Saving a drawing with a password

Sometimes drawings may contain confidential information and you want to control who has access to that information. If you need an added level of security, you can save a drawing with a password so only you and those who know the password can open the drawing.

To save a drawing with a password, you must save it as a .dwg file for AutoCAD version 2004 or newer.

Record passwords or use familiar words.
If you forget a drawings password, the drawing cannot be opened or recovered. You may want to store all passwords in a safe place.

To save a drawing with a password

   1   Do one of the following to choose Save As:

    On the ribbon Quick Access toolbar, click Save As, or on the ribbon Application button, choose Save As.

    On the menu, choose File > Save As.

    Type saveas and then press Enter.

   2   In the Save Drawing As dialog box, under Save As Type, choose a .dwg file for AutoCAD version 2004 or newer.

   3   Click Password Protect.

   4   Choose a folder where you want to save the drawing.

   5   In File Name, specify the name of the file you want to create.

   6   Click Save.

   7   In the Password dialog box, enter a password.

   8   If desired, record and store the password in a safe place. If you forget the drawings password, the drawing cannot be opened or recovered.

    9    Click OK.