Now both Microsoft Live Search and Google’s search engines include the ability to search Design Web Format(DWF) files. This can be done by including the phrase “filetype:dwf” along with your search terms or if you are using Google you can go to “Advanced Search” and select the “File Format” from the drop down list. Interestingly there are only 10 file types to choose from.

Design Web Format (DWF) is an open, secure file format developed by Autodesk for the efficient distribution and communication of rich design data to anyone who needs to view, review, or print design files. Because DWF files are highly compressed, they are smaller and faster to transmit than design files, without the overhead associated with complex CAD drawings (or the management of external links and dependencies). With DWF functionality, publishers of design data can limit the specific design data and plot styles to only what they want recipients to see and can publish multisheet drawing sets from multiple AutoCAD drawings in a single DWF file. They can also publish 3D models from most Autodesk design applications.

DWF files are not a replacement for native CAD formats such as AutoCAD drawings (DWG). The sole purpose of DWF is to allow designers, engineers, project managers, and their colleagues to communicate design information and design content to anyone needing to view, review, or print design information – without these team members needing to know AutoCAD or other design software.

“Design Web Format.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 13 Feb 2008, 19:23 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 14 Feb 2008

So this ability makes available a great deal of engineering information. Trying this search option however did not always return useful information. For “generic” items nothing really significant was found. It was interesting to search for local cities, streets, or neighborhoods; I was able to find building and subdivision plans. Search away!

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