Getting Started

Sign-it for AutoCAD only supports .DWG files. 

Setting System Preferences

Select System Preferences from the Sign-it menu.  The Preferences screens for Sign-it are shown below.

1. General

   

    

   General Preferences	Description
   Enable persistency between Sign Now signature fields	Select if you want the data from the last Sign Now signature field created to appear when creating new Sign Now signature fields.
   Enable persistency between new Blank Signature fields	Select if you want the data from the last Blank Signature field created to appear when creating new Blank Signature fields.
   Validate on Open	Select to validate drawings upon opening them
   Validate on Save	Select to validate drawings when saving them
   Validate on Edit	Select to validate drawings after each edit (i.e. adding a line, object, etc.) Unselect to not validate drawings after each edit command; a manual validation will be needed to validate the drawing.  To validate all signatures manually, select Validate All Signatures from the Sign-it menu.

    

2. User

   

   User information from this setting is used for importing User data to fields when creating blank signature fields.  If a computer system is shared among multiple users, each new User to Sign-it should enter a Title, User ID, First Name and Last Name.  This data is stored in the local database.  When you log in, your User data will be displayed in this setting.  This information must be entered for each system used; it is not carried across the network.  
    

3. SignatureOne

   

    

   SignatureOne settings are required if you are using signature verification, stamps, passwords or uploading transaction receipts with Sign-it.  You must be logged in as an Admin or have Admin rights to set the settings for the Server and Company.  See your network administrator or refer to the SignatureOne Profile Server documentation for these settings.  

   SignatureOne Preferences	Description
   Primary Server URL	Enter the Server IP address or Server name of the SignatureOne Profile Server you have been enrolled on.  Select Test to test your connection to the server.
   Secondary Server URL	Enter a second Server IP address or Server name if you have been enrolled on a secondary SignatureOne Profile Server.  Select Test to test your connection to the server.
   Use Secure Connection (SSL)	Check box if using SSL to secure connection between client and server.
   Company	The company name is used for uploading transaction receipts.  Select Set Company to enter a valid UserID and Password for the server.

    

4. Transaction Receipts

   

   A transaction receipt is a record of your signing and signature data.  These records and data can be stored on the server for history information of every signing.  Select box to automatically upload receipts to the SignatureOne Profile Server upon starting AutoCAD.  

   Note: 

   • Sign-it will always try to upload a transaction receipt following a signing.  Checking this box adds an additional upload attempt when AutoCAD is started. 
   • Transaction receipts are created only if you have a Primary Server and Company name set in the SignatureOne settings. 
   • Transaction receipts are saved to the server database if your computer has a connection to the server.
   • Transaction receipts are saved to the local database if your computer does not have a connection to the server.  These will be uploaded to the server once a connection is established. 

   A transaction receipt is a record of your signing and signature data.  These records and data can be stored on the server for history information of every signing.  Select box to automatically upload receipts to the SignatureOne server upon starting AutoCAD.  

Sign-it Menu

Sign Now	Add a signature on-the-fly.
Create Blank Signature Field	Add a blank signature field to be signed at a later time.
Validate All Signatures	Select to validate all signatures in document.
Signature Preferences	Set requirements and options for  signature, display, Ceremony data, sectional signing and security.   Signature Preferences are not available for signed signature fields
Signature Properties	View Signature Method, User ID, Name, Reason, Location, Timestamp and Certificate of signature.   Signature Properties are not available for unsigned signature fields
Work On-line	Connect to your network for signature verification, stamping, and password.  A SignatureOne Profile Server must be set up prior to selecting to Work On-line.
Work Off-line	Use when a connection to the network database is not available.  Can access local database for signature verification, stamping, and password.
System Preferences	Set signature persistency, User information, and SignatureOne server information.
Tools	Edit Reasons -- Select to add, edit or remove reasons for signing Edit Locations -- Select to add, edit or remove locations for signing Upload to SignatureOne -- Select to upload transaction receipts to the SignatureOne Profile Server.  You can select to automatically upload transaction receipts in System Preferences.
Sign-it Help	Get information on using Sign-it.  Also accessible from the Acrobat Help menu.
About Sign-it	Identify Sign-it version and product information.  Also accessible from the Acrobat Help/About Third-party Plug-ins menu.

Overview on Creating a Drawing Containing Signatures

• First create your drawing which will require an electronic signature.
• Once your drawing is completed, select Create Blank Signature Field from the Sign-it menu and draw a box or boxes for your signature box(es) at the location you wish to have someone sign the drawing. 
• Select the layers that will bind with these signatures and set the properties for each signature. This is not required but allows users to see which signature box is designated for them to sign by showing their name and the signing message in the empty signature field.
• Sign-it does not limit the number of signatures that can be in a drawing so you can place as many signature boxes in the drawing as required.  
• Save drawing.
• Distribute the drawing to obtain the appropriate signatures
• Signatures are automatically bound to the drawing each time an individual signs or re-signs.

Working On-Line or Off-Line

These modes of operation for Sign-it require that you have been enrolled on a valid SignatureOne Profile Server for the use of signature verification, stamping, or passwords.  The modes of operation are:

• On-Line Mode - In this mode the server settings in your System Preferences are used to contact the SignatureOne Profile Server and perform real time biometric signature verification before allowing your signature to be placed in a document or password verification before placing a signature stamp or password. In either case it is required that you have an IP based connection to a valid Profile Server to function properly.
   
• Off-Line Mode - In this mode your signature is verified against a local template on your machine or your stamp is obtained locally. This requires that you have been enrolled on a valid SignatureOne Profile Server and your template has been exported to your local machine. This mode is designed for users who are frequently unable to have a real time connection to a network server.  Transaction receipts are not saved when working Off-line.

To switch modes, select Work On-line or Work Off-line from the Sign-it menu.  

Working with Signatures and Layers 

Sign-it signature blocks are added to the CIC Sign-it layer of a drawing.  This layer is created with the addition of the first signature block to the drawing.  Each signature block can be attached to specific layers of a drawing.  Once signed, these attached layers will be bound to the signature block.  Any changes to these attached layers will invalidate the signature associated with them.  To avoid invalidating signatures as the signing process begins and continues, either pre-create the signature blocks prior to the first signing or exclude the CIC Sign-it layer in the binding.

Note:  Changing the name of any layer in AutoCAD's Layer Properties Manager after any signature block is signed will invalidate all signatures.  The exception would be if the layer is not attached to any signatures or the layer name was changed prior to the addition of signature blocks.

Layers not bound to signatures can be used for comments, notes, etc.  The security of the drawing is not affected and the approval process can accommodate feedback and comments.  

The Signature Preferences for a signature is to bind All layers to it, Exclude specific layers, or Include specific layers.  If the preference for a signature is set to All and a new layer is added, the new layer will automatically be included in the binding.  If the preference for a signature is set to Include Layers and all layers are selected, a new layer added will not automatically be included in this list.