AutoCAD Files

[Anonymous]

I use AutoCAD LT 2014 at work. For some time now, when I save a drawing, when I look the file up, there is a pdf icon next to it instead of the AutoCAD icon. Others save files on the same server and I see the same pdf icons, where they see AutoCAD icons on their computers. I can open the drawings up with AutoCAD if I go through AutoCAD.  However, if I use file explorer, it tries to use Adobe to open the drawing and I get an error message.  

I often need to convert the AutoCAD drawings into pdf files and send to our customers.  Having all of the icons shown as pdf makes if very confusing to determine which file I want to send.

Any ideas on correcting this issue?

[pendean · Accepted solution]

>>>...if I use file explorer, it tries to use Adobe to open the drawing...<<<

You somehow associated DWG files with Adobe PDF Reader in your session of WIndows/Explorer. Fix it https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/DWG-fi...

[Anonymous]

Thank you for your suggestion, however, this is not working for me.  I am not sure if that is due to this suggestion assumes that I have 'multiple AutoCAD versions installed' or not, but I do not, just AC LT 2014.  After running this once, it did change all of the icons from pdf to a white sheet of paper, but I still cannot open AC files or backups via file manager.

[stevetamplen · Accepted solution]

Hello BHanford, and welcome to the Forums!

When you say "... this is not working for me." what exactly do you mean by that? Please be specific.

The important part of that page is this, regardless of how many AutoCAD versions you have:

To associate DWG files with the AutoCAD DWG Launcher:

1. Right-click a .dwg file and choose Open With > Choose default program.
2. In the window, select "AutoCAD DWG Launcher."
3. Select the checkbox for "Always use the selected program to open this kind of file."
4. Click OK.

The drawing file should open in AutoCAD at this point.

If you do not have AutoCAD DWG Launcher as a choice:

Click the down arrow for "Other Programs" to see if it is listed. You may need to click the "Browse" button and manually select the AcLauncher.exe program file at the path listed above.

If AutoCAD DWG Launcher is correctly associated with DWG files:

In order to change the default AutoCAD program that opens DWG files, exit any currently running AutoCAD and launch the desired one.

You can also set up shortcuts on your desktop to access different AutoCAD versions and drag and drop a DWG file onto them to open the file in a specific version instead of allowing the AutoCAD DWG Launcher to manage the process.

[pendean]

What does "running this once" mean please?

A repair reinstall of LT2014 ought to fix it too, but you'd better backup and store your customizations first like this https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/How-to...

FWIW Whether you have one version of LT or a 1000 on your PC, the fix is to assign DWG file to the proper program which is the "AutoCAD DWG Launcher".

[stevetamplen]

Hello BHanford;

Did any of the posts get your problem resolved? If so, please hit the Accept as Solution button so that more community members can profit from the solution.

If not, please post back to let me know and I will be happy to continue assisting you.

[stevetamplen]

@Anonymous

Did any of the posts get your problem resolved? If so, please hit the Accept as Solution button so that more community members can profit from the solution.

[stevetamplen]

@Anonymous

I haven't heard back from you, so I am marking two posts as Accepted Solutions. This helps Forum members find answers more easily.

If you disagree, or if you still need assistance, pleasse do not hesitate to post back and let me know, and I will be happy to continue assisting you!

[Anonymous]

I thought I had responded to this once before, but I am still having issues. The instruction given is not solving the problem. For some reason, all of the dwg files are showing as pdf files when I go through file explorer to open. Where this makes things very confusing for me is when I convert an AutoCAD drawing into a pdf so that I can email to a customer; I have a difficult time determining which file is truly a pdf so that I may attach it and email.

Bill Hanford
Project Manager
Precast Specialties
O 260-623-6131
C 260-740-6612
F 260-623-3019

[Anonymous]

I thought I had responded to this once before, but I am still having issues. The instruction given is not solving the problem. For some reason, all of the dwg files are showing as pdf files when I go through file explorer to open. Where this makes things very confusing for me is when I convert an AutoCAD drawing into a pdf so that I can email to a customer; I have a difficult time determining which file is truly a pdf so that I may attach it and email.

Bill Hanford
Project Manager
Precast Specialties
O 260-623-6131
C 260-740-6612
F 260-623-3019

[pendean]

Start AutoAD.
use OPEN command to open a file.
Save the file.
Close AutoCAD.
Restart Windows.

Does Windows change the icons and remember to use AutoCAD next time you double-click on a DWG file?
Any reason you do not have file extensions showing in Windows Explorer and sorting that way? Relying on icons alone can be unhelpful when things work fine.

[stevetamplen · Accepted solution]

Hi Bill;

You have already tried downloading and installing TrueView, and you still could not change the file association of the .DWG files to start with AutoCAD or the DWG Launcher, so it sounds like you are having corruption problems with your Windows User profile.

Can you please try creating a new Admin Windows User profile (or use a different existing account) then logout, and login to the new profile and check to see if the problem still exists?