Basic AutoCAD Customization: Sharing Custom Files, Part 1 – AutoCAD Blog

Enhancing Productivity Through AutoCAD Customization

Customizing the AutoCAD environment is vital for elevating both individual and team productivity. By adhering to a consistent setup across workstations, teams can collaborate more effectively. Rather than making changes to each installation manually—a tedious and error-prone task—you can create a streamlined approach for sharing custom files. Understanding where these files reside and how to manage them is essential for maintaining consistency across your office and any remote team members.

Locating Custom AutoCAD Files

Identifying the location of your custom AutoCAD files is the first step in efficiently sharing them. By default, these files are stored in user-specific directories on each workstation. This default setting can lead to discrepancies between users, as each person may have different customizations in place.

AutoCAD custom files are typically housed in two main directories under the user’s AppData folder, which is often hidden by default.

• Roaming Folder: This folder stores files that are not tied to a specific machine. For users with roaming profiles, these files can be accessed from any device they log into. The default path is C:\Users\\AppData\Roaming. Access this folder quickly by typing %AppData% in the Windows Explorer address bar.
• Local Folder: Unlike the Roaming folder, files in the Local folder are generally specific to the individual computer and may contain larger files unsuitable for roaming. The default path is C:\Users\\AppData\Local, which can be accessed by entering %LocalAppData% in the address bar.

Understanding the Folder Structure

Both the Roaming and Local directories host an Autodesk folder, encompassing subfolders for various Autodesk products. It’s within these folders that you will find the majority of your AutoCAD customizations.

Specifically, common paths for AutoCAD 2025 custom files include:

• %AppData%\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2025\R25.0\enu\Support
• %AppData%\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2025\R25.0\enu\Plotters
• %LocalAppData%\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2025\R25.0\enu\Templates

Managing Hidden Files in Windows

Since the AppData folder is not visible by default, displaying hidden files ensures you can access custom AutoCAD files effortlessly. To make this folder visible, follow these steps:

1. Open Windows Explorer or File Explorer.
2. Navigate to the “View” tab.
3. Select “Options” and then click on “Change folder and search options.”
4. In the Folder Options window, click on the “View” tab.
5. Select “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” and click “OK” to confirm.

Utilizing AutoLISP Functionality

For those who may need to locate specific files, AutoCAD offers a useful AutoLISP function called FINDFILE. This feature scans through directories in the AutoCAD Support File Search Path to identify files readily.

To use this command, simply enter the following in the command line:

(findfile "filename.ext")

Replace filename.ext with the name of the file you wish to find, such as acad.dwt or acad.cuix. The function will return the full path to the file if it exists within the defined search paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I ensure all team members use the same custom AutoCAD files?
   Centralize your custom files in a shared network location or a version-controlled system that everyone has access to, ensuring all modifications are consistent and easily implemented.

2. What should I do if I cannot find my custom AutoCAD files?
   Use the FINDFILE AutoLISP function to locate your custom files by searching for specific file names within AutoCAD.

3. Is it possible to customize AutoCAD settings for multiple users simultaneously?
   Yes, you can create a standardized installation package or script that applies the same custom settings and files to multiple workstations in a networked environment.