2004

Table Of Contents
774 | Chapter 27 Protect and Sign Drawings
Drawing Encryption
When a password is attached to a drawing, the password encrypts the draw-
ing and prevents unauthorized people from viewing it.
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 draw-
ing and prevents unauthorized people from viewing it. You can choose the
level of encryption used. Passwords help you collaborate on projects by help-
ing 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. Pass-
word 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
®
drawing files (DWG, DWS, and
DWT files).
Note If you want to attach a password and a digital signature to a drawing file,
attach the password first. Modifications to files, including the adding of pass-
words, invalidate their digital signatures.