Where Are AutoCAD Aliases Stored?

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Where Are AutoCAD Aliases Stored?

AutoCAD is a powerful software used by professionals in various industries for creating precise 2D and 3D designs. To enhance the productivity and efficiency of working with AutoCAD, users can create aliases for frequently used commands. These aliases are shortcuts that allow users to quickly execute commands without having to remember or type out the entire command name.

So, where exactly are these aliases stored? Let’s find out!

Understanding AutoCAD Support File Search Path

Before we dive into the location of alias files, it’s important to understand the concept of the AutoCAD support file search path. This path consists of a list of folders that AutoCAD searches through when looking for specific files.

The support file search path can be defined and modified using the Options dialog in AutoCAD. To access this dialog, simply type “OPTIONS” in the command line or navigate to the “Tools” menu and select “Options”.

Alias Files Location

In AutoCAD, alias files have an extension of “.pgp” (Program Parameters file). By default, these files are stored in a specific folder based on your operating system:

  • Windows: C:\Users\%USERNAME%\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD [version]\R[version].[sub-version]\enu\Support
  • Mac OS: /Users/%USERNAME%/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/AutoCAD [version]/R[version].[sub-version]/enu/Support

Note that “%USERNAME%” refers to your user account name.

Finding Alias Files Manually

If you want to locate the alias files manually, follow these steps:

  1. Open the File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac OS).
  2. Navigate to the respective folder path based on your operating system as mentioned earlier.
  3. Look for files with the “.pgp” extension.

Once you locate the alias file, you can open it using a text editor to view and edit the aliases defined within.

Backing Up and Restoring Alias Files

It’s always a good practice to back up your AutoCAD alias files to avoid losing any customizations. To back up an alias file, simply make a copy of it and store it in a safe location.

If you need to restore your aliases after reinstalling AutoCAD or switching to a new computer, follow these steps:

  1. Locate the backup of your alias file.
  2. In AutoCAD, go to the Options dialog by typing “OPTIONS” in the command line or navigating to the “Tools” menu and selecting “Options”.
  3. In the Options dialog, click on the “Files” tab.
  4. Under “Support File Search Path”, click on “Add..” and navigate to the folder where your backup alias file is stored.
  5. Click “OK” to close the Options dialog.

Your restored aliases should now be available for use in AutoCAD.

In Conclusion

AutoCAD aliases provide a convenient way to streamline your workflow by creating shortcuts for frequently used commands. Understanding where these aliases are stored gives you control over customizing and managing them effectively. By knowing how to locate, back up, and restore alias files, you can ensure that your preferred command shortcuts are always available whenever you work with AutoCAD.