Read only directories for some?

[CADMama]

I have a customer with an interesting question.
They have their issued drawings in a directory with only limitied access. Now the problem comes when someone needs to just view or print using TruView for example or someone wants to open in with AutoCAD and they don't have "permission" but the office needs them to get to the file. The dwl files try to get created and they can't get in there. Is there any way around this? Any way to NOT have the DWL file created?

[Wanderer]

I have a customer with an interesting question.
They have their issued drawings in a directory with only limitied access. Now the problem comes when someone needs to just view or print using TruView for example or someone wants to open in with AutoCAD and they don't have "permission" but the office needs them to get to the file. The dwl files try to get created and they can't get in there. Is there any way around this? Any way to NOT have the DWL file created?hmm... I wonder how that works? I have limited write permissions on my network folders as well... most of my users are using Bentley Viewer, I don't know if dwls are created with those either... I have two LT users, but, only one has used the files on the networks (the other one uses files only on her pc), and i'd never been asked about it by him.
hmm... let me see if any of the IT guys are still around here that I know and could ask about it (turnover is outrageous in that dept).

[Opie]

Have you tried the 'Temporary Drawing File Location' found in the Files Tab of the Options Dialog Box? I'm not certain this is the necessary fix, but the help file implies that may be it.


Temporary Drawing File Location

Specifies the location to store temporary files. This program creates temporary files and then deletes them when you exit the program. If you plan to run the program from a write-protected folder (for example, if you are working on a network or opening files from a CD), specify an alternate location for your temporary files. The folder you specify must not be write-protected.

The TEMPPREFIX system variable (read-only) also stores the current location of temporary drawing files.

[Brian Myers]

Have you tried the 'Temporary Drawing File Location' found in the Files Tab of the Options Dialog Box? I'm not certain this is the necessary fix, but the help file implies that may be it.

Thats the same thing I would suggest.

[Opie]

Thats the same thing I would suggest.
Hopefully, it's right. ;)

[rkmcswain]

I have a customer with an interesting question.
They have their issued drawings in a directory with only limitied access. Now the problem comes when someone needs to just view or print using TruView for example or someone wants to open in with AutoCAD and they don't have "permission" but the office needs them to get to the file. The dwl files try to get created and they can't get in there. Is there any way around this? Any way to NOT have the DWL file created?

Hi Donnia,

I don't have this problem, not have I ever. We have many users who have read-only rights, and it doesn't affect the ability to open a DWG file. I ran a test using FileMon (http://www.sysinternals.net) and AutoCAD doesn't even *try* to make a DWL file in this case.

Is the directory access controlled by NTFS file permissions or some other method?

[pdavis]

At the previous office I worked out, we used read-only without any problems. We did this to keep certain staff from making changes to the production drawings. There was never a problem with them opening or saving a copy of the file to the local drive.

I just tried TruView and it was able to open a read-only drawing.

[Brian Myers]

Hi Donnia,
FileMon (http://www.sysinternals.net) and AutoCAD doesn't even *try* to make a DWL file in this case.

Is the directory access controlled by NTFS file permissions or some other method?

The fact it was attempting a drawing lock in the first place made me think this may be an older version of AutoCAD... perhaps not?