Keys to successful 2010 software installation

Its that time of year again: Autodesks 2010 software is out and everyone is debating whether to install it or not. Id like to remind everyone how to install the AutoCAD verticals and the Navisworks products.  Remember that Object enablers are required for most of the AutoCAD verticals such as AutoCAD Architectural and AutoCAD MEP. If you install them in the correct order you will not have any problems. The correct order is as follows: AutoCAD Architecture, then AutoCAD MEP and then Navisworks.   If you need an object enabler for an older version of Autodesk products you can get them online from Autodesk.

The rest of this article is based on the Navisworks product line. If you install your AutoCAD products first and then Navisworks, you will be ok.  It will identify the products you have installed and will automatically install the correct object enablers.  However, if you decide to install Navisworks now and AutoCAD 2010 later, it will not install the new object enablers for the 2010 software.  You will have to manually download and install them for those products.

The Autodesk products also have an Exporter plug-in that you will want to install for your new software.  The procedure below explains how to get the plug-in without re-installing Navisworks.

First you want to go to the control panel and select Add or Remove Programs.

Then Select Autodesk Navisworks 2010 Plug-ins and select the Change/Remove button.

The Setup is started so you can select the Plug-ins you want.

Select Add or Remove Features

The Select exporters to install dialog box appears.  You can now select the exporters for the applications you have installed after your Navisworks Installation. Remember,  the software has to be installed on the computer in order to install an exporter for it.

Select Next.

Select Next and the installation will begin.

I hope this helps with some of the software installations over the next couple of months as you start to roll out the new software.