changing database locations

[twrightFHE8U]

Need to get Autocad Electrical to use network databases not local databases

[arshdeepsingh404 · Accepted solution]

Hello,

There are a couple of ways you can try doing this:

Method 1: Changing the location of the database (.md) files to a network location.

The default location of the catalog database files are usually located under: C:\Users\Username\Documents\Acade 20xx\AeData\en-US\Catalogs

You can check this by running the Config Catalog Database command.

The following link explain how to change this location:

https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACAD_E/2024/ENU/?guid=GUID-7F0E54E9-9D61-44C4-8F59-1518F49AE8EA\

You should keep in mind that depending on your network system provider, this could result in read only files if more than one user tries to access it at the same time. I know OneDrive sometimes struggles to manages network .mdb files.

Example Scenario: User1 and User2 are using AutoCAD Electrical at the same time. User1 modifies the catalog database (adds a couple of items to catalog browser) and exits AutoCAD. User2 is still using AutoCAD (i.e. still referencing the .mdb files from the network), User1's computer will try to backup the database files with the new changes but since the files are locked in by User2, It will end up creating a file called default_cat_user1.mdb or vice versa. You could end with multiple files on the network over time each with different information inside them.

If there is chance that multiple users will be contributing to new database entries, I wouldn't suggest Method 1, instead you should use method 2 with Microsoft SQL Server.

Method2: Using Microsoft SQL Server

Setup a SQL server to host the database files. Use the same Config Catalog Database command to connect to SQL Server.

Check the following link on How to migrate the AutoCAD Electrical MDB catalog to a SQL Server:

https://www.autodesk.com/support/technical/article/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to-move-or-mig...

Please note that the method 1 and 2 are only for migrating the catalog and footprint database files, The schematic and Footprint symbols will still be on your host. There are other methods to migrate the symbols as well if needed.