I'm prepared to tackle.

I'm trying to render my own control panels and this is the file format some of those makers need.  Any other ideas I might consider?

[sluckey]

Visio can save in dwg format. Does that help?

[tubesornothing]

A lot of guys on the CNC forum are using google sketch up.  I am pretty sure the free version can read dwg, not sure about writing it though.  Ifs its a one time thing, feel free so sen me whatever you have and I can convert it, I have a lot of graphic tools.

[jhadhar65]

>Visio can save in dwg format.

No kidding????  I didn't know that!!  I'll play around with that today...  Thanks Steve!!!

...and thanks TON!!!  I've got Visio, so I'll play around with that and see how it works for me.

[RicharD]

Visio can save in dwg format. Does that help?

Sorta......  You lose layer properties and the occasional line here & there.  It does not transpose TT fonts but rather it gives you a generic (for lack of the correct term) font.


.......  Sheesh...... I'm thinking about when you save as a dxf which is a very similar animal.  I don't think I've saved as a dwg but I know I've opened dwg architectural files files with Visio and had boiler plates and headers appear as big black splotches.

[tubesornothing]

Oh a little trick with visio on DXF (it might apply to DWG) - make sure your layer names do not have any spaces.  Otherwise they might get lost in the translation.