Effective Management of Project Folder Shortcuts

If we don't use a solid shortcut strategy, a lot of time is wasted looking around for things we need. To cut down on time wasted, a good practice is to coordinate the "Places" in Autocad file dialogue and the "Favorites" in Windows Explorer.

The strategy is simple:
  • Pick a place where you keep all your shortcuts (e.g. "c:\CAD Shortcuts"). This is your master shortcut folder. Add this folder to your Windows Explorer "Favorites" by right clicking of Favorites and selecting "Add current location to Favorites".
  • Whenever you come across a folder you need to access often (such as a folder for one of your current projects), make a shortcut of the folder in Windows Explorer and move the shortcut to your master shortcut folder.
  • Now you will have quick access to frequently accessed folders via your master shortcut folder.
  • Next, in Autocad, use the Open command to pop up the file dialogue box. Navigate to your master shortcut folder. Then click on "Tools" then "Add Current Folder to Places".
You now have a "mirror" of your master shortcut folder in Autocad as well as Windows Explorer. So whether you are looking for a dwg to open in Autocad or looking for an excel sheet to pop up via Windows Explorer, you will deal with project folder shortcuts that are the same. It saves you from making shortcuts twice and dealing with shortcut mismatches between Autocad and Windows.

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