AB222-1 The Definitive Guide to Installing AutoCAD Architecture 2010

1. AB222-1 The Definitive Guide to Installing AutoCAD Architecture 2010 Matthew Stachoni AEC Specialist, CADapult Ltd

2. Introduction • Welcome! • Short Bio • Class Introduction and Materials • Handout is available on the AU web site (14MB .pdf) • Also download the script batch files to automate installations • Stuff we will cover. • Stuff we will not cover.

3. Strategies for a Well Managed Installation • We seek to avoid this on The Day After: Boss You FAIL H/R Coworkers

4. Understanding AutoCAD Architecture 2010: System, Shared and User Scope Files • System Scope • Core program files under \Program Files • Acad.exe • DLLs • Common\Shared Files • Shared Scope • OOTB Content • Company Content (blocks, details, etc.) • Support files : Plotters, Plot Style Tables, Enterprise CUIs • Company Customization – VLISP/VBA/.Net apps • User-Scope • User-centric files which they can customize to their liking • E.g., Acad.pgp

5. Default Installations • Problems: • Takes forever on one machine • Repeat all of these steps on each PC • Installs all content locally • No automatic connection to server resources • Easy to screw up

6. Typical Deployments • Cons: • Lots of post-installation work • Pros: • Package up all installation settings • One-click installations

7. Well Managed Installations • Planning and Preparation • Deployment Creation and Testing • Customize RoamableRootFolder • Add CompanyCustomizations • Create InstallationScripts Roll out • Pros: • Easy installations • Consistency at each workstation • Easy to manage over time • Cons: • Lots of preparation work and testing required • Needs a high level of technical knowledge

8. The End Condition • User and Company Workspaces • Company Menu and Ribbon • Company Tool Palettes and Catalogs • Reordered scale list • Custom programming • Add-ins, e.g. MDITabs

9. User Working Environment Local Workstation System Scope Files<Installation Folders> Acad.exe .DLL files .ARX files Express Tools Help files Misc. core support files Shared Scope Files<All Users Application Data> OOTB AEC Content Plotters and Plot Styles Templates Tool Catalogs User Scope Files <RoamableRootFolder> ACA.CUIx / Custom.cuix Acad.pgp Content Browser Library Personal Tool Catalog Tool Palettes User Programming (LSP/VBA) Installation Strategy #1 – Default Installation • Problems: • Unnecessary Redundancy – OOTB Content on each PC • Consistency with Content, plotters, styles, etc. • Company shared-scope files? • Post-installation configuration • Portability and Manageability: Reinstallations common

10. User Working Environment Local Workstation Server System Scope Files<Installation Folders> Acad.exe .DLL files .ARX files Express Tools Help files Misc. core support files User Scope Files <RoamableRootFolder> ACA.CUIx / Custom.cuix Acad.pgp Content Browser Library Personal Tool Catalog Tool Palettes User Programming (LSP/VBA) Shared Scope Files<Server Folder Tree> OOTB AEC Content Plotters and Plot Styles Templates Tool Catalogs Company Stds. / Customization Corporate Content / Styles Installation Strategy #2 – Standard Deployment • Problems: • Post-installation connection to server resources • User-scope files subject to data loss if PC dies • Users are not “Roamable” • Still have to set initial Palettes, Catalogs, etc. • Managing user-scope files across a network is difficult

11. User Working Environment Local Workstation Server System Scope Files<Installation Folders> Acad.exe .DLL files .ARX files Express Tools Help files Misc. core support files Shared Scope Files<Server Folder Tree> OOTB AEC Content Plotters and Plot Styles Templates Tool Catalogs Company Stds/Customization Corporate Content / Styles User Scope Files <RoamableRootFolder> ACA.CUIx / Custom.cuix Acad.pgp Content Browser Library Personal Tool Catalog Tool Palettes User Programming (LSP/VBA) Installation Strategy #3 – Server-Based User Files • Benefits: • Server-side user-scope files are backed up, safe • Users are fully “Roamable” • Easy to manage across the network • Easy to solve problems

12. OverallWorkflow Don’t Panic!

13. Planning and Deployment Preparation • Develop Installation Strategy and End Condition • Create a Development Lab & Shares • Create Virtual Machine(s); ACATemplateUser Accounts • Connect to host PC, take snapshot

14. Creating a Virtual Machine • Install OS in VM • Create ACATemplateUser account • Map Drives to Host PC, Install Apps • Install VirtualBox or other VM software • Develop Installation Strategy and End Condition • Set up VM • Take Snapshot • Create a Development Lab & Shares • Create Virtual Machine(s); ACATemplateUser Accounts • Connect to host PC, take snapshot

15. Running Virtual Machines

16. Step 2 : Deployment Creation and Installation • Revert VM • Create \PCSetup Installation Share Point on Host OS; Copy ACA DVDs and Add’l Files • Create 32- and 64-bit Deployments • Install Deployment in Virtual Machine • Launch ACA, Test

17. Deployments, Step by Step

18. Windows User Profiles, AutoCAD Profiles, and the Registry

19. The AutoCAD Architecture RoamableRootFolder

20. Preparing the Prototypical RoamableRootFolder

21. Re-pathing the RoamableRootFolder

22. Add Company Customization • Finalize Options & Settings, Export Profile .ARG and .REG files, Custom Desktop Icon • Create Folders on J:\ • Set Initial Options, User Interface Settings • Develop User and Enterprise CUIs; User and Company Workspaces • Develop Company Tool System

23. Step 5 : Automated Installation Scripts • Modify Deployment Shortcut and .INI Paths; Modify Scripts • Test Final Installation Scripts • Create Installation Point • Identify Tasks to Perform • Create and Test Each Batch File • Copy Installation Point to Production Server

24. Thank You! Please remember to fill out evaluations! Please download the handout and sample batch files Questions? Comments? Concerns? Send ‘em here: matt@stachoni.com