Auto Cad 2010 Migrating and Customizing

If you have a previous version of AutoCAD installed on your system, you can install a newer
version of AutoCAD and keep other versions of the program on the same system. This is called
a side-by-side installation. If you've purchased an upgrade version of AutoCAD, you are required
to uninstall the previous version within 120 days of installing your newer product. See your
license agreement for more information.
In this section, you learn about migrating from previous releases, using customized files from
previous releases, and locating customized files.

Auto Cad 2010 Migrating and Customizing Part 1

Migrate Custom Settings and Files from Previous
Releases

You can migrate your custom settings and files from previous releases of
AutoCAD to your new release. It is recommended that you migrate from a
previous release right away. This prevents you from overwriting files or having
to keep track of any custom settings you may make in the new release. Migrating
settings overwrites any new settings.
You can use the following tools to migrate settings and files:
■ Migrate Custom Settings dialog box. Migrates user profiles, CUI files,
AutoCAD and user-defined linetype files, AutoCAD and user-defined hatch
patterns, and the acad.pgp file (a file that stores command definitions and
aliases). The Migrate Custom Settings dialog box is displayed when you start
the product for the first time. You can also migrate settings later from the
Start menu (Windows).
■ Customize User Interface dialog box. Converts legacy menu files (MNU and
MNS) to the CUI format while leaving the original MNU or MNS file
unchanged. Migrating user interface elements, transferring data between
customized files, and customizing user interface elements are simplified in
this dialog box. For more information about the CUI format and how
migration of menu files has been simplified, see Customize the User
Interface in the Customization Guide.
■ Migration tools. Aid migration of settings or files that cannot be
automatically migrated (such as AutoLISP® files and the accompanying
MNL files) or that require you to make a decision about which files to
migrate (such as which files in a set of drawing files). Download these
migration tools by visiting www.autodesk.com and then performing a search
on Migration Tools.

Auto Cad 2010 Migrating and Customizing Part 2

Migrate Custom Settings

If you install AutoCAD on a computer where a previous release of the AutoCAD
product is installed, you can migrate some custom settings from a previous
release to your newer AutoCAD product.
Migrate the user profile. This file contains drawing environment settings such
as screen color, cursor size, command line window font, and the dictionary
to use for checking spelling. The user profile file also includes the folders in
which AutoCAD searches for support, driver, customization, and other files.
If you customized files in a location other than the default AutoCAD location,
the path to the location is migrated. The files themselves do not get migrated.
Migrate linetypes, hatch patterns, and command aliases that you created.
The data from these files is added to a user-defined section of the AutoCAD
files, to make it easy for you to find this information and migrate this data to
future releases. You cannot use the Migrate Custom Settings dialog box to
migrate shell commands or comments that you made to your acad.pgp file.

Auto Cad 2010 Migrating and Customizing Part 3

Files Migrated with the Migrate Custom Settings Dialog Box

File Name File Description  Details
User Defined Hatch Patterns section
of the file.
The file itself is not migrated; however,
any command aliases you cre-
Stores shell commands and command
alias definitions (a program
acad.pgp
ated in this file are copied to the
AutoCAD acad.pgpfile.
parameters file in ASCII text
form).
The file itself is not migrated; however,
a copy of the file is created and
Contains menu customization
from an AutoCAD version earlier
than AutoCAD 2006.
*.mnu
then is converted into a CUI file with
the same name. The new CUI file is
placed in the same folder as the main
CUI file. A MNU file is converted
when a MNS file with the same name
is not found.
The file itself is not migrated; however,
a copy of the file is created and
Contains menu customization
from a version of an AutoCAD
earlier than AutoCAD 2006.
*.mns
then is converted into a CUI file with
the same name. The new CUI file is
placed in the same folder as the main
CUI file. A MNS file is converted
when a MNU file with the same
name is present or not.
If the CUI file is supplied by Autodesk,
the custom changes made to the file
Contains customizations from a
version of an AutoCAD starting
with AutoCAD 2006.
*.cui
are migrated to the newer version of
the CUI file.
If the CUI file is not supplied by
Autodesk, the file is migrated and is
copied to where the main CUI file is
located, unless the CUI file is in a
network location. In that case, the
file is migrated but is not copied to
the location of the main CUI file.
Enterprise CUI files are not migrated
automatically. You must migrate
them manually.

Before the MNU, MNS, and CUI files are migrated, a backup copy of each file
is saved in the following directory:
■ (Windows XP) :\Documents and Settings\\Application
Data\Autodesk\\\\Previous Version
Custom Files
■ (Windows Vista) :\Users\\Application
Data\Autodesk\\\\Previous Version
Custom Files

To migrate custom settings when you start the AutoCAD

1 Start AutoCAD.
2 In the Migrate Custom Settings dialog box, in the Migrate Settings From
list, select the AutoCAD release from which you want to migrate your
custom settings.
3 In the Settings and Files to Migrate box, select the custom files that you
want to migrate.
4 Click OK.
5 In the Migrate Custom Settings message, click OK to view the log file, or
click No if you do not want to view the log file now.

