Custom search paths missing from install

[Anonymous]

Using the Autodesk installer we created a deployment file and specified our custom search path for working support files, drawing templates and printer support files. Using the deployment file we then installed C3D on a test machine. Everything installed properly except, when I checked the support file search paths the custom paths specified for the drawing template and the printer support files were there but not the custom paths for the working support files. Any ideas on what could have caused this?

Thanks

[natasha.l · Accepted solution]

Hello @Anonymous,

Please review this discussion regarding the same situation here: Support File Search Path automatically removes locations I'm adding. You may be able to apply the same methods. 

Thank you for posting to the community! 

Please "Accept As Solution" if a reply has helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

[kevincurrey]

Bringing up this post because I'm having the exact same issue. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS A NETWORK CONNECTION ISSUE. Infrastructure Design Suite 2018 deployment image with the following configurations:

Support path set to user profile (default)

Plotters Set to network mapped P:\Resource\Plotters

Templates set to P:\Resource\Template

Under Support file search path I've added an additional path for P:\Resource\Support

Under Template settings and Printer Support File path everything is set to folders and files under P:\Resource

- "Qnew" template is set to P:\Resource\Template\basic.dwt

I chose NOT to install Map or Vanilla AutoCAD in the deployment image. I can't remember of there are any other verticals in IDS, but the only AutoCAD-based product I installed is Civil 3D. I also installed Raster Design, Navisworks, Recap and Revit. I included any applicable updates in the deployment image.

In order to run the deployment, I have to map the network drive from an elevated command prompt, otherwise the deployment doesn't "see" the drive and will fail to install.

Why I don't think this is a network issue:

-template and Plotter paths are remembered after install and first run

-Additional support path P:\Resource\Support is not remembered after install

-Default template is NOT remembered after install, and is reset to P:\Resource\Template\_AutoCAD Civil 3D (Imperial) NCS.dwt - this means it's remembering my network drive, but resetting to a default OOTB template

-if I search the registry, I can find the correct settings under

HKEY_USERS\[my guid]\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R22.0\ACAD-1000:409\aecProfile\Default\AutoCAD\General

but the wrong settings under 

HKEY_USERS\[my guid]\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R22.0\ACAD-1000:409\aecProfile\Default\<<C3D_Imperial>>\General

This makes me think that somehow the profile is getting reset when I run Civil 3D.

Thoughts? I've only deployed to 2 test machines, and I would really like to fix this before I complete the rest of the installations.

Thanks!

[kevincurrey]

Update / Solution

I created a support ticked with Autodesk, and they confirmed that there is a bug in the installation process. The problem is that the some of the support path settings from a deployment are not passed on to the default Civil 3D profile. I assume this could be happening with other AutoCAD verticals as well. 

Workaround

• Setup the deployment with the desired settings
• In Windows Explorer, navigate to the deployment image, \Img\Content\en\ 
• cp_C3D_Profiles.xml contains settings for the support file search path under the entry  <ProfileEntry Name="ACAD" Subkey="General" Type="REG_SZ">. Each path is separated by a semicolon
• The default qnew template setting for the default <<Civil3D-Imperial>> profile is located in cp_C3D_Imperial_Base.xml under the entry <ProfileEntry Name="QnewTemplate" Subkey="General" Type="REG_SZ">
• If there are other customized settings, they are likely to be in the same xml files. These are the only settings I needed to customize
• Modified settings propagate correctly on new installations
• Running a reinstallation from the windows control panel appears to fix the xml files on existing installations (however this only applies to Windows users that have not run AutoCAD for the first time).

[natasha.l]

Hello @Anonymous,

Thank you for your helpful information.

I would like to add to this from an Autodesk perspective I was looking for this, when using Roaming profiles you may receive errors or not see the custom paths you had set on that deployment device. 

[Buzz0m]

What a relief to find this thread!

@natasha.l  can you confirm as an Autodesk representative, that this is still an issue in 2019 and in C3D 2020? We are trying to make a custom deployment and this lacking functionality has caused us considerable head ache so far...

However now that the problem has been identified and there is a way to solve this I (and probably many more) would like to know  how the below listed profile related things (settings usually defined via the "options"-dialogue in c3d or acad) are set  via possible xml files etc:

• Trusted locations
• Tool palettes file locations
• Drawing template  file locations
• Printer support paths
  • Configuration search path
  • ...description
  • ...plot style table search path
• ... all other settings that are not correctly deployed even though they were customized in the deployment creation process

I'd prefer to see a example xml-line of each of the listed setting... eg.:

<ProfileEntry Name="ACAD" Subkey="General" Type="REG_SZ">[RoamingUserSupportFolder];..."

but with the right keywords for the above listed settings...

If these are transferred correctly via the deployment than all is good and I don't need the examples... I'm just trying to make sure all necessary information is provided for a successful deployment...

Kind regards,

- F

[natasha.l]

Hello @Buzz0m, 

Sure I can add some clarity, roaming profiles are not supported. 

If you have already installed the same AutoCAD version on an existing computer you can export these settings.

Otherwise create the deployment first, then install using your deployment on a local computer, set the custom paths then export the profile settings. 

Export the AutoCAD Profile by typing "Options" > "Profiles" > "Export".

Then follow the steps >here< to add these settings to the deployment. 

Please "Accept Solution" if a reply or replies have helped resolve the issue or answered your question, to help others in the community.

[jameshickey]

Regarging Option to in the linked article: 

We have 9 search paths to install. Let's call them \\server\path\path, \\server\path\path\path etc...

Where would we add these paths and how in the xml file mentioned?

This is for Civil 3D 2020

Thanks

[Buzz0m]

Hi @jameshickey,

check out this thread I started. I got some really good help and nice screenshots. I don't believe exporting and importing profiles is the right way to deploy, but that is just my opinion 😃

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/installation-licensing/civil3d-customized-support-file-locations-on-i...

- F

[Owackenreuther]

Thank you for posting this.

I recommend adding a section to detail other types of paths such as Trusted Support Paths.