It appears that someone forgot to add the file association in the installer package for design review. After all *.dwg files are a valid file type in the open dialog box, the program knows how to 'open' them so it should be able to 'open' one while being launched from the context menu. Since it worked in the past I am sure it can work now. This has worked for years and now with my 'upgrade' to Product Design Suite Premium 2018 this feature is now non existent. Why would Autodesk remove this functionality now? It just meant all of the background stuff of using DWG true view to open the file, convert it to dwf and open the dwf in design review happened automagically behind the scenes once design review was selected from the context menu. Only DWF is built for distributing CAD files and 3D models so the fidelity and intelligence of designs can be communicated securely, including object and mass properties, sheets, and layers. While I agree that design review does not actually open the dwg it has in the past had a file association that has made it possible to 'open' a dwg while launching design review from the context menu. I have always been able to right click on a drawing and select Design Review from the list in the Open With context menu. I have been using Design review for 4 years to do exactly as I am asking.

Autodesk design review 2017