Autocad exe file

Hi there ...

I wonder if there is any probable export option in Autocad that could publish and plot an .exe file that makes viewer unable to edit it but is opened by Autocad itself? I have already tested pdf and dwf export options and they are great but not easy to work and check as a dwf Autocad file...

Actually I wanna make sure that my drawing and blocks can not be edited or used by others ... just to be checked by them nothing more.

What's difficult about creating and sending a pdf or dwf?

You could always make a copy of your drawing, explode everything and place the entire drawing on Layer 0 and then purge everything else out of the drawing. It would still be editable, but it would make life really difficult for anyone trying to modify your drawing.

Otherwise, you could try CADVault: http://www.cadlock.com/products/CADVault/. I haven't tried it out myself, but there is a trial version so you can check it out.

What's difficult about creating and sending a pdf or dwf?

 

You could always make a copy of your drawing, explode everything and place the entire drawing on Layer 0 and then purge everything else out of the drawing. It would still be editable, but it would make life really difficult for anyone trying to modify your drawing.

 

Otherwise, you could try CADVault: http://www.cadlock.com/products/CADVault/. I haven't tried it out myself, but there is a trial version so you can check it

 

out.

Thank you, actually to get my plots approved I need to send final work (included XB,XE,XM) to an organization called "construction engineering organization", they want me to have entire my drawings in one plot... considering 30 A1 pages in one page make it difficult to read and check, it is really a huge plot.

I plotted it in pdf and dwf with high resolution and it can be checked but I dunno if they have cad viewer to read dwf files .. and pdf is a difficult format to check. That's why I need an option that could publish my plot in a way that could be read by autocad itself and prevent any probable edit or using my drawings by others.

I'll give a shot to Cadlock, thanks again.

DWF Viewer is free for the downloading.....by anyone.

http://usa.autodesk.com/design-review/

DWF Viewer is free for the downloading.....by anyone.

 

http://usa.autodesk.com/design-review/

I know I have it ... but the who wants to check doesn't have. that's the problem. they only know Autocad files.

So what if they don't have it? They go download it. What's so difficult about that? It would probably take someone all of five minutes to figure out how the program works.

they want me to have entire my drawings in one plot... considering 30 A1 pages in one page make it difficult to read and check, it is really a huge plot.

I don't think that is what they mean. They probably want a multi-page PDF, not all the sheets on one page.

So what if they don't have it? They go download it. What's so difficult about that? It would probably take someone all of five minutes to figure out how the program works.

their organization their rules ... it's not them who should adopt themselves it's me who should do that.

I don't think that is what they mean. They probably want a multi-page PDF, not all the sheets on one page.

No they exactly want all of them in 1 page, it would be 10*25 meters.

I find it very strange that a company will use one product (AutoCAD) by a company (AutoDesk) but refuse to use another (DWF Viewer). It's not like they are being told to use a viewer made/distributed by Dassault Systemes (makers of Solidworks) or one made by Bently (makers of Microstation). Seems short-sighted.

What happens if you manage to find a way to lock the drawings so they cannot be edited and the company refuses to accept them, instead asking that you send unlocked copies?

Two things jump out at me here.

1. They requested all the sheets on a single page PDF. Give them the PDF. Even if you find it hard to work with, it sounds like that is what they requested. Give it to them and let them do their stuff. If they have a problem, let them tell you.

2. You are worried about the misuse of your files. Trust me, don't worry. Your drawings can be recreated cheap and quick. Don't take that personally, as I know nothing of your work. Most of us have wondered about protecting/locking our drawings at some point and have come to realize that it won't do any good if someone really wants to use them for illicit purposes. What you really have to worry about is protecting the design that your files are representing. One more thing, if you don't trust the people that are receiving your drawings, don't use them.

I find it very strange that a company will use one product (AutoCAD) by a company (AutoDesk) but refuse to use another (DWF Viewer). It's not like they are being told to use a viewer made/distributed by Dassault Systemes (makers of Solidworks) or one made by Bently (makers of Microstation). Seems short-sighted.

 

What happens if you manage to find a way to lock the drawings so they cannot be edited and the company refuses to accept them, instead asking that you send unlocked copies?

Two things jump out at me here.

 

1. They requested all the sheets on a single page PDF. Give them the PDF. Even if you find it hard to work with, it sounds like that is what they requested. Give it to them and let them do their stuff. If they have a problem, let them tell you.

 

2. You are worried about the misuse of your files. Trust me, don't worry. Your drawings can be recreated cheap and quick. Don't take that personally, as I know nothing of your work. Most of us have wondered about protecting/locking our drawings at some point and have come to realize that it won't do any good if someone really wants to use them for illicit purposes. What you really have to worry about is protecting the design that your files are representing. One more thing, if you don't trust the people that are receiving your drawings, don't use them.

PDF is a great format but they want a DWG file and only in one file ...

Thank you both, actually I've found a way that could solve my problem.

I export my file to a DWFx then attach it to a DWG file ....

In this way there is only one layer "Layer 0" and no block ... and it could be opened and edited by Autocad ... :like:

But its size would increase a little bit more it turns from 4MB to 40 MB .. but it's ok ...

Again thx both ...

By the way I've got another Q... if there is any chance for you 2 to consult me in my works ? if I send my works for you to check them?

I'll lbe curious as to the reaction you get from the client.

Consult and check are two different things.

What kinds of drawings do you do?

they want me to have entire my drawings in one plot... considering 30 A1 pages in one page make it difficult to read and check, it is really a huge plot.

By the way I've got another Q... if there is any chance for you 2 to consult me in my works ? if I send my works for you to check them?

First, please don't hesitate to use CADTutor. There are a lot of very smart people here that are more than willing to offer free quality advice on a wide variety of subjects. With that being said, I'd be more than willing to help.