Revit.ini Update problem

[colin.magner]

I'm trying to use the Update function in the Revit.ini to change the DefaultTemplate setting.

What I'm doing is testing the setting on my own PC by modifying the Revit.ini in the UserDataCache folder, changing the DefaultTemplate value and adding the Update string to the Install section.

What I find is that this works the first time, but any subsequent changes I make are ignored.  The only way I can get the update to kick in again is to manually remove the Update entry from the Revit.ini in my user profile.

Am I doing something wrong or is there a problem with the Update function?

[robert.klempau]

Hello @colin.magner,

Did you check this link?

[fabiosato]

Hello,

To make a change in the Revit.ini file you must close Revit, edit the ini file, then start Revit again, this is the only way to get things OK.

[colin.magner]

Thanks Robert - I had already used that info to get it working in the first place.

[colin.magner]

Hi Fabiosato, I had done that which is how I made it work at least once, but the problem is repeating that doesn't continue to work for subsequent changes.

[apjones · Accepted solution]

It is working as intended, unfortunately.  I tried the same thing you are trying with no success.  I contacted out support with the question and after getting it to the right people, it was confirmed that it is working correctly. 

From reading the help files, I was making the same assumptions as you appear to be making. 

Long story short, it does not work the way we think it should.   It is a one-time shot unless you delete the INI file and basically start over.

I have attached the email I received in reply in the hope that it helps you as well.

[colin.magner]

Thanks Pete.  Half of the battle is knowing you're not doing it wrong!

This did get me to thinking of a workaround though...

After pushing out an update for defaulttemplate:

1. Do another update for a different setting of little/no consequence, e.g. Update=Selection|AllowLinkSelection
2. The original update related to defaulttemplate is removed from the users Revit.ini
3. You can then push out another defaulttemplate update.

I've just tested this by editing my userdatacache file and restarting revit, over and over and it appears to work fine.

[fabiosato]

Hello, 

Regarding Revit.ini, there is some points to take care:

- Never delete the following lines!

[Install]
InstallGUID=

- The file exists in two places:

C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\RVT 2016\UserDataCache

C:\Users\XXXXX\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\Revit\Autodesk Revit 2016

The file in program data folder is the source that is used whenever create a new user, or if you delete the user ini file

[BIMologist_]

@apjones Thanks for the information here. I too just realized how useless this update process is.

Update User Settings Across an Organization

The https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/revit-products/troubleshooting/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/2016/...

is not working and a better implementation is needed due to several issues with the workflow 

1. I need to make sure to DELETE The GUID out of it, since the sers machines have varying GUIDs. If I leave it in, it Resets the Revit user folder and Keyboardshortcuts and GUI changes are blown away.

2. So I was successfully able to Update the INI by REMOVING the GUID section. It updates the Revit INI and does not blow away the users profile.

2a. If a new user logs in to the machine,  New Revit ini is created. Well that INI one has the updates and not the full UserdataCache ini and youdo not get at of your custom settings then.

3. Someone else ran into a problem of the length of the Update string. i.e. you can update so many sections.

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-architecture-forum/revit-ini-update-to-userprofile-issues/m-p/5...

I think this is something we should look at for updating the ini

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-architecture-forum/revit-ini-update-to-userprofile-issues/m-p/5...

I am going to try the GPO route, other wise powershell, dos batch or I might just use Innosetup which I can do wonders with to update the ini.

Thanks for sharing the email.

[Anonymous]

Why does it happen?

When you push out a new .ini file to the UserDataCache, it contains the sections that you want to update. For example:

[DirectoriesENU]

FamilyTemplatePath={Your path here}

DataLibraryLocations={Your path here}

DefaultTemplate={Your path here}

in the [Install] section, you tell Revit to Update these sections every time a new or existing user logs in:

[Install]

Update=DirectoriesENU|FamilyTemplatePath;DirectoriesENU|DataLibraryLocations;DirectoriesENU|DefaultTemplate

The [Install] section is written into the user profile .ini along with the new values for each setting. This is what Revit reads when it starts up.

However, if those sections already exist in the [Install] section of the User Profile version, they're ignored.

This is because Revit compares the Update line in the User Profile .ini with the Update line in the UserDataCache. It doesn’t compare the values, because they're not in the line that's being compared. It's not ideal but it's what we have to work around.

How do you get around it?

As mentioned by Colin Manger (Kudos, Colin) earlier in this thread, you can push out a new update line of no importance into the [Install] section and overwrite the line. For example:

[Install]

Windows|Maximized

[Windows]

Maximized=1

The user opens Revit and the Window is maximised. Not what I'd call the crime of the century. From here on in, Revit remembers their window preference when they close the application, so it's a one-time inconvenience.

This effectively “cleans” the Update line, allowing you to push out a new one when you’re ready.

It ends up being a two-step process.

[Joris.vd.Meulen]

Guys, 

We just lost our keyboardshortcuts, recent files etc. due a push-attempt. Oh that joy. 

So after reading this topic I have a question before trying to push things again:

What is the correct path I should take to update the revit.ini?

1. alter the firm-revit-template.ini with the new values

2. at the [install] use the update functionality

[Install]
Update=DirectoriesENU|DefaultTemplate
InstallGUID={C16C74D4-C466-413F-B76A-0DFCAE1DF4EA}

At this point if I would push this revit.ini to the %ALLUSERSPROFILE%\Autodesk\RVT 2019\UserDataCache location 

Keyboardshortcuts etc. are gone due the mismatch of the InstallGUID (or I believe that is the cause)

So step 3. is needed

3. remove the installGUID line from the revit.ini file 

[Install]
Update=DirectoriesENU|DefaultTemplate

 4. push this revit file to the userdatacache location

Is this correct? Will I encounter any issues (new users of machines etc)? 

I'm new to this way of doing things. Normally I do this manually for the computers.