Setting up Desktop space and saving it

[Anonymous]

Hi.

I am using AutoCAD LT for Mac. Every time I open the program my desktop set-up changes. For example I typically have my tool palettes open and docked on the right side. Most are open such as layers, inspector, project manager etc. Command line is at the bottom of the screen and reduced to about 3-4 lines.

Every time I open ACAD the tool palettes either disappear or only some are open. The command line is back to about 15 lines (too much screen real estate) etc. I have to re-open the palettes every time. 

Is there a way to set up my drawings space / desktop layout (sorry , I don't know what it is called) and lock it as a preference? 

The above mentioned issue is taking way too much time each day.

Thanks,

Grant

[maxim_k]

Hi Grant,

Please remind me what AutoCAD version are you using?
Are you using AutoCAD with additional external display?
When you quit AutoCAD - does it quit normally or you Force Quit it?

Can you also attach screenshot of your AutoCAD display setup which you want to use and which is not saved when you quit AutoCAD?

Maxim

[Anonymous]

Hi. Thank you.

Here are screen shots of the desktop and the software version.

I do not use an internal display - just my 27" iMac.

The software crashes or hangs from time to time but usually I just shut it down normally from the menu.

Regards,

Grant

[maxim_k]

>>> I typically have my tool palettes open and docked on the right side.

But on the screenshot I see you are using Palettes collapsed to icons. So what configuration you are talking about?

Information about palette positions and state is stored in the Profile.aws file. The file is located in the
"~/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD LT 2016 Standalone/R20.1/roaming/Support/"
folder.
When you quit AutoCAD it should update this file with current positions and states of the palettes.
Looks like in your case the file is not updated for some reason.

Maxim

[Anonymous]

Hi. OK - maybe I am not using the right words. I have been using the AutoCAD LT for Mac with the "icons" docked on the right hand edge of my screen. As I need a function such as the tools I click the tools Icon and the toolbar "flies out". Then I close it when I am done. I typically keep the icons 'docked' on the right side of my screen. When I close the program and reopen the 'docked icons' usually have disappeared and I have to re-open them either from the windows menu drop-down or the shortcuts = command 2, command 3, command 4 etc.

As you were saying, it looks like my set-up preferences are not being saved. Do I have to tell AutoCAD to save my environment as I have it or does ACAD LT for Mac automatically do this?

As always, thank you!

Grant

[maxim_k]

Autocad should save working environment automatically without your intervention.
I have to test this on my side.

Maxim

[Anonymous]

Hello. Generally the icons and palettes are, in my opinion, behaving wonky. Attached is a photo of what happened when I recently opened a palette from the icon docked on the side. Earlier today I toggled between programs and when I came back to ACAD the palettes were closed, the icons were gone/off except for project manager but the project manager palette had migrated to the left side of the screen. Generally it seems very buggy. If I am doing something wrong then I'd like to correct it. Thanks for the help. Grant

[maxim_k · Accepted solution]

Hi Grant,

Looks like the wonky behavior of the Palettes collapsed as icons is knowing issue for AutoCAD for Mac. Further more the developers changed AutoCAD for Mac interface in 2017 version and icon view of the Palettes is no more available in 2017 version.
As a workaround you can save PROFILE.AWS file (after you fine tune Workspace)
I wrote about this file in my previous post to some place on your Mac and than use it for "refreshing" Workspace by copying this backup over existing profile.aws file in AutoCAD support folder.

Maxim

[Anonymous]

Thank you Maxim. !

[Anonymous]

Hi! I would like to know how I can save my workspace in Autocad 2018 for Mac. This my operating system. I do not how I can save as PROFILE.AWS like you told before. Please let me know thank you!!

[maxim_k]

Welcome to Autodesk Forums!

Hi

You can find PROFILE.AWS file for 2018 version in:
~/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD 2018/R22.0/roaming/Support
folder.
In order to get to PROFILE.AWS location you may use menu Go->Go to Folder in finder (copy the path from this post and paste it to"Go to Folder" window.

So after making changes to workspace you can copy that file to a safe place and then use it when you need to restore your settings - just copy it back to original location from the "safe place" where you saved it.