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(continued...) DWG or eTransmit files can be password protected to provide control over who can open them.
Significantly in this release, files can also be assigned digital signatures to validate the origin, authenticity, and unaltered state of drawings.
Using a standalone Attach Digital Signatures utility, one or more 2004 format files are selected then Digital IDs applied.
Signed files are automatically set to read only to reduce the risk of inadvertent changes invalidating the signature.
Signatures are issued by the well respected VeriSign Certification Authority.
These cost $14.95 for the basic Class 1 format or $400 - 700 depending on level of protection for the 'gold standard' Class 3 for which VeriSign rigorously validate the requesting organisation's identity before issuing the ID.
Licensing has also been overhauled for this release.
2004 can be installed alongside any previous release of AutoCAD software and the new Autodesk Product Manager tracks the version, serial, and software licenses for any Autodesk product that uses FLEXlm 8.3.
With the advent of significant home working and laptops easily capable of CAD duties, the license borrowing facility is most welcome.
Users can check out a network license from the server, decreasing the number of available network licenses by one and locking the license to an individual workstation or laptop for a period of time up to the limit predetermined by the administrator but not exceeding a maximum of thirty days.