AutoCAD Architecture 2012

Readme

March 2011
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Contents

Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Drawing Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Renovation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Associative Array . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Graphics and Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Migration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Publishing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Wa l l s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Interoperability with Previous Releases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Command Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
AutoCAD Readme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Installation, Configuration and Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Join the Customer Involvement Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
General Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Graphics Card Driver Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
The User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Command and System Variable History . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Feature Limitations and Notes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

iii
 Product Removal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

iv | Contents
AutoCAD Architecture
2012 Readme
1
Overview
Welcome to the AutoCAD Architecture Readme.
This Readme contains important information about AutoCAD Architecture that
may not be included in the Help.

IMPORTANT
The Readme content for AutoCAD Architecture gets updated continuously. In
order to ensure that you have the latest information, verify that you are accessing
the Readme file from the Autodesk Website. Proceed as follows:

1 Click .
2 Click Options.
3 On the System tab, verify that in the Autodesk Exchange, Access online
content (including help) when available is checked.
4 Click OK.
5 Call up the Help again by pressing F1 and navigate to the Readme file.

1
Installation
Installation and Configuration

NOTE
You should close all running applications before installing AutoCAD
Architecture 2012.

Network
■ If AutoCAD Architecture 2012 is installed on a network that uses roaming
profiles, while synchronizing the user data folder to the server you may
get an error message similar to this one:
“Offline Files: Unable to make '2012 AEC-Keynotes-Assemblies
(Imperial).mdb' available offline on
<\\servername\home\username\autodesk\my projects\sample project\>.
Files of this type cannot be made available offline.”
This occurs because the Sample Project in My Documents contains a
Microsoft Access database. The warning can be safely ignored.

Content
■ During the install configuration, when using content in shared folders
with a mapped drive, you may receive the following error: 'Unable to
establish a connection with the directory for menus'. To resolve this error,
choose the Browse option to select that mapped drive location.

Add/Remove, Repair, Reinstall, Uninstall

Uninstalling AutoCAD Architecture 2012 or Content Packs

■ If the product is installed with Shared Configurable Folders on a machine
running Vista that is bound to a different domain than the Shared location,
the uninstall may halt when it tries to establish access to them. This error
can be resolved by disabling the User Account Control. Please refer to
Microsoft Help for directions on making this change.

Express Tools
■ After performing a reinstall of AutoCAD Architecture 2012, the Express
Tools ribbon may not be visible. In this case, open the Customize User
Interface editor, select the current workspace in Customizations in All Files,

2 | Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme

 then select the Express Tools tab in Workspace Contents > Ribbon Tabs.
Save and close the CUI editor. Selecting another tab on the ribbon will
make the Express Tools tab visible again.

Performance
Microsoft .NET Framework
■ You must install Microsoft .NET 3.5 SP1 Framework to ensure that AutoCAD
Architecture 2012 works correctly. The .NET 3.5 SP1 Framework can be
installed alongside the .NET 4.0 Framework that is required to install the
product.

Rollover Tooltips
■ When AutoCAD Architecture 2012 is installed on a 64-bit operating system,
the mouse cursor may hesitate and become “sticky” when hovering or
rolling over detail components. This behavior can be eliminated by turning
off the rollover tooltips for detail components:
■ Type CUI at the command line.
■ In the CUI dialog under “Customizations in All CUI Files,” select
Rollover Tooltips.
■ In the Object Type List, select “Detail Components.”
■ Uncheck the three properties listed. (Type, Layer, and Component
Information)
■ Click Apply and OK to get out of the CUI dialog.
■ Select to remove the object from the Object Type List in the task dialog
when it is presented.

■ Rollover tooltips will still be available for Detail Components but they will
only report AutoCAD entity information (e.g., Block Reference, Polyline,
and Hatch.) To re-enable the Detail Component specific data, reverse the
steps, edit the Object Type List, include Detail Components, and check
the three properties listed.

Content Browser
■ Dragging and dropping a package from Content Browser to the Tool Palette
will result in a lengthy delay when AutoCAD Architecture 2012 is installed

Performance | 3
 on Windows Vista. This delay only occurs the first time the action is
performed during a session.

AutoCAD Architecture's Overall Performance

AutoCAD Architecture's overall performance has been improved, especially
in terms of speed when we:
■ Launch AutoCAD Architecture.
■ Open an AutoCAD Architecture file.
■ Add AutoCAD Architecture objects.
■ Copy and move AutoCAD Architecture objects.
■ Orbit to change the view of a drawing.
While using orbit to change the view of a drawing, hatch properties are
disabled that results in improved performance and speed.

Features
Please refer to the following links for information about minor limitations in
certain features in AutoCAD Architecture 2012.

Drawing Management
■ AutoCAD Architecture 2012 installed on 64-bit Windows XP may crash
while loading a project if the project bulletin board contains the
<v:shapetype ..> node. To avoid this, edit the file and use the standard
HTML image tag <img> instead.
■ When post linking views to sheets wait a few seconds before moving the
mouse from the drawing editor to project navigator. Otherwise the post
link may not complete.
■ Space objects in 2007 or earlier version drawings will not be promoted
when the drawing is imported as a project sheet. The user must promote
any dwg before attempting to import its layout as a sheet in a project.
■ The AUDITPROJECT command will fail to produce a valid audit report for
a project whose contents, including all project standards drawings, are not
fully promoted to the new file format.
■ Invoking Properties in the project browser's window may result in an
Internet Explorer script error if the user has Internet Explorer 6 installed.

4 | Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme

 This will cause the application to become unresponsive, forcing the user
to terminate AutoCAD Architecture 2012. Users with Internet Explorer 6
should not right click and invoke properties in the Project Browser window.
Users with Internet Explorer 7 (or newer versions of IE) will not experience
this issue.

Renovation
■ AutoCAD objects, including 2D elements and blocks as well as multi-view
blocks will not change appearance when renovation mode is started. They
will be treated as Existing.
■ External reference drawings are not supported. Renovation actions will
only affect the current drawing.
■ Walls in different categories are assigned different cleanup group
definitions, so will not clean up with each other.

Associative Array
In AutoCAD Architecture, you cannot create associative array of custom objects
such as doors, window, door/window assemblies, railings, (associative) spaces,
and zones when they maintain relationship with other objects. If the objects
selected to be arrayed include custom objects that maintains relationships
with other objects, a task dialog is displayed where you can create a
non-associative array of all objects or remove custom objects from the selection
set to be arrayed. The objects that supports associative array are MvBlock,
Wall, Column, Beam, AecPolygon, and Mass Element.

Graphics and Display

General
■ When 2007 format drawings are first opened, Visual Styles other than 3D
Hidden may show Obscured Lines in AutoCAD Architecture 2012. This
can be corrected by setting VSOBSCUREDEDGES to 0.
■ The graphics for previewing a generated space may occasionally be incorrect
for highly complex freeform or extrusion geometries. However, the space
will still be generated correctly.

