Export and Import Custom Settings from the Same Release
 
 
 

You can export your custom settings between systems running the same release of AutoCAD, 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.

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

*.xml

Information about the user profiles in the product and the original locations of the files in the export package.

*.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.

*.ctb

Settings used to control the appearance of objects when plotting; the settings are arranged by the colors of the AutoCAD Color Index (ACI) system.

*.stb

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.

*.cui

Information for commands and user interface elements.

*.mnl

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.

*.fmp

Information about font mappings for True Type Fonts used in the In-place Text Editor.

*.cus

Custom dictionary entries.

*.psf

Information about font substitution when exporting to a Postscript file.

*.bmp

Image used for a command in a customization file.

*.atc

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.

*.aws

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.

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

*.udl

Data connection settings used with dbConnect.

*.fdc

Definitions for fields; should not be modified.

*.dcl

Definitions for custom dialog boxes used with AutoLISP, ADS, or ObjectARX applications.

*.lli

Landscape library; this file type is no longer supported due to the removal of the LANDSCAPE command.

*.mli

Render material library; this file type is no longer supported due to changes to the MATERIALS command.

*.mnr

Resource images for a customization file; must have the same name as a customization file in order to be loaded by the product. The file is not included because it is auto-generated by the product when it is not present.

*.unt

Unit definitions used for converting a value from one unit type to another.

NoteFor information about customizing files and settings, see the Customization Guide, accessible from the Documentation link on the AutoCAD 2008 Installation wizard and in the Help system.