What is the MCD file format?
A file with the .mcd extension contains a 2D/3D drawing project in vector format native to the Vectorworks program. .mcd is a binary file saved in a proprietary CAD (Computer Aided Design) format, originally developed by Diehl Graphsoft under the MiniCAD brand and later continued by Vectorworks, Inc. (a Nemetschek company). The Vectorworks application used .mcd as its default save format up to version 12 (2005); Vectorworks 2008 and later use the .vwx format for storing projects instead.
.mcd files may store such projects as:
- 2D technical drawings (dimensioned)
- Objects as 2D models
- 3D models
In order to open an .mcd project in a different program, the project must first be exported to an appropriate format, such as .dwg. The export option is available in Vectorworks' File menu, or a dedicated format converter can be used. Older versions of .mcd files may not be compatible with newer versions of the software - the program will display a dialog box indicating that the file format version is too old.
Note: The .mcd extension is also used by PTC Mathcad for its math worksheet documents - an entirely different file type. If Vectorworks cannot open an .mcd file you received, try opening it with Mathcad or a compatible viewer.
Security & safety
RISK: LOWMCD drawing files are CAD design data, not executable code, so they are generally safe. The realistic concern is confidentiality - a drawing may contain proprietary design or building information. Only download Vectorworks from the official vectorworks.net site to avoid bundled-installer/"universal file viewer" scam sites that target rare CAD extensions.
Format details
in a nutshell- PTC Mathcad Document (legacy) - Engineering calculation worksheet from Mathcad 15 and earlier (pre-Prime); a very common rival meaning of .mcd, opened by legacy Mathcad / converted in Mathcad Prime.
- Monkey's Audio Image (.mcd / CUE-paired) - Disc image companion seen with the Monkey's Audio lossless format in some rippers; niche.
- CalComp / Monarch / various legacy app data files - Several old DOS/Windows apps reused .mcd for unrelated data; rare today.
Programs that open MCD files
Windows1 app
Vectorworks
Paid Open the .mcd in Vectorworks; very old files may need to be opened/saved through an intermediate version, then re-saved as .vwx. A trial covers a one-off open. 
macOS1 app
Vectorworks
Paid Vectorworks runs natively on macOS - open the legacy .mcd here and convert to .vwx. (The DB had no macOS entry; Vectorworks has long been Mac-first.) Technical details
deep spec| Format type | Proprietary binary CAD drawing |
| Developer | Vectorworks, Inc. (Nemetschek group); originally Diehl Graphsoft as MiniCAD |
| Encoding | Binary (proprietary, no public specification) |
| Geometry support | 2D technical drawings, 2D object models, and 3D solid/surface models |
| File identification | No fixed magic bytes; identified by extension and application of origin |
| Superseded by | .vwx format, introduced as the default save format in Vectorworks 2008 |
| Last native use | Vectorworks 12 (2005) was the last version to save .mcd by default |
| Export options | DWG, DXF, PDF, IFC, and others via Vectorworks File > Export menu |
| MIME type | application/octet-stream (no dedicated registered MIME type) |
| Platform support | Windows and macOS (via Vectorworks) |
| Extension conflict | Also used by PTC Mathcad for math worksheet documents - a completely different file type |
| Version compatibility | Older .mcd files may be rejected by newer Vectorworks with a format-version warning dialog |
| Related formats | .vwx (successor), .mcl (MiniCAD library), .mcs (MiniCAD symbol), .sta (Vectorworks worksheet) |
| CAD interoperability | Not directly importable in AutoCAD or other non-Vectorworks tools; requires export to DWG or DXF first |
| Released | MiniCAD 1985; .mcd used through Vectorworks 12 (2005), replaced by .vwx in Vectorworks 2008 |
| Specification | www.vectorworks.net |
MCD conversions
Community Q&A
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