Features | 5
 ■ The drawings containing corner windows and window tags have visual
fidelity issues in versions prior to AutoCAD Architecture 2012.

Migration
■ CUI migration is supported starting with Autodesk Architectural Desktop
2007 and Autodesk Building Systems 2007.
■ MNU and CUI migration from earlier releases (MNU - 2004, 2005 and CUI
- 2006) can be accomplished from the CUI editor's transfer feature.
■ For product stability and usability of the current release, not all user-defined
options are migrated (such as the assignment of the main customization
and help files). Icons from migrated toolbars and menus may not display
correctly.
■ Icons from migrated toolbars and menus may not display correctly. For
partial CUI files that use icons from ACA.cuix, copy ACA.dll (found in the
program install directory) to the Support directory. It must also be renamed
to the same name as the partial CUI file.
■ During import migration, errors may be reported in the log for certain files
(e.g. .shx, .acb and .atc). The errors may be due to their read-only status.

Publishing
■ The Publish command available in the Application Menu (and at the
command line) will publish Sample Project sheets in color. To get the
correct black and white output, use the Project Navigator's Publish to DWF,
Publish to DWFx, or Publish to Plotter command instead. This behavior
is not present in other projects.
■ The publish options dialog may not retain the correct value for the “AEC
automatic properties” property. This dialog affects publishing operations
invoked from the Application Menu “Publish” button.
■ While it is possible to create or edit a published properties list (PPL) file
using the AEC DWF Publishing Options property of the Sheet Set Publish
Options dialog, it will not be possible to add new property set definitions
to this list from another drawing. Instead, create or edit the PPL file using
the AEC DWF Publishing Options selection available in the Application
Menu > Publish flyout; property set definitions from other drawings can
be added to a PPL file when the dialog is invoked in this fashion.

6 | Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme

Walls
Cleanups
■ A cleanup error can occur when a short wall segment lies within the
cleanup radius of another wall. After reducing the cleanup radius, run
“ObjRelUpdate” (on the Ribbon this is accessible from View > Appearance
> Regenerate Model) to see updated cleanup results.

Intelligent Cleanup
■ The Gap between and the relative location of walls may lead to different
wall intelligent cleanup results. In this case additional modifications may
be required to achieve the desired result.
■ Selecting too many walls in the drawing for the Intelligent Cleanup may
decrease performance.

Cleanup Overrides
■ Wall cleanup edit in-place conditions in your drawing may require
additional modification after certain AutoCAD edits, such as Copy, Move,
or Rotate, and other edits that change the arrangement of the cleanup
joint. In many cases the edited cleanup can be repaired by additional edit
in-place of the wall components. If the repair fails you will need to remove
the cleanup override using WallCleanupOverrideRemove.

Miscellaneous
Annotation

Updating legacy annotative content (prior to Release 2008) is outlined in the

AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Help. Navigate in the AutoCAD Architecture
User's Guide to Documentation > Annotation and Keynoting Tools >
Annotation Scaling.

NOTE
To ensure proper scaling, set the current annotation scale to 1:1 prior to
updating legacy annotative content.

Features | 7
 ExportLayout

■ Export drawings to AutoCAD before attempting to invoke and use the

ExportLayout command.

gbXML

■ Performing Export to gbXML from within a construct may cause error

messages to display when the XML file is imported in Green Building
Studio. To prevent error messages from displaying, open the construct as
a drawing outside of Project Navigator before running Export to gbXML.
■ Tapered interior walls for non-associative adjacent spaces export to gbxml
as exterior walls. To prevent this from happening, create the spaces so that
the sides of the adjacent spaces are parallel to each other.

IFC Export

■ IFC Export will export only the components of objects that are On in the
Model Display Set. IFC Export does not use the current display when
exporting the file. To verify the visibility of an object, open the Display
Manager and browse Sets and Representations by Object.
■ Both wall and slab objects that have overlapping components will be
exported without their named components. The components are combined
into one called “Unnamed.” The overall wall or slab geometry is maintained
to the shrinkwrap or outline extents only.
■ Wall and opening endcaps information can be exported. But only
subtractive endcaps are supported in export.
■ EMR license users need to use template files created by the student version
for IFCImport. Otherwise, IFCImport fails with exception thrown.

Reference Edit

■ Do not use refedit to edit blocks containing property set overrides. Instead,
use the block editor.

Schedules

■ When attempting to use CTRL-select to zoom to an object in a schedule

table, the Selection Preview Cycling panel may display instead. Selecting
“Don't show me this again” restores the Zoom functionality.

8 | Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme

■ A table that includes blocks containing AEC Objects will lose them when
Export to AutoCAD is run. Use a Schedule Table in this case, which will
preserve the contained block information.
■ The application may become unstable if a drawing contains a PDF overlay
schedule where one of the PDFs was scheduled as a multiple sheet PDF but
was subsequently replaced by a single sheet PDF.
■ If a drawing or one of its xrefs contains a schedule table configured to
schedule an external drawing, make sure that all referenced drawings have
IMAGEFRAME set to the same value. Additionally, the external drawing
referenced by the schedule table and all of that drawing's xrefs must use
this same IMAGEFRAME value.

Multi-View Blocks

The Block setting “Match orientation to layout” does not control annotation
in Multi-View Blocks.

Other

■ The display of a '+' sign in front of Elevation Labels in Metric has been
made consistent. This may mean that drawings which did not previously
show this will have a slight change in appearance. If it is unwanted, remove
the '+' sign by unchecking “Display '+' for Positive Values” on the AEC
Dimension tab of Options.
■ Drawing Compare may incorrectly identify differences in Block References
when comparing drawings that are saved in 2007 DWG format. In order
to ensure accurate comparison results, it is recommended that all drawings
be promoted to 2010 DWG format prior to being used in a drawing
comparison.
■ There is a change in appearance of the stair path graphics for a stair
terminated with a tread that have the Stair Line display property set to
“Cut Plane - Parallel” or “Entire Stair”. In releases prior to 2010, the arrow
would extend to the end of the stair. It now stops at the final riser, which
is consistent with stairs that terminate with a riser or landing
■ Imported building components may be scaled incorrectly after the current
profile is changed during an AutoCAD Architecture session. To avoid this
problem, do not change the current profile prior to importing building
components.
■ If you use AutoCAD JOIN command in AEC objects, AutoCAD Architecture
may crash because AutoCAD JOIN command does not support AEC objects.

Features | 9
Interoperability with Previous Releases
Data

■ Beginning with the 2008 release, AutoCAD Architecture uses greater

precision when performing internal calculations. Thus there may be minor
differences in reported values compared to earlier releases. This is
as-designed, and data reported in the 2008 and later versions is more
accurate.
■ A problem with calculating slab perimeters was fixed in AutoCAD
Architecture 2008. As a result the values of certain automatic properties
may change. The new results are correct.

Spaces

■ Openings added outside a surface area in AutoCAD Architecture 2008 will

have different locations when opened in AutoCAD Architecture 2012.

