How to Extract Text From a DWG
By Matthew Burley
AutoCAD is an application used to create two-dimensional and three-dimensional drafting documents. While it is possible to save documents created in AutoCAD in a variety of different formats, the default file format is .dwg. This file type has limited compatibility with other programs, so it is often necessary to convert or extract data, such as text, from within AutoCAD before it can be used in a different program. Fortunately, AutoCAD includes an extraction tool that can be used to extract data from a file.
Double-click the .dwg file to open it in AutoCAD.
Select the "Insert" tab at the top of the screen.
Locate the "Linking and Extraction" section, then click the "Extract Data" button. Save your .dwg file when prompted.
Select the "Create a new data extraction" option, then click the "Next" button.
Type a name for the extraction file, click the "Save" button, then click the "Next" button.
Select the text that you wish to extract from the "Objects" column, then click the "Next" button twice.
Adjust the layout of your extracted text, then click the "Next" button.
Click the "Output data to external file" option, click the "Next" button, then click the "Finish" button.
References
Tips
- The .dwg text can be extracted to a number of different file types. Consider how you will be using the data, then select the file type that is most appropriate for your needs to avoid confusion down the road.
Writer Bio
Matthew Burley has been a writer of online content since 2005. You can view many of his articles on associatedcontent.com. Burley holds a Bachelor of Science in political science from Arizona State and a Master of Science in computer information systems from the University of Phoenix.