Datasheet

Tweaking Windows
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slash. These options are passed to the executable
when it starts up. Switch to the General tab, and
rename the shortcut AutoCAD 2007. Click Apply,
and close the dialog box.
4. Launch AutoCAD with the shortcut, and observe
that the splash screen no longer appears.
Other Switches in the Startup
Before we tell you about Lynn’s favorite switch, let’s look
at some of the more popular startup switches. Follow
each switch with a space and then what it’s asking for
(script file, template, layout, and so on):
/b Runs a script file upon launching AutoCAD.
/t Creates a new drawing based on the indicated template file. AutoCAD assumes a DWT
file type, so complete path information isn’t needed. You may decide to have two different
startup icons for 2D and 3D. The latter will use the new ACAD3D template file.
/layout Opens a specific layout in the indicated drawing file. The syntax requires you to
specify the drawing file and the layout, separated with a vertical bar. For example, if you
have a drawing file called Engine and a layout called Assembly: use
“C:\Program Files\
AutoCAD 2007\acad.exe” /layout “C:\ACAD 2007 Project\Engine|Assembly”
.
/v Opens the indicated drawing file, and zooms to a specific view (views are much more
popular in AutoCAD 2007).
/p Launches AutoCAD, and loads a specific profile. This profile is in effect only for the cur-
rent AutoCAD session
/nossm Suppresses the existence of the new Sheet Set Manager upon entering AutoCAD (for
those of you who haven’t embraced it).
/ld Loads a specified ARX or DBX application. You have to include the complete path
information.
/c Specifies the path for the hardware configuration file you want to use during your Auto-
CAD session.
When using these switches, be sure to give each icon a new name so you can easily distin-
guish them. You can also change the tooltip in the Shortcut tab by modifying the contents in
the Comment section. The Shortcut tab also allows you to tell AutoCAD you always want it to
launch maximized (which is a must if you find yourself maximizing it manually each time).
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