MasterFormat 2004

■ Beginning with AutoCAD Architecture 2008, the US Detail Component

and Keynote databases use the CSI MasterFormat 2004 standard. Using
the Detail Component/Keynote Database Migration utility to migrate your
database customizations from a database that uses the CSI MasterFormat
95 standard (as in Architectural Desktop 2007 and previous releases) is not
supported. This migration utility will not properly migrate custom records
from the older databases and may errantly overwrite records in the new
databases with CSI MasterFormat 95 data. The Detail Component/Keynote
Database Migration utility will promote databases that utilize the CSI
MasterFormat 2004 standard from AutoCAD Architecture 2008 and 2009
to AutoCAD Architecture 2012.
■ The Detail Component/Keynote Database Migration utility can still be
used to migrate records from one CSI MasterFormat 95 database to another.
Note also that using the Database Migration utility to update an older
database with data from the new CSI Masterformat 2004 database is not
supported.
■ If you want to use a database from Architectural Desktop 2007 or previous
releases with the current release of AutoCAD Architecture, you can load it
as described under the Adding a Detail Component Database to Available
Databases or the Adding a Keynote Database topics in Help. Note that the
older database must be located with its corresponding content, maintaining

10 | Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme

 the folder structure, to function properly. A previous-version details
database will not function with the new 2012 US details content. Likewise,
a previous-version keynote database will not function to automatically
keynote 2012 US details content, but will only detail components inserted
using previous-version details, or details in previous version drawings

Issues with Previous Version Drawings (Prior to AutoCAD Architecture

2010)

■ For best results, it is recommended that legacy drawings be opened and

saved in the 2010 format before attempting to combine them (through
Block Insert or Xref) with 2010 format drawings.
■ Drawings that were last saved in Architectural Desktop 2007 and earlier
versions, and that include slabs or roof slabs with boolean additions will
need to have the appropriate shrink wrap component turned on in order
to display the full volume of the object. Slabs that contain boolean
operations will be converted to interference conditions with additive
interferences being applied to the slab's shrink wrap body display
component. By default, slab and roof slabs in AutoCAD Architecture 2012
have the model shrink wrap body display component turned off, so this
option will need to be turned on in order to see additive interferences from
legacy slabs.
■ Project Standards in AutoCAD Architecture 2012 will not operate when
either the standards drawings or project drawings have not been promoted
to the 2010 format. When a project is promoted from a previous version
to the current drawing and project formats, Projects Standards automatically
assigns new versions to many objects. Consequently, it will be necessary
to synchronize the project again. Prior to this action, the standards drawings
should be opened, and new version comment should be added through
either Style Manager or Display Manager. If an entire project remains
unpromoted, the Analyzing Project Drawings dialog will appear blank with
an empty progress meter. This condition will clear once the entire project
has been processed.

Promoting a Project for AutoCAD Architecture 2012

■ The promotion of previous version drawings to 2010 format can be

automated through the use of the following process, which starts with the
creation of a batch (bat) file. Running the batch file makes a complete copy
of the project (or folder that contains previous version drawings), then
recursively searches for all dwg, dwt and dws files contained in this location
and finally generates a script (scr) file. Running the script file results in

Interoperability with Previous Releases | 11

 each of the copied dwg and dwt files being opened, saved and closed,
which results in these files being promoted to 2010 format. If any dws files
are contained in the designated folder, their paths are displayed. These
files will need to be manually opened and saved in 2010 format.

NOTE
Use this process at your own risk. It is recommended that all files be backed
up prior to running the batch and script files. If you have copied a project
to a new location, be sure to repath the project with the original version
of AutoCAD Architecture/Architectural Desktop prior to running the
promote programs.

1 Start a session of Microsoft Notepad.

2 Copy the text that resides between the two dashed lines (see below)
and paste it into Microsoft Notepad.
3 Save the resultant file as promote.bat and close Microsoft Notepad.
4 From a DOS prompt, run the promote.bat file using the following
syntax:
promote.bat [projectName] [projectLocation] [scriptName]
[promotionTarget]
Replace [projectName] with the name of the parent folder that
contains the drawings to be promoted.
Replace [projectLocation] with the path to the parent folder that
was entered as [projectName].
Replace [scriptName] with the desired name of the script that will
be generated. The root of the file name can be customized but the
file extension must always be .scr.
Replace [promotionTarget] with a path and folder name for the
location where the drawings to be promoted will be copied.

NOTE
Arguments containing spaces must be enclosed in quotes. For
example: “C:\My Documents\Autodesk\My Projects\Stadium
Project”.

As an example, if you had previous version drawings stored in a

R:\CAD_Files\Projects\2006\Hospital folder and wanted the
promoted version of these files to be created in a
R:\CAD_Files\Projects\2009\Hospital folder, the following would
be the appropriate syntax to use:

12 | Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme

 promote.bat Hospital R:\CAD_Files\Projects\2006\ promote.scr
R:\CAD_Files\Projects\2009
When this process is complete, a script file with the specified name
is generated in the same folder as the promote.bat file. Running this
script file will automatically promote each of the copied drawings
that reside in the [promotionTarget] location to 2010 format.
During the use of this script, please note that if any dialogs are
displayed when a previous version drawing is opened, the script will
terminate. If this problem is encountered, edit the script file and
remove all references up to the last previous version drawing that
was successfully promoted. Next, identify the reason why the
unexpected dialog was displayed and take the necessary steps to
eliminate the display of this dialog. Then run the modified script file
and the remainder of the copied drawings should be promoted to
2012 format. If the script halts frequently due to unexpected dialogs,
run the AecFileOpenMessage command and change the current value
to No, which may help to eliminate this problem. Be sure to restore
the original AecFileOpenMessage value after the promotion process
is complete.

@echo off
SETLOCAL
@rem promote.bat
@rem This script promotes a project to the current DWG
format.
:Greeting
echo.
echo This script promotes a project to the current DWG
format.
echo For best results, please run this script using
administrator privileges on Windows Vista systems.
echo.
PAUSE
:checkCmdArgs
if [%4] EQU [] goto :badArgCount
if [%3] EQU [] goto :badArgCount
if [%2] EQU [] goto :badArgCount
if [%1] EQU [] goto :badArgCount
if [%5] NEQ [] goto :badArgCount
set prjName=%1
set prjDir=%2
set scrName=%3

