I can't open dwg files from the windows explorer when SDI=1

[richardQJML5]

When I try to open a dwg file from the explorer (either by double clicking or using the "open with autocad" method) autocad will start up but instead of opening the drawing I clicked on it will just open the default Drawing1 file. This only seems to happen when SDI=1 but I need to have that setting on to allow multiple instances. If I already have a drawing open and I try to open another dwg file from the explorer, nothing happens.

I can open a file by opening multiple instances of autocad individually and then using file>open within each program but this is very tedious and not a long term fix.

I just upgraded from 2012 to 2019 and this was never a problem before. Anyone encounter this before or know what is going wrong?

[jayhar]

Hi,

Visit here

[Anonymous]

I just upgrade to Autocad 2019 and I have always been using SDI=1 becos we use multiple screens (as in the hardware, we literally have 2 screens on our desk) here. 

To think that Autocad 2019 does NOT allow that to happen. So we have to manually open Autocad for every individual drawing interface. We are also not able to open drawings directly from File Explorer. Meaning, we have to open dwg. file from within the Autocad program itself.  

I hope someone replies to your thread with a solution. This has been pretty inconvenient. 

[cadffm]

Your ACAD 2019 works right (right = as designed 😞 )
Please read this Thread:
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-lt-forum/accessing-user-profile-folder/td-p/8232011

[jayhar]

Hi,

Keep using AutoCAD Application Default find the attachment 

[richardQJML5]

I use SDI=1 mode for work so I need to have that variable on. Turning it off isn't an option for what I'm trying to do. So keeping in mind that everything I'm describing specifically happens when SDI=1. When SDI=0 none of these problems exist.

In previous versions of autocad I would open a file as follows:

1) Navigate to the file location in on my computer/server or wherever it might be. 

2) Double click on the file. 

In autocad 2019 if I take those steps one of two things happens. If I don't already have an instance of autocad running, double clicking on a specific .dwg causes autocad to open but default to Drawing1 without actually opening the .dwg file I click on. If I do already have an instance of autocad running and need to open another .dwg file, double clicking on a .dwg file doesn't do anything.

So for Autocad 2019 this forces me to open .dwg files as follows:

1) Double click on the Autocad application to open an instance.

2) Navigate to "File > Open" within Autocad

3) Navigate to the location of the .dwg file within Autocads "File Selector" window & select it

4) Repeat Steps 1-3 every time I need to open a new .dwg file.

This is extremely inconvenient if I need to open multiple .dwg files in a folder because instead quickly scanning and double clicking on all the files I want open I am forced to manually open separate Autocad instances and then individually select each file I wan't in each individual instance of Autocad. That's about as much detail as I can give, many other users on the forums are having the same issue and all anyone ever says is "Autocad is working as intended" but it's hard to imagine such a strange oversight actually being intended.

Edit: I'd be happy to mark something as a solution as soon as there actually is one.

[cadffm]

Hi Richard,
i posted the wrong link, why do you not ask me about that?
My mistake.

You say "all anyone ever says.." (like me),
thats right and we have this information from one Autodesk person.

Please read this answer from John Vellek (Autodesk).
The right Link now:
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-lt-forum/autocad-lt-2019-does-not-open-dwg-files/m-p/7921898#...

[pendean]

This is a known limitation in LT2019: roll back to LT2018 or use the "inconvenient" method in LT2019: search around here for identical posts and responses. That is the reality today.

This issue may or may not get fixed this year: no one around here knows for sure.

[richardQJML5]

I have read his reply and I'm not convinced. For one thing "working as intended" seems like a bad way to put it. They might be aware of it and not care enough about SDI mode to try to fix it but it makes no sense for such a ubiquitous feature across literally every computer program to be intentionally disabled. 

Also the fact that he says "So while you can still set SDI=1, you will find in current product that it will only open one AutoCAD session at a time." makes me skeptical he completely understands the problem. You absolutely can open multiple AutoCAD sessions at a time. 

[cadffm]

I am hoping he understand, lol. The only thing what is disabled is the function to open a new autocad instance by doublecklick or contextmenü from outside of Autocad.

I only know what j.v. wrote, he is the only one (in this case) who has contact to the developers AND answered here.

I guess i am thinking the same like you and others 😉 , but
- we don't know about the the backgrounds that led to it.
Unfortunately, there was no information so far (I asked for it).

In this Forum i read only one thread about issues with SDI on a Win10 System.

>>>>
If I reverse this restriction for testing, then I have no problems in Win8.1, the same was confirmed to me by a Win7 user.

But as long as I do not receive any information about these potential problems (from AutoDesk), so that I can check this in win7 and win8.1, I will not post half baked workarounds in a public forum.
I do not want to be guilty of ruined files or fake drawings.

I always work in MDI mode with multiple instances since 2000 and only in exceptional cases with SDI and then only in one instance.
Therefore, the 2019 problem bothers me personally little.
The feature has not been documented (properly) for a long time, so I'm glad it still exists.

[Anonymous]

I contacted Autodesk directly. I was told to install the update for Autocad 2019:

https://manage.autodesk.com/cep/#products-services/updates

With regards to SDI=1, this is their reply:

Thank you for choosing Autodesk Support. I'm from Autodesk support team.I will be assisting you with your issue.Here is the recommended resolution to your case:

Unfortunately, SDI will not work with AutoCAD 2019, this is as designed. You need to open multiple instances of AutoCAD from start menu.Or, choose 2018 version. 

I guess they won't be reinstating it, so I guess we have to break our routine and work with SDI=0 or MDI instead. I chose that now and manually open another Autocad program for another window. No choice. 

[Anonymous]

So did doing the update work of are we stuck having to go thru Auto Cad every time?  Cause I hate having to save drawings attached an email into a folder then open Auto CAD.  I only use SDI 1  I have had top many problems using SDI 0.  

[pendean]

In LT1019 SDI is dead, on purpose: read message #11 above your post to see Autodesk confirming it as deliberate according to that user.

You can always install the update to confirm as well of course.

[cadffm]

Works again since version 2020.1.3+Hotfix SDI or 2021.1