How to change the default file directory where Autocad saves its files?

[The Mad Cadder]

Autocad is saving files to the Temp folder. I like to keep that folder nice and clean. My question is: which file location in the options dialog box that controls that issue?

 

Thanks in advance.

 

TMC

[ReMark]

First of all I would suggest creating a folder in the root directory of your hard drive and include the path to this folder in Tools > Files > Support File Search Path.

 

Example - C:\DWG

 

Do not place the new folder in the AutoCAD program folder.

[rkent]

First go to Options, Files, go to each entry and find where temp is used and change those to a folder of your choosing.

 

Also, edit the windows shortcut, the line where it says start in, change that to the folder of your choosing.

 

If you always want the save to go to one folder you may want to change the rememberfolders setting, see help for details.

[The Mad Cadder]

Thanks guys.

 

I'll keep you posted.

[Bill Tillman]

This may touch on a nerve here but as a former IT Manager I was always perplexed at how users could have so little a clue about where their files were being saved. You can of course save the files anywhere on your drive(s), but it makes more sense to have an organized set of folders (directories) to store your files. You can give a name to the folders of your choosing, which could be a job number or a title or subject, like Mechanical, Architectural...etc. It's up to you the user.

 

There are several ways to tell AutoCAD where to default in storing files but I always found this is where the users would get into trouble because sooner or later they need to find a file and they will not remember where they have been saving their files. One of the biggest jokes we used to have as IT support was when a user would complain that they cannot find a file. We would ask them were they saved it to and they would point to their monitor and shout "In there." We would then ask "Where in there?" and they would shout even louder while still pointing to their monitor "IN THERE!".

 

Just like targeting the correct printer, keeping your files in order is something each user should take full charge of and not become dependent on the "Default" settings which sooner or later, they forget about.