DRW File Extension

Drawing Format

File Type drw
Developer Corel
Popularity
4.4 (40 votes)
Application CorelDraw Graphics Suite
Category Vector Image Files
Format Binary

What is a DRW file?

The DRW extension is related to Drawing Format and is classified in the Vector Image Files category, which contains 120 files.

The Drawing Format (DRW) was created by Corel, a company that developed file format and produced 27 programs for their use.

DRW file support extends to various operating systems, including Windows. If you need to view a DRW file, you can use one of 8 programs, such as CorelDraw Graphics Suite, CADS Planner Viewer and Microsoft Picture It!.

Programs that support DRW files

Windows ⁸

Windows

How to open a DRW file?

If you’re having difficulty opening a DRW file, it is often due to not having the correct software. To solve the problem, choose a compatible program from the list. Then follow the link to the official developer site, download the software, and install it on your device.

Thanks to their popularity, CorelDraw Graphics Suite, CADS Planner Viewer and Microsoft Picture It! are often the go-to programs for managing DRW files. If you need the newest version of CorelDraw Graphics Suite, just access the Corel website. From there you can download the installer compatible with all systems.

After installation, your operating system should automatically open DRW files with CorelDraw Graphics Suite.

Set CorelDraw Graphics Suite as the default DRW program

Change Default Program on Mac

Right click or Control + left click on the desired DRW file;
Choose "Open in Application" and click "Other";
Next, at the bottom of the window, you will see the "Enable" menu, in which "Recommended Programs" is selected by default;
In this menu, select "All Programs", then find CorelDraw Graphics Suite and check the box next to "Always open in the application."

Change a default app in Windows

Start by right-clicking on your DRW file, then select "Open With" and continue by clicking "Choose another app" from the options provided;
In the pop-up window, select the CorelDraw Graphics Suite application;
Check the "Always use this application" checkbox, and then click "OK" to apply the selected application as the default for opening DRW files.

Solve problems with DRW files

There are some common issues with DRW files that can be resolved easily by making minor adjustments to your software. Below, you’ll find these issues along with practical troubleshooting tips.

What can lead to sudden CorelDraw Graphics Suite crashes?

Insufficient software updates can contribute to CorelDraw Graphics Suite crash. To avoid this, make sure that you have installed the latest updates for Corel products.

Restarting your computer will solve many common problems, which is why it’s the first thing you should do before changing any settings related to the software.

What is the recommended approach to repair a damaged DRW file?

Open the damaged DRW file in a recovery program and select the "Repair" menu item to start the repair operation. Wait for the recovery process to finish, allowing automatic repair of damaged vector image files.

What are the methods to detect if my DRW file has been corrupted?

Characteristics of corrupted DRW vector image files can include:

Unexplained DRW file size inflation;
The file stops responding or freezes in CorelDraw Graphics Suite or other programs;
The file does not respond or shows errors when opening it;
While working with the file, error alerts are encountered;
Editing the archive in CorelDraw Graphics Suite is hampered by poor overall performance;

How to edit a DRW file?

To modify DRW files, you need to install special software that makes it possible to open and edit vector image files. Online DRW editors are more restricted compared to software designed for Drawing Format.

Best DRW Editor Software in 2026

Based on these criteria, we have prepared a list of available DRW editors.

DRW Editor Software	Developer	Platforms	Overall Rating
Pro/ENGINEER	Parametric	Windows	4.9 out of 5 (43 reviews)
CorelDraw Graphics Suite	Corel	Windows	4.6 out of 5 (37 reviews)
Corel DESIGNER Technical Suite	Corel	Windows	4.4 out of 5 (41 review)
Microsoft Picture It!	Microsoft	Windows	4.2 out of 5 (41 review)

Convert files to and from DRW

If handling a DRW file is problematic, consider converting it to alternative formats such as DXF, DWG, JPG, JPEG, STEP or other supported types.

After converting a DRW file, some capabilities may be limited, but you can often convert it back to the original format.

Several applications, including Microsoft Picture It!, can convert DRW files offline without quality loss.