.ini file to add existing Templates, Profile & Settings to AutoCAD 2023 deployment - Using Batch file

[jaloudir]

Hello, 

I am unable to find any articles that explain how to generate .ini file to add existing Templates, Profile & Settings (i.e., from 2020 version of AutoCAD) to a AutoCAD 2023 deployment - Using Batch file.

It appears that previous versions of AutoCAD (like the 2020 version) had an option to generate a .ini file. However, this option is no longer available on the 2023 version of AutoCAD. 

The purpose is to eliminate the need of having the end user import their settings, profile and templates after installation. In other words, the idea is to get the installation and setup ready out of the box, .i.e., end user launches AutoCAD 2023 and they automatically have their profile uploaded, templates readily available, settings and menus, etc. 

I am aware of the option to upload the arg. file when customizing the deployment/installer. My challenge is everything else we would like imported and ready in the deployment.

Any ideas on how to get this done?

If it helps, below you will find the batch file I will be using:

_____________________________________________________

chcp 65001

rem ========== Install the deployment with basic UI ==========
"\\Server01\install$\Apps\CAD Applications\Autodesk\Autodesk2023_D\image\Installer.exe" -i deploy --offline_mode --ui_mode basic -o "\\Server01\install$\Apps\CAD Applications\Autodesk\Autodesk2023_D\image\Collection.xml" --installer_version "1.39.0.174"

:checkPrivileges
:: Make sure we are running as admin - UAC...
echo .
echo Checking for admin access...
NET FILE 1>NUL 2>NUL
if '%errorlevel%' == '0' (
echo ...OK
goto gotPrivileges
) else (
echo ...FAILED.
powershell "saps -filepath ""%0"" -verb runas"
)
echo .
exit /b
:gotPrivileges

echo .

SET STARTTIME=%TIME%

echo %time%- Syncing ABCFolder folder…
if not exist "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2023\ABCFolder" mkdir "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2023\ABCFolder"

ROBOCOPY "%~DP0ABCFolder " "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2023\ABCFolder" /MIR /ns /nc /nfl /ndl /njh

echo .
Echo Start Time- %STARTTIME%
Echo End Time- %TIME%
echo .
echo Done.
PAUSE

[Simon_Weel · Accepted solution]

Don't know about AutoCAD .ini files? But as you say - you can import a profile (.arg) into the deployment. You can include all settings you like in this profile, assuming you already installed a single copy of AutoCAD to make such settings and export those settings.

You can also use the 2020-version .arg file and modify it. It's basically a bunch of registry settings where you have to change the base registry key like HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R24.2\ACAD-6101:409

Search/replace the whole file, save it as 2023 .arg file and import it in AutoCAD to check if it's ok. Then add this file to your deployment and you should be good to go.

Now if things change over time, you either have to instruct you users to make those changes; manipulate the registry settings or have acad.lsp make those changes. I use the latter, where I have a section in acad.lsp to make any changes to the settings, like for the support path:

;Use DosLIB to get the path
(setq acaduserpad    (strcat (dos_specialdir 5) "AutoCAD\\")
      userprofilepad (getvar "RoamableRootPrefix")
      acadsuppad "<network drive"
) ;_ end of setq

;; lots of settings

;;Support pad
(setq suppad (strcat (vl-string-right-trim "\\" acaduserpad)
                     ";"
                     acadsuppad
                     "apps;"
                     acadsuppad
                     "support;"
                     userprofilepad
                     "support;"
                     acadsuppad
                     "cot;"
                     acadsuppad
                     "Derden/TEC/Contents;"
                     acadsuppad
                     "fonts;"
                     pad_lokaal
                     "Express"
             ) ;_ end of strcat
) ;_ end of setq
(if (/= (strcase (vla-get-supportpath paden)) (strcase suppad))
 (vla-put-supportpath paden suppad)
) ;_ end of if

[jaloudir]

Thank you Simon! I wish I saw this sooner, but this is great because I did in fact end up modifying the .arg file, with some additional tweaks on the collections.xml and my folder with existing templates.