MAC Computer can't do a DWG file backup

[barry.j.dawson]

Hi I hope someone can give me advice on a backing up problem, thanks!.

We are using autoCAD  LT 2016  on a MAC computer, working from a server Now our problem is if i use a PC computer I can't read any of the newer dwg files crated by MAC (before the MAC we used PC).

Also I when we do a File backup from the server on a portable HD to take home ( I even tested this by doing a backup on our MAC Computer from the server) and by both ways we can't read or see the files created on MAC. ( Our MAC can read all the files from the server BUT not from a backup)

I can froward the files from the Server by email to my home computer no problem.

Can you only do a copy backup on Cloud or can you back your dwg files up  

Thanks

Barry

@barry.j.dawson; 

john.vellek has edited your subject line for clarity: MAC Computer can't do a dog file backup

[maxim_k]

Welcome to Autodesk Forums!

Hi Barry,

I think it is a permissions related problem.
But can you explain what do you mean by "I can't READ ... dwg"?
Can you open these DWG on PC side? Which error message do you get? Do you open drawings on PC directly from the server? If yes, than what if you copy DWG files to PC local drive at first?

Maxim

[barry.j.dawson]

Hi Maxim

I think it is a permissions related problem - our files are not permission related, I should be able to read all, in fact I'm the only one that backs them up, never had this problem when we used PC

But can you explain what do you mean by "I can't READ ... dog"? - sorry spellcheck change from dwg to dog and i missed it

Can you open these DWG on PC side? - I can only see any files created on PC but can see at any files created by MAC 

Which error message do you get? Do you open drawings on PC directly from the server? - ok no error message at all, I can open the older files that was created by PC on the PC and MAC

If yes, than what if you copy DWG files to PC local drive at first? - Cant even see the files created by MAC on the server or backup HD to open then with PC, 

The files created by MAC I can't see on the Backup HD BUT can see and open on the server, it seem there is something on the system that stops the new MAC created files being copied over to another HD ? is that possible but should not have been set up for that!

I hope this iinfomation  helps, and thank you for your help 

Barry

[maxim_k]

>>> I can only see any files created on PC but can see at any files created by MAC
Are you sure you are looking in correct place?
Do you open and save DWG files directly from AutoCAD on Mac side?
Which kind of server you are using?

Maxim

[barry.j.dawson]

I'm looking in the right place for the files as I did copier all the files created on PC but has not copied files created on MAC. its strange because same problem when I copied to the MAC H.D

I open both drives and copy & past , the same way I been doing for the past 15 years  on PC setups with no problems.

I'm thinking the Portable H.D might need re-formatting to suit MAC ! but then can you not save files created on a PC ? but that does not explain as way can't backup all Files to the MAC H.D we were told by the computer tech' that AutoCAD is compatible between both computers    MAC & PC but is it for saving files ?  

Need to get the computer tech' to have a look and see if he can explain it.

Thanks for your help anyway I will get to the bottom of this

We are having so much problems that we are going back to PC  

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

DWG file format is the same on PC and on Mac - that is true. But File Systems are different and it is also - true. This is OS specific incompatibility.
Mac OS uses HFS+ file system and Windows uses NTFS file system. Both OSes can read different file system, but cannot write to it without special (additional) software drivers.
In order to be able to use external hard drive on Mac and on PC (Windows) you need to Format it with FAT32 file system, because both macOS and Windows can read and write files, including DWG files, to the disk formatted with this file system.

Maxim

[barry.j.dawson]

Thanks Maxim I give that a try
Barry

[Emmsleys]

Hello @barry.j.dawson, 

Welcome to the Autodesk community!

Were you able to try the suggestions made? 

Feel free to post back with any additional questions you might have.