How to Change Save As Settings in AutoCAD?

Adjusting Save As Settings in AutoCAD: A Step-by-Step Guide

Changing the "Save As" settings in AutoCAD can enhance your workflow, making it easier to manage files and save them in the desired format and location. This guide provides detailed steps on how to modify these settings effectively.

1. Understanding the Save As Command

When using AutoCAD, saving your drawings often involves the "Save" or "Save As" commands. If the Save As dialog box does not appear, and you receive prompts in the command line instead, it may need to be adjusted. The FILEDIA variable controls whether the dialog box appears or not.

2. Accessing AutoCAD Settings

To begin adjusting your settings, you first need to access the program settings:

• Launch AutoCAD (ensure you are using version 2025).
• Type OPTIONS in the command line or navigate to the application menu and select Options from the menu.

3. Adjusting the FILEDIA Setting

The FILEDIA variable determines how the file selection dialog boxes display. To set this to show the dialog box rather than the command line:

1. In the command line, type FILEDIA.
2. Press Enter.
3. Type 1 (this enables the dialog).
4. Press Enter again to apply the change.

Once this setting is engaged, the next time you use the Save As command, the dialog box should appear, allowing you to navigate your file system easily.

4. Setting the Default Save Location

Another useful adjustment is changing the default save location for your files. This way, all new drawings can be saved to a preferred directory automatically:

1. Return to the Options dialog box.
2. Select the Files tab at the top.
3. Locate the entry labeled Automatic Save File Location. Click the plus icon (+) next to it.
4. Double-click on the current path displayed to open the file explorer.
5. Browse to your desired save location and click OK to confirm.

5. Saving Current Settings

To ensure that your changes are retained, you can save your current workspace or profile. This process makes your preferred settings the default for future sessions:

1. Return to the main AutoCAD interface.
2. Type SAVEPROFILE in the command line.
3. Press Enter.
4. Follow the prompts to save your workspace with a name you can easily recognize.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What should I do if my Save As dialog box still doesn’t appear after following these steps?
If the Save As dialog box does not display, revisit the FILEDIA setting to ensure it is set to 1. Additionally, consider restarting AutoCAD to refresh the settings.

2. Can I switch back to command line prompts for saving?
Yes, you can revert the FILEDIA setting by typing FILEDIA in the command line and setting it to 0, which will disable the dialog box and restore command line prompts.

3. How do I back up my AutoCAD settings before making changes?
You can export your AutoCAD profile settings by going to the Options menu, selecting the Profiles tab, and using the Export option. This creates a backup of your settings that can be imported later if needed.