Interoperability with Previous Releases | 13

 set targetDir=%4
goto :checkProject
:getProject
set /P prjName="What is the name of the project?: "
set /P prjDir="Where can it be found?: "
goto :checkProject
:checkProject
set prjNameEsc=%prjName:&=^&%
set firstChar=%prjName:~0,1%
if ^%firstChar% EQU ^" set prjName=%prjNameEsc:~1,-1%
set prjNameDisplay=%prjName:&=^^^&%
set prjDirEsc=%prjDir:&=^&%
set firstChar=%prjDir:~0,1%
if ^%firstChar% EQU ^" set prjDir=%prjDirEsc:~1,-1%
set prjDirDisplay=%prjDir:&=^^^&%
set project="%prjDir%\%prjName%"
if not exist %project% goto :noProject
if not defined scrName (goto :getScript) else (goto
:checkScript)
:getScript
set /P scrName="Specify a name for the ACAD script: "
goto :checkScript
:checkScript
set scrNameEsc=%scrName:&=^&%
set firstChar=%scrName:~0,1%
if ^%firstChar% EQU ^" set scrName=%scrNameEsc:~1,-1%
set scrExt=%scrName:~-4%
if /I "%scrExt%" NEQ ".scr" set scrName=%scrName%.scr
set scrNameDisplay=%scrName:&=^^^&%
if exist "%scrName%" goto :scrFound
if not defined targetDir (goto :getTarget) else (goto
:checkTarget)
:getTarget
set /P targetDir="Specify a directory to host the promoted
project: "
goto :checkTarget
:checkTarget
set targetDirEsc=%targetDir:&=^&%
set firstChar=%targetDir:~0,1%
if ^%firstChar% EQU ^" set targetDir=%targetDirEsc:~1,-1%
set targetDirDisplay=%targetDir:&=^^^&%
set prjDest="%targetDir%\%prjName%"
if not exist "%targetDir%" (

14 | Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme

md "%targetDir%"
echo.
echo Created target directory %targetDirDisplay%
goto :copyProject
) else (
if exist %prjDest% (goto :targetFound) else (goto
:copyProject)
)
ENDLOCAL
exit /B
:badArgCount
echo.
echo This utility can be run as a single command with the
following syntax:
echo.
echo promote.bat [projectName] [projectLocation]
[scriptName] [promotionTarget].
echo.
goto :getProject
:noProject
echo.
echo You have specified a project %prjNameDisplay% in the
directory %prjDirDisplay%.
echo This could not be found. Please try again.
echo.
goto :getProject
:badScrExt
echo.
echo Your Autocad script must have the extension ".scr"
and you specified %scrNameDisplay%.
echo Please try again.
echo.
goto :getScript
:scrFound
echo.
echo An Autocad script with the name %scrNameDisplay% is
already present in the working directory.
echo Delete this script or specify a different script name.
echo.
goto :getScript
:targetFound
echo.
echo A project with name %prjNameDisplay% was found in the

Interoperability with Previous Releases | 15

 target area %targetDirDisplay%.
echo Delete this project or specify another target area.
echo.
goto :getTarget
:copyProject
echo.
CLS
echo Copying project %prjNameDisplay%...
xcopy %project% %prjDest% /E /I /Q /H
attrib -A -R %prjDest% /D /S
echo Copied project %prjNameDisplay% to %prjDest%.
echo.
goto :genScript
:genScript
echo.
set count=0
@for /R %prjDest% %%i in (*.dwg) do (
set /a count+=1
echo _open "%%i">>"%scrName%"
echo _qsave>>"%scrName%"
echo _close>>"%scrName%"
)
echo Found %count% DWG files to be updated in the project
%prjNameDisplay%.
set /a totalFiles=%count%
set count=0
@for /R %prjDest% %%i in (*.dwt) do (
set /a count+=1
echo _open "%%i">>"%scrName%"
echo _qsave>>"%scrName%"
echo _close>>"%scrName%"
)
echo Found %count% DWT files to be updated in the project
%prjNameDisplay%.
echo.
set /a totalFiles=%totalFiles%+%count%
if %totalFiles% == 0 (
echo.
echo No DWG or DWT files were found in the project
%prjName%!
echo There is nothing to promote.
echo.
echo Deleting the copy of %prjName% from %targetDir%.

16 | Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme

echo The directory %targetDir% has been retained in case
other folders or files are present.
echo.
RMDIR /Q/S %prjDest%
) else (
echo.
echo TO COMPLETE THE PROMOTION:
echo.
echo [1] Start ADT and make sure that a project is NOT
currently active.
echo [2] Disable the previous version courtesy dialog using
the AecFileOpenMessage command.
echo [3] Verify that the copy of the project located at
%targetDirDisplay% has the same
echo file count as the original copy located at
%prjDirDisplay%.
echo [4] Run the script %scrNameDisplay%.
@for /R %prjDest% %%i in (*.dws) do (
set /a foundDWS=1
goto :break
)
:break
if DEFINED foundDWS (
echo [5] Resave the following DWS file^(s^), making sure
to preserve filenames.
echo ^(These cannot be promoted via a script as DWT and
DWG files can.^)
echo.
@for /R %prjDest% %%i in (*.dws) do (
echo %%i
)
)
echo.
echo.
echo The project %prjNameDisplay% located in
%targetDirDisplay% will then be promoted
echo to the current file format.
echo.
echo After this process is complete you may use this project

echo where it currently resides, or replace the old one

with this new copy.
echo.

Interoperability with Previous Releases | 17

 )
ENDLOCAL
exit /B

Command Glossary
New Commands

AecCustomColumnGrid

Displays Custom Column Grid dialog to allow you define a number of aspects
previously not user-definable for custom column grids.

AecsCustomColumn

Allows you to create a column with a user-defined closed linework profile,

like for example circles, rectangles, ellipses, splines, and closed polylines

WallcleanupI

Trims or extends selected walls to create one or more L-shaped/T-shaped

intersections.

AecCustomColumnGridLineAdd

Adds the grid lines using the specified linework of a custom column grid.

AecCustomColumnGridLabelAdd

Adds labels to the selected custom column grid.

AecCustomColumnGridAdd

Converts linework (for example lines, polylines, circles, rectangles, ellipses,

and splines) into a custom column grid.

AecCustomColumnGridLabelEdit

Edits the label values of the selected grid line of a custom column grid.

18 | Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme

AecCustomLayoutGridRemovalLines

Removes the grid lines of both custom column grids and enhanced custom
column grids.

AecCustomColumnGridLineRemove

Removes the grid lines of both custom column grids and enhanced custom
column grids.

AecWindowCorner

Allows you to add a corner window and specify the properties, style, hinge,
and swing direction of a corner window and a regular window.

AecWindowCornerAdd

Adds a corner window to a wall corner.

Commands with Expanded Functionality

The following commands now work during Wall cleanup edit in place session:
■ AecFillet: Rounds and fillets the edges of components during Wall cleanup
edit in place session.
■ AecChamfer: Bevels the edges of components during Wall cleanup edit
in place session.

The following commands now work for below AEC objects:

■ Walls
■ Column Grids
■ Columns
■ Beams
■ Curtain Walls
■ Mass Elements
■ Multi-View Blocks

Command Description

GcCollinear Aligns one AEC object with another.

Command Glossary | 19
 Command Description

GcCoincident Constrains 2 points on AEC objects to coincide.

GcVertical Constrains lines or pairs of points on objects to lie parallel to the

Y-axis of the current UCS.

