CAD Management – Network Folder Setup

CAD Management – Network Folder Setup

Here is how I’m rolling out our network folders for customizing AutoCAD and implementing CAD standards. Currently each department keeps their customization files on their department server or on individual’s workstations. Now, the workstations reference a network folder common to all departments.

These shared folders should be read-only so nobody can inadvertently modify the standard. However, users will inevitably need to tweak these files at some point. So, instead of linking to the network folder directly, create a shortcut that points to the network folder and put the shortcut in the default file search path in AutoCAD, see CAD Management – Support File Search Paths. This will save any modified file to the user’s C: drive and leave the standard file untouched.

Notebooks and other off-site computers (i.e. when users install AutoCAD on their home desktop) will not have continuous access or will have comparatively slow access to the network folder. To get around this problem, synchronize the network folder to a folder on their local computer. Then map the shortcuts to the local folder.