FRW is a format for storing electronic drawings and developments of the Compass software system. It is widely used by engineers in various fields of activity. The FRW file format is mainly used for storing drawings. The main use of separately created part models is to add them to the general project for further interfacing with other elements of the project.
Why create a separate part from a common project?
The ability to create separate 3D models of parts that are part of a single project, allows you to make more understandable documentation in the report. For example, you need to explain to your colleagues how this or that part of the mechanism works. It is not necessary to look for her in a presentation project. Just go to the Compass program’s file system and select the necessary one among the elements of the mechanism. A separate file opens with this part in 3D, which can be viewed from all sides and indicate its advantages and disadvantages.
How to open: programs for viewing files with this extension
How to open FRW format? In addition to Compass, a file with this extension can be opened using other programs. Which ones, we will describe further.
List of the main programs used to open:
- AutoCAD. This utility refers to programs that can open the FRW format. Another application for the development of projects for the construction of mechanisms and structures using electronic drawings. Direct competitor to the Compass program. Using AutoCAD, you can open some projects created using the Compass program. Including files of the FRW format.
- SolidWorks This utility is used in some separate areas and companies along with other programs for creating electronic drawings and full 3D models. Its main purpose is the translation of 2D drawings into 3D models for the convenience of presentation.
- FileViewPro. This program is intended only for viewing various kinds of files. With its help it is impossible to edit used objects. The same applies to FRW files. With FileViewPro, you can only open it and view its contents, but not edit it.
Translation of the format to PDF: how to convert correctly?
Many users are interested in how you can convert the FRW format to PDF. This process is rather complicated, but quite real.
How to convert the FRW format to PDF? Follow the step by step instructions:
- A file of this format must be transferred to the CDW extension. To do this, open the original file in the Compass program, and then select the "Save As ..." item in the "File" section. Next, select the location where the new file will be saved, rename as necessary and select the CDW extension.
- Now we can convert the CDW file to PDF
- To do this format conversion, you can use the doPDF program. This utility does the conversion of many files to PDF. We start this program, load our file with the CDW extension there into a file with the PDF extension. All is ready. Now you can view your PDF document in any program designed for this.
Through an online service
In addition to individual programs, there are separate Internet resources for various types of conversion of your file into a file with a PDF format.
To do this, you must:
- Prepare a convertible file with the extension FRW.
- Open your computer’s browser and enter in the search box the query “online converter from FRW to PDF”.
- Open any of the first results issued by the search engine.
- Follow the instructions of the online conversion service.
How to use online extension conversion services? Recommendations
All online conversion services work mainly on one principle:
- Go to the desired file conversion service.
- Find the "Download file" button to convert.
- Click on it, and click on the "Browse" button in the pop-up window.
- You will see the file system of your computer. Find the file for format conversion in it and double-click on it with the left mouse button.
- After that, you need to find the "Convert" button on the service and click on it.
- Wait a while while the server converts your document to PDF.
- As a result of the conversion, a file converted to a PDF format will be downloaded to your computer (look for it in the "Downloads" folder on your computer).
This method is very convenient. Almost everyone, puzzled by the issue of conversion, goes exactly to the online services intended for this. However, keep in mind that these resources may contain malicious programs on the Internet, and in most cases, all the convenience of such services is crossed out by a large amount of advertising, which interferes with the normal operation of the file conversion.
Little conclusion
The FRW file format is a pretty sophisticated extension for converting to PDF. Therefore, you may need to first convert it to another electronic drawing format - CDW. How to do this, see above.
Despite the fact that you are using a specific CAD software product, it is possible to work with various formats, even with documents created in another computer aided design program. To do this, it will be enough to do the appropriate file conversion, or use the Compass program and select the extension you need when saving the project (document).
It is worth noting that Compass supports most of the CAD documentation. It can be used to convert the format from one CAD document format to another.