Customizing Autocad via batch file

[jpo82]

Hi.

I was just wondering, is it possible to transfer Autocad custom settings to another computer or to another user by using a .bat file? Especially copying custom menus and tool palettes would be convienient.

I know I can transfer obvious settings, like plot styles and templates with a simple .bat file that basicly copies files to correct places. Can this same logic be used to copy for instance custom menus? If so, what are the files that need to be copied?

-JPO

[dgorsman]

That really depends on the organization done before the transfer. If the user has everything done OOTB (out of the box), then things like workspaces, custom toolbars, custom commands are likely in the ACAD.CUIx file. That makes things difficult. If customization is well managed using separate CUIx files that are partially loaded, then transferring is nothing - just move the files.

[jpo82]

OK. So it looks like, that I need to study my self Acad customization by using partial CUIx files. Meanwhile I thik the simplest workaround is to create customized profile and use migrate custom settings tool to do the trick.

But that partial CUIx files seems to be something worth studying.

Thanks for answering.

-JPO

[jpo82]

Now I'm in situation where I have figured out how I should do the sharing of tool palettes etc. But now the problem is support search file paths and search paths. Which file contains this information and can that file be copied directly?

[jaberwok]

Now I'm in situation where I have figured out how I should do the sharing of tool palettes etc. But now the problem is support search file paths and search paths. Which file contains this information and can that file be copied directly?

Choose to export a profile (from Options).
This will create an ARG file (which is actually a REG file in disguise). The ARG file can used to Import a profile.

[jpo82]

Well that was one idea that crossed my mind. But I was looking for option where I could simply copy some file or files to other users for instance using a batch file rather than doing it manually with export/import options.

If this could be done with simple file copying it would make my job easier. Import and export profile requires that I need to do that manually for some users since some of our Autocad users probably can't or won't do this even if they are instructed.

Thanks for the thought.

[BlackBox]

That's the point... Manually (once) export the profile (.ARG) you want to distribute, then set your application icon's target path to use the /p switch to load your recently exported profile. The first time this is run, the profile will be imported to the registry... Subsequent use of the application icon will load the profile from registry.

FWIW - we load enterprise customizations, & support files from the network (read-only), and load ALL user customizations from personal network space. This way, no matter what computer (like the laptops in the conference rooms), or what office a user works from their setup is always the same. Lemon squeezy.

[derek.96018]

I think a good thing to point out on this, is that once you set these things up in a fashion that is 'easy' to share with other users, you are good to go on new users, new computers, or if there is a computer failure, etc. without a bunch of re-setup downtime.

BUT, what the OP is going to have to figure out is, what is the best way to for his/her company to set the file sharing up and how to roll it out.... and RenderMan's way is one way of doing so.

Good Luck

[jpo82]

So basically I could do a shorcut named "Autocad Our Office" and copy that via batch file to every users desktop. First time user starts Autocad using this shortcut it imports company profile where I have done standard customizations. But what happens if user want's to change for instance backgroud color? Does this change get overridden every time when Autocad is started using created shortcut?

Keeping files in networked locations would otherwise be great solution but sometimes we need to grab a lap top with us on a business trip and then we cannot access networked locations. So I thought I handle this problem by copying all customization files to users computer using same folder structure for everyone. That way I don't have to create different procedure for lap tops. Maybe not the smartest way to do this but so far seems to work fine.

Thanks for that profile export/import tip.

[dgorsman]

When using the /p "\\Some\path\to\profile.arg" method in the desktop short cut, once the profile has been imported thats it. User can change anything and everything and it won't be overridden by the ARG file. Thats the downside to it as well - you change the ARG file and the users are still using the settings from the previous ARG settings.

Look into "Offline files" for laptops. We use these to great effect with our network-located support files.