Syncing Settings Using Autodesk 360

A while ago, I wrote a blog post introducing the main uses of your Autodesk 360 account. Since then, while covering tech support at Ideate, Inc., I’ve gotten a lot of questions about migrating settings using your Autodesk 360 account. To avoid potential mishaps, I have outlined the very basics of syncing settings that you might not know, but need to. There are three main concepts that are necessary to understand to successfully use the sync settings option. 

Support path file naming must be consistent between the cloud and your local settings. 

What happens when you sync your software settings to Autodesk 360 is that a version of your support files will be saved to the cloud. When you sync a computer’s settings from the cloud, those files are replaced with the cloud’s files. For example, your acad.cuix file will be replaced with the cloud’s acad.cuix file. 

If the files do not have the same name, this will not work properly. For example, if you sync a custom cuix file named ideate.cuix to Autodesk 360, then on your home computer try to sync your settings to the settings from your Autodesk 360 account, you could run into a problem. In order to successfully sync your home computer with the file saved to Autodesk 360, the names must match. If you’ve tried this in the past, and syncing didn’t work properly, check the file paths and the file names of what you want to sync and make sure they are the same. 

You cannot migrate setting between different releases of software. 

Autodesk 360 cannot be used to migrate settings between different releases. So, if you are upgrading from 2013 to 2014, you cannot use Autodesk 360 to sync your settings from 2013 to 2014. 

Autodesk 360 does not differentiate when syncing settings between verticals (software built on top of AutoCAD) and AutoCAD. 

You need to be careful when going between different software verticals. For example, if you sync your cloud settings from AutoCAD, then sync your Civil 3D settings from the cloud, your Civil 3D workspace will disappear. This is because you have replaced your Civil 3D cuix file with the AutoCAD cuix file. The AutoCAD cuix file does not have the Civil 3D workspace. You can only sync settings between one vertical at a time. 

A list of what you can sync is in the dialog box below. 

Choose Which Settings Are Synced

So, if you’re considering using Autodesk 360 to sync your settings between different computers, keep these three things in mind: 

1. File names and paths must be identical.
2. Settings cannot be synchronized across different releases (ie. 2013 to 2014).
3. Sync products one at a time when working with vertical applications. 

For information on training and consulting for the various products Ideate services, visit our website at www.ideateinc.com.

Get it. Know it. Use it.

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Kate Ming, P.E.
Ideate AEC Application Specialist

Kate is an Application Specialist at Ideate, Inc. and is a Professional Engineer with 6 years of industry experience. At Ideate, Kate provides training, consulting and technical support services for our customers.