Convert EDRW to PDF

Recipients often need a PDF because they lack eDrawings, need a fixed record for approval or archiving, or must print the drawing from ordinary office software. Converting an EDRW produces a viewable document, not an editable CAD source or an interactive eDrawings model.

What the EDRW format is

EDRW is an eDrawings drawing file, typically published from SOLIDWORKS or another supported CAD system with eDrawings Publisher. It distributes lightweight drawing views for review without exposing the original CAD file. Depending on how it was published, the file can include sheets, views, configurations, annotations, and markups.

EDRW is not the normal native SOLIDWORKS drawing format and does not contain editable feature history, sketches, assembly relationships, or the complete source model. eDrawings also uses .eprt for parts and .easm for assemblies; those files require the same print-to-PDF approach when a PDF is needed.

What the PDF format provides

PDF preserves a page's layout, paper size, orientation, visible linework, text, and annotations for browsers, operating systems, document-management systems, and standard printers. It suits approval records, manufacturing paperwork, quotations, work instructions, and email attachments.

A PDF made from eDrawings is a printed representation of the selected sheet or view. It does not retain eDrawings functions such as model rotation, zoom, configuration switching, sectioning, animation, or interactive measurement. Text and linework may remain searchable and vector-based, but the result depends on the eDrawings print pipeline and PDF driver.

Windows conversion with eDrawings Viewer

1. Install the current eDrawings Viewer from the official SOLIDWORKS website and open the .edrw file.
2. Select the required sheet. Set the view orientation, display mode, configuration, section state, and visible markups before printing. EDRW cannot be used to reconstruct options that were not published into the file.
3. Choose File → Print.
4. Select Microsoft Print to PDF or another installed PDF printer. Set the paper size, orientation, sheet range, and scale in the printer settings. Use Fit when the complete border must stay inside the page; use a fixed scale when a specified drawing scale is required.
5. Click Print, choose a destination, and save the result with a name such as drawing.pdf.

Some eDrawings editions or releases provide a PDF command under File → Save As or File → Export. Use that command when available; otherwise, printing through a PDF printer is the broadly applicable method. Viewer capabilities can vary by operating system, license, and release.

MacOS conversion

1. Open the file in the compatible eDrawings application and prepare the required sheet or view.
2. Choose File → Print.
3. Open the PDF menu in the macOS print dialog and select Save as PDF.
4. Choose the filename and destination, then save the PDF.

If the installed eDrawings release does not open the file or does not expose printing, use a supported Windows installation or obtain the original CAD drawing and export it from the authoring application.

When the original CAD file is available

Ask the file owner for the native SOLIDWORKS drawing or the original supported CAD document when editable content, complete drawing sheets, or controlled output is required. In SOLIDWORKS, a native drawing can normally be exported through File → Save As with PDF selected. This generally provides better control over sheets, print scale, line weights, and drawing fonts than printing a published EDRW.

Online conversion services

EDRW support is uncommon among general file-conversion services. Services such as Zamzar or Convertio should be considered only if their current upload page explicitly accepts .edrw and the output settings meet the drawing requirements. Test a nonconfidential file first; an upload can disclose geometry, dimensions, customer information, or proprietary annotations. For controlled engineering data, local eDrawings printing is preferable.

Quality and compatibility checks

• Open the saved PDF and check every sheet for clipped borders, missing views, incorrect orientation, unreadable dimensions, and unexpected blank pages.
• Print or inspect a known dimension at 100% or at the required scale. A Fit setting changes the physical scale and is unsuitable when dimensional measurement from paper is required.
• Only the active or selected sheets, views, configurations, section states, and markups are output. Hidden components and inactive content remain absent.
• Special CAD fonts, transparency, shaded views, line weights, and markups can render differently. Use the print function rather than a screenshot to retain the best available text and vector quality.
• Do not assume that the PDF is searchable or contains vector geometry. Select text in the finished file and zoom into fine linework; if text was rasterized or lines are blurred, use a different PDF driver or export the native CAD drawing.