Customizing the scale list through the registry

[civilman1957]

Good morning,

I'm attempting to utilize a custom scale list that I've created for use throughout our company. We have a deployment script that will accomplish this by overwriting everyone's registry bat file, but I first wanted to test it on one pc to ensure it's what I want.

I first edited my C3D 2018 scale list in "HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R22.0\ACAD-1000:409\Scale List" . Our IT guru then exported that out and merged it with the scale list in the C3D 2018 registry on his pc so we could examine it. However, when he subsequently opened his C3D (we were did this in both C3D 2017 and 2018), his scale list was unaffected. For this reason, I feel we must be missing a step somewhere. Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks, Tom

[civilman1957]

It seems to me that C3D simply isn't looking at the scale list in the registry at all - and yes, I have a scale type of "3" in the first listed scale, to allow the list to be read. Whenever I reset the scale list in cad, it loads architectural scales when I choose to reset imperial scales, and 1:XX scales when I reset to metric scales. In my mind it's ignoring the registry scale list completely...

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> However, when he subsequently opened his C3D (we were

>> did this in both C3D 2017 and 2018), his scale list was unaffected

Not sure if I understand this correct ... the default scalelist in the registry is not seen in drawings.

It can only be used within command _OPTIONS ==> tab User  Preferences ==> Default Scale List

This list can only be used to reset the scalelist in the drawing using command _SCALELISTEDIT ==> reset

For Civil 3D 2018 this default scalelist is saved in that registry path:

Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R22.0\ACAD-1001:409\Scale List

(this is for German Civil 3D)

The other point I'm surprised (but maybe misunderstood too):

>> Our IT guru then exported that out and merged it with

>> the scale list in the C3D 2018 registry on his pc

"Merge" means (imho) add the new list to the existing list. This could be a big mistake as every scalelist-name has to have a unique name, also the item in the registry has to have a unique ID (marked in my screenshot) .... merging two lists together might fail because of that (please look to the screenshot).

HTH, - alfred -

[civilman1957]

First of all, thank you for the reply 😊
So, if I understand you correctly, you access the scale list in the registry via the “options/user preferences/Default Scale List, and utilizing the “Reset”, which loads the values contained in the registry scale list, and THEN initiating the “ScaleListEdit” command to bring those scales into the current drawing session…is that right?

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> you access the scale list in the registry via the

>> “options/user preferences/Default Scale List,

Correct.

>> and utilizing the “Reset”

No, I don't use "Reset" as long as I'm in the _OPTIONS ==> Default Scale List

I use command _SCALELISTEDIT and then _RESET only for drawings where I need my scalelist, so _RESET removes the scalelist-items from the drawing that are not in use and inserts the ones I have defined in the _OPTIONS ==> Default Scale List.

Better to understand?

- alfred -

[civilman1957]

Perfectly...and I just did that and it works...
I was under the impression that the scales loaded from the registry automatically, but I see now.
Thanks so much for your assistance...

[civilman1957]

Okay, so one more question - what is "reset" for in options/default scale list?

[Alfred.NESWADBA · Accepted solution]

Hi,

>> what is "reset" for in options/default scale list?

Reset of the default list to a state like new installed software.

- alfred -

[civilman1957]

ah, so when cad opens, the default scale list in options is set to registry values, and reset takes it back to factory settings...

[civilman1957]

Perfect....my friend, you have no idea how much I appreciate your help...everything is re-aligned as it should be...thank you VERY much...

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

You are very welcome! - alfred -