AutoCAD MEP 2009 Using Multiple Catalogs

In 2009, you can now specify multiple part catalogs for a category. For example, you can specify the MvPart catalog provided with the software and a custom MvPart catalog for the MvPart category. However, if 2 parts in different catalogs have the same ID or the same name, only the part in the catalog that is higher in the list will be displayed during part selection.



I was messing around with this more tonight, and I found out that in order to facilitate two catalogs in the new version of AutoCAD MEP, you need to add all of your custom parts to a new custom catalog; do not add custom parts to the catalogs provided with the software and delete the out of the box content. My custom catalog started from the default catalog, and I deleted the default content and the second catalog didn't appear in the tool palette. I created a new Catalog, and dragged my custom content into the new catalog, and mapped that new custom catalog to the options catalog path, and now in the tool palette, under add Mechanical Equipment, I can see both catalogs.

AutoCAD MEP 2009 Compatibility with Earlier Releases

Because of the new enhancements to the software, for example electrical panel database files, in 2009, if you open that 2009 drawing in an earlier release, the older program doesn't understand the new features, and will give you errors. This will continue with every new version of AutoCAD MEP in the future, so it will be important to stay up to date with the latest release, and make sure everyone is using it.

Revit doesn't allow you to open a newer project in an older release at all. That eliminates these types of issues of backwards compatibility, or lack thereof.

In 2009, you will not see any warnings or messages when you open a 2009 drawing in an earlier version program. But as soon as you get to a new feature that it doesn't recognize, you will then get a warning that the drawing is a newer version and might not be compatible. I don't understand that. It should be displayed just as you open the drawing like in previous years, but it isn't this year. So be aware if you do work in a prior release program.

Drawing Compare Subscription Module for AutoCAD MEP 2009

Drawing Compare is available exclusively for AutoCAD MEP 2009 customers participating in the Autodesk Subscription program. Download this module now to get the Drawing Compare feature. The Drawing Compare feature enhances collaboration by using color-coded displays to show items on a drawing that have been changed, added, or deleted by other members of the design team. Changes to items such as styles, fire ratings, or other non-graphical properties are also tracked. Combined with redlining features, such as revision clouds, the Drawing Compare features help make communication across the design team clearer than ever.

The comparison process is like how drawings were compared when they were received on tracing paper or Mylar sheets and then overlaid on the original project drawings using a light table. Drawing Compare displays informational data about the objects in your drawing as well as displaying the graphical changes on the drawing screen.

You select the review drawings and compare each to its corresponding project drawing on the Setup tab of the Drawing Compare palette. After the comparison, you view the results on the Review tab of the Drawing Compare palette and in the drawing area.

Drawing Compare identifies objects that have been modified, added, or removed in the review drawings. Based on the status of the objects (modified, new, or missing), colors are assigned, and a list of the changes is generated.


In the following example, a simple floor plan was modified to show what information Drawing Compare displays during a comparison session. The review drawing shows that changes to the project drawing include moving the lower vertical interior wall segment to the left (resulting in a shorter horizontal interior wall segment), adding an exterior door to the right exterior wall segment, and removing a window from the upper exterior wall segment.


When the drawings are compared, color-coded changes are displayed, based on the type of change.


Information about changes is also displayed in the Object Report List on the Review tab.

Autodesk Impression

Subscription customers can download Autodesk Impression for free from their Autodesk Subscription website.

Impress your colleagues and clients with compelling presentation-ready graphics created directly from your DWG™ and DWF™ files. Autodesk Impression software is easy to use, saves you time, and recognizes data from your CAD files. Autodesk Impression 2 software is available to AutoCAD®, AutoCAD® Architecture, AutoCAD® Civil 3D®, AutoCAD® Map 3D, AutoCAD® MEP and AutoCAD® Revit Architecture Suite software products’ subscription customers.

Benefits of Impression include:

• Generate Great-Looking Images—Fast. Presentation graphics are about winning business. Your images have to sell your projects. With Impression you can easily apply graphical styles to your CAD files using prebuilt styles or customized styles that you create—from pencil styles to watercolor fills.
• CAD Compatible - Because Impression understands CAD data, the illustration process is much faster than with general-purpose graphics applications. Open any DWG or DWF file in Impression. Impression recognizes blocks, layers, hatches and other CAD-specific data.
• Easy to Learn and Use - Impression is designed so that anyone in the office can learn the application in minutes and can get great results right away.
• Quickly Create Multiple Design Iterations - Quickly update your presentation graphics when designs change or apply your signature style to all the drawings that you produce.
• Integrate Into Existing Workflow - Impression fits easily into your existing workflow and is interoperable with many popular graphics applications.

