password protect issue

[jadeaton27]

I can not password protect my files. Every time I hit the security options button so I can generate a password, AutoCAD freezes and becomes unresponsive.

This is where I go- I hit the file menu and then 'save as'. In the top right corner of this window I hit the 'tools' tab and then 'security options'. Now I am frozen.

Does anyone know what the problem is? AutoCAD has been working fine otherwise.

I have windows and AutoCAD 2015.

Cheers for any help!

[Cad64]

I have always felt that password protecting drawings was a very bad idea. If you ever lose or forget your password, you're screwed.

 

If you feel that you need password protection for sending drawings out of your office, a better option would be to put your drawings in a zip file and password protect that.

 

As for your question, I don't have any idea why Autocad is freezing. Have you tried running a PURGE and AUDIT on your drawing? Perhaps there are some errors in the drawing database that is causing this issue?

 

Also, you said you're running Autocad 2015 on Windows? What version of Windows? And is it 32 or 64 bit? Not sure if it matters, but it's best to have all the information.

[jadeaton27]

Thank you so much for your reply.

I have windows 7 and it's 64 bit.

The reason I need to password protect is because my CAD teacher requires us to do so. It is proving a royal headache.

Could you please tell me how I can save my dwg files as zip instead and password protect these?

Cheers!

[Cad64]

I guess your teacher doesn't want students stealing each others work.

 

Follow the instructions below to create a password protected transmittal setup.

1. In Autocad, with your drawing open, type ETRANSMIT at the command prompt.

2. In the "Create Transmittal" window, click "Transmittal Setups"

3. In the "Transmittal Setups" window, click "New"

4. Create a name for this setup like "Password Protected" or whatever you want, then click "Continue"

5. In the "Modify Transmittal Setup" window, under "Actions", put a check in the box that says "Prompt for Password", then click OK

6. Back in the "Transmittal Setups" window, click "Close"

7. Back in the "Create Transmittal" window, make sure your new "Password Protected" transmittal setup is selected and then click OK

8. Select the location to save your zip file and then click "Save"

9. Now you will be asked to set your password for the zip file, so create a password and then click OK

 

Now no one will be able to extract your zip file without the password.

 

Here's more info about the Etransmit command: http://www.cadalyst.com/cad/autocad/round-up-those-wild-xrefs-using-the-etransmit-command-learning-curve-autocad-tutorial-64

 

Note: You should probably mention to your teacher that you are unable to password protect your drawings.

[jadeaton27]

Thank you so much.

I don't have a 'prompt for password' selection under 'actions' on the modify transmittal setup page.

I have the free student AutoCAD 2015 version. Could this be why?

[Cad64]

Sorry, but I can't help you with that. I've never used the student version, but from what I understand, it's exactly the same as the full commercial version, so you should have a "prompt for password" option under "Actions". I'm not sure why you don't have it?

 

The only other suggestion I can offer is to go ahead and use the Etransmit command, without the password option, then open your zip file and set a password there. This process will be different, depending on which zip program you're using, so you will have to Google how to set a password for whatever zip program you're using.

[jadeaton27]

I will go ahead and do the password in a zip file.

Thank you very much. Your help and information has been greatly appreciated!