Custom ARG File in Online Custom Deployment not Working

Issue:
You are creating a custom deployment in your Autodesk portal and are using Civil 3D, AutoCAD Architecture or AutoCAD MEP and the icon that is created doesn’t work properly.

In this section:

You have the option to use a Custom Profile:

Causes:
This will create a Desktop Icon that points to your ARG you’ve uploaded, however when you launch it, you do not get the correct product screen and the product will not function properly.  This is cased by the icon not being created correctly.  The Icon that gets created is missing a specific switch.

In the Out of the box Icon, here’s is what’s in the shortcut properties:
"C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2023\acad.exe" /ld "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2023\AecBase.dbx" /p "<<C3D_Imperial>>" /product C3D /language en-US

In the custom icon that gets created with your ARG file, the properties are this:
"C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2023\acad.exe /p "CustomARG" /product C3D /language en-US

Note that it is missing this switch: /ld "C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2023\AecBase.dbx"
That AecBase.dbx is what makes Civil 3D, AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP work correctly.

Solution:
You have a couple of options:
1.    Alter the Desktop Icon to include the missing /ld switch and path data after the installation is complete
2.    Create the correct icon in the Desktop for the user after the installation is finished
3.    My preferred option: Create a Desktop Icon with the correct profile, using the existing icon (make a copy to a new location – not on the Desktop), alter the /p to look for your specific ARG file, and copy that to the location where the software is being installed from, then add a line to the BAT file to copy that icon to the user’s desktop after the main product is installed:
Add this line: copy <drive location>\<folder location>\*.lnk %userprofile%\desktop
 

About the Author

Ryan Wunderlich

Sr. Technical Support Specialist<br><br>An AutoCAD Certified Professional, Ryan is responsible for taking client cases and assisting with issues with the software - everything from regular glitches to software deployments and whatever else goes wrong. He's proficient in AutoCAD (including customization), VBA, LISP, and Civil 3D.

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