Installation

Installing AutoSolids is a 2-step process involving 1)copying files to your hard drive, and 2)loading AutoSolids into the AutoCAD session.

1. File Copying

File copying is done by running the appropriate "Setup.exe" file(ex. "AutoSolids_A2KDEMO_v4.0_Setup.exe").   In all cases, this initiates an install routine which copies AutoSolids-specific files to a directory on your hard drive and modifies the Windows Registry appropriately.  Depending on your version of AutoCAD, files may also be added to your Windows directory.

2. Loading

After file copying, AutoSolids must be manually started from within the AutoCAD session:

     a)At the AutoCAD command prompt, issue the "arx" command

     b)Select the "Load" option

     c)Browse to the directory to which you copied the AutoSolids files in step 1 above

     d)Select the appropriate ".arx" file("AutoSolidsDEMO.arx" for DEMO versions of AutoSolids, "AutoSolids.arx" for licensed versions)

AutoSolids will initialize, the AutoSolids toolbar and pull-down menus will be displayed, and the 3D Command Center "Setup" page will be displayed, allowing for customization of the AutoSolids interface.  After adjusting any desired settings, dismiss the Setup page and AutoSolids is ready for use.  One option within the Setup page is to "Load AutoSolids Automatically" whenever AutoCAD is started.  This option is only available with licensed versions of AutoSolids; DEMO versions of AutoSolids must be manually loaded via "arx" each time AutoCAD is started.

Uninstallation

Uninstalling AutoSolids is a 2-step process involving 1)removing AutoSolids from your AutoCAD session, and 2)removing the AutoSolids files from your hard drive.

1. Removal from AutoCAD

     a)Issue the AutoSolids "solsetup" command

     b)Uncheck all of the Toolbar and Pull-down menu options

     c)Uncheck “Load AutoSolids Automatically”.

     d)After completing solsetup, exit AutoCAD.

If you have multiple copies of AutoCAD on a single computer, or multiple profiles (as with Mechanical Desktop), you will need to repeat this for EACH profile or copy of AutoCAD that is used with AutoSolids.

2. File Removal

From the Windows Control Panel, choose Add/Remove Programs and select AutoSolids for removal.  This will remove all of the AutoSolids program files and registry entries from your computer.  Depending on your version(s) of AutoCAD and/or AutoSolids, additional menu and temporary files may  have been created in the AutoSolids folder during the use of AutoSolids which cannot be removed from the Windows Control Panel.  To complete file removal, delete the AutoSolids folder and it’s contents through Windows Explorer or File Manager.

Failure to first Remove AutoSolids from AutoCAD prior to File Removal may result in error messages when restarting AutoCAD and/or may result in the AutoSolids toolbar and pulldown menus being left on screen.  The methods for clearing such messages and menus varies, depending on your version(s) of AutoCAD and/or AutoSolids.  The best approach, in order, is to:

     a)Restart AutoCAD twice.  In most cases this will clear all messages and menus.

     b)If error messages still occur during AutoCAD startup, manually remove(with a text editor) any AutoSolids entries from your "acad.rx" or "desktop.rx" files located in your AutoCAD or Mechanical Desktop folders.

     c)If any menus remain onscreen, issue the AutoCAD "menuload" command. (For easiest use, make sure the AutoCAD FILEDIA variable is set to 1)  If any of the following Menu Groups are listed, select and unload them:

AutoSolidsPD
AutoSolidsTB
CommandCenterPD
CommandCenterTB
RealViewPD
RealViewTB

Copyright 1999-2006, AutoSolids, Inc

AutoSolids and 3D Command Center are trademarks of AutoSolids, Inc.  Autodesk, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Mechanical, and Mechanical Desktop  are trademarks or registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc.  All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.