AutoCAD 2008 User's
Guide > Work with Other
People and Organizations > Protect and Sign
Drawings > Drawing
Encryption >
Overview of Encryption
Password-based encryption helps secure drawing data when you collaborate on projects. Specifically, when you maintain a password for a drawing, you can help prevent unauthorized viewing of the drawing when it is sent to others.
When a password is attached to a drawing, the password encrypts the drawing and prevents unauthorized people from viewing it. You can choose the level of encryption used. Passwords help you collaborate on projects by helping to keep your data safe when the data is sent to others.
The drawing encryption password is different from other types of drawing passwords, such as the password you use with eTransmit, because you can specify the encryption level.
The primary use of encryption is to help prevent drawing data from being stolen. Encryption can also be used to help keep data confidential.
For example, if a company creates a valuable, confidential design for an engine factory, the company can help protect the drawings with a password (or phrase) before sending the drawings out for review by the builders. Password protection could be one of the many measures the company could take, in addition to measures such as a secure intranet and rules about information disclosure, that would help keep the factory design confidential.
Passwords work only on AutoCAD 2004. and later drawing files (DWG, DWS, and DWT files).
