What does "AutoCAD DWG Launcher" does (in detail)?

[Anonymous]

There are many postings and articles which describe what the user should do if the "AutoCAD DWG Launcher" does not do what it should do ...

But what should it do?

Of course, it should launch the DWG .. - but how?

• What is the difference to launch with "acad.exe"?
• How is it influenced by an installation of the next AutoCAD version?
• How is it influenced by an installation of an AutoCAD vertical product or by DWG True View?
• How can it handle complex start commands with parameters (profile, arx, template, ...)
• ....???

The folder c:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\AcShellEx\ shows exactly - nothing.

Is there any description?

[chriscowgill7373]

short and simple, it opens a drawing, when double clicked from explorer in the last version of autocad that was used.

It is not recommended to open drawings by double clicking on them in explorer, so it does not need to have special parameters.  If you desire special parameters, you can setup an Autocad Icon to set those parameters upon open.

[Anonymous]

But, for example, if I need some special parameter (to start an app and so on) - how to define the to start with all these params?

[chriscowgill7373]

http://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2016/ENU/?guid=GUID-8E54B6EC-5B52-4F62-B7FC-0D4E1EDF093A

is the list of the switches for the AutoCAD Icon

[Anonymous]

@chriscowgill7373

you wrote:

"short and simple, it opens a drawing, when double clicked from explorer in the last version of autocad that was used."

But where is the difference to a double click in Explorer without Launcher? IMHO this would start also in the "last configuration" ... ??

And when Windows asks me: "Do you want to start with Launcher OR Civil OR 2018  OR 2019 OR TrueView." Does this influence / change the settings of the Launcher?

[udo.huebner · Accepted solution]

@Anonymous

if the DWG Launcher U(AcLauncher.exe) is associated in Windows as default with DWG files, the program does 

a first initial assessment to the DWG itself on startup.

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\AcShellEx\AcLauncher.exe
File type extension: dwg
Command: open
Command line parameters: /O "%1"

The DWG Launcher uses Windows registry entries to figure out which version of what application to use.  

You can follow the exact Startup Steps with Microsoft Process Monitor.

1. Windows initiates default dwg app ->DWG Launcher
2. Launcher reads shell DWG default Application –> AutoCAD, Inventor, True View ...
   HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\DwgCommon\shellex\apps
3. Launcher  reads launch instruction - Key "OpenLaunch" -> EXE Path
   you can add specific Command Line Options here (but I do not suggest that)
4. Launcher executes launch statement with requested dwg file

If you need to start a specific application with specific Command Line Options, then I suggest to create a separate Link with all needed Options and launch your application first and open the desired Files with the Open Button.

or drag & drop the DWG file onto that prepared Link to Open the file.

[awkeller88]

I'm curious as to why you recommend that you should not use the command line options.

I am stumbling around and having some issues with the registry paths.

[cadffm]

You asked the wrong persion, please read the whole thread, specialy the postings of the thread opener.

[awkeller88]

I think you misunderstand my question. It was in reference to the shown solution.

"Launcher  reads launch instruction - Key "OpenLaunch" -> EXE Path
you can add specific Command Line Options here (but I do not suggest that)"

Just wondering why the poster does not suggest adding specific Command Line Options.

[cadffm]

You're right, i misunderstood your questions.

I have my own answer to this, but let us wait for @Udo_Huebner1 answer 😉

[Anonymous]

ok