64 bit compatable w/ 32 bit?

[chansen]

I work for a small firm that runs AutoCAD MEP 2010. We are looking at upgrading a couple of the CAD machines and would like to take advantage of some of the benefits that come with upgrading to a 64 bit operating system. Every computer in the office currently runs 32 bit XP pro. The new computer would have 64 bit Windows 7. What I am wondering is, can I even run the two systems (64 bit and 32 bit) together and work on the same dwg files? What other issues have users had with AutoCAD migrating to Windows 7?

[TravisNave]

AutoCAD MEP 2010 comes in both 32-bit and 64-bit on your installation media. It will install the appropriate version on your computer. As for the .DWG files, they are not dependent on 32-bit or 64-bit and will work fine on both.

[Anonymous]

also check to make sure all plotter, printers and peripherals have 64bit
drivers available. If your printer server is only 32bit, you can install the
64bit drivers from a 64bit workstation on to the printer server. Keep the
same printer share name and just had the 64bit driver to it. That way you
can share your pc3 files if you use them with both the 32 and 64bit
machines.

wrote in message news:6372409@discussion.autodesk.com...
AutoCAD MEP 2010 comes in both 32-bit and 64-bit on your installation media.
It will install the appropriate version on your computer. As for the .DWG
files, they are not dependent on 32-bit or 64-bit and will work fine on
both.

[dgorsman]

Not *entirely* true. Using the 64 bit software you could create files that are difficult or even impossible to work with on the 32 bit stations (that is the reason for making the switch, after all). Just something to be aware of.

[Anonymous]

huh? where did you get that from?

--
Dean Saadallah
http://LTisACAD.blogspot.com
--

[markdoel]

from our experience it appears that you need seperate PC3 files for 32bit and 64bit machines as the 64 bit and 32 bit printer drivers that a printer uses have different names which means 1 PC3 file for both 32 bit and 64 bit does not work.....our IT guys say you can not rename drivers to make the 64bit and 32bit have the same name....not sure if this is true?

Autodesk even seem to imply you need a seperate PC3 file for each operating system.....although i do not think this is the case...see Autodesk support response to my question about the possibility of having 1 PC3 file work for both 32bit and 64bit...


Dear Mark Doel,

Thank you for choosing Autodesk Support. Here is the recommended resolution to your Support Request:

same as what I had said in my previou reply. no official document talk about it . but we think

"Definitely our customer needs to create a different PC3 for each operating system.

Windows system print drivers are operating system specific, a PC3 file that was created from a system driver will work only on computers that have the same operating system and use the same system driver version.

32Bit and 64Bit are considered different Operating Systems even if is the same OS brand, (XP, Vista or 7)
"

hope the answer is ok for you.



Best regards,

Richard Ren
Autodesk Support Team

You can provide extra information, including data files, by clicking here or replying to this email.

[Anonymous]

I think what they are meaning is....since you have so much more ram you
could make this huge file that a 32bit machine could not open because lack
of resources. Highly unlikely with a DWG format, but maybe 3Ds Max

"Dean Saadallah" wrote in message
news:6373273@discussion.autodesk.com...
huh? where did you get that from?

--
Dean Saadallah
http://LTisACAD.blogspot.com
--

[Anonymous]

You can have one shared plotter with all needed drivers installed for it on
the print server. On print server select printer/plotter properties, shared
tab and in the lower right click where it says "additional drivers" and add
the needed drivers. When you add the printer/plotter to the workstation it
will automatically install the correct driver for that machine OS. Create a
PC3 file that references the shared printer/plotter name and both 32 and 64
bit machines can use the same PC3 and same shared printer/plotter. Works
here with no problems!





wrote in message news:6373263@discussion.autodesk.com...
from our experience it appears that you need seperate PC3 files for 32bit
and 64bit machines as the 64 bit and 32 bit printer drivers that a printer
uses have different names which means 1 PC3 file for both 32 bit and 64 bit
does not work.....our IT guys say you can not rename drivers to make the
64bit and 32bit have the same name....not sure if this is true?

Autodesk even seem to imply you need a seperate PC3 file for each operating
system.....although i do not think this is the case...see Autodesk support
response to my question about the possibility of having 1 PC3 file work for
both 32bit and 64bit...


Dear Mark Doel,

Thank you for choosing Autodesk Support. Here is the recommended resolution
to your Support Request:

same as what I had said in my previou reply. no official document talk
about it . but we think

"Definitely our customer needs to create a different PC3 for each operating
system.

Windows system print drivers are operating system specific, a PC3 file that
was created from a system driver will work only on computers that have the
same operating system and use the same system driver version.

32Bit and 64Bit are considered different Operating Systems even if is the
same OS brand, (XP, Vista or 7)
"

hope the answer is ok for you.



Best regards,

Richard Ren
Autodesk Support Team

You can provide extra information, including data files, by clicking here or
replying to this email.

[markdoel]

Dustin
thanks for the info will check that out
cheers
mark

[dgorsman]

I agree, its unlikely to make it so large you can't open the file. But if the 32 bit system takes 30 minutes to open the file and 5 minutes for each regen where the 64 bit is far less, thats not exactly useable.

[JessicaD]

Chansen,

Should you require additional assistance and guidance, Microsoft does have an official Windows 7 Support Forum located here http://tinyurl.com/9fhdl5 . It is supported by product specialists as well as engineers and support teams. You may want to also check the threads available there for additional assistance and guidance.

Jessica
Microsoft Windows Client Team