DIALux Plug-In for AutoCAD MEP 2009

Subscription users can download from their subscription website, this plug-in provides Electrical design engineers with a tool for importing lighting configurations made using DIALux; one of Europe’s leading lighting design, calculation and analysis tools. This plug-in exports spatial geometry facilitating model production in DIALux and imports lighting fixture layouts, assigning manufacturer specific information, via exchange file. This facilitates the design and layout of lighting configurations for AutoCAD MEP 2009 subscription users.

DIALux Plug-In Commands
The DIALux plug-in is designed for AutoCAD MEP 2009. As such, it loads and executes with this release only. The plug-in provides two, command line tools:

• DialuxExport - This command exports AutoCAD MEP 2009 spaces as rooms to an external file that can be imported into the DIALux application.


• DialuxImport - This command imports lights from DIALux, by reading an external file into AutoCAD MEP 2009.

Exporting Spaces from AutoCAD MEP
To begin exporting spaces from AutoCAD MEP to DIALux, you must first open a drawing containing valid spaces objects (or create these as required). Next, follow the steps outlined below to export spaces to DIALux as rooms.

1. Type DialuxExport at the command line. This action prompts for space objects,
   as illustrated in Figure 1. Select one or many spaces to export, using standard AutoCAD selection methods. Once complete, press Enter to continue – this action displays the Select Export STF Files dialog box.


2. In the Select Export STF File dialog, specify an export filename and click Save. This file has an STF (Setup Information Files) extension and can be imported directly into the DIALux application, sharing AutoCAD MEP spaces as DIALux rooms. This process helps speed the production of room objects in DIALux.

Importing Rooms into DIALux
The STF file exported from AutoCAD MEP can contain one or many spaces. When imported into DIALux, DIALux uses the data to create a series of rooms. Each room has the same name as its corresponding space in AutoCAD MEP. The following lists the steps necessary to import this file into DIALux and create rooms.

1. Open the DIALux application


2. From the File menu, chose Open. In the dialog that appears, ensure the file type is set to STF Files (*.stf) and navigate to the location of your file, as illustrated in Figure 3. Figure 3 – Open STF Files in DIALux


3. Click Open to open the STF file and read all spaces into DIALux into as rooms. Please refer to the DIALux documentation for information on creating and opening projects and using this application.

Using DIALux

A key feature of the DIALux application is its ability to link to manufacturer databases of lighting fixtures. These databases can be downloaded locally as plug-ins or accessed across the internet. Lighting fixtures can also be loaded into a current project through manufacturer specific portals, such as that illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 4 – Manufacturer Specific Portals

Lights can be inserted individually into a project, or as groups of lights in lines or arrays. Figure 5 illustrates a typical view of a room in DIALux with the ‘3D Light Distribution Display’ and ‘False Color’ options enabled.

Figure 5 – Lighting Layout in DIALux

Importing Lights in AutoCAD MEP 2009
Once the lighting analysis has been completed in DIALux and all lights positioned, the project can be exported back to an STF file. To export DIALux data, and import it into AutoCAD MEP:-

1. From the File menu choose the Export option and Save STF File (Figure 6).


2. In the dialog presented, enter the name of the STF file for export.
   Figure 6 – Exporting STF Files from DIALux


3. This file can now be imported into AutoCAD MEP 2009.


4. At the AutoCAD MEP command line, type DialuxImport


5. In the Select Import STF File dialog that appears, navigate to the saved STF file.


6. Select this file and then click Open to import lighting fixtures, as illustrated in Figure 7.

Each light defined within the STF file will be inserted as an AutoCAD MEP lighting device. Devices can have view dependant display representations, allowing them to appear differently in plan or model view. The devices used for DIALux lighting fixtures have a simple representation, as illustrated in Figure 8.

Each light imported from DIALux has its manufacturers name and model information automatically attached through a standard property set. This information can then be scheduled using AutoCAD MEP tables, or devices added to circuits to aid with load calculations.

Figure 8 – Lighting Devices in AutoCAD MEP

Appendix
The DIALux application does not need to be installed to prepare an export file from AutoCAD MEP. An export application is available from DIAL Gmbh, Germany. http://www.dialux.com/

Green Building Studio - Welcome to Whole Building Energy Analysis!

