Working with AutoCAD DWG Files on the Internet

AutoCAD DWG files may be opened and saved to the internet so drafters and designers from around the world may access and edit project information.  The save process is similar to saving to a local/intranet location, so it's very easy to do.

1. Run the SAVEAS command.

2. In the Save Drawing As dialog box, click on the icon on the upper right that says "Search the Web".


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3. AutoCAD 2002's web browser will appear.  In the "Look in:" text box, enter the URL you wish to save your drawings to.

4. In the "File Name:" text box, enter the name you want to save the drawing to, and click on the open button.
 

The process of opening files from the web is also very simple:

1. Run the OPEN command.

2. In the Open Drawing  dialog box, click on the icon on the upper right that says "Search the Web".

3. AutoCAD 2002's web browser will appear.  In the "Look in:" text box, enter the URL you wish to open drawings from.

4. In the "File Name:" text box, enter the drawing name you want to open, and click on the Open button.

Other commands that read or write files will operate in the same manner.  The Search the Web icon appears in AutoCAD's LINETYPE, APPLOAD, SCRIPT, and MENULOAD commands, allowing you to share custom applications and data files with other project members from any location.
 

AutoCAD also has the ability to insert hyperlinks in a drawing file.  Hyperlinks may be attached to any object in the drawing.  When the mouse is placed over that object, a special hyperlink icon appears.  If that object is gripped, and you right-click the mouse button, one of the options that appears in the pop up menu is to open that hyperlink.  When that is selected, AutoCAD will open the default browser to display the linked page.  External files (including text files, spreadsheets, and other documents) may also be opened if linked to an AutoCAD object.

To save hyperlinks, run the HYPERLINK command.  Choose the objects you wish to link to.  In the Insert Hyperlink dialog box, enter the URL or file you wish to link to, and click on the OK button.

To open hyperlinks from an AutoCAD drawing, move your mouse over an object with a hyperlink attached to it.  The hyperlink icon will appear (it's an icon of the world with some chain links on it.  Grip the object, right-click, and choose Hyperlink -> open <hyperlinked file>.  The referenced file will open, with its associated program.

Some ideas for inserting hyperlinks:

1. Embedding a hyperlink to the company logo of a title block to link to its home page.

2. Linking Softdesk survey data (point objects, figures) to their related coordinate files.

3. Attaching spreadsheet files of relevant project information (cut/fill volumes, pipe flow data, design load requirements, land planning statistics, material schedules, construction timelines) to related objects.