AutoCAD MEP

[#1]

"C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2013\acad.exe" /ld "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2013\AecBase.dbx" /p "BuildTWC Systems Palette" /product "MEP" /language "en-US"

I was just looking at the MEP startup Icon... and I needed to visit the AutoCAD MEP 2013 folder in C:\Program Files\Autodesk... but to my suprise there was none...

only a AutoCAD 2013? I installed MEP, - Programs and Features says I did... but there is no AutoCAD MEP 2013 folder?

What gives... Also, has the command line switches changed? ... there is now a product switch.

???

[#2]

Alot has changed with program locations in 2013.  For one prior to 2013 if you had Autocad installed and installed Autocad MEP it would install all autocad components again, autocad architecture components, and then the autocad mep components.  It was redundent.  On top of that if you had several verticals installed it would install those items numerous times.  Now with 2013 it will install the Autocad core components in the main autocad directory.  Then inside of that directory it will install any addons only once.  So to answer your question, the Autocad MEP folder for 2013 is located inside the Autocad 2013 folder under the name of MEP.

Since MEP is now located inside the autocad directory, you are now starting autocad with MEP loaded as an addon.  It was always doing this but now all the autodesk programs use the same core items.  This is what the product switch does.

[#3]

So to run MEP you absolutely need the /product "MEP" switch... to run MEP?

Is there still a limit to the number of characters in the Target string?

What is the limit?

[#4]

I am sorry, I don't know the answers to those questions, but if you remove the MEP switch I can still run Autocad MEP.  That could be because of the profile I have currently loaded also.

Maybe Joshua can answer those questions.

[#5 · Accepted solution]

Keith,

The /product syntax is necessary.  It may have worked when you deleted that string as it resorts to the last used product.  With AutoCAD Architecture installed, use the Architecture desktop icon.  Close Architecture.  Then try the MEP icon again without that syntax.  My guess is that it will launch as Architecture since it was last used.  Put the syntax back in, and it directs it back to launch as MEP.  Without the syntax, you may not know what program you may get.  With the syntax, you get MEP program launched to the MEP workspace, MEP profile and template.

Joshua

[#6]

Makes sense.  Thanks for the clarification Joshua.

[#7]

It used to be that there was a limit on how long the Target command line sting could be. Is this still the case... and what is the limit?

[#8]

What is the proper string for a shortcut to the Autocad 2013 profile?

[#9]

I presume something like...

"C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2013\acad.exe" /p "AutoCAD" /product "ACAD" /language "en-US"

I'd be interested in this also.