We are in a new era of building design tools that are requiring their users to rethink how they “design” a building in software. These tools are being grouped as building information modeling (BIM) tools, and they are unique as they have intelligent objects that are used to assemble a building design. These intelligent objects enable very exciting functionality that are inherent in the tools use and consequently, the Green Building Studio web service (GBS) benefits from this advanced intelligence. There are some critical things to note however, and most importantly it is how you go about modeling a building in your BIM tool. You must follow the critical rules below if you are to gain the most out of your BIM tool with the GBS.

1. Do not use it like 2D CAD. This mistake is generally caused by users looking for a set of CDs – floor plans and details. Consequently, floors, ceilings, roofs, sill heights, etc. may not be drawn as they are not required in typical CDs.


2. Model floors, ceilings, and roofs.
   a. These are essential items when it comes to whole building energy analysis.


3. Model the windows and skylights that are possibilities.
   a. Windows contribute the most to HVAC energy use.
   b. Do not worry about getting exact sizes correct as the GBS allows you to quickly change the size or remove them by orientation.


4. Model significant spaces only.
   a. Do not spend time modeling small spaces, storage spaces, phone closets, etc., that will increase simulation time and run costs, but not increase accuracy of your results.


5. Connect all walls, roofs, slabs, and ceilings.
   a. Be sure that your walls connect to each other as well as their respective slabs, ceilings, and roofs. Do not leave gaps in your model. The most important energy decision an architect makes is selecting a scheme. Yet, the vast majority of them do not know the energy use of their schemes before selecting one.

The Green Building Studio web service is designed to be used during your scheme selection process to evaluate every scheme you are considering. The Green Building Studio web service can and will dramatically change the way building energy analysis is used in the building design process. Do not wait until you have made all your design decisions before using GBS as it is designed to provide you with the information to make informed decisions as they relate to energy.

The Green Building Studio web service provides reasonable, highly accurate, energy use estimates for the building you are designing from within the 3D-CAD/BIM application you are using. It enables collaborative design, allowing you to share building information with other team members, streamlining or eliminating plan take-off tasks, transferring essential information on your building design to the applications used for engineering design or code analysis. Green Building Studio also identifies and links you directly to building products that are relevant to the building you are designing.

Target Customers
Green Building Studio was developed for Architects and Engineers to use for the analysis of whole building energy usage at the earliest stages of planning, schematic, and conceptual design.

Product Description
Green Building Studio™, a web service provided by Green Building Studio, Inc ., is the one of the world’s first and only web service that gives 3D-CAD users quick, reliable, and free estimates of a building’s energy costs during the early stages of conceptual design. Green Building Studio was created to enable teams of architects, engineers, and other design professionals to work together efficiently to design, specify, and build the cost-effective, high performance, and aesthetically inspiring buildings of the twenty-first century.
Green Building Studio also provides a new and powerful way for manufacturers of building products and providers of building services to reach their ideal customer cost-effectively. The intelligence embedded in Green Building Studio tied with the special relationship with its users delivers one of the most advanced and cost-effective channels to drive targeted leads to sales personnel to streamline the sales process resulting in increased conversion rates and ROI.

Technology
Green Building Studio’s state-of-the-art automated energy analysis methods (patent pending) are what make the web service so fast, accurate and easy to use. But Green Building Studio’s ease of use belies enormous computational power. Behind the scenes, Green Building Studio relies on a proprietary data management architecture and a voluminous but tightly integrated system of relational databases containing hourly weather data, design data, and regionally relevant libraries of default building characteristics with common energy code baselines (e.g., ASHRAE 90.1 1999, Title 24, etc.).
Green Building Studio is powered by advanced building energy simulation management software that incorporates DOE-2 and EnergyPlus into this solution. Key to the integrated interoperability exhibited in GBS-compliant 3D-CAD applications is the Green Building XML schema (gbXML). By using gbXML-enabled applications, Green Building Studio users are able to eliminate redundant data entry and dramatically reduce the time and expense traditionally associated with whole-building energy simulation analyses.

History
Green Building Studio is the result of a public/private research and development effort begun by Green Building Studio, Inc. in 1999 with major financial support provided by the California Energy Commission’s Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) Program. Since that time numerous other public and private organizations have joined with Green Building Studio, Inc. to make the Green Building Studio possible.

Benefits
Benefits of the Green Building Studio web service include immediate access to building energy performance data for each design scenario, creation of geometrically correct thermal models and data that can be immediately transferred to leading engineering models like DOE-2.2, eQUEST, or EnergyPlus, and creation of gbXML files that can be immediately loaded into leading engineering sizing and design programs like The Trane Company's Trace700 HVAC software.

