How Do I Zip a Drawing in AutoCAD?

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In AutoCAD, zipping a drawing refers to compressing or reducing the file size of a drawing file. This can be useful when you need to share the drawing with others or when you want to free up storage space on your computer. In this tutorial, we will discuss different methods to zip a drawing in AutoCAD.

Method 1: Using AutoCAD’s built-in “ZIP” command

The easiest way to zip a drawing in AutoCAD is by using the built-in “ZIP” command. Here are the steps:

  1. Open the drawing that you want to zip in AutoCAD.
  2. Click on the “Application” menu (the big red A icon) in the top-left corner of the AutoCAD window.
  3. Select “Save As” from the drop-down menu.
  4. In the “Save Drawing As” dialog box, choose a location where you want to save the zipped file.
  5. Type a name for the zipped file in the “File name” field, and then add “.zip” as the file extension (e.g., “drawing.zip”).
  6. Select “ZIP Files (*.zip)” from the “Save as type” drop-down menu.
  7. Click on “Save”.
  8. A progress bar will appear, indicating that AutoCAD is compressing and saving your drawing as a zip file. Once completed, you will see a confirmation message.

Method 2: Using third-party file compression software

If you prefer using a third-party file compression software, you can also zip your AutoCAD drawing using programs like WinRAR or 7-Zip. Here’s how:

  1. Install the third-party file compression software of your choice (e., WinRAR).
  2. Open the software.
  3. Navigate to the location where your AutoCAD drawing is saved.
  4. Select the drawing file.
  5. Click on the “Add” or “Compress” button in the file compression software interface.
  6. In the options, choose a compression format (e., ZIP) and set any desired parameters.
  7. Select a destination folder where you want to save the zipped file.
  8. Click on “OK”, and the third-party software will compress and save your AutoCAD drawing as a zip file.

Tips for zipping drawings in AutoCAD:

  • Avoid including unnecessary files: Before zipping a drawing, make sure to remove any unnecessary files, such as backup files or temporary files. This will help keep the zip file size smaller.

    • In conclusion,

    Zipping a drawing in AutoCAD can be done using either AutoCAD’s built-in “ZIP” command or third-party file compression software. Both methods are easy to follow and allow you to reduce the file size of your drawing for sharing or storage purposes.

    Remember to remove any unnecessary files before zipping to keep the file size smaller.

    By following the steps outlined in this tutorial, you can efficiently zip your AutoCAD drawings and manage your files more effectively.