CAD Geek

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.

AutoCAD loads support files in the order defined in the Search Paths found in the File tab of the Option Menu (Tools –> Options –> Files tab). To apply the CAD standard consistently across the office, setup a network folder accessible to all CAD workstations. Next, edit the search paths in the Support Files Search Path. Because AutoCAD will search through the list from top to bottom, the top-most folders of the search path should be your customization files followed by your office’s standards followed by the AutoCAD defaults.

Either mapped drive letters or Universal Naming Convention (or UNC paths as they are usually called) can be used to point AutoCAD to the network folder. Mapped drive letters are easier to explain to users, but UNC paths will tell you where the folder is located on the network in case you forget the drive mapping path.

However, mobile users should use mapped drive letters that point to a local folder. This folder should be synchronized with its twin on network server. This way, the customization files will be stored locally on the hard drive and will not throw an error if you launch AutoCAD away from the network.

AutoCAD Folder Paths

~\Support
Default Location - C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Autodesk\AutoCAD 200X\RXX.X\enu\Support\
Network Location (UNC format) - \\SERVER\CAD_SUPPORT\SUPPORT
Network Location (Mapped Drive format) - Z:\CAD_SUPPORT\SUPPORT
Add the Network Location to the Support File Search Path in the Options screen. Make sure it is at the top of the list of Search Paths. The top most Search Path will be queried first and pick up all of the standard files such as acad.lin & acad.pat, the next Search Path should be the Default Location so that the local workstation’s customization will be picked up next.

~\Fonts
Default Location - C:\Program Files\AutoCAD xxxx\FONTS
Network Location (UNC format) - \\SERVER\CAD_SUPPORT\FONTS
Network Location (Mapped Drive format) - Z:\CAD_SUPPORT\FONTS
Add the Network Location to the Support File Search Path in the Options screen. Make sure it is at the top of the list of Search Paths. The top most Search Path will be queried first and pick up all of the standard files such as acad.lin & acad.pat, the next Search Path should be the Default Location so that the local workstation’s customization will be picked up next.

~\Plot Styles
Default Location - C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Autodesk\AutoCAD 200X\RXX.X\enu\Plot Styles\
Network Location (UNC format) - \\SERVER\CAD_SUPPORT\PLOT_STYLES\
Network Location (Mapped Drive format) - Z:\CAD_SUPPORT\PLOT_STYLES\
Use a shortcut to point to the Network Location. Put the shortcut in the Default Location. This will allow non-standard plot styles to be saved in the Default Location while keeping the standard plot styles in the Network Location.

~\Plotters
Default Location - C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Autodesk\AutoCAD 200X\RXX.X\enu\Plotters\
Network Location (UNC format) - \\SERVER\CAD_SUPPORT\PLOTTERS\
Network Location (Mapped Drive format) - Z:\CAD_SUPPORT\PLOTTERS\
Use a shortcut to point to the Network Location. Put the shortcut in the Default Location. This will allow non-standard plot styles to be saved in the Default Location while keeping the standard plot styles in the Network Location.

~\PMP Files
Default Location - C:\Documents and Settings\username\Application Data\Autodesk\AutoCAD 200X\RXX.X\enu\Plotters\PMP Files\
Network Location (UNC format) - \\SERVER\CAD_SUPPORT\PMP\
Network Location (Mapped Drive format) - Z:\CAD_SUPPORT\PMP\
Use a shortcut to point to the Network Location. Put the shortcut in the Default Location. This will allow non-standard plot styles to be saved in the Default Location while keeping the standard plot styles in the Network Location.