bak files - save to different location

[cunzner]

After extencive searching I can't find what I need to know.

Here is what is happening:
Company is set up with intranet so that our plants can view our production drawings easier with out haveing to have the program. Problem is, they can use the viewer that opens AutoCAD, Solidworks, ect. can also open *.bak files from CAD. As a result, they sometimes build to an old rev or see "DO NOT USE" block on it and not do the work. Then ENG. gets blamed for stalling production when the prints were released already.

I would hate to change the tool settings to not do bak files because they have come in handy. How can I set up CAD to save these in a differant directory/folder? Didn't see an option to change the path in the program setting screen. Only seen the option to change the auto save file location. Using CAD 2005 LT so no LISP can be used. :cry:

[Maverick91]

After extencive searching I can't find what I need to know.

Here is what is happening:
Company is set up with intranet so that our plants can view our production drawings easier with out haveing to have the program. Problem is, they can use the viewer that opens AutoCAD, Solidworks, ect. can also open *.bak files from CAD. As a result, they sometimes build to an old rev or see "DO NOT USE" block on it and not do the work. Then ENG. gets blamed for stalling production when the prints were released already.

I would hate to change the tool settings to not do bak files because they have come in handy. How can I set up CAD to save these in a differant directory/folder? Didn't see an option to change the path in the program setting screen. Only seen the option to change the auto save file location. Using CAD 2005 LT so no LISP can be used. :cry:What kind of software are the plant people using to view the drawings? Can it be set to not view .bak's?

[cunzner]

Brava I think. That is an option we thought about but I know CAD better. Any information and files that we can limit the plants to see the better ENG is. Would love to put bak files on the same drive just under a different folder that only we have access to.

[ekubaskie]

When you tell AutoCAD to save drawing "xyz", it creates a new file with a temporary name, renames your old file from 'xyz.dwg" to "xyz.bak", and then renames the new file to "xyz.dwg"

This means you can't "have it save .bak files in a different location" - it does not save .bak files at all, only the new file.

I'd say your best option might be to get them on a different viewer, like DWG Trueview (downloadable free at the Autodesk website), or to create a DWF whenever you save new, and give them DWF viewer (also free from Autodesk).

Failing that, consider it a disciplinary problem. Tell them that .bak files are off-limits, and that hours spent doing work from a .bak file will be considered a donation to the company, and followed by a payroll deduction for the cost of any materials wasted. Then mention that the IT department has set the server to keep logs of file access...

[Opie]

Have you tried the Move Backup Files found under the File Tools of the Express Tools Menu?


MOVEBAK
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Changes the destination directory for BAK files

Once you choose a directory, the drawing's BAK file is placed in the named directory after every Save.

[Wanderer]

Have you tried the Move Backup Files found under the File Tools of the Express Tools Menu?Sorry, Opie, but, he has no express menu, being as he's using LT2005.

i'm going to go ahead and move this from the CAD Management forum, as I think it would be better served here. Thanks.

[Opie]

Sorry, Opie, but, he has no express menu, being as he's using LT2005.

i'm going to go ahead and move this from the CAD Management forum, as I think it would be better served here. Thanks.
:banghead: (must read OP more often) :banghead:

[cunzner]

We just unchecked the bak files and put the auto save to store on a local drive. Thanx for the input and ideas. Every time I come/post here I learn sonething new. :beer:

[johan d]

Can you explain a bit your setup how people without acad can view your drawings through internet explorer...?

We are very interested in this. Do you have to create DWF's for this?

[cunzner]

Screen Shot (http://forums.augi.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=31276&stc=1)
Here is a screen shot after a drawing is pulled up. It is part of the intra-net that the company has set up. It says "Brava 5.X Enterprise ...." in the upper left corner. I'm not vary tech savvy when it comes to internet pages so that is about all I could tell you on that.

E-viewer Screen Shot (http://forums.augi.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=31277&stc=1)
We also have something called an E-Viewer that is free to down load. We haven't heard of many problems with this on either.
E-Drawings (http://www.solidworks.com/pages/programs/eDrawings/e2_register.html)
(Solidworks :shock: I know but but you use what works)

Resolution is much better then what got transfered but you get the idea. You have to be careful with what files people get at because it looks like almost anything can be viewed with these. It even opens up the auto-save file with out a problem.

Hope this helps. :beer:

[daniel.dennin]

Since you can't use MOVEBAK to stash your .bak files elsewhere, your company may want to try (looks suspiciously both ways)...e-drawings. There is a version that opens .dwg but will not support .bak files.

Allegedly the 2007 version will support turning layers on and off.