dwg-to-excel
Convert AutoCAD DWG files (1983-2026) to Excel databases using DwgExporter CLI. Extract layers, blocks, attributes, and geometry data without Autodesk licenses.
Install via CLI (Recommended)
clawhub install openclaw/skills/skills/datadrivenconstruction/dwg-to-excelWhat This Skill Does
The dwg-to-excel skill provides an automated bridge between proprietary AutoCAD DWG files and open, analyzable Excel data formats. By utilizing the DwgExporter CLI, it enables users to extract deep metadata—including layer structures, block attributes, geometric entity coordinates (lines, polylines, arcs, splines), and text annotations—without needing an expensive Autodesk license. It supports a comprehensive range of DWG versions from 1983 through 2026, making it an essential tool for legacy data migration and modern construction documentation analysis.
Installation
To integrate this skill into your environment, run the following command in your terminal:
clawhub install openclaw/skills/skills/datadrivenconstruction/dwg-to-excel
Use Cases
- Project Data Mining: Extract schedules and block counts from floor plans for cost estimation without opening AutoCAD.
- Legacy Archiving: Convert aging DWG files from the 1990s into standardized Excel formats to preserve data before file corruption or format obsolescence occurs.
- Automated Reporting: Batch process thousands of CAD drawings into a single master database to reconcile building materials and project scope.
- PDF Generation: Convert legacy site plans directly into viewable PDFs during the extraction process for documentation portals.
Example Prompts
- "Please convert all DWG files located in the 'C:\Projects\SitePlans' folder into individual Excel files for each drawing."
- "Extract all block attribute data from 'floor_plan_v4.dwg' and generate an Excel summary of the door and window types identified."
- "Convert 'archived_drawing_1994.dwg' to a PDF layout and save the geometry data into a new Excel file for architectural analysis."
Tips & Limitations
- Batch Efficiency: For large-scale projects, use the PowerShell batch script provided in the technical implementation to process directories recursively, which significantly reduces wait times compared to single-file processing.
- Schema Consistency: Note that while this skill extracts raw data, entities like 'MTEXT' and 'ATTRIB' contain formatting nuances that may require further cleaning in Excel if the source DWG files lack standardized block naming conventions.
- Environment: Ensure DwgExporter.exe is accessible within your system path or provided via the full absolute path for consistent execution.
- File Locks: Ensure DWG files are not currently open in any other CAD software during the conversion process to avoid read-access errors.
Metadata
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Find the right skillPaste this into your clawhub.json to enable this plugin.
{
"plugins": {
"official-datadrivenconstruction-dwg-to-excel": {
"enabled": true,
"auto_update": true
}
}
}Tags(AI)
Flags: file-read, file-write, code-execution
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