User-specific file paths on network drive

[Niklas_BalkHJBPA]

Hi all,

I made a similar thread to this a couple weeks ago, but I don't think that I properly presented the issue I'm facing. 

I am trying to set up our AutoCAD Electrical (ACADE 2023) projects for collaboration between multiple users. We use Vault to handle all project files, but any support or library paths are all located on a network drive (OneDrive). I believe this is an acceptable way to do it, and it would work fine, except that our company's network drive is located within each employee's User directory on the file explorer. For example, mine sits in C:/Users/Niklas.Balk/<network drive>. Thus, in the project properties, the symbol and panel library/icon menu file paths refer to my specific network drive. For the symbol libraries, you can add as many paths as you want, but the icon menus only allow you to select one file path and it is a file path you must browse for, you cannot type in the file path. This means that, by mapping it to my own network drive, my coworkers cannot use it.

I am currently exploring ways to try to get my network drive re-mapped to a more generic file path, but I would prefer for the solution to be in AutoCAD Electrical so that my coworkers who want to use the project don't also have to re-map their drive. If you have any suggestions or workarounds, please let me know. Thanks!

[pendean]

OneDrive is user specific, no workaround. Sorry. Is this a specific "business" onedrive subscription? The Consumer variant is deliberately handicapped.

Hop on Microsoft's Forums and see if there are known workaround to do what you need:

https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/category/onedriveforbusiness/discussions/onedriveforbusiness (if you have a business account)

[arshdeepsingh404]

Hi Niklas,

I know you mentioned you would like to avoid remapping but that might be your best solution here.

I have my OneDrive syncing to D Drive and the paths look like this: D:\OD\OrganizationName\AutoCAD

Alternatively, here is a less recommended method but I did some testing and it is working for me.

The wd.env file can be used to define the path to a .dat file and we can use some lisp to make that path dynamic per user.

Before trying this, Make a copy of the wd.env file and close AutoCAD electrical

Default location: C:\Users\UserName\Documents\Acade 2026\AeData\wd.env

I added this line (Line 42) to wd.env file which dynamically gets my computer name.

As a test, I copied the Support folder to downloads, The test is to generate a dynamic path using computer name.

In the case of C:/Users/Niklas.Balk/<network drive>, The blue highlighted auto calculated text = 

(getenv "USERPROFILE")

Then I added another line (Line 97) to the wd.env file where I define the path for iconmenu.dat file

Save the wd.env file and launch AutoCAD electrical.

Enter !GBL_WD_BASELIBS on command line to make sure your wd.env file can successfully generate the path.

If you need to go back and fix something in the file, don't forget to close AutoCAD Electrical.

Right-Click on the Project and go to properties.

 

Select the icon menu file path and click on default, This should resolve to the dynamic address.

Give this a test in a controlled environment and see if it works for you, Let me know if you have any questions.

I am not sure if this is the best way to do it but I was able to get it working like that after some testing.

I would probably wait for other experts to add their opinion to this as well in case they don't recommend doing it.

[lauri_barnhart]

Hello, @Niklas_BalkHJBPA,

Just checking in—did the responses shared by @pendean or @arshdeepsingh404 help clarify your question?

If so, please consider clicking the "Accept Solution" button on the post(s) that solved your problem. Doing so helps others in the community easily find useful answers.

If your question still needs more attention, feel free to reply here with an update. This way, other members can jump in with further suggestions or guidance to help you move forward.

All the best,

Lauri | Community Manager

[Niklas_BalkHJBPA]

Hi Lauri,

I have been busy with other stuff at work so I haven't yet been able to actually test these solutions in depth yet. My apologies for leaving this thread hanging but I will get to it when I can