Creating .fas files and password protected dwg

[blackeagle1245]

After creating lisp how can we convert it to .fas file that cant be changed?. I want to create a dwg that is password protected for example the user only can see the dwg but when I block the drawing he/she cant explode it. waiting for your advices

 

thanks in advance

[Lee Mac]

Use the Visual LISP IDE (VLIDE) to make an application.

[ReMark]

I would recommend against password protecting a drawing. We have had a few individuals visit the forums asking how they can get their drawing "unprotected" after losing or forgetting their password. Do the words "out of luck" mean anything to you? If they do you might think twice about what you are attempting to do.

[StevJ]

If you take that "protected" drawing and xref it, then bind it, it converts to a block that can then be exploded. Nothing is gained by protecting the drawing.

 

Steve

[BIGAL]

Two questions fas file I would look at .net if you never want it to be opened up these are compiled and unless your an assembler programer you would probbably never be able to change.

 

2nd we went down the PDF path rather than dwgs if you only want them to look and not change, not sure if the password protected pdf's can be re assembled in acad using some of the products now appearing.

 

Also a co worker went home his young daughter changed the pc password keep brothers out! problem forgot password complete reinstall.

[blackeagle1245]

forgetting password not a problem then what are your advices about protected dwgs?. Pdf is ok but sometimes they ask for dwg.

[MarcoW]

Read this one, maybe it is the same "problem". In the end *.pdf turns out to be the better solution.

[blackeagle1245]

is there any document that explains how can I add password or at least learn how to do it?

[blackeagle1245]

Read this one, maybe it is the same "problem". In the end *.pdf turns out to be the better solution.

 

any document is accepted I want to learn creating lisp's at the same time. Thats why I want that so much. I'm reading things are written on Lee Mac's page

I read all the things were written on that page and in my case my customers do ask for the *.dwgs and I need to find a way that they can only see cant do anything I can give dwf files but still converting layouts take some time and also dwf files can be converted dwg am I right? I just saw the program that converts havent used it.

[LibertyOne]

what about making a dwf? It's a vector format that can be viewed and marked-up, but without being able to "steal" the geometry. What are you trying to protect?

[blackeagle1245]

I dont want my customers to use my drawings and is there any easy way to give the dwfs except printing it as dwf? cause I have a lot of layouts at one page and it takes time to convert I thought creating a password protected file that can only be viewed is easier

[LibertyOne]

to understand your dilema, I have to ask some real basic questions that may sound funny, but take them open-minded. I'm just trying to understand your situation and help.

 

I dont want my customers to use my drawings

 

Then why do you make them? If your other customers are in the same line of work as you are, then send only PDFs and try to explain that your drawings contain proprietary information and that making any copies in any shape or form is strictly prohibited. If you are "feeding" them (i.e. doing drafting services for them) then that is more or less the nature of the game. Maybe you have a contract where you give them the rights to the drawings, etc.

 

In what line of business are you? Architecture, Mechanical, Electrical, Structural?

 

My line of work is designing machines and equipment for major automotive companies. Our clients recieve all drawings for documentation but they are usually in PDF format. Sometimes we send CAD formats, which are all open file formats that could be reused. In the design phase when we are brainstorming for ideas to solve a problem there is really no open file format that we send back and forth.

 

If your drawings are loaded with blocks that are positioned or inserted with a lisp program, and you gain drafting speed with this program, I wouldn't send it, even if they asked. But I wouldn't think they could gain an advantage in having your blocks (depending on what they are)

[blackeagle1245]

yes you are right but I'm working for mep project company. I wrote it wrong I dont want my customers to change our drawings and if they give away our drawings or someone takes then they wont be able to use it.

Can dwf files easily converted to dwgs?

[LibertyOne]

I still don't understand where the problem lies.

You create a mep drawing for let's say for argument sake a residential building with 20 units.

You give this drawing to the mep company for them to build to plan.

 

Are you afraid they will take your drawing and modify it to have a mep plan for a simular residential building with 16 units?

[ReMark]

The simpliest way to keep customers from editing drawings is to give them a jpg or bmp file.

[blackeagle1245]

I still don't understand where the problem lies.

You create a mep drawing for let's say for argument sake a residential building with 20 units.

You give this drawing to the mep company for them to build to plan.

 

Are you afraid they will take your drawing and modify it to have a mep plan for a simular residential building with 16 units?

 

we are talking about different things I'm just drawing projects for my customer I'm not doing shop drawings mine is like piping,hvac or fire staff but my problem is sometimes our customers or someone else are giving away our projects to somebody else and they can change it. I just want to create a lisp that create a block and when my customer or someone else wants to explode it , it asks for password. I thought it is the only way to keep file safe or giving dwf files.

[Lee Mac]

An alternative would be to use CADLock by our good friends Owen Wengerd and Paul Kohut.

[LibertyOne]

we are talking about different things I'm just drawing projects for my customer I'm not doing shop drawings mine is like piping,hvac or fire staff but my problem is sometimes our customers or someone else are giving away our projects to somebody else and they can change it. I just want to create a lisp that create a block and when my customer or someone else wants to explode it , it asks for password. I thought it is the only way to keep file safe or giving dwf files.

 

Ok, I understand what you mean now.

 

Here's an idea, is it possible to embed a reactor that disallows copying objects out of the drawing? Like disabling CTRL+A, CTRL+X and CTRL+C?

[JohnM]

If you password protect a drawing and the client is giving it to someone else it stands to reason that they would also include the password.

A lisp will not work because it has to be loaded into the drawing at the client’s computer.

There are also other programs that allow the user to view and edit dwg files.

AutoCAD LT will not run reactors or lisp.

There is no way to protect a drawing 100%, if a crook wants it bad enough they will get it.

Even PDF files can be converted through raster to vector software (usually looks like crap but none the less)

You could add a water mark to the drawing just for proof.

Have your clients sign a contract. A contract is only as good as the intent of the parties involved and will give you legal recourse if you can prove breach of contract and have the time and money to go to court.

 

Also if a client is paying for a drawing they have the right to do whatever they want with it unless a contract states different.

[Jack_O'neill]

It won't matter what software you use, or any of the other tricks everyone here has mentioned. If they can get it on paper, they can take a red pen and mark it up to do it differently anyway. If someone wants to steal your idea, all they have to do is look at a printed version and redraw it.

 

If you are afraid that they will change something that will come back on you in a legal way, just be sure you keep your original file so you can offer it as evidence in court that you provided this drawing on such and such a date. Set its properties in your system to "read only" so no one accidentally saves it and changes the system date on the file. They will have to prove you provided the faulty information, you will have to prove you didn't.