Are you tired of dealing with multiple sessions opening in AutoCAD? Don’t worry, you’re not alone.
Many AutoCAD users have faced this issue, and it can be quite frustrating. But fear not, as there are some simple solutions to stop multiple sessions from opening up in AutoCAD.
Understanding the Problem
Before we dive into the solutions, let’s first understand why this problem occurs. Multiple sessions opening in AutoCAD usually happen when you double-click on a DWG file or open it from within the software. This behavior is a default setting in AutoCAD, and while it may be useful in some cases, it can also become an inconvenience.
Solution 1: Adjusting File Associations
If you want to prevent multiple sessions from opening up when you double-click on a DWG file, you can adjust the file associations on your computer. Here’s how:
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Right-click on a DWG file and select “Open With” from the context menu.
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In the “Open With” dialog box, select “Choose another app.”
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From the list of applications, choose AutoCAD and check the box that says “Always use this app to open .dwg files.”
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Click on “OK” to save your changes.
This will ensure that all DWG files are opened within the same session of AutoCAD, preventing multiple instances from launching simultaneously.
Solution 2: Using the ‘OPEN’ Command
If adjusting file associations doesn’t solve your problem or if you prefer more control over how your files are opened, you can try using the ‘OPEN’ command within AutoCAD. Here’s how:
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Launch AutoCAD and go to the command line.
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Type ‘OPEN’ and press Enter.
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In the ‘Select File’ dialog box, navigate to the location of your DWG file.
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Select the file and click on ‘Open’.
By using the ‘OPEN’ command, you can ensure that each DWG file opens in a new tab within the same AutoCAD session, eliminating the problem of multiple sessions opening up simultaneously.
Solution 3: Customizing AutoCAD Startup
If you want more control over how AutoCAD starts up and handles multiple sessions, you can customize its startup behavior. Here’s how:
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Go to the Application menu (the big red ‘A’ in the top-left corner of AutoCAD) and select “Options.”
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In the Options dialog box, go to the “Open and Save” tab.
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Under the “File Open” section, uncheck the option that says “Create new drawing.” This will prevent a new session from opening whenever you open a DWG file.
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Click on “OK” to save your changes.
With this customization, whenever you open a DWG file, it will open in a new tab within your existing AutoCAD session instead of launching a completely new instance of AutoCAD.
Conclusion
Dealing with multiple sessions opening in AutoCAD can be a hassle, but with the right adjustments, you can easily overcome this issue. Whether it’s adjusting file associations, using the ‘OPEN’ command, or customizing AutoCAD startup behavior, these solutions will help you streamline your AutoCAD workflow and prevent multiple sessions from opening up.
Remember to apply the solution that best suits your preferences and working style. Happy designing!