IMAGINiT Technologies Support Blog

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Our team enjoys providing tips and tricks, beyond what you read here on the blog. Check out our new home on the IMAGINiT Technologies Resource Center.

There you'll find many of our older posts, as well as on-demand webcasts, video tips, ideas for future improvement, and more. 

Content from our amazing technical team will continue! We hope you’ll join us: https://resources.imaginit.com/support-blog.

How to update your video card

Check to see if your video card is on the list of certified Autodesk tested video cards and if there is an update. If your video card is not listed or you are still having issues go to your video card manufacturers site.

 

If you run windows updates, look at Optional updates for your graphics card update. If you don't see one you still need to verify it is truly up to date. I like to look at my system specs to verify my driver is up to date.

Open the Run dialog box by clicking your keyboards Windows+R keys to open the Run box. Type “msinfo32” into the “Open” field, and then hit Enter.

You should immediately see the System Information panel.

Expand Components and click on Display. You will need to widen the Value column so you can see the entire Driver information. The date of your driver is the last time it was updated.

You will then go to your graphics card manufacturers website to find out if there is an update. 

As you can see I have gone to the NVIDIA drivers website and found that compared to my driver in the system information above I have an update.

 

AMD video cards can be found at the AMD website and the Intel on-board graphics cards you need to go to your machines manufactures website to find your update i.e. Dell, HP, etc.

3DS MAX 2018 Arnold rendering option is missing

When trying to render in 3ds MAX 2018  you do not see any rendering features and the Arnold render plug-in is missing. 

Solution:

Download and install it from SolidAngle or from your Autodesk Accounts under downloads > addons.

Autodesk installation error 1303

When installing your Autodesk software you get an error message:

Error 1303. The installer has insufficient privileges to access this directory: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 20XX\Sample. The installation cannot continue. Log on as administrator or contact your system administrator. 

This is a user permissions issue and not the Autodesk installer issue.

You will need your IT to log into the machine to run the installer.

Have your IT verify the following permission under your user login by following my blog called Autodesk Permissions: What folders need full permissions for each user?

 

"Error 1303. The installer has insufficient privileges to access this directory: C:Windows\Installer\{AB...}. The installation cannot continue. Log on as an administrator or contact your system administrator."

If you are getting error 1303 when trying to install or reinstalling your Autodesk software its related to a microsoft windows issue or a permissions issue. Here is what you can do to fix this:

• Have your IT log into the computer using the computers administrator login and password. Even if you are apart of the administrator group you still might not have enough permissions to install the software.
• Have your IT fix the machines permissions by giving the user full control of the C:\Windows folder and all folder locations that Autodesk needs to install to. Click Autodesk permissions to read more on what folders need to have full control.
• Run the Microsoft Fix it Tool. 
• Last resort that I don't think anyone wants to hear is that you will need your IT to re-image your machine.

 

All Updates for 3DS Max/3DS Max Design

 All update after 2017 are now on the Autodesk website within your account page. Go to manage.autodesk.com to donwload your update. Here are all the ways you can download your updates https://knowledge.autodesk.com/customer-service/download-install/install-software/update-software/enhancements 

 

3DS Max 2017

• Service Pack 1
• Service Pack 2
• Service Pack 3

3DS Max 2016

• Service Pack 1
• Service Pack 2
• Service Pack 3
• Service Pack 4

3DS Max 2015

• Service Pack 1
• Service Pack 2
• Service Pack 3
• Service Pack 4

3DS Max 2014 

• Service Pack 1
• Service Pack 2
• Service Pack 3
• Service Pack 5 (Due to an issue in Service Pack 4 it was promptly removed from Autodesk.com and is being replaced by Service Pack 5.)

3DS Max 2013

• Product Update 1 
  
• Product Update 2
• Product Update 3
• Product Update 4
• Product Update 5
• Product Update 6

3DS Max 2012

• Service Pack 1
• Service Pack 2
• Product Update 3 - No update
• Product Update 4 - No update
• Product Update 5 - No update
• Product Update 6
• Product Update 7
• Product Update 8
• Product Update 9
• Product Update 10
• Product Update 11- Due to a CAT defect in 3ds Max 2012 Product Update 11, it is no longer available. 3ds Max 2012 Product Update 11 should be uninstalled prior to installing 3ds Max 2012 
• Product Update 12

3DS Max Design 2015

• Service Pack 1
• Service Pack 2
• Service Pack 3

3DS Max Design 2014

• Service Pack 1
• Service Pack 2
• Service Pack 3
• Service Pack 5 (Due to an issue in Service Pack 4 it was promptly removed from Autodesk.com and is being replaced by Service Pack 5.)

3DS Max Design 2013

• Product Update 1
• Product Update 2
• Product Update 3
• Product Update 4
• Product Update 5
• Product Update 6

3DS Max Design 2012

• Service Pack 1
• Service Pack 2
• Product Update 3 - No update
• Product Update 4 - No update
• Product Update 5 - No update
• Product Update 6 
• Product Update 7
• Product Update 8
• Product Update 9
• Product Update 10
• Product Update 11- Due to a CAT defect in 3ds Max 2012 Product Update 11, it is no longer available. 3ds Max 2012 Product Update 11 should be uninstalled prior to installing 3ds Max 2012 Product Update 12.
• Product Update 12

How to assign users to the Autodesk software

Find the Autodesk Contract Manager for your company. This is going to be the person who purchased the software. Need more help? Here is my blog on Who is my company's Autodesk subscription contract manager.

Once you have figured out who is the Autodesk Contract Manager for your company they can sign into https://manage.autodesk.com using their Autodesk user name and password.