GcHorizontal Constrains lines or pairs of points on AEC objects to lie parallel

to the X-axis of the current UCS.

GcFix Point constraint that maintains the position of AEC object.

GcParallel Constrains 2 AEC objects to parallel.

GcPerpendicular Constrains 2 AEC objects to perpendicular.

GcConcentric Constrains circle, arc or ellipse lines on 2 AEC objects to maintain

the same center point.

GcTangent Constrains 2 curved AEC objects to maintain a point of tangency

to each other or their extensions.

GcSmooth Constrains 2 splined AEC objects to be contiguous and maintain

G2 continuity with each other.

GcSymmetric Constrains 2 AEC objects or points on objects to maintain sym-

metry about a selected line.

GcEqual Constrains 2 AEC objects to maintain equal lengths, or arc and

circle objects to maintain the equal radius values.

DcAligned Maintains the distance between 2 parallel elements on 2 different

AEC objects.

DcRadius Maintains a specific radius of an AEC object.

DcDiameter Maintains a specific diameter of an AEC object.

20 | Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme

Command Description

DcAngular Maintains a specific angle between 2 AEC objects.

DcLinear Constrains the horizontal or vertical distance between points on

AEC objects.

DcHorizontal Constrains the X-distance between points on AEC objects.

DcVertical Constrains the Y-distance between points on AEC objects.

Deprecated Commands

Command Description

AecRailingCleanup Cleans up railing components

Deprecated Commands from the Productivity Extension 2010

NOTE
The functionality in these commands has been integrated into the Walls,
Doors, Windows, and Enhanced Column Grid commands. They can be accessed
from the Ribbon, the Properties palette, and the command line.

■ AecDoorAddOffsetFromGridLine
■ AecDoorAddCenterGridLines
■ AecDoorAddCenterGridLines
■ AecDoorAddEvenlyWalls
■ AecDoorAddEntireWall
■ AecWindowAddOffsetFromGridLine
■ AecWindowAddCenterGridLines
■ AecWindowAddCenterGridLines
■ AecWindowAddEvenlyWalls
■ AecWindowAddEntireWall
■ AecCustomColumnGridLineOffset

Command Glossary | 21
 ■ AecCustomColumnGridLineRemove
■ AecCustomColumnGridDim
■ AecCustomColumnGridLabelAdd
■ AecCustomColumnGridLabelEdit
■ AecCustomColumnGridLineDim

Changed Commands from the Renovation Extension 2010

Command Name Old Abbre- New Abbrevicated Command

viated
Command

AECADDTODEMOLITION RAD ADDTODEMOLITION

AECADDTOEXISTING RAE ADDTOEXISTING

AECADDTONEW RAN ADDTONEW

AECCREATEDEMOPLAN RCDP CREATEDEMOPLAN

AECCREATEREVPLAN RCRP CREATEREVPLAN

AECDEMOOFF RDV DEMOOFF

AECFREEZEWALLS RFW FREEZEWALLS

AECNEWOFF RNV NEWOFF

AECRENOVATION RENOV RENOVATION

AECRENOVATIONOPTIONS ROPT RENOVATIONOPTIONS

AECRESETFROZENWALLS RRFW RESETFROZENWALLS

AECSELECTDEMOLITION RSD SELECTDEMOLITION

22 | Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme

 Command Name Old Abbre- New Abbrevicated Command
viated
Command

AECSELECTEXISTING RSE SELECTEXISTING

AECSELECTNEW RSN SELECTNEW

AECRENOVATIONCATALOG UTL RENOVATIONCATALOG

AutoCAD Readme

Overview
This Readme contains important information about AutoCAD 2012 that may
not be included in Help.
Check the online readme for information on any updated instructions and
known software problems.

Installation, Configuration and Hardware

Installation and Configuration

Before you install AutoCAD 2012, close all applications.

Dual CD/DVD ROM Drives

■ When you attempt to install AutoCAD 2012 using different drives of a
dual CD/DVD ROM drive, installation fails. You must use the same disc
drive to complete the installation process.

Visual Basic for Applications (VBA)

Microsoft Visual Basic® for Applications (VBA) is available for free download
at http://www.autodesk.com/vba-download. Autodesk is transitioning from VBA
technology to .NET Framework. The VBA module is available for AutoCAD
2012-based products as an unsupported feature. It will not be available in

AutoCAD Readme | 23
 future releases of AutoCAD. Autodesk will provide documentation and other
assistance to help customers and developers migrate from VBA to .NET
Framework.

To install the AutoCAD 2012 VBA module

1 Close all programs.

2 Visit http://www.autodesk.com/vba-download and based on your operating
system, download the self-extracting executable (EXE) file.
For 32-bit: AutoCAD_2012_VBAEnabler_Win_32bit.exe
For 64-bit: AutoCAD_2012_VBAEnabler_Win_64bit.exe
3 In Windows Explorer, double-click the downloaded file.
4 Unzip the file to the location of your choice, or use the default location.
5 Follow the on-screen instructions.

DirectX Installation Using SCCM

DirectX installations using Microsoft System Center Configuration Manager
(SCCM) 2007 fail on systems running Microsoft Windows XP. Before installing
with SCCM, download and install DirectX 9 from your AutoCAD 2012
installation disc to one of the following directories:
■ <MediaRoot>\3rdParty\DirectX

VC++ Runtime Installation Using SCCM Forces Reboot

VC++ runtime installations using SCCM 2007 fail on systems running Microsoft
Windows XP. Before installing with SCCM, download and install VC++ 2008
SP1 runtime from your AutoCAD 2012 installation disc to one of the following
directories, depending on your processor:
■ <MediaRoot>\3rdParty\x86\VCRedist\2008
■ <MediaRoot>\3rdParty\x64\VCRedist\2008

Custom Folder in Deployments

In the AutoCAD 2012 Deployment Wizard the Select Installation Folders for
Support Content page allows you to specify a custom folder in which to copy
support content.
If you specify a folder location that has Read Only permission at the user level
according to the Microsoft Vista User Access Control, then AutoCAD may
become unstable. To avoid this, ensure that you have Write permission on
your Microsoft Vista machine when creating your deployment with the Custom
Folder option.

24 | Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme

Single Share Folder Option for Deployment Images
When using the Single Shared Folder option to create a deployment image,
specify a folder name to avoid creating an invalid deployment image. Do not
leave the folder name as “<Shared folder path>”.

Microsoft .NET 4.0 Framework requires Windows Imaging Component

If the Autodesk Installer prompts you to install the Microsoft .NET 4.0
Framework, the .NET 4.0 Framework installer may prompt you to first install
the Windows Imaging Component (WIC). This can occur if you do not have
the latest Microsoft Windows updates or service packs. You most likely need
WIC if you are running Windows XP SP2 without certain Windows Updates
installed. If required, the Microsoft WIC installers are available at the following
locations:
■ Windows Imaging Component installer (32-bit)
■ Windows Imaging Component installer (64-bit)

Licensing

Running a Network License Manager on Microsoft Windows Vista

When starting the network version of AutoCAD 2012 on a Microsoft Windows
Vista workstation, you may encounter licensing error -15 if the Network License
Manager is running on Windows Vista (FLEXlm server version 11.4.100).

