Install AutoCAD
 
 
 

This section contains information for installing AutoCAD on a stand-alone computer. You must have administrative permissions to install AutoCAD.

Your DVD or CDs are required to install AutoCAD. Insert the AutoCAD 2008 DVD or CD 1 to start the installation process. Follow the prompts to complete the installation.

To install AutoCAD using default values on a stand-alone computer

This is the fastest means of installing AutoCAD on your system. Only default values are used which means it is a typical installation being installed to C:\Program Folders\AutoCAD 2008. The text editor defaults for Windows NotePad and Express Tools are included.

  1. Insert the AutoCAD DVD, or the first CD, into your computer's drive.
  2. In the AutoCAD Installation Wizard, click Install Products.
  3. On the Welcome to the AutoCAD 2008 Installation Wizard page, click Next.
  4. Select the product(s) you want to install and click Next.
  5. Review the Autodesk software license agreement for your country or region. You must accept this agreement to procede with the installation. Choose your country or region, click I Accept, and then click Next.
    NoteIf you do not agree to the terms of the license and wish to terminate the installation, click Cancel.
  6. On the Personalize the Products page, enter your user information and click Next.

    The information you enter here is permanent and is displayed in the AutoCAD window (accessed by using Help About) on your computer. Because you can't change this information later without uninstalling the product, make sure you enter the correct information now.

  7. On the Review - Configure - Install page, click Install to begin installing. By clicking Install, the wizard does the following;
    • Uses a Typical installation, which installs the most common application features. To see which features are included in a Typical installation, refer to Typically Installed Features.
    • Includes the Express Tools library of productivity tools that extend the power of AutoCAD.
    • Installs AutoCAD to the default install path of C:\Program Files\AutoCAD 2008.

To install AutoCAD using configured values on a stand-alone computer

This installation method allows you to fine-tune exactly what gets installed by using the Configure option. A configured installation lets you alter the installation type, the install path, license type, and the default text editor. You can also choose to install material libraries.

  1. Insert the AutoCAD DVD, or the first CD, into your computer's drive.
  2. In the AutoCAD Installation Wizard, click Install Products.
  3. On the Welcome to the AutoCAD 2008 Installation Wizard page, click Next.
  4. Select the product(s) you want to install and click Next.
  5. Review the Autodesk software license agreement for your country or region. You must accept this agreement to procede with the installation. Choose your country or region, click I Accept, and then click Next.
    NoteIf you do not agree to the terms of the license and wish to terminate the installation, click Cancel.
  6. On the Personalize the Products page, enter your user information and click Next.

    The information you enter here is permanent and is displayed in the AutoCAD window (accessed by using Help About) on your computer. Because you can't change this information later without uninstalling the product, make sure you enter the correct information now.

  7. On the Review - Configure - Install page, click Configure to make configuration changes such as installation type, installing optional tools, or changing the installation path.
  8. On the Select the Installation Type page, you can choose to make the following configuration changes:
    • Typical - Installs the most common application features and allows you to make the following changes to optional tools:
      Express Tools Contains AutoCAD support tools and utilities.
      Materials Library Contains over 300 professionally built materials to apply to a model.
    • Custom - Installs only the application features that you select from the Select Features To Install list:
      CAD Standard Contains tools for reviewing design files for compliance with your standards.
      Databases Contains database access tools.
      Dictionaries Contains multilanguage dictionaries.
      Drawing Encryption Allows you to use the Security Options dialog box to protect a drawing with a password.
      Express Tools Contains AutoCAD support tools and utilities.
      Fonts Contains program fonts. (True Type fonts are automatically installed with the program.)
      Materials Library Contains over 300 professionally built materials to apply to a model.
      New Features Workshop Contains animated demos, exercises, and sample files to help users learn new features.
      Portable License Utility Contains a tool for moving a stand-alone license between computers.
      Migrate Custom Settings Allows you to migrate custom settings and files from previous releases. For more information, see Migrate Custom Settings.
      Reference Manager Allows you to view and edit the paths of externally referenced files associated with a drawing.
      Samples Contains various feature sample files.
      Tutorials Contains product lessons.
      VBA SupportTutorials Contains Microsoft Visual Basic for Applications support files.
    • Product Installation Path - Specifies the drive and location where AutoCAD will be installed.

    Click Next to proceed with the configuration process.

  9. On the Select License Type page, select Stand-Alone License, and then click Next.
  10. On the Specify User Preferences page, make the following settings:
    Choose a Text Editor

    Select a text editor to use if you want to edit text files such as PGP and CUS dictionary files. You can accept the default text editor or select one from the list of available text editors. You can also click Browse to locate a text editor that is not listed.

    Create a Desktop Shortcut

    Choose whether to display the AutoCAD shortcut icon on your desktop. A product icon is displayed on your desktop by default. Clear the check box if you do not want to display the shortcut icon.

    Click Next.

  11. Click Configuration Complete to return to the Review - Configure - Install page.
  12. On the Installation Complete page, choose from the following:
    Choose to view the Readme

    The Readme file is opened from this page when you click Finish. This file contains information that was unavailable when the AutoCAD 2008 documentation was prepared. If you do not want to view the Readme file now, clear the check box next to Readme.

    NoteYou can also view the Readme file after you have installed AutoCAD.
    Choose to Launch AutoCAD 2008

    If you want to immediately start AutoCAD, you can click the Launch AutoCAD 2008.

    Click Finish.

You have successfully installed AutoCAD. You are now ready to register your product and start using the program. To register the product, start AutoCAD and follow the on-screen instructions.

NoteAutodesk does not recommend or support the distribution of an Autodesk product using imaging software. However, if you plan to use this method of distribution, please review the instructions detailed in Distribute the Product Using Imaging Software in the Network Administrator’s Guide.