What is a .CDC file?
The file extension .CDC stands for an AutoCAD DesignCenter Preview Cache File. This type of file is specifically used in the AutoCAD software, which is a program used for drafting and designing in various fields like architecture and engineering.
A .CDC file contains an icon preview. This preview is created by a feature in AutoCAD called the DesignCenter tool palette. When you use AutoCAD and browse through a directory of drawing files using the Large Icon view option, AutoCAD automatically generates a small preview image of each drawing. These preview images are what get stored in the .CDC files.
The main purpose of these .CDC files is to speed up the browsing process. By storing these thumbnail previews, AutoCAD doesn't have to recreate them every time you look through the same drawings again. This can save time, especially when dealing with large files or a large number of files.
You can open .CDC files using Autodesk AutoCAD 2023, which is the latest version of the software as of now. This program allows you to view and manage these preview cache files as part of managing your AutoCAD projects.
It's important to note that .CDC files are just cache files. This means they are not essential for the drawings themselves to function. You can delete these files if you need to clear space or if you prefer not to keep cache files. However, if you browse the same drawing directories again after deleting the .CDC files, AutoCAD will recreate them to store the preview images again. This is a normal part of how AutoCAD optimizes the browsing experience.
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