Do the following:
■ Install the latest service pack and updates for Microsoft Windows Vista.

If you continue to encounter errors, do the following:

■ On the Start menu (Windows Vista), click Control Panel ➤ Network and
Sharing Center ➤ Manage Network Connections. Right-click Local Area
Connection. Click Properties. Clear the check box for Internet Protocol 6
(TCP/IPv6). Click OK.

FLEXIm License is Created in Two Locations

The FLEXlm License Finder dialog box may not display when AutoCAD 2012
is started for non-administrative users who are using Windows Vista 64-bit.
The license server path information is stored in the
HLKM\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node path, which is not accessible to
non-administrative users.

AutoCAD Readme | 25
 To fix this problem, replicate the license server path information stored in
the above path to go to the HKLM\software\FLEXlm License Manager path.

Hardware

Graphics Card Driver Update

For the best program performance, verify and update your graphics card driver.
For more information, see Graphics Card Driver Update (page 28).

Remote Access Applications

It is not recommended that you use any type of remote access application in
conjunction with AutoCAD 2012 when it is configured to use hardware
acceleration. Most remote access applications cannot support hardware
acceleration, which can cause general display failure and instability. If you
need to use remote access applications, disable hardware acceleration or use
the /NOHARDWARE command line switch to start AutoCAD 2012 in Software
mode.

Hardware Certification Database

To download and install the latest hardware certification XML file, visit
http://www.autodesk.com/autocad-graphicscard.

Join the Customer Involvement Program

You are invited to help guide the direction of Autodesk design software.
If you participate in the Customer Involvement Program (CIP), specific
information about how you use AutoCAD is forwarded to Autodesk. This
information includes what features you use the most, problems that you
encounter, and other information helpful to the future direction of the
product.
See the following links for more information.
■ Learn more about the Autodesk Customer Involvement Program:
http://www.autodesk.com/cip
■ Read the Autodesk Privacy Statement: http://www.autodesk.com/cipprivacy

When you join, you will be able to view reports that can help you optimize
your use of AutoCAD.

26 | Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme

To turn the CIP on or off

1 On the InfoCenter toolbar, to the right of the Help button, click the
drop-down arrow.
2 Click Customer Involvement Program.
3 In the Customer Involvement Program dialog box, select to start or stop
participating.
4 Click OK.

General Information
Configuring a Database to Use With AutoCAD Drawings (dbConnect)

AutoCAD 2012 for 64-bit does not support Microsoft Jet 4.0 OLE DB Provider
(for .MDB connectivity) and Microsoft OLE DB Provider for ODBC Drivers
(for .XLS connectivity). For more information, see Substituting SQL Server for
OLE DB in the Driver and Peripheral Guide.

Drawing File Format Compatibility

AutoCAD 2012 uses the AutoCAD 2010 Drawing file format. The AutoCAD
2010 Drawing file format is not compatible with previous releases. AutoCAD
2012 can open drawings from previous releases; however, to open AutoCAD
2012 files in a previous release, you must use the SAVEAS command to save
the file in an appropriate file format. The following table illustrates which file
formats to use when saving to a previous release:

Drawing File Format Releases Using File Format

AutoCAD 2010 Drawing AutoCAD 2012, AutoCAD 2011, AutoCAD

2010

AutoCAD 2007 Drawing AutoCAD 2009, AutoCAD 2008, AutoCAD

2007

AutoCAD 2004 Drawing AutoCAD 2006, AutoCAD 2005, AutoCAD

2004

AutoCAD Readme | 27
 Drawing File Format Releases Using File Format

AutoCAD 2000 Drawing AutoCAD 2002, AutoCAD 2000i, AutoCAD

2000

AutoCAD 14 Drawing AutoCAD R14

API Compatibility

AutoCAD 2012 is binary compatible with AutoCAD 2011 and AutoCAD 2010,
but not AutoCAD 2009 and prior releases. To make applications developed
for AutoCAD 2009 or earlier releases compatible with AutoCAD 2012, you
must recompile them with the ObjectARX 2012 libraries. Applications compiled
with the ObjectARX 2012 libraries might not work in AutoCAD 2011 or prior
releases. If your applications need to be compatible with AutoCAD 2010 and
later, use the ObjectARX 2010 libraries.
In AutoCAD 2012, if you enter the VLIDE command, pressing F1 opens
Autodesk Exchange for AutoCAD or the locally installed Help files. To open
the AutoLISP Reference Guide, on the Help Home page, click Developer's
Documentation and then click AutoLISP Reference Guide (or click AutoLISP
Reference Guide when using Help locally). In Visual LISP™, select a function in
the editor window and press Ctrl+F1 to access information about the selected
function.
For help with vla-* functions, see the AutoCAD ActiveX and VBA Reference
available at C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\acadauto.chm (not
available online).

Plot Styles Folder is Installed Inside the Plotters Folder

The Plot Styles folder is located within the Plotters folder; they are no longer
at the same level.

Graphics Card Driver Update

To optimize AutoCAD 2012, verify and update your graphics card driver.

To identify your graphics card driver

1 Start AutoCAD 2012.

28 | Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme

 2 At the Command prompt, enter 3dconfig.
3 In the Adaptive Degradation and Performance Tuning dialog box, click
View Tune Log.
4 Review the 3D Device section for information about your system's
graphics card driver and driver version.

If you need to update your driver, visit

http://www.autodesk.com/autocad-graphicscard to find a certified driver for your
graphics card. If you do not find one, visit your graphics card manufacturer's
website. If the graphics card manufacturer does not have an updated driver,
check the system manufacturer’s website. Companies such as IBM, Hewlett
Packard, and Dell often supply their own system drivers.

The User Interface

Workspaces

A workspace is a set of menus, toolbars, palettes, and ribbon panels that are
grouped and organized to create a task-based drawing environment. With the
exception of the AutoCAD Classic workspace, each displays the ribbon and
application menu. The following workspaces are available:
Drafting & Annotation Displays tools specific to 2D drafting.

3D Basics Displays basic tools specific to 3D modeling.

3D Modeling Displays tools specific to 3D modeling.

AutoCAD Classic Displays AutoCAD without the ribbon.

To switch workspaces, do one of the following:

■ On the Quick Access toolbar, click the Workspace drop-down list and select
a workspace.
■ On the application status bar, click the Workspace Switching button and
select a workspace.

Other Related Information

DesignCenter
■ In US English, DesignCenter Online (DC Online tab) is disabled by default.
You can enable it from the CAD Manager Control utility.