Each time the Migrate Custom Settings dialog box is used, AutoCAD resets
the program’s default CUI file from the UserDataCache folder and then migrates
any customization done in a previous release forward.
To migrate custom settings from the Start menu (Windows)
1 Do one of the following:
■ (Windows XP) Click Start menu ➤ Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤
➤ Migrate Custom Settings ➤ Migrate From a Previous
Release.

■ (Windows Vista) Click Start menu ➤ All Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤
➤ Migrate Custom Settings ➤ Migrate From a Previous
Release.
2 In the Migrate Custom Settings dialog box, in the Migrate Settings From
list, select the AutoCAD release from which you want to migrate your
custom settings.
3 In the Settings and Files to Migrate box, select the custom files that you
want to migrate.
4 Click OK.
5 In the Migrate Custom Settings message, click OK to view the log file, or
click No if you do not want to view the log file.
NOTE To be accessible, pull-down menus that are migrated from a MNU/MNS
file to a CUI file need to be added to a workspace.

Auto Cad 2010 Migrating and Customizing Part 4

View the Migration Log File

The migration log file (migration.xml) provides specific information about any
settings or files that were not successfully migrated to AutoCAD. The log file
shows all the files that were successfully copied from a previous version to the
newer AutoCAD. It also provides information about files that were not
successfully migrated. Use the log for troubleshooting if there are unwanted
or unexpected results in your AutoCAD profiles.
After you use the Migrate Custom Settings dialog box to migrate custom
settings and files, a message is displayed from which you open the migration
log file. You can view the migration log file at that time. You can also navigate
to the file if you want to view the log details another time.

To locate and view the migration log file

1 In Windows Explorer, navigate to the following location:
■ (Windows XP) :\Documents and Settings\
profile>\Application Data\Autodesk\\
number>\\Migration
■ (Windows Vista) :\Users\\Application
Data\Autodesk\\
number>\\Migration
2 Double-click migration.xml to open the file, and view the details of your
migration.

Restore Profiles After Migrating Files from an Earlier
Release

After you migrate your profiles from an earlier AutoCAD release, you may
want to restore the newer AutoCAD default profile settings.

To restore AutoCAD default profiles

1 On the Application menu, click Options.
2 In the Options dialog box, Profiles tab, click the profile you want to
restore and click Reset.
3 Click Yes.
The profile is reset to the newer default profile.

Auto Cad 2010 Migrating and Customizing Part 5

Use Migration Tools

Migration tools take the guesswork out of updating your custom files from
previous releases. The tools help you to share drawings when you upgrade to
a new release of an AutoCAD product. You can download the migration tools
in several languages from the Autodesk website.

The migration tools are as follows:
■ DWG TrueView 2010. You can view, plot, and convert any AutoCAD
product or an AutoCAD product-based drawing file for compatibility with
the current AutoCAD drawing file formats.
■ ScriptPro. Using ScriptPro, you can apply a set of commands to multiple
drawings by specifying a script file and the list of drawings to which you
want to apply the script.
■ AutoLISP Compatibility Analyzer. Details AutoCAD compatibility issues
found in AutoLISP files and the accompanying menu (MNL) files. When
a compatibility issue is found, the tool provides an explanation of the issue
and suggestions on how to correct it.

Customize AutoCAD with Initial Setup

With Initial Setup you can perform some basic customization of AutoCAD
the first time you start.
You respond to a series of questions that are used to gather information about
specific features and settings in AutoCAD. You specify which industry best
describes your work, add task-based tools to your default workspace, and
specify the drawing template you want to use when creating a new drawing.
Select an Industry
When Initial Setup is first displayed, you are prompted to select an industry.
Select one of the listed industries that is closest to the type of work that best
describes the drawings you create. The following features and settings in
AutoCAD and Initial Setup are affected by the industry you select:
■ Content Search. Used as part of a generated query to find content from
Autodesk Seek.
■ Partner product search. Used as part of a generated query that is sent to
the Autodesk Partner Products website to find relevant third-party utilities
that might be beneficial to your work.
■ Initial Setup. Used to determine a drawing template file that might be more
appropriate to your industry for new drawings when compared to the
supplied default templates that come with AutoCAD.

Auto Cad 2010 Migrating and Customizing Part 6

Add Task-based Tools

With Initial Setup, you can add task-based tools to your default workspace
(for example tools to review red-line markups created from Autodesk Design
Review or tools used to create photorealistic renderings).
The following task-based tools can be added to your default workspace from
Initial Setup:
■ 3D modeling
■ Photorealistic rendering
■ Review and markup
■ Sheet sets

You can use the Customize User Interface (CUI) Editor to further control which
task-based tools are displayed in a workspace. For more information about
workspaces, see “Customize Workspaces“ in the Customization Guide.

