Installing and

Configuring

AutoCAD and

AutoCAD LT

Installing AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT, once something to avoid as long as possible, is now a breeze. For all practical purposes, all you

do is put the CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive and follow the instructions. As with all software that comes with an installation program, you should close all other applications before starting, including antivirus software.

Installing AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT

Installation involves some preparation, the actual installation, and finally authorization.

Preparing to install

Before you install, make sure your system meets the minimum, and perhaps recommended, requirements:

Operating system: Windows 2000, Windows XP (Home, Professional, or Tablet PC)

Processor: Pentium III or better, 800 MHz minimum

RAM (memory): 256MB (recommended)

Video: 1024×768 VGA with true color

Hard disk: 300MB (200MB for AutoCAD LT)

Pointing device: Mouse, trackball, digitizer puck, or other device

CD-ROM: Any speed (for installation only)

Browser: Internet Explorer 6.0 minimum

Optional equipment: A printer or plotter; a digitizing tablet; a network interface card if you’re using the network version of AutoCAD

A AP P E N D I X

In This Appendix

Installing AutoCAD

and AutoCAD LT

Creating multiple and customized configurations

Configuring AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT with the Options dialog box

Configuring a plotter

1080 Part VIII Appendixes

In order to install AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT, you may need permission (and probably administrator permission) to write to the folder where you’re installing AutoCAD, the system registry, and the Windows System folder.

Note AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT 2005 can coexist with earlier versions of both programs. If you have customized files that you want to keep, you should back them up before installation. To read the README file before installing, use Windows Explorer to open readme.hlp from the BIN\ACADFEUI\DOCS folder of the AutoCAD 2005 CD-ROM or the BIN\ACLTFEUI\ DOC folder of the AutoCAD LT 2005 CD-ROM.

Starting installation

New

Feature

You’re now ready to install AutoCAD 2005. Here are the steps:

1.Place the CD-ROM in your CD-ROM drive and close the drive door. In most cases, the

setup procedure starts automatically. If not, choose Start Run. In the text box, type d:\setup where d is your CD-ROM drive.

2.When the Welcome screen appears, click Install (or wait 7 seconds and the Install screen appears automatically). The Install screen provides links to all the installation tasks and information you need, as shown in Figure A-1.

Figure A-1: The installation screen.

The installation window is a new installation interface. In one place, you can find all the documents and installation tasks you need. For information about new features, click What’s Inside on the top menu. Click Documentation for links to all the Help documents. Click Support Options if you have questions about installation.

Appendix A Installing and Configuring AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT 1081

3.If you’re installing on a network, click Network Deployment from the top menu. All the network-related documents and installation tasks are combined on the Network Deployment screen. Then follow the steps listed:

•Read the documentation.

•Install the Network License Manager.

•Install the Network Installation Wizard, which guides you through the process of installing AutoCAD on a network.

•If you want, use the supplemental installation tools to install CAD Manager tools and SAMreport-lite, a tool for generating reports on software usage on a network.

If you’re installing on a stand-alone computer, follow the five steps on the Install screen:

•Read the documentation.

•Retrieve your serial number (generally on a label on the product packaging).

•Install AutoCAD.

•Read the instructions about registration and authorization.

•If you want, install the supplemental tools, the Express Tools (highly recommended, but for AutoCAD only) and Hewlett-Packard DesignJet Printer Drivers (recommended if you have an HP DesignJet).

Note	In this appendix, I follow the stand-alone installation procedure because the network deploy-
	ment varies depending on your network setup.

4.When you click the link to install AutoCAD, the installation Welcome screen advises you to close applications and warns you about illegally reproducing AutoCAD. Click Next.

5.On the next screen, choose your country from the drop-down list of countries at the top, read the software license agreement, click “I accept,” and then click Next.

6.On the Serial Number screen, enter the serial number, which you can find on the CD-ROM case or jacket. Click Next.

7.On the User Information screen, type your name, organization, dealer, and dealer telephone number. Click Next.

8.If the installation program detects an existing version of AutoCAD, you can install AutoCAD 2005 in a separate folder (keeping the existing version) or upgrade your existing version to 2005.