Features
Plug-in features pull down menu to set up new projects and scenarios, as well as to send gbXML files to Green Building Studio from within the Autodesk® product. Creates geometrically correct engineering models. Develops base-line energy analysis using DOE-2.2 models and local ASHRAE 9.1 energy code assumptions for specific building types. Provides additional export and visualization capabilities for interoperatbility between major engineering software systems. Provides building product information based on appropriate technologies for the specific building.

Industry Standards
Green Building Studio supports true integrated interoperability between intelligent BIM models and engineering analysis tools, using the emerging gbXML standard. Linkages to other industry standards efforts such as the IAI's IFCs are anticipated. Building standards such as ASHRAE's 90.1 design standards, and California's Title 24 codes are also supported.

Documentation
Box: Documentation for the software is provided in electronic and on-line formats for registered users of the Green Building Studio web service.
Download: Documentation includes AVIs demonstrating how the Green Building Studio is used with Autodesk products, and text based user documentation showin how projects are set up within the Autodesk environment and product scenarios run within the Green Building Studio environment.

Relation to Autodesk Products
Green Building Studio for Autodesk Building Systems 2005 requires the user to have Autodesk Building Systems running on their desktop. Once a user has registered and downloaded appropriate plug-ins for Autodesk Building Systems, they can export files directly from Building Systems to the Green Building Studio and view results from within the Autodesk Building Systems desktop.

Registration and Authorization
Users must register on the Green Building Studio website (www.greenbuildingstudio.com) in order to utilize the web service. Registration is verified by e-mail. Once registered, users must download a plug-in for gbXML export to the Green Building Studio, and they are ready to export BIM information for analysis.

Support and Training
Green Building Studio, Inc. provides phone support for Green Building Studio during regular business hours. Users can call 707-569-7373 to reach customer support. The URL for Green Building Studio is www.greenbuildingstudio.com, and a wide range of on-line help is also available. Green Building Studio, Inc. staff are available for customized training on a contract basis.

What is Included
Box: The Green Building Studio web service is currently provided free of charge to architects and engineers that register through the website. The web-service is funded by building product manufacturers and utilities sponsoring design assistance programs such as PG&E, Edison, and SDG&E.
Download: The Green Building Studio web service is currently provided free of charge to architects and engineers that register through the website. The web-service is funded by building product manufacturers and utilities sponsoring design assistance

Where to Buy
This product may be purchased online.
It is also available directly from the developer -- call 707-569-7373 or visit http://www.greenbuildingstudio.com/.

Registration

Step One: Your first required step is to become a member of the Green Building Studio (GBS) web service. Simply go to www.greenbuildingstudio.com, click on the New User Registration link, and fill out the necessary information. Once you have agreed to the End User License Agreement an email will be sent to you to validate your email address. This is to be certain your email address is entered correctly.

Step Two: Once you receive the email either click the button in the email or copy the URL in it to your browser’s address bar. Both these actions will return you to the GBS at which point you just need to log in using the User Name and password provided in the e-mail. You’re now a member of the GBS.
Note: If you do not receive your validation email within an hour, call Green Building Studio, Inc. for assistance at 707.569.7373.

Creating New Projects

Page 1
Once you log in you will be on the Project List page and you are ready to add your first project. Just click the New Project link on the top right of the project list table. You must enter the Project Name and select a Building Type from the pick list. A valid US ZIP code is also required. There are two project types: demonstrations and actual building design projects. If it is a real building project please specify an actual building design project. If you are submitting test buildings just to try the service out please specify a demonstration type project. Note: The zip code and building type can not be changed if there are runs present in the project.

Page 2
Green Building Studio enables you to share information about your project with design team members and/or GBS partners who may provide more information on how their products can fit with your building design. To ensure you are authorized to share project information GBS needs to know who has authorized you if you are not the owner of the building information you are submitting. The authorizing agent you specify will be receiving a copy of the End user License Agreement (EULA) as well.

