About DWFx
A reader asks about Microsoft's deal with Autodesk to make DWF a Vista-compatible format. My response:
As I understand it:
* DWF files have to be saved in DWFx format.
* Can be viewed only in XPS documents, Microsoft's PDF clone.
* Only works on an operating system that most corporations plan to delay implementing by a year or two.
* Is limited to 2D.
* And has to compete with the 3D CAD formats that Microsoft is also supporting in Vista -- JT Open, 3DXML, (others?).
By coincidence, Owen Wengerd also reports on the practical details and problems of DWFx at his new blog, otb.manusoft.com/.
Robin:
>"Apparently .NET 3 installs the required components on XP and Server 2003."
That would defeat the purpose of having support built into the OS.
For XP, that means you either:
1. Download and install .Net 3 to get the viewer.
2. Or, download and install DXF Viewer.
Posted by: ralphg | Dec 11, 2006 at 08:29
1. DWF files do have to be saved in the upcoming DWF 7 (a.k.a. DWFx) format.
2. The 2D data of DWF 7 files will be XPS documents. This means you can use Microsoft’s XPS Viewer which comes already installed on Windows Vista.
3. DWF 7 will be viewable by applications from Autodesk such as Autodesk Design Review 2008. For users who do not have an Autodesk viewer, they can use a Microsoft XPS Viewer. For example, I am running the Microsoft XPS Viewer on Windows XP SP2 today.
4. Although a DWF 7 file can have both 3D and 2D data, the Microsoft XPS Viewer will only show 2D. Viewers from Autodesk will provide the full experience: 3D, 2D, metadata, etc.
5. DWF is one of many 3D formats that are available on Microsoft operating systems.
Posted by: Scott Sheppard | Dec 11, 2006 at 07:38
I found a few more tidbits here:
http://through-the-interface.typepad.com/through_the_interface/2006/12/dwfx_freewheel.html
Posted by: | Dec 08, 2006 at 19:51
I don't think it will have much effect for a while - perhaps a year or more... But in the longer term, I think it will have a big effect on whether Autodesk users send out drawings in DWF vs. PDF...
While DWF is technically superior for drawings, today most of them still send out PDF drawings because Acrobat is on probably 90% of all (windows) PCs - and who wants to bother with instructing people on how to download a viewer?
Posted by: Matt M | Dec 08, 2006 at 09:31
If you mean only works in Vista not quite correct. Apparently .NET 3 installs the required components on XP and Server 2003.
Posted by: Robin Capper | Dec 08, 2006 at 02:12