hello and welcome!there are separate instructions for configuring autocad on windows 10, windows 7/8...

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Hello and Welcome! These instructions are NOT for anyone who is using our VDCI Virtual Servers. These instructions are only for people who are installing AutoCAD on their local machine. There are separate instructions for configuring AutoCAD on Windows 10, Windows 7/8 and on a Mac.

By now, you have successfully downloaded, activated and launched your AutoCAD software.

NOTE: You must launch AutoCAD at least one time before doing any of these instructions. There are initial, behind-the-scenes software load functions which must be completed before you can make any modifications to AutoCAD or it’s installation

Please close AutoCAD before you tackle the following tasks:

(1) Download the “AutoCAD-Configuration-Files.ZIP” from the “AutoCAD Software Configuration” on the VDCI

Portal. Please save the ZIP file on your desktop. This ZIP file will contain three files needed to appropriately configure your software. The files are: ACAD.CUIX, VDCI-STANDARD-01.CTB and VDCI-TEMPLATE-01.DWT

(2) Follow the instructions below for placing those files in the specified locations. (3) When you have completed those instructions, please launch AutoCAD (4) Watch the video on customizing the OPTIONS interface of your AutoCAD software to make it function

more like we have the software set up in class.


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For Windows 10

Go to your desktop and open Windows File Explorer (right mouse button >> explore)


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This will take you to the Fil Explorer Home screen.

Click on the VIEW tab, make sure that file name extensions are shown and that hidden folders are displayed. There will be a check mark on the Show/hide panel.:

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After that has been completed, return to the Explorer, and go to the C-Drive <This PC> and go to the USERS folder. Double Click on the USERS folder – and then look under the section for YOUR USER (login/account) NAME. Double Click to Open that folder. Below your user name, you will see the AppData folder. We will be copying the three files into specific sub-folders. (Note: If you do not see both of these folders, then you need to go back and make sure that you have properly established the display settings for hidden files and folders.)


Under C-DRIVE <THIS PC> >>USERS>>YOUR LOGIN NAME >> APP DATA >>LOCAL>> AUTODESK>>AUTOCAD 2016*>>R20.1>>ENU>>TEMPLATE you will find files which were loaded when AutoCAD was installed. * - or AutoCAD 2017


Create a new folder and name it SOURCE. Move all of the original template files, and any sub-folders into this new SOURCE folder. After that, copy the VDCI-01.DWT which you downloaded from the Learning Management system, and place the VDCI-01.DWT file in this TEMPLATE folder.


After you have completed that task, please return to the C-DRIVE <THIS PC> >>USERS>>YOUR LOGIN NAME >> APP DATA folder.

Now, please double click on ROAMING >> AUTODESK>> AUTOCAD 2016* >> R20.1 >> ENU * - or AutoCAD 2017 There are two folders we will be working in: Plotters and Support


In the PLOTTERS folder, please copy the VDCI-STANDARD-01.CTB (Color Table File) that you downloaded into this folder

After you have copied the file in the PLOTTERS folder, go up one level, to the ENU folder. Then double click on the SUPPORT folder.


Please locate the file ACAD.CUIX. Hover over the file, and use the right button on the mouse and choose the RENAME option, and rename that file to be ACAD-ORIGINAL.CUIX. After you have renamed the CUIX file, then please copy the ACAD.CUIX file which you downloaded into this folder.

After you have completed all of these tasks, you’re ready to close the File Explorer and to launch AutoCAD. Once AutoCAD is launched, watch the OPTIONS video. Enjoy your time with AutoCAD. It’s really a terrific software program!


For Windows 7 and Windows 8

Go to your desktop and select Open Windows Explorer (right mouse button >> explore)

and Windows 8


Go up to Tools >> Folder Options (If your menu bar is not displayed, then press ALT to get that menu bar to temporarily be displayed)

and Windows 8


Under VIEW, make sure that file name extensions are shown and that hidden folders are displayed:

and Windows 8


After that has been completed, return to the Explorer, and go to the folder for USERS – and then look under the section for YOUR USER NAME. Below your user name, you will see a folder, APP DATA, which we will need to access. Under APP DATA, you will see two folders, LOCAL and ROAMING, which we will need to access. (Note: If you do not see both of these folders, then you need to go back and make sure that you have properly established the display settings for hidden files and folders.)

and Windows 8


Under USERS >> YOUR LOGIN NAME >> APP DATA >> LOCAL >> AUTODESK, follow that path down until you see TEMPLATE.

Once you are in that folder, go over to the right side of the screen and create a new folder named SOURCE. Move all of the files which were placed in the TEMPLATE folder (when AutoCAD was installed) into the SOURCE folder. That way you don’t lose anything.

Copy the VDCI template file into this TEMPLATE folder as shown below:

and Windows 8


Under USERS >> YOUR LOGIN NAME >> APP DATA >> ROAMING >> AUTODESK, follow that path down until you see PLOTTERS >> PLOT STYLES.

Copy the VDCI-Standard-01.CTB (Color Table File) into the PLOT STYLES folder as shown below:

and Windows 8


Under USERS >> YOUR LOGIN NAME >> APP DATA >> ROAMING >> AUTODESK, follow that path down until you see the SUPPORT folder.

Take the existing ACAD.CUIX file (the one that was installed with AutoCAD) and rename it ACAD-ORIG.CUIX That way you have a copy of the original ACAD.CUIX file.

Copy the ACAD.CUIX (Custom User Interface File) into this SUPPORT folder as shown below:

and Windows 8

After all of this, you’re ready to close the Explorer and to launch AutoCAD.

Once AutoCAD is launched, then watch the OPTIONS customization video.

Enjoy your time with AutoCAD.

It’s really a terrific software program!


For Mac OS

For Mac, please use Bootcamp and install a copy of Windows on your machine. You can then install AutoCAD in the Windows environment. Launch AutoCAD, so it can do some initial setups. Then close AutoCAD and then follow the configuration guidance provided under the Windows 10 section above.

hello and welcome!there are separate instructions for configuring autocad on windows 10, windows 7/8...

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