Protecting a dwg file

[Raggi_Thor]

OK that's correct, sorry.

 

There is a setting for not allow exploding.

Would that help?

 

BUT nothing is "secure".

[atari]

update: now, is possible to underlay a pdf file on a DWG

you will need the "bonus pack" with pdf enhancements, available only to suscribers.

this way the other part can draw, annotate, etc "over" the pdf, or xref other drawings.

not 100% safe but a step forward

[macareewall]

I need help protected a dwg file.

Is there a way of encripting or protecting a drawing so i can sent it to someone and they can insert it into one of there drawings but at the same time they cannot modify the drawing, like locking the layers but in a way that means they would not be able to unlock them or modify them.

You can use search for some converters from some 3rd parties. I'm now using dwglock from autodwg. Datas in a DWG concatenate and cannot be isolated, my clients can add dimensions but cannot make any changes.

[brassworks]

If the drawing is sent as a bitmap or jpg, it can be inserted into AutoCAD with the Image command and scaled to suit, if all they want is to have the drawing available for inclusion in a report. If they are dealing fairly with you, they shouldn't have any objection to using the file in this manner. If they are scoundrels out to use your company's product to their benefit (and to your company's detriment), I feel bad, then, that you have to deal with them. As pointed out by others in this thread, if they really want to, they can trace over anything. Yeah, I'd keep an eye on 'em. Good luck!

[skipsophrenic]

Heads up people, just letting you know this thread is over a year old.

[Tankman]

AutoCAD (up to version 2002) doesn't support password protection of DWG files. You can use add-on utilities like CADlock or CADVault (http://www.cadlock.com) to protect your drawing. CADVault can also password-protect changes (editing), printing, individual layers or objects...

 

Alternatively, the DWF publishing format (since V6) supports password protection.

AutoCAD 2004 and higher offers password protection (and encrypting) of saved DWG and DWF files (just read-passwords).

[rkmcswain]

AutoCAD (up to version 2002) doesn't support password protection of DWG files.

...but to reiterate, password protected DWG files offer little that a password protected ZIP file can't do, and offer nothing to the OP in this case.

[Ivan006]

Has anyone figured out a good method of locking an AutoCAD file? I'm looking to do the same thing and I've tried all the suggestions, but none seem to be working. :-(

[rkmcswain]

Has anyone figured out a good method of locking an AutoCAD file?

 

Lock it from who? (people on your network or people outside your network)

Lock it down how? (allow viewing or not)

[Ivan006]

Lock it from who? (people on your network or people outside your network)

Lock it down how? (allow viewing or not)

 

Lock it from people outside my network, and I would like them to see the drawing.

[Raggi_Thor]

Send a tif.

I think any vector format can be hacked, dwg, dwf, pdf.

[ReMark]

DWGguard TNT is a tiny Vlisp/ARX application to let others view your DWGs in a protected mode. Best of all, it's freeware. Download it from here:

 

http://www.cadcorner.ca/lisp.php

 

The listing is in alphabetical order. Scroll down a bit. You'll find it.

[Raggi_Thor]

What happens if you open that dwg file in another application, for example Rhino or Bricscad?

[Raggi_Thor]

OK, you can only view the encrypted dwg file in AutoCAD with DwgGuard installed, it seems. Makes sense:

 

Software requirements: AutoCAD 2004, 2005, 2006

 

Technical features:

- Advanced DWG codec system supplied by DOSlib 6.1©1992-2004 Robert McNeel & Associates......

 

*Software description:

 

This Vlisp macro converts *.dwg files into a equivalent protected format

thanks to a quick and efficient compression algorythm.

User can encode a DWG file through password assignation,

preventing during the visualization phase any possible

third party modification on it.

 

...

New defined commands:

 

COD : to protect DWG file

DEC : to restore DWG protected file

[nkgedadknr]

You can use winrar with password

[Cad64]

You can use winrar with password

 

That doesn't protect the drawing. If you send a .rar to someone, they will need the password to unzip it. Once they unzip it, they can do whatever they want with the drawing.

[rkmcswain]

That doesn't protect the drawing. If you send a .rar to someone, they will need the password to unzip it. Once they unzip it, they can do whatever they want with the drawing.

 

Exactly, which is no different than the password protection built into AutoCAD...basically worthless.

[rkmcswain]

Lock it from people outside my network, and I would like them to see the drawing.

 

Check the second post in this thread. (CadLock)

[ReMark]

CADLock RT 3.36 (Functional demo & free run-time version of CADLock) is available for download here...

 

http://www.cadlock.com/download/CADLockSE/

 

Once there click on the words CADLock RT 3.36 to be taken to the download page.

[ReMark]

Why not plot the drawing file in DWF file format and share it that way?