Products compatible with the latest releases of AutoCAD MEP

Products compatible with the latest releases of AutoCAD MEP

Design Master HVAC

• HVAC/Plumbing
• Design Master Software, Inc.
• Price: $840
• Product Description
  Design Master HVAC is an integrated HVAC building design and drafting package for AutoCAD. It is written to work the way an engineer works, providing flexibility in design and increased productivity. All stages of the HVAC design process--including building load calculations, diffuser layout, duct sizing, double-line drafting, and sections--are automated by the program. There is never a need to transfer data to or from another software package.
  Since its release in 2001, it has proven itself to be a reliable design tool that is trusted by hundreds of engineering firms across the country.
  A free 30-day trial is available on their website.
• Benefits
  • Rapid response to design changes
  • Heightened quality control
  • Improved workflow efficiency
  • Reduced change-order costs
  • Increased profitability
• Features
  • Building loads are calculated using the ASHRAE CLTD method. Room areas are calculated from the drawing, eliminating data entry errors.
  • Ducts sized based upon constant pressure drop, constant velocity, or static regain.
  • Duct pressure-loss can be calculated, giving you the information you need to size your fans with confidence.
  • Double-line ductwork is drafted using the calculated duct sizes. Fittings are automatically selected and inserted.
  • Three-dimensional sections and isometrics can easily be generated, but are not so complicated that they slow down the process of creating 2D permit sets.
• Industry Standards
  SMACNA, ASHRAE

DuctDesigner 3D

• HVAC/Plumbing
• QuickPen International
• Product Description
  DuctDesigner 3D is one of the most advanced sheet metal design tool available, with true 3D solid modeling and tight AutoCAD compatibility to make it faster to learn, easier to use, and most compatible with other systems. DuctDesigner 3D leverages 3D solid modeling to give the user ultimate flexibility and customization. DuctDesigner 3D enables users to design in 3D from plan view, draw every fitting as a true 3D solid, modify fitting configurations on-screen in real time, and search and replace entire systems in seconds.

EC-CAD

• HVAC/Plumbing
• EastCoast CAD/CAM
• Target Customers
  EC-CAD 3D Sheet Metal and 3D Piping for Windows 2000 and Windows XP Professional is designed specifically for the Sheet Metal, HVAC and Mechanical Contracting Industries.
• Product Description
  EC-CAD :
  EC Sheet Metal and Piping 3D CAD software is among the most widely used software by major mechanical and sheet metal contractors.
  Productivity:
  EC-CAD is faster to use than any other alternative. The system is mouse driven, minimizing the need for keyboard entry and therefore helps you work more efficiently. You can use EC-CAD to prepare coordination drawings for planning and scheduling with other contractors. EC-CAD’s unique auto-routing and auto-detailing functions allow you to quickly draw complex mechanical systems. And, EC-CAD lets you prepare detailed spool drawings and reports for pipe.
  Integration:
  EC-CAD is fully compatible with AutoCAD 2005. EC-CAD can exchange files with other CAD systems and provides direct linkages to plasma cutting, estimating, and other systems. EastCoast also provides the nesting and cutting software to download to almost any plasma cutting table on the market.
  Powerful Detailing:
  EC-CAD allows you to draw architectural, structural, HVAC ductwork and plumbing. Three dimensional drawings let your people see what the ductwork and piping will look like after it is installed. This true visualization reduces errors and improves field efficiency.
  Spec Driven:
  Customizable specs allow you to develop standardized system components for the current job and future projects. This feature reduces detailing time and eliminates errors. Quickly draw mechanical systems by letting EC-CAD’s intelligence fill in components including pipe or duct, valves, elbows, tees, reducers, etc. This drastically reduces detailing time and eliminates errors.
• Benefits
  EC-CAD allows you to design HVAC and Mechanical sysetms quickly and efficiently. Once designed in EC-CAD these systems are completly ready for downloading to plasma machines, coil lines, estimating, and other software packages. You also gain instant reporting, spooling, cross sectioning, and plotting.
• Features
  EC-CAD Sheet Metal Features:
  Designed specifically for sheet metal and mechanical contractors. Rectangular, round and oval fitting libraries. Enhanced library of duct accessories. Enhanced automatic routing of duct runs.
  Automatic piece numbering, tagging, and customizable pick-off. 3-D automatic collision checking between duct, pipe and structural elements. Soft collision checking as well. Comprehensive on-line catalog of custom equipment, assemblies and specialty items. User defined, customizable reporting. Error-free downloading to plasma cutters.
  EC-CAD Piping Features:
  Comprehensive catalogs from major manufacturers are preloaded and ready to use. EC-CAD is one of the only system which includes plumbing fittings in its base catalog. EC-CAD comes preloaded with 30 different material types and 143 joint
  types. You can also build or customize catalogs to fit your needs without ever leaving the system. EC-CAD creates automatic spools for fabrication in seconds. Spool drawings, cross sections, materials lists and reports are created in just seconds.
  Spool reports include: visual iso; bill of materials; names of each item; quantities; piece numbers; material types; cut lengths & sizes; joint types.