AutoCAD Readme | 29
 Command and System Variable History
Learning Resources

To learn about AutoCAD 2012, including the new and updated commands
and system variables listed below, use the following resources:
■ Autodesk Exchange for AutoCAD

■ Help menu ➤ Additional Resources ➤ Developer Help

■ Help menu ➤ Additional Resources ➤ Autodesk User Group International
(AUGI)
■ The Autodesk website
■ Learning Resources page
■ Tutorials

New and Updated Commands

The following commands are new or have been updated in AutoCAD 2012:
3DCONFIG
Sets options that affect 3D display performance.

-3DCONFIG
Sets options that affect 3D display performance.

3DEDITBAR
Reshapes, scales, and edits the tangency of NURBS surfaces.

ARRAY
Creates copies of objects arranged in a 2D or 3D pattern.

ARRAYCLOSE
Saves back or discards changes made to an array's source objects and exits the
array editing state.

ARRAYEDIT
Edits associative array objects and their source objects.

ARRAYPATH
Evenly distributes object copies along a path or a portion of a path.

ARRAYPOLAR
Evenly distributes object copies in a circular pattern around a center point or
axis of rotation.

30 | Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme

ARRAYRECT
Distributes object copies into any combination of rows, columns, and levels.

AUTOCOMPLETE
Controls what types of automated keyboard features are available at the
Command prompt.

BLEND
Creates a spline in the gap between two selected lines or curves.

CHAMFER
Bevels the edges of objects.

CHAMFEREDGE
Bevels the edges of 3D solids and surfaces.

CLASSICGROUP
Opens the legacy Object Grouping dialog box.

CONTENTEXPLORER
Finds and inserts content such as drawing files, blocks, and styles.

CONTENTEXPLORERCLOSE
Closes the Content Explorer window.

CONVERT
Optimizes 2D polylines and associative hatches created in AutoCAD Release
13 or earlier.

COPY
Copies objects a specified distance in a specified direction.

CUI
Manages the customized user interface elements in the product.

CUSTOMIZE
Customizes tool palettes and tool palette groups.

DATAEXTRACTION
Extracts drawing data and merges data from an external source to a data
extraction table or external file.

-DATAEXTRACTION
Extracts drawing data and merges data from an external source to a data
extraction table or external file.

DGNBIND (-DGNBIND)
Binds DGN underlays to the current drawing.

AutoCAD Readme | 31
 DWGCONVERT
Converts drawing format version for selected drawing files.

EXTEND
Extends objects to meet the edges of other objects.

FILLET
Rounds and fillets the edges of objects.

FILLETEDGE
Rounds and fillets the edges of solid objects.

FILTER
Creates a list of requirements that an object must meet to be included in a
selection set.

GETLINK
Generates a URL to the AutoCAD WS online copy of the current drawing.

GROUP
Creates and manages saved sets of objects called groups.

GROUPEDIT
Adds and removes objects from the selected group, or renames a selected
group.

JOIN
Joins the endpoints of lines, 2D and 3D polylines, arcs, elliptical arcs, helixes,
and splines to create single object.

LIST
Displays property data for selected objects.

LOFT
Creates a 3D solid or surface in the space between several cross sections.

MANAGEUPLOADS
Manages the uploading of files stored on the AutoCAD WS server.

MEASUREGEOM
Measures the distance, radius, angle, area, and volume of selected objects or
sequence of points.

MESHCAP
Creates a mesh face that connects open edges.

MESSAGES
Displays messages from your AutoCAD WS account.

32 | Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme

NCOPY
Copies objects that are contained in an xref, block, or DGN underlay.

OFFSETEDGE
Creates a closed polyline or spline object that is offset by a specified distance
from the edges of a selected face on a 3D solid or a planar surface.

ONLINEDRAWINGS
Opens AutoCAD WS in a web browser and lists the available online files.

OPENONLINE
Opens the AutoCAD WS Editor in a web browser and displays an online copy
of the current drawing for online editing and sharing.

OPTIONS
Customizes the program settings.

OVERKILL
Removes duplicate or overlapping lines, arcs, and polylines. Also, combines
partially overlapping or contiguous ones.

-OVERKILL
Removes duplicate or overlapping lines, arcs, and polylines. Also, combines
partially overlapping or contiguous ones.

PRESSPULL
Presses or pulls bounded areas.

PURGE
Removes unused items, such as block definitions and layers, from the drawing.

-PURGE
Removes unused items, such as block definitions and layers, from the drawing.

QSELECT
Creates a selection set based on filtering criteria.

QUICKCUI
Displays the Customize User Interface Editor in a collapsed state.

QUICKPROPERTIES
Displays quick property data for selected objects.

SHARE
Shares the AutoCAD WS online copy of the current drawing with other users.

SPLINEDIT
Modifies the parameters of a spline or converts a spline-fit polyline to a spline.

AutoCAD Readme | 33
 SURFBLEND
Creates a continuous blend surface between two existing surfaces.

SURFPATCH
Creates a new surface by fitting a cap over a surface edge that forms a closed
loop.

TIMELINE
Provides access to previous versions of the AutoCAD WS online copy of the
current drawing.

UCS
Manages user coordinate systems.

UCSICON
Controls the visibility and placement of the UCS icon.

UNGROUP
Explodes a group.

UPLOAD
Uploads the current drawing to AutoCAD WS and controls whether to
automatically upload changes.

UPLOADFILES
Uploads selected files to AutoCAD WS.

VIEWBASE
Creates a base view from model space or Autodesk Inventor models.

VIEWEDIT
Edits an existing 2D View.

VIEWPROJ
Creates one or more projected views from an existing 2D View.

VIEWSETPROJ
Specifies the active project file for drawings containing drawing views from
Inventor models.

VIEWSTD
Defines the default settings for 2D Views.

VIEWUPDATE
Updates 2D Views that have become out of date because the source model
has changed.

VPLAYER
Sets layer visibility within viewports.

34 | Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme

-VPORTS
Creates multiple viewports in model space or paper space.

New and Updated System Variables

The following system variables are new or have been updated in AutoCAD
2012:
APPAUTOLOAD
Controls when plug-in applications are loaded.

ARRAYEDITSTATE
Indicates whether the drawing is in the array editing state, which is activated
while editing an associative array's source objects.

ARRAYTYPE
Specifies the default array type.

AUTOCOMPLETEDELAY
Controls the amount of time that elapses before automated keyboard features
display at the Command prompt.

AUTOCOMPLETEMODE
Controls what types of automated keyboard features are available at the
Command prompt.

CONTENTEXPLORERSTATE
Indicates whether the Content Explorer window is open or closed.

DELOBJ
Controls whether geometry used to create 3D objects is retained or deleted.

DGNFRAME
Determines whether DGN underlay frames are visible or plotted in the current
drawing.

DGNIMPORTMODE
Controls the default behavior of the DGNIMPORT command.

DRAGP1
When hardware acceleration is on, controls how many vectors the system
draws when you drag objects within a 2D viewport before it checks for a new
input sample from the mouse.

