2005 Options settings

I am upgrading from 2000i to 2005 and I've noticed that, by default, in the
search path section of the Options dialog there are a lot of paths pointing
to the applications data folder, such as:

"C:\Documents and Settings\Edward\Application Data\Autodesk\AutoCAD
2005\R16.1\enu\..."

In some cases there are 2 paths: one for the 'application data' folder and
one for the 'AutoCAD' folder in the program files directory (like how all of
the support folders were in 2000i).

My issues/ questions are:

1. I will not have as much control over office wide deployment if the paths
are different on every machine (I use a startup bat file in Windows on our
server to update files from time to time).

2. Also, I don't have an understanding when and why AutoCAD uses these
folders as apposed to the standard AutoCAD program folder.

3. Can I remove all of the 'application data' folders from my search paths
in the options dialog, or is there something magical about these folders
that requires me to use them?

Thank you for your help,
Edward

 

1. Place all your customization in folders located on the network.
2. Add that/those paths to the *start* of the AutoCAD support files path.
3. Stop worrying about the rest of the folders.

--
R. Robert Bell


I am upgrading from 2000i to 2005 and I've noticed that, by default, in the
search path section of the Options dialog there are a lot of paths pointing
to the applications data folder, such as:

"C:\Documents and Settings\Edward\Application Data\Autodesk\AutoCAD
2005\R16.1\enu\..."

In some cases there are 2 paths: one for the 'application data' folder and
one for the 'AutoCAD' folder in the program files directory (like how all of
the support folders were in 2000i).

My issues/ questions are:

1. I will not have as much control over office wide deployment if the paths
are different on every machine (I use a startup bat file in Windows on our
server to update files from time to time).

2. Also, I don't have an understanding when and why AutoCAD uses these
folders as apposed to the standard AutoCAD program folder.

3. Can I remove all of the 'application data' folders from my search paths
in the options dialog, or is there something magical about these folders
that requires me to use them?

Thank you for your help,
Edward

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of Autocad colluding with Microsoft.

 

I appreciate the help.

But does anyone know why there are these 'Application Data' folders. Or is
it meant to remain a mystery?

Edward

 

My understanding is that this folder structure and file location is
necessary for Windows logo compliance - user-related files are not supposed
to be in folders under the program itself by in the user's area under
Documents and Settings. You can of course put them where ever you like and
reconfigure AutoCAD's paths accordingly. You can do it on 1 PC and export
the profile which can them be imported by other PC's.

 

This also permits AutoCAD to be run by a user that is defined as Limited in
XP/2k's security roles. Under a limited user account, the Program Files
folders are read-only.

--
R. Robert Bell


My understanding is that this folder structure and file location is
necessary for Windows logo compliance - user-related files are not supposed
to be in folders under the program itself by in the user's area under
Documents and Settings. You can of course put them where ever you like and
reconfigure AutoCAD's paths accordingly. You can do it on 1 PC and export
the profile which can them be imported by other PC's.

 

Great answers guys!

Thank you very much.