Quickduct CAD

• HVAC/Plumbing
• Shop Data Systems, Inc.
• Target Customers - For the Sheet Metal Industry.
• Product Description
  A Drafting software that downloads directly to the SDS fitting library.
• Benefits
  FabPro-Duct downloads seamlessly from the CAD to CAM using SDS software, an industry leader since 1975.
• Features
  • Quick, easy drafting.
  • Seamless download to CAM.
  • Eliminate unnecassary item by item entries.
• Industry Standards
  SMACNA

Design Master ELEC

• Electrical
• Design Master Software, Inc.
• Price: $840
• Product Description
  Design Master Electrical is an integrated electrical building design and drafting package for AutoCAD. It is written to work the way an engineer works, providing flexibility in design and increased productivity. All stages of the electrical design process--including panel calculations, device insertion, circuiting, looping, and a wide variety of calculations--are automated by the program. There is never a need to transfer data to or from another software package.
  Since its release in 2001, it has proven itself to be a reliable design tool that is trusted by hundreds of engineering firms across the country.
  A free 30-day trial is available on their website.
• Benefits
  • Rapid response to design changes
  • Heightened quality control
  • Improved workflow efficiency
  • Reduced change-order costs
  • Increased profitability
• Features
  • Light fixtures, receptacles, equipment, junction boxes, switches, and low voltage devices can be inserted and circuited.
  • Circuited device loads are transferred to the panel schedule for you. Loops and home runs are automatically drawn.
  • Circuit loads, panel loads, branch circuit and feeder sizes, and voltage drop are all calculated for you.
  • Calculates outdoor site lighting point-by-point photometrics and indoor average foot candle levels.
  • Draft one-line riser diagrams that update automatically when your design changes.
• Industry Standards
  NEC
  

FabPro Electrical

• Electrical
• UHP Process Piping Inc.,
• Price: $4,395
• Target Customers - Electrical Contractors.
• Product Description
  FabPro Electrical provides contractors with 3d fittings, conduit and wiring lengths. Various fittings and conduit types are supported. Routing of rigid or flexible conduit is supported. Wire lengths are provided in the BOM.
• Benefits
  Accurate fitting and conduit lengths. Reduction in the amount of time it takes to produce accurate drawings. The BOM is accurate and can be extracted and uploaded into a spreadsheet or estimating program.
• Features
  Manufacturers fittings.
  BOM with part numbers.
  Fitting assemblies.
  

Installing AutoCAD MEP 2008 on a 64-bit OS

A co-worker of mine tried to install AutoCAD MEP 2008 on a 64-bit OS and it didn’t work immediately. He got a message that it was 32-bit and could not be installed on 64-bit system.

Out of the 2008 products, only AutoCAD 2008 is 64-bit compatible, and AutoCAD MEP 2008 is only 32-bit compatible. In 2009, all product lines are 64-bit compatible and this will not apply.

There is a discussion on this on the Autodesk Discussion groups where it posted instructions on how to get it installed by editing the .msi and setup.ini. Attached are the instructions on how to do this. The instructions say ACA.msi but this will change with the vertical you are trying to install. Apparently installing 2007 or earlier isn’t a problem.

1. Download and install Orca from Microsoft.
   http://www.technipages.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/orca.Msi
2. Copy the installation files to your hard drive or a network folder.
3. Backup the files ACA.msi and Setup.ini
4. Edit the ACA.msi with Orca and delete the action found in the table "InstallExecuteSequence" that is called "CheckFor64BitOS" Delete the same line under table "CustomAction"
5. Save and close the ACA.msi
6. Edit the Setup.ini with Notepad. Delete the line under "#==================== Platform Requirement" that is labeled "PLATFORM=NO_WOW_64_PROCESS"
7. Double-click the Setup.exe and you should be able to install without any problems.
8. If you leave the default paths for the installation of the content, this may or may not apply.
9. Some support paths under the "Files" tab of the configuration dialog box have incorrect paths. The installer adds and extra "\AppData\AppData" to some support paths located in the user profile. For example the Main Customization File's path is listed as"C:\Users\%username%\AppData\AppData\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\ACD-A 2008\enu\Support\ADT" when it should be "C:\Users\%username%\AppData\Roaming\Autodesk\ACD-A 2008\enu\Support\ADT"
10. Fix the incorrect paths, hit apply, and you are good to go.
11. Set the paths for all content to be on your network drive. Here’s how I set the folder structure and edited the paths during installation…