Setup

Optimizing AutoCAD for Networks

Before getting into CAD Standards let us learn about Hardware Setup for CAD in a network environment. "Should we run AutoCAD from a network or from stand-alone computers?" is a very common question. Let’s take a look at a hybrid installation in which most of the AutoCAD program is installed on the local machine while the network servers are used to control the installation. The idea behind this hybrid approach is to use the local machine to handle the large disk I/O requirements of AutoCAD while putting the support files in a central location to lower management overhead.

What the Network Should Do?

We will try to achieve a standard environment for our CAD users. By making all CAD machines run the same way, we gain not only the efficiencies of standardization, but you also cut support time substantially. The network is the key tool for achieving this standard configuration because it enables us to share the following file types with all CAD users:

• Template drawings, Xrefs, and details
• Block libraries and DesignCenter files
• CAD standards (DWS) files
• Custom fonts, linetypes, and hatch patterns
• Plotter configuration files
• Custom scripts and AutoLISP routines
• License management files (for server license management)

To configure AutoCAD software to look for these files in a network location, we have to:

• Establish a shared folder on a server to hold the various support files.
• Map the shared folder to a common drive name.
• Set permissions for the folders so that CAD users can read the files but not change them.
• Use AutoCAD parameters in the Options command to point to the newly mapped drive and files.

Setting up the Network

We need to create a shared folder for CAD users with sufficient disk space to store all the file types just identified. Once we've got that top-level shared folder, we will create subfolders within it that contain the various file types. The subfolder names would be short and descriptive like STANDARDS, BLOCKS, FONTS, LISP, and so on. We need all these subfolders under the top-level folder to make user permissions easier to set.

Next, make sure that all CAD users are placed in a network login group with READ and EXECUTE privileges to the shared folders we've added on the network. IT manager can set up the permissions. The CAD manager should have FULL CONTROL permissions on the top-level folder and all subfolders so that he/she can update and delete files as needed. This scheme of network permissions gives us all the control we need while stopping CAD users from deleting or editing the standardized environment we've created.

Last, map the shared folder to a drive name so that all CAD users will see a standard network drive letter. Network administrator should ensure that everyone in the CAD user network group should be able to view and read from the newly mapped drive. Network administrator should then be able to add the network drive mapping information to the user login scripts so that users connect to the new drive automatically.

Point AutoCAD Properly

Once we have located all the AutoCAD support files on the network and set user permissions, we must tell AutoCAD how to access these files. We'll use the OPTIONS command from the Tools pull down menu to perform this operation. Below is a brief summary of the more commonly customized variables on the Files tab of the Options dialog box (see Figure 1) along with the types of files AutoCAD will find in the specified directories.

Use the: Support File Search Path variable to specify the directories in which AutoCAD should search for support files to insert custom blocks, resolve Xref files, load AutoLISP routines, load script files, and any other files that all CAD users need access to. Device Driver File Search Path variable to specify the driver files AutoCAD is to use to configure hardware or software drivers, most notably for plotting support. Putting these files in a shared location eliminates the possibility of users downloading different versions of driver files.

Menu, Help, and Miscellaneous File Names variable to specify customized file locations so that we can easily locate and update these files from a central location.

Figure 1: On the Files tab in the Options dialog box, we can specify the various paths AutoCAD must use to access the network folders containing AutoCAD support files.

Printer Support File Path variable to locate the control parameters for plotted files, autospool outputs, and the PC3 configuration files, which are derived from the driver files referenced in the Device Driver File Search Path referenced above.

Drawing Template File Location variable to locate the files that allow users to start drawings based on template files, which should be standardized across the entire AutoCAD installation. By placing these files in a network directory, we prevent unapproved template files from coming into use.

Figure 2: On the Profiles tab in the Options dialog box, we can store profiles, which means we can then start AutoCAD using the /p startup argument.

Closing a Breech

To prevent users from adding their own support or font path locations to circumvent our standardization efforts, we can place a stored profile in the shared network directory as well. About how to save a profile from the Profiles tab of the OPTIONS command (shown in Figure 2), reference the AutoCAD Help system for instructions. By starting AutoCAD from a stored profile, we achieve full control of the AutoCAD configuration, right down to the last variable setting.