DRAGP2
When software acceleration is used, controls how many vectors the system
draws when you drag objects within a 2D viewport before it checks for a new
input sample from the mouse.

AutoCAD Readme | 35
 DWFFRAME
Determines whether DWF or DWFx underlay frames are visible or plotted in
the current drawing.

DYNINFOTIPS
Turns cycling tips for grip manipulation on and off.

FRAME
Controls the display of frames for all images, underlays, and clipped xrefs.

FRAMESELECTION
Controls whether the frame of an image, underlay, or clipped xref can be
selected.

GROUPDISPLAYMODE
Controls the display and grips on groups, when group selection is on.

HPQUICKPREVTIMEOUT
Sets the maximum duration that AutoCAD tries to generate a hatch preview
when using the HATCH command.

IMAGEFRAME
Controls whether image frames are displayed and plotted.

LAYOUTCREATEVIEWPORT
Specifies if a single viewport should be created on each new layout added to
a drawing.

PDFFRAME
Determines whether the PDF underlay frame is visible.

PICKAUTO
Controls automatic windowing at the Select Objects prompt.

PICKDRAG
Controls the method of drawing a selection window.

PREVIEWCREATIONTRANSPARENCY
Controls the transparency of the preview generated while using SURFBLEND,
SURFPATCH, SURFFILLET, FILLETEDGE, CHAMFEREDGE, and LOFT
commands.

PROPOBJLIMIT
Limits the number of objects that can be changed at one time with the
Properties and Quick Properties palettes.

RIBBONICONRESIZE
Controls the resizing of images on the ribbon to standard sizes.

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SHORTCUTMENUDURATION
Specifies how long (in milliseconds) the right button on a pointing device
must be pressed to display a shortcut menu in the drawing area.

SHOWPAGESETUPFORNEWLAYOUTS
Specifies if the Page Setup Manager is displayed when a new layout is created.

SNAPMODE
Turns the Snap mode on and off.

SOLIDHIST
Controls the default history property setting for solid objects.

SPLPERIODIC
Controls whether splines and NURBS surfaces are generated with periodic
properties when they are closed, or whether they exhibit legacy behavior.

STARTUP
Controls whether the Create New Drawing dialog box is displayed when a
new drawing is started with NEW or QNEW.

TBSHOWSHORTCUTS
Specifies if shortcut keys are displayed in tooltips.

TOOLTIPSIZE
Sets the display size for tooltips.

TOOLTIPTRANSPARENCY
Sets the transparency for tooltips.

UCS2DDISPLAYSETTING
Displays the UCS icon when the 2D Wireframe visual style is current.

UCS3DPARADISPLAYSETTING
Displays the UCS icon when perspective view is off and a 3D visual style is
current.

UCS3DPERPDISPLAYSETTING
Displays the UCS icon when perspective view is on and a 3D visual style is
current.

UCSSELECTMODE
Controls whether the UCS icon is highlighted when the cursor moves over it
and whether you can click to select the icon.

VPCONTROL
Controls whether the Viewport label menus are displayed in all viewports.

WORKSPACELABEL

AutoCAD Readme | 37
 Controls the display of the workspace label in the status bar.

XCLIPFRAME
Determines whether xref clipping boundaries are visible or plotted in the
current drawing.

Deprecated Commands and System Variables

In this release, the following have been deprecated:

Commands
■ BLIPMODE
■ DSVIEWER

System Variables
■ BLIPMODE
■ MATERIALSPATH
■ MATSTATE
■ SCREENBOXES
■ SCREENMENU
■ TRACEWID

Feature Limitations and Notes

The following are known issues with this release:

Importing 3D Models
■ The IMPORT command does not support mesh geometry.

Importing Custom Settings

■ If User Account Control (UAC) is enabled on Windows Vista or Windows
7, or if you do not have administrator privileges, importing a custom setting
may result in an error. To work around this issue, do any of the following:
■ Log in using an administrator account before running Import AutoCAD
2012 Settings.
■ Right-click the Import AutoCAD 2012 Settings shortcut and run as an
administrator.

38 | Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme

Materials
■ User libraries created in AutoCAD 2011 and edited in AutoCAD 2012 are
not supported in AutoCAD 2011. The materials from the modified user
libraries can only be used in AutoCAD 2012.
■ Do NOT save drawings or any other files in the same location as the
material libraries. Any files saved in that location are deleted when the
materials libraries are uninstalled.

Model Documentation
■ Model documentation views do not support mesh objects.

Help

■ If your default internet browser is NOT Internet Explorer®, the Help

experience may not be optimal. Change your default browser to Internet
Explorer®, which supports all Help functionalities.

Product Removal
Before you uninstall AutoCAD 2012 or any of its components, close all running
applications.

To uninstall AutoCAD 2012

1 On the Start menu (Windows), click Control Panel ➤ Uninstall a

Program.
2 Select AutoCAD 2012. Click Uninstall/Change. If the User Account
Control dialog box is displayed, click Yes.
3 In the installation wizard, click Uninstall.
4 On the Uninstall AutoCAD 2012 page, click Uninstall.
5 Click Finish.

To uninstall Autodesk Material Library 2012

If you have other Autodesk products installed, do NOT uninstall Material
Libraries.

1 On the Start menu (Windows), click Control Panel ➤ Uninstall a

Program.

AutoCAD Readme | 39
 2 Uninstall the following, in the any order:
■ Autodesk Material Library 2012
■ Autodesk Material Library Base Resolution Image Library 2012

3 If you have downloaded the Autodesk Material Library Medium

Resolution Image Library 2012, select it and click Uninstall.
4 If the User Account Control dialog box is displayed, click Yes.

To uninstall Autodesk Inventor Fusion 2012

1 On the Start menu (Windows), click Control Panel ➤ Uninstall a

Program.
2 Select Autodesk Inventor Fusion 2012. Click Uninstall/Change. If the
User Account Control dialog box is displayed, click Yes.
3 In the installation wizard, click Uninstall.
4 On the Uninstall Autodesk Inventor Fusion 2012 page, click Uninstall.
5 Click Finish.

To uninstall Autodesk Inventor Fusion plug-in for AutoCAD 2012

1 On the Start menu (Windows), click Control Panel ➤ Uninstall a

Program.
2 Select Autodesk Inventor Fusion plug-in for AutoCAD 2012. Click
Uninstall/Change. If the User Account Control dialog box is displayed,
click Yes.
3 In the installation wizard, click Uninstall.
4 On the Uninstall Autodesk Inventor Fusion plug-in for AutoCAD 2012
page, click Uninstall.
5 Click Finish.

To uninstall Autodesk Content Service

1 On the Start menu (Windows), click Control Panel ➤ Uninstall a

Program.
2 Select Autodesk Content Service. Click Uninstall. If the User Account
Control dialog box is displayed, click Yes.

40 | Chapter 1 AutoCAD Architecture 2012 Readme