Evening,
 
Can anyone inform me on an easy way that I can lock an Autocad .dwg file from editing, so that we don't edit the file unless we change the setting back to allow editing ?
 
Is there some way that a warning flag or notice can be presented as soon as you try to edit a file which has been locked ?
 
Thanks
Norman

[QUOTE=N2OME]Evening,
 
Can anyone inform me on an easy way that I can lock an Autocad .dwg file from editing, so that we don't edit the file unless we change the setting back to allow editing ?
 
Is there some way that a warning flag or notice can be presented as soon as you try to edit a file which has been locked ?
 
Thanks
Norman[/QUOTE]Do you mean about protecting file with a password?Arben.Allaraj2009-05-21 22:26:22

Arben
 
Yes that would work if it is easy to set up.
What we are trying to do is save a master file as sort of back saved file.
It is hard for me to explain without taking all evening to go through the reason why, but in simple terms we want to set up a simple system to prevent this file being worked on or amended by mistake.
 
But it is important to us that if we do want to go back to this file at a later date, we can do so and amend or edit as before.
 
Any help very much appreciated.
 
Thank you for taking the time to respond
 
Norman

AutoCAD password protection won't help you much as this is just an "open" password (not "edit").
 
There are add-on tools like CADVault which offer detailed protection of DWG contents. Or you can consider publishing DWF files and giving just these files to your cooperators (instead of DWG). You can also force AutoCAD to open DWG files in Read/Only mode:
http://www.cadforum.cz/cadforum_en/qaID.asp?tip=2063
 

If you want to prevent others from modifing your drawings, you can try http://www.dwgsoft.com/
Just keey the master drawing and you can send your clients copies generated from this program.

Is this for only a few (10 or less) files or would it be used on a larger scale?
 
If you were wanting to do this on a larger scale than I would suggest Autodesk Vault Workgroup or Vault Manufacturing.
 
As Vladimir said DWFs are really a good way to go no matter what.  They let you save so much different info inside just one file( presentation, animation and various 2D & 3D info) that they may become the prefered way to output drawing info to others.
 
 
 

[QUOTE=AmerieWhite] If you want to prevent others from modifing your drawings, you can try http://www.dwgsoft.com/
Just keey the master drawing and you can send your clients copies generated from this program.[/QUOTE]

And how does it work?

Hi!



Try this link http://www.autodwg.com/dwglock/




It is a stand-alone application with no need for
installation and request for AutoCAD.



It is DWG lock software. Run it and select the drawings to
be locked and then click convert button. This will automatically create
encrypted copies automatically.



Hope above explanation will help.

Thank you all very much for taking the time to respond.
 
We are now up and working.
 
Norman

Be warned - DWGlock does no encryption, it only MINSERTs your drawings. Such drawings can be easily converted back to normal entities (see e.g. the ExplodeM utility on Download). Plus DWGlock uses an incompatible (non-genuine) DWG file format so there is a risk of loosing your design data.