Auto Cad 2010 Migrating and Customizing Part 7

Specify a Default Drawing Template

With drawing templates you can reuse a set of settings and styles when you
create a new drawing. In Initial Setup you can specify the default drawing
template to use when you create a new drawing. Initial Setup has the following
drawing template options:
■ Default drawing template. Use the imperial or metric drawing template
that is installed by default.
■ Existing drawing template. Specify an existing drawing template that is
available on a local or network drive.
If you migrated your custom settings and files from a previous release, the
migrated default drawing template file is listed. For information about
migrating custom settings and files from a previous release, see Migrate
Custom Settings on page 26.
■ Industry focused drawing template. Use the drawing template that is
associated with the industry you selected in Initial Setup, and either the
imperial or metric measurement type.

Drawing templates are often project- or company-specific to ensure consistent
styles and settings from one drawing to the next. It is recommended that you
use a drawing template that follows your company’s CAD standards.
For information about creating a custom drawing template, see “Use a Template
File to Start a Drawing“ in the User’s Guide.

To customize AutoCAD with Initial Setup

1 Start AutoCAD.
2 In Initial Setup, Industry page, from the Industry list select the industry
that best describes your work. Click Next.
3 On the Optimize Your Workspace page, select the task-based tools you
want to display in your default workspace. Click Next.
4 On the Specify a Drawing Template File page, select the drawing template
file that you want to use when creating new drawings. Click Start
AutoCAD 2010.

Auto Cad 2010 Migrating and Customizing Part 8

To customize AutoCAD with Initial Setup

1 Start AutoCAD.
2 In Initial Setup, Industry page, from the Industry list select the industry
that best describes your work. Click Next.
3 On the Optimize Your Workspace page, select the task-based tools you
want to display in your default workspace. Click Next.
4 On the Specify a Drawing Template File page, select the drawing template
file that you want to use when creating new drawings. Click Start
AutoCAD 2010.

To change the settings made with Initial Setup

1 Click the Application menu button ➤ Options.
2 In the Options dialog box, User Preferences tab, click Initial Setup.
3 In Initial Setup, Industry page, specify an industry that best describes
your work. Click Next.
4 On the Optimize Your Workspace page, select the task-based tools you
want to display in your default workspace. Click Next.
5 On the Specify a Drawing Template File page, select the drawing template
file that you want to use when creating new drawings. Click Finish.
6 In the Options dialog box, click OK.



Export and Import Custom Settings from the Same
Release

You can export your custom settings between systems running the same release
of an AutoCAD product, or export the custom settings and later re-import
them on the same computer if you need to reinstall AutoCAD. When exporting
custom settings, a migration package is created that contains an XML file.
This file contains custom settings, a listing of the custom files from local
locations used with AutoCAD, and optionally, custom files in network
locations.
The migration package is a ZIP file archive, so it has the file extension ZIP.
During the import process, you select the ZIP file archive that contains the
exported custom settings you want to merge onto your computer.

Auto Cad 2010 Migrating and Customizing Part 9

Export and Import Custom Settings from the Same Release

The following table lists the file types that are most commonly included in
the migration package that is created from the Export Custom Settings dialog
box.

Most Common File Types Included in the Migration Package
File Name File Description

Information about the user profiles in the product and the original locations
of the files in the export package.
*.xml
*.lin Linetype definitions.
*.pat Hatch pattern definitions.
*.pgp Shell commands and command alias definitions.
*.pc3 Configuration information for a plotter or printer.
*.pmp Calibration and paper size settings that are used with a PC3 file.
*.ini Configuration settings for some features.
*.shx Information about text characters or shapes used with linetype definitions.
*.mln Multiline style definitions.
Settings used to control the appearance of objects when plotting; the
settings are arranged by the colors of the AutoCAD Color Index (ACI)
system.
*.ctb
Settings used to control the appearance of objects when plotting; the
settings are grouped into names that can be assigned to a layer or object.
*.stb
*.cui Information for commands and user interface elements.
AutoLISP commands and procedures that a customization file is dependent
on; must have the same name as a customization file in order to be loaded
by the product.
*.mnl
Information about font mappings for True Type Fonts used in the In-place
Text Editor.
*.fmp
*.cus Custom dictionary entries.

Auto Cad 2010 Migrating and Customizing Part 10

Most Common File Types Included in the Migration Package
File Name File Description

*.psf Information about font substitution when exporting to a Postscript file.
*.bmp Image used for a command in a customization file.
Tools defined on a tool palette and the tool palette catalog. The file is
not migrated from release to release, but is from computer to computer
with the migration package.
*.atc
Order of the tools as they appear on a tool palette and other local settings.
The file is not migrated from release to release, but is from computer to
computer with the migration package.
*.aws
The following table lists the file types that are not included in the migration
package that is created from the Export Custom Settings dialog box.
Some of the File Types Not Included in the Migration Package
File Name File Description
*.actm Action macro file.
*.arx ObjectARX application file.
Definitions for custom dialog boxes used with AutoLISP, ADS, or ObjectARX
applications.
*.dcl
*.dvb Visual Basic for Applications project file.
*.fas Fast-load AutoLISP format file.
*.fdc Definitions for fields; should not be modified.
Landscape library; this file type is no longer supported due to the removal
of the LANDSCAPE command.
*.lli
AutoLISP source file that contains definitions for custom commands and
functions.
*.lsp
*.mli    Render material library; this file type is no longer supported due to changes
to the MATERIALS command.