Restricting editing

[brunocaio.arq]

Hello everyone. We wonder how we can save a dwg to editing restrictions. For example: We send a DWG file to an external user by only allowing him to view the file. We want to disallow editing of the file. Is it possible? If so, how?

[pendean]

If you only need to send a file for viewing, send a 'viewing-only" format like PDF or DWF: are you assuming your recipient is clueless to the game you want to play with them? Or are you afraid to talk to them about stealing your work and hope somehow this little trick will set them straight without you having to deal with them?

You can also buy a 3rd party tool and really tick the recipient off but it works: http://www.cadlock.com/

[bgempp]

Hi

I have found that DWF is good to sent to vendors as they can mark up any changes they wish and sent the file back to you.

All they have to do is download "Autodesk Design Review" a free download.

They could also download DWG TrueViewer another free down load viewer but they can save the file to another version of Autocad.  If they do check the header for the version number or the date to see if any changes have been made.  Of course, you could always compare the drawings within Autocad to see any changes.  But the other person needs to have Autocad to make changes.  If they try to open a later version with an earlier version then they can't unless you save it down to an earlier version.