Michael’s Corner

Michael's Corner is a monthly publication written by Michael E. Beall, Autodesk Authorized Author and peripatetic AutoCAD trainer. Michael travels all over the USA, bringing his fantastic experience and great understanding of AutoCAD to his clients. Michael's Corner brings together many of the tips, tricks and methods developed during these training sessions for the benefit of all users.

Michael's Corner provides something for every AutoCAD user. Every month, a number of articles cover a wide range of topics, suitable for users at all levels, including "The Basics" for those just starting out. Essentially, the aim of Michael's Corner is to help all AutoCAD users work smarter and faster.

This month…

From the Vault

Originally published November 2007

Drawing Encryption

I had a great question from my customer in Denver last week - prior to the defeat of their beloved and valiant Rockies - about a drawing password. Although you cannot prevent anyone from editing the content of your DWG file once it's open, you can at least require a password for them to open it.

Instructions to "Password Protect" a Drawing

1. Open the drawing to be password protected, then go to the Open and Save tab of Options.
2. Click the Security Options button in the lower left corner to open the Security Options dialog box.
3. Enter a password for this drawing, then click OK. You will get another dialog box in which you re-enter the password.

Note: You better remember this password. You will NOT have a "Forgot Password" link like you do on all those websites that require a password - that you forgot. I would recommend making a backup copy of this drawing first… especially if you're forgetful.

4. Be sure to include the password in any communication you have with the person you will be sending this drawing to. You may want to put it in the Notes section if you're using eTransmit (see Michael's Corner November 2005).

Additional Security Features

Digital Signature: Opens a dialog box where you can click a button to "Get a Digital ID" that takes you to the www.verisign.com website where you can sign up for a digital ID. If a digital ID is acquired for this drawing, the digital signature information will be displayed per the check box below the Security Options button on the Open and Save tab.

Encrypt Drawing Properties: If this box is checked (next to where you're specifying the password on the Password tab), the AutoCAD documentation states that a password will be required to read the Drawing Properties (FileDrawing Properties). I may have missed something, but I did not find this to be the case.

Advanced Options: Displays a list of possible encryption providers, in case you wanted to select a provider other than the default RC4, Microsoft Base Cryptographic provider, v1.0.

Password in the current AutoCAD Session: Once you have entered the password for a drawing, you can open and close that drawing within the current AutoCAD session without being re-prompted. If you exit AutoCAD, then re-launch AutoCAD and open the drawing, you will be prompted for the password since it's a new AutoCAD session.

Password removal: After opening a drawing requiring a password, anyone can then open the Security Options dialog box (from Options) and delete the value displayed in the field for the password or phrase to open the drawing.

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