Frequently Asked Questions

Below is an overview of questions asked by potential members. If you have any additional questions please feel free to e-mail us at feedback to ODA.

What are the "ODA Libraries?"

The Open Design Alliance libraries are the products we offer for which commercial distribution is included under the terms of our commercial, sustaining, founding, supporting memberships. Currently, the ODA libraries are DWGdirect, DWGdirectX, ADTdirect, C3Ddirect, DGNdirect, the OpenDWG^® Toolkit, the OpenDWG Viewkit, and the OpenDWG Toolkit ActiveX Control.

Why is the Open Design Alliance necessary?

Despite the common availability of neutral file formats, such as IGES and STEP, the vast majority of CAD drawings are stored in proprietary formats, such as the DWG file format, which is the world's most popular format for the storage and exchange of 2D and 3D CAD drawings. The US and other government contracts often explicitly require that drawing data be stored and delivered in DWG format. The aim of the ODA is to provide its membership libraries that read and write CAD files, such as DWG and DGN, or other formats where appropriate. 

How is the ODA organized? Who pays for it? Who controls it?

The Open Design Alliance is set up as a non-profit corporation and is funded by dues from its members. Each year a board of directors consisting of representatives from the founding members is elected. At the Annual Meeting of the Board the directors elect officers to oversee daily operations. 

What will the ODA do if Autodesk changes the DWG format in the future?

The ODA is committed to maintaining compatibility between the DWGdirect libraries and the DWG file format. The ODA development staff has always been able to update the ODA libraries within a year after a new release of Autodesk^® AutoCAD^®. 

Is the ODA trying to take control of the DWG format? Is it going to offer a version of DWG that is different from Autodesk's version?

The ODA offers OpenDWG, which does not replace the DWG file format but is instead compatible with the DWG file format. OpenDWG is distinct in that it is a documented standard, supported with a high-quality program library that is available to ODA members. There are well over 400 software vendors that support OpenDWG, and a reasonable estimate puts the number of OpenDWG seats as substancially greater then the number of Autodesk DWG seats. 

Is OpenDGN an alternative to DWG or OpenDWG?

We believe that OpenDGN is one of the best designed CAD file formats in existence. Still, it is not as broadly used as DWG or OpenDWG. It is an excellent alternative in market segments where DGN is strong — particularly in architecture, building modeling, plant and process, and road/highway design.