topic Re: Locking .ctb or .stb files in AutoCAD Forum

Locking .ctb or .stb files

Anonymous — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 13:59:15 GMT

Is there a way to lock stb. or ctb. files from being modified from users?

Re: Locking .ctb or .stb files

pendean — Wed, 09 Nov 2016 14:09:13 GMT

Sure: place them in a server folder, and lock your users group from delete, write and save rights to that folder.

Ask any competent IT person in your firm and they can help you do that.

Re: Locking .ctb or .stb files

AJohnson_Driven — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 15:23:38 GMT

Some times, the solution doesn't need to be complex. So simple I was almost embarrassed I had to look it up!

Just open the properties dialogue in Windows Explorer and check "Read-only". This will at least keep the average person from changing it by mistake (like I've done!).

The next step is then to restrict permissions like @pendean mentioned.

Re: Locking .ctb or .stb files

pendean — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 17:30:50 GMT

@AJohnson_Driven Simple solutions like that have as simple a solution to undo as well, so don't just rely on this method, here is how to undo file locking

Re: Locking .ctb or .stb files

AJohnson_Driven — Wed, 08 Apr 2020 17:55:07 GMT

For sure. This is not a locked-door solution. Just a closed-door solution. Prevents accidents which is all, in a small firm, I'm immediately worried about.

But you're right, not a bullet proof method.

Thanks,

Alan

Re: Locking .ctb or .stb files

Anonymous — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 19:23:46 GMT

For those seeing this post in the future, making the CTB file 'read only' from windows explorer does not prevent users from modifying the file directly from Autocad. Frustratingly, using the button in the plot dialog box enables users to change the file even if it is set to 'read only'.