Extract text from Graphic Works drawings (GWM)
To convert GWM drawings to another format, you need Graphic Works or other Vector Image software.
To convert other file formats to the "Legacy Drawing File" file type, you need software like Graphic Works or a similar tool.
The .GWM extension primarily identifies a vector graphics drawing created by Graphic Works, a design application from the now-defunct German publisher DATA BECKER. These files store vector paths, shapes, text, and layout data, functioning similarly to early CorelDRAW or Adobe Illustrator projects.
The Problem: The most significant challenge with .GWM files is software obsolescence. DATA BECKER ceased operations in 2014, and the original Graphic Works software is no longer sold or supported, making it difficult to run on modern operating systems like Windows 11. Because the format is proprietary and undocumented, modern vector editors like Inkscape rarely support direct import, leaving your data locked inside the file.
The Solution: The most practical approach is converting the file immediately. If you need to preserve the vector editability for use in modern design software, convert the file to SVG, EPS, or DXF. For simple archiving, sharing, or viewing without specialized tools, converting to PDF or a raster image like PNG is the standard workflow.
Note: A smaller percentage of these files are Group Watch Monitor settings used by Mitsubishi Electric GX Works software for industrial PLCs. These are binary configuration files and should only be opened within the specific engineering environment.
Convert.Guru analyzes your GWM file, detects the exact format, and lets you read the text inside.
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If you want to convert GWM file to , you can use Graphic Works or similar software from the "Vector Graphics Drawing" category. In the File menu, look for Save As… or Export….
To convert files to GWM, try Graphic Works or another comparable tool in the "Vector Graphics Drawing" category.
The history of Convert.Guru began over 25 years ago in California with Tom Simondi’s file-format database. A former contributor to Space Shuttle development and a software pioneer of the 1980s, Simondi established a trusted resource for file type analysis that was even referenced by Microsoft Windows XP. Today, we use modern technology to process and convert thousands of file formats while continually improving our GWM converter.