AutoCAD For Dummies, 17th Edition

Chapter 20

Drawing on the Internet

IN THIS CHAPTER

Understanding AutoCAD’s Internet features

Fixing file dependencies with Reference Manager

Protecting drawings with digital signatures

Exchanging drawing files via the Internet

Sharing and collaborating with AutoCAD 360 and A360

Viewing drawings with DWG TrueView

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past 30 years, you know that the Internet is causing major changes in the way people work. Because of the ’Net, most of us communicate differently, exchange files more rapidly, and phone out for pizza less frequently. Well, ordering pizza over the Internet is easy, but they still have to work out a few of the details to deliver it that way. Years ago they tried FAX pizzas, but it didn’t work out. 3D printing, on the other hand…

In this chapter, I show you how and when to use AutoCAD Internet features. I also cover how the Internet features can connect with traditional CAD tasks, such as file sharing. The emphasis of this chapter is on useful, no-nonsense ways to take advantage of the Internet in your CAD work.

The Internet and AutoCAD: An Overview

The web is changing so quickly that it’s almost impossible to write the definitive chapter that spells out exactly how everything works and what’s best for you. My intention in this chapter is to steer you toward the features that I feel are of most interest.

This is known as the ...