Open drawing as read-only

[Anonymous]

I often need to open drawings stored on a network share just for viewing and checking dimensions and I don't want to interfere with other users trying to open these files for editing. Is there a way how to open a DWG from a file manager directly in read-only mode?

Walter

[stevetamplen · Accepted solution]

Hello Walter;

It is really just as easy as opening AutoCAD, clicking on Open Files, highlight the drawing you want to open, then click on the little dropdown arrow to the right of the OPEN button, and choose Open Read-Only.

I hope that helps!

If my post answers your question, please click the "Accept as Solution" button. This helps everyone find answers more quickly!

[dgorsman · Accepted solution]

Also consider using DWG TrueView - thats *always* in read-only.

[pendean · Accepted solution]

See this tip
http://www.cad-notes.com/open-autocad-drawings-as-read-only-using-right-click-from-explorer/
and an alternate
https://www.theswamp.org/index.php?topic=1876.0

[stevetamplen]

@Anonymous

Did any of the posts get your problem resolved?

If so, please hit the Accept as Solution button for that post so that more community members can profit from the solution.

[stevetamplen]

Hi @Anonymous

I marked several posts as Accepted Solutions for this question. This helps other Forum members find answers more quickly!

[Anonymous]

No this does not help and will not work. it still locks the file from other being able to work on them.

[RobDraw]

Can you be more specific? AFAIK, all of these solutions work.

[Anonymous]

YES ARE CHECKER OPENS FILES READ ONLY WITH AUTOCAD AND IT LOCKS EVERYONE ELSE OUT OF THE FILE IF EDIT WORK IS NEEDED AS IF HE JUST OPEN THE FILE STRAIGHT UP.

[RobDraw]

I have not seen this happen before. Maybe he needs to make a copy of the file so that he doesn't lock other users out.

[Anonymous]

It is a windows setting somewhere because I had the problem before at another location.

[RobDraw]

When you find it, please share.

[User_2011]

Other way is open the file, then open again, you will be prompted to open as read only, close the other instance...

[george_b393]

I wish you could just right click directly in Windows Explorer and have that Open Read-only choice there.
Trying to navigate through many folders directly in AutoCAD is slow. I wish AutoCAD would have better browsing interface in its Open - Select file dialog box.
The method to go around that:

1. In Windows Explorer right click for Properties and tick Read-only. Then click on file to open and confirm Read-only.

2. While the file is open in AutoCAD go back to the Windows Explorer - Properties - un-tick the Read-only.

3. Now you have the file open Read-only and in its original location is available to other users for editing.

[RobDraw]

---

@george_b393 wrote:

The method to go around that:

1. In Windows Explorer right click for Properties and tick Read-only. Then click on file to open and confirm Read-only.

2. While the file is open in AutoCAD go back to the Windows Explorer - Properties - un-tick the Read-only.

3. Now you have the file open Read-only and in its original location is available to other users for editing.

---

[start sarcasm] That's four more clicks every time a drawing needs to be opened. [end sarcasm]

[george_b393]

For a time being I use great workaround.
I have placed a VBScript Script File that I found on the web to SendTo folder.

OpenDWGasReadOnly.vbs

That way in Windows Explorer when I right click on the cad file, one of options is 'Send to' and I have this script file there. The script file opens cad file as read only regardless whether it is read only or not. I add 0. in front the file name.

C:\Users\George\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo
In your machine and Windows version the SendTo folder may be somewhere else.

When I open the Scrip file in Notepad, it has this content. So you can copy it and save your own:

On Error Resume Next
dim cmd_arg
set cmd_arg=wscript.Arguments
Dim acadApp
Set acadApp = GetObject(, "AutoCAD.Application")
If Err Then
Err.Clear
Set acadApp = CreateObject("AutoCAD.Application")
End if
acadApp.visible=True
acadApp.WindowState = normal
acadApp.Documents.Open cmd_arg(0), True

Hope this helps.
George