Could anyone compare template and profiles

[Anonymous]

Both of them are in Options.

could anyone tell the similarities of these two in functions and difference. or recommend some tutorials about this topic? I am a little bit confused with it. Thanks.

[rkmcswain]

Templates are DWG files with a .DWT file extension used as a start point for DWG creation.

Profiles are a saved collection of certain settings in the AutoCAD environment (including the path to templates BTW).

[cadffm]

DWT compare with Profiles are easy, see answer above.

The two have nothing to do with each other, with the exception of the default path for templates and the default for QNEW.

More interesting would be the Comparison Profile and Workspace!
But then comes the topic of CUIX. A lot of stuff for learning and nothing for a quick answer.

(You can read the answer quickly, but understanding it takes time)

[Anonymous]

Thanks. I have noticed that.

I could customize my workspace (menus, ribbons and so on) from CUI or choose a profile directly. I am not sure about the differences between these two. Which one should I use and with what condition or purpose?  Would you like to recommend some articles or tutorials about that? Thanks.

[cadffm]

> "I could customize my workspace (menus, ribbons and so on) from CUI or choose a profile directly"

Profile:

Which CUIX as Main and Enterprise (and so which Workspaces[WS] are available, the WS are stored in the Main CUIX),

which (profile stored) Systemvariable-Values,

which Supportpathes (and so which linetypedefinition, which plotterkonfig files)

..

Profiles controles some variables, which Main&Enterprise cuix, and where Acad have to search for some supportfiles like Plotstyletables and so on.

Workspace:

Which of the available (loaded with the CUIX, controlled by the Profile)

GUI elements (Menus, toolbars..)

should appear on Screen (and where).

Workspace controles ON/OFF&Position of GUI elements.

One really good source to learn are the classes of Autodesk University

for example: http://au.autodesk.com/au-online/classes-on-demand/class-catalog/classes/year-2013/autocad/ac3274/jc...

[Anonymous]

Do you mean if I change some settings of my current workspace and save it, eg, change the background color, the current CUIX will be changed accordingly, then the current profile follows to change subsequently?

If I want to open up the file with the same settings from another computer next time, I have to export the profile (or CUIX) and then import to the new computer.

Do I have the correct understanding?  Thanks

[cadffm]

> Do you mean if I change some settings of my current workspace and save it, eg, change the background color, the current CUIX will be changed accordingly,


No.


The information about Backgroundcolor is not part of the Workspace, and not part of CUIX.
It is stored in your Autocad-Profile.

Switch between 20 Workspaces, the Backgroundcolor is always the same.

Go to Options/Profiles/ Add to List
create a copy of your current Profile
Go to Options/Profiles
Add to List - New1
set New1 current, change the color to color7
Add to List - New2
set New2 current, change the color to color8

set New1 current ->color7
set New2 current ->color8
set New1 current ->color7..


But allways the same current workspace, because New1 and New2 both loads the same CUIX with your current workspace. Options/Files

Note: For that example (Backgroundcolor) it is possible to work with different profiles to toggle the color,
but only for that goal it is not a good way. If someone ask how-to-toggle, i would prefer to use a program like this:
https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-forum/background-color-toggle/td-p/2093068

So you extend the scope of the program by a function which switches the background color of the current profile.
(Standard AutoCAD dont have a function like this, only the way via options dialog)

PS: Set your current profile back to your normal profile after testing ;D

[Anonymous]

see the screenshot, Can I take the scope of profile like this: profile contains all settings from the tabs I circled in red, which are system variable, plus workspace settings (which is controlled by CUIX). Is this understanding correct? It is confused to catch the full functions of profiles since it looks like intangible and the scope is obscure. It would be help if there are some checklist or file structure illustration of profile functions.

[rkmcswain]

@Anonymous - We could all take a semester long course on this topic and come away not fully understanding it....

Generally speaking, you are close. Do you see those icons that look like this  - those indicate particular settings that are saved in the drawing file, not in the profile, or anywhere else, or not saved at all.

The profile itself is saved in the registry under the key:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\Rxx.x\xxxx-xxxx:xxx\Profiles\Profile Name

You could poke around in there if desired to see what all is included. If you export a profile, it just creates a .REG file (even though Autodesk gives it a .ARG file extension). When you import a .ARG file, it's just importing the contents as if you renamed the file to .REG and executed it in Windows to merge the data into the registry. 

[Anonymous]

based on my test, the settings in drafting tab is not controlled by profile. I guess it should be saved in each particular dwg file.

Therefore, the program is designed with confusions and not well organized. If the end user is looking for some particular settings, they would be confused about loading CUIX or reset profiles or just save the dwg and the setting is residing there. Am I wrong? 😛