Digital Signatures became available as one of the AutoCAD extensions, part of the Autodesk Subscription program.
Verisign Digital Signature - How to Get
First of all, you need to get a digital signature. There are numerous certificate authorities that are happy to take your money and give you a digital signature -in fact, most of them offer a free trial option. Autodesk uses a company called Verisign as its digital-signature provider, but it isn't mandatory that you use them. The first time you launch the Digital Signature program, you will be sent to Verisign to get a digital signature (unless you already have one). There are different types of digital signatures depending on the level of security you need. If you want a digital signature that prompts for a password every time you use it, you'll have to pay more. You can even get a minimum-security signature on a 60-day trial basis for free, which I recommend until you decide you're completely sold on the digital-signature concept. When you're ready to make the commitment, you'll find you can get a digital signature for a year for $15.95. Digital signatures are stored in the REG file.I found it very painful trying to move my digital signature from one computer to the next when I upgraded my laptop. I couldn't even buy another one because it was linked to my email address and Verisign kept telling me I already had a digital signature. After working with the Verisign customer service (and a few gray hairs later), I was finally able to figure out how to move it. Just a heads-up here!
Each digital signature ID is unique and is made up of a name, serial number, and an expiration date, along with other assorted information. Once you get your digital signature ID, AutoCAD will remember that long ID.
Verisign digital signature - How to attach in AutoCAD
After your digital signature is installed, you're ready to sign some documents. Simply execute the "Attach Digital Signature" command (external to AutoCAD), which is located in your Program menu under "Autodesk," and you'll see a dialog box displayed. We'll begin by selecting a couple of drawings we'd like to sign by picking the "Add files" button. There's even a simple Search mechanism included in the dialog, should you accidentally misplace your drawing files. After selecting the desired drawing files, you can time-stamp the signature by grabbing the time from the signing computer, or opt for an exact time from the time server of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the U.S. Naval observatory, or Caltech University. Finish off your signature with any pertinent comments by inputting any appropriate text. When you're ready to make it official, select the Sign Files button. If all goes well you'll be prompted with the number of signed files. The status for these files will change in the dialog.Verisign digital signature - How to attach in Outlook
- Go to https://digitalid.verisign.com/client/class1MS.htm in Internet Explorer.
- Fill in your first name, last name, email address and a simple memorable password (in the challenge phrase box)
- Select "I'd like to test drive a 60-day trial Digital Signature ID for free"
- Scroll down and accept, check the details and agree.
- When the email from Verisign comes in, copy the Digital PIN and click on the link.
- Paste the Digital PIN into the new webpage and click "INSTALL", again Agree/say yes to the boxes it presents.
- Open Outlook , go to Tools > Options > Security and tick the checkbox for "Add Digital Signature to outgoing messages"
- Click OK.