If you don't know your sign in or password you can enter in your work email and click NEXT.

Then click on the FORGOT? link to rest your password.

HOW TO GIVE PERMISSIONS TO YOUR USERS

NOTE: By default one of the Autodesk seats you purchased will automatically be assigned to you the Contract Manager. Sign into your Autodesk account and verify you don't have unnecessary seats assigned to you.

Click on User Management in the panel on the left. If you are the Autodesk Contract Manager and you do not see these icons to the left of your Autodesk Account contact your Autodesk reseller so they can get this fixed for you.

Verify the user(s) is showing in the list of All Users. If there are users missing you need to add them by click on the Add button at the top of the page.

If there are users in the list that no longer work for the company you can delete them by first clicking on Edit Access and removing any check marks then click Save.

To Delete their name click on the X by their name. If there is no X that means they are the Contract Manager or the Software Coordinator and you will need to call your reseller to get them removed.

To assign a user to the software you will click on Edit Access on their name.

Scroll down and put a check mark next to the software. 

If you cannot put a check mark next to the software because there is zero seats available this means that someone else or the Contract Manager has the software assigned to them.

If you don't know who has the seat(s) you can use the filter tool at the top of the users list. You can filter by software name or contract number.

 

Autodesk Script Error: An error has occurred in the script on this page

When launching your Autodesk software you get a Script Error. This error typically occurs after the initial install of the software.

An error has occurred in the script on this page.

Error: 'xmsgProductLanguage' is undefined

Solution:

Delete your desktop shortcut and create a new one by following these steps.

All shortcuts can be found in this folder C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Autodesk Folder or Program but here are others ways to create a desktop shortcut:

Windows 7: From the Windows Start Menu, go to All Programs > Autodesk > Autodesk Software<version>
Then right-click on the link for the program there and select "copy to" > Desktop

Windows 8.1: 

From the Windows Start Menu > go to Apps > right click on the Autodesk Software<Version> > Click on 'Open File Location'

 

Copy the shortcut to your desktop

 

 

With the new shortcut on the desktop do the following: https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Script-error-launching-AutoCAD-LT-2017-and-2018.html

 

There are two solutions in the blog above. I have copied them in case the blog gets deleted.

First suggested solution:

"Closing error messages allows users to use AutoCAD 2017.

If you disconnect from the Internet, then start the program, and then reconnect to the Internet, error messages do not show up."

Can you please check to see if the above will stop the error messages, even if it is only temporarily?

I have also found references to similar errors that were browser related:

"This ended up being that IE's document mode was being defaulted to IE7 Standards. This was due to the compatibility mode being automatically set to be used for all intranet sites (Tools > Compatibility View Setting > Display Intranet Sites in Compatibility View)."

Please check this setting and change it to see if the errors continue.

"Older IE versions (IE7 and IE 8) show following error."

Please check your version of IE and let me know what version you are using.

Also, I have a couple of other questions:

1. What OS are you using?

2. What version of Java do you have installed on your system?

3. Since only two of the five systems with AutoCAD 2017 are having issues, can you think of any differences between the two systems and the 3 that are not experiencing the issue? Maybe things like whether or not the users have Admin privileges or not, if the software was installed differently on the 2, or perhaps they are on a different network or subnet should be considered.

Second suggestion Solution:

The issue was actually being caused by the language parameters of the shortcut which is automatically placed on the desktop upon install. (See picture)

****************************************************************************************************
FIX: All that needed to be done was to start the application using the EXE. (C:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD LT 2017\acadlt.exe)

****************************************************************************************************

Once this was done the program could finish the activation process without any script error and started as normal. As a result, the orginal shortcuts with the language parameter now works as well.

3ds Max: Troubleshooting 3ds Max problems when running under Windows 10

3ds Max: Troubleshooting 3ds Max problems when running under Windows 10

See Link

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/3ds-max/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Troubleshooting-3ds-Max-problems-when-running-under-Windows-10.html

 

See Also:

How to disable Run all administrators in Admin Approval Mode (Screencast video)
3ds Max 2018 will not launch, or will experience instability when file browsing after installation
3ds Max 2018 Crashes on Startup With Incompatible CPUs for the Arnold Render Plugin

 

For more information about Autodesk products please visit

www.imaginit.com

Recommended Hardware Specs for Success

You are ready to buy a new computer for your CAD workstations, and are confused or unsure what the best setups are for what you do.  You've looked at the Autodesk website, and have looked at their minimum specifications, but don't see a recommended one.  Here's a list of what I have put together for specs based on my own experience and usage:

• Fastest Intel i7, Intel i9, or AMD processor you can afford (Minimum 3.0 GHz or higher) – Quad core or more if you have the budget (more cores is not necessarily faster, as most Autodesk Software is primarily single core/single thread)  The faster the processor, the better the performance will be.  (I generally steer away form Xeon processors, those have Server architecture and are generally not faster than a consumer processor)
• 16 GB of RAM minimum, 8 GB would probably do for LT applications and Viewers, but as a minimum 16 GB, 32 GB or more if you are working with large models or animations
• 4 GB GDDR5 dedicated Workstation class Video Card as a bare minimum (NVidia Quadro or AMD FirePro), You can probably make out fine with 2GB for most LT applications, but more is better, and it must be Workstation class – gaming cards will not cut it for performance.  When possible I recommend 6 GB or more, especially if you are rendering or handling large models or data sets.
• If you can afford one, I highly recommend an SSD (Solid State Drive) as your primary drive (generally at 250 or 500 Gigabytes).  This will speed up the applications and operating system significantly, and since the cost has been coming down and the reliability is going up, it's an excellent way to get the most out of your machine.

So, in short, know your budget and start with the