9.You now choose the type of installation you want:

•Typical installs the most commonly used tools.

•Full installs everything.

•Compact is ideal for a laptop or when you have limited hard-drive space.

•Custom enables you to individually choose the items you want to install.

1082 Part VIII Appendixes

A typical installation includes the following:

•Main program files (executables, menus, toolbars, help files, fonts, and other support files)

•Internet tools (related support files and Autodesk DWF Viewer)

•External database feature

•Microsoft Visual Basic application support files

•Portable License Management for sharing single-user authorization on more than one computer

•Sample drawings, images, and DesignCenter files

•The appropriate dictionary for your region

•Help files

You can go back later and add items if you decide you need an item that you didn’t install initially. Choose the desired setup type and click Next.

10.If you chose a custom installation, uncheck all items on the Custom Components screen that you don’t want to install. Click each item to see if it has subitems from which you can choose. Click Next.

11.Setup offers a default folder name. The default is AutoCAD 2005 or AutoCAD LT 2005. Change it if you want. On this screen, click Disk Costing to see a listing of your drives, their size, available space, the space required, and the difference. Click OK to close the Disk Costing. Click Next.

12.You can choose a default text editor and decide if you want a shortcut on your desktop. Click Next.

13.On the Start Installation screen, the Setup program asks if you’re ready to begin. You probably are, so click Next. Setup starts copying files. This takes a few minutes. You can take a break or watch the status report that appears during the process.

14.You’re now done and have an opportunity to read the README file — always a good idea. Click Finish. The README file opens if you asked for it. (If you want to read it later, in AutoCAD choose Help Help and click the Contents tab. Then choose User’s Guide Find the Information You Need View the Product Readme.)

You’re done! You can now choose Start (All) Programs Autodesk AutoCAD 2005 or AutoCAD LT 2005 to see the submenu, if you chose the default location for the program files. The submenu includes some or all of the following items:

Attach Digital Signatures: A security feature for attaching a digital signature to a drawing (see Chapter 26).

AutoCAD 2005 or AutoCAD LT 2005: Starts AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT.

Batch Standards Checker: Checks CAD standards for a group of drawings (see Chapter 26). AutoCAD only.

Reference Manager: Managers and reports on xrefs, images, and other files associated with a drawing (see Chapter 26). AutoCAD only.

Appendix A Installing and Configuring AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT 1083

Migrate Custom Settings: Helps you keep your custom settings as you upgrade. This stand-alone application usually runs automatically when you install.

Portable License Utility: Enables you to move a license from one computer to another so that you can use AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT on a different computer (but only one at a time).

Changing an installation

After you install AutoCAD, you can add features using the following procedure:

1.Choose Start Settings Control Panel and double-click Add/Remove Programs.

2.In the dialog box, choose AutoCAD 2005 or AutoCAD LT 2005 and then click Change. (The exact words vary according to your operating system.)

3.In the Add/Remove Application dialog box, select Add or Remove Features and click Next.

4.In the Setup dialog box, choose a feature and then one of the installation options:

•Will be installed on local hard drive

•Entire feature will be installed on local hard drive

•Entire feature will be removed

Click Next.

5.On the Start Installation screen, click Next.

6.Click Finish.

You may be prompted to restart your computer.

Authorizing AutoCAD and AutoCAD LT

As with earlier versions, for security purposes, Autodesk requires you to authorize AutoCAD within seven days. (Certain customers are exempt from the authorization process.) When you first open AutoCAD, the Product Authorization dialog box opens. You can choose to authorize AutoCAD or run AutoCAD without authorizing it, while you’re waiting for an authorization code. To authorize — and register — AutoCAD, leave the first option (Authorize the Product) checked and click Next. Then choose Register and Authorize (Receive an Authorization Code) to receive your authorization code or Enter Authorization Code (Have an Authorization Code). Click Next and follow the instructions for your choice.

AutoCAD is now ready to use. By default, your system is configured to use the current system pointing device and the current system printing device. You can further configure AutoCAD by choosing Tools Options and using the Options dialog box. This dialog box is covered in detail later in this appendix.

Note If you installed the Express Tools, the Express Tools menu and toolbars are automatically installed. This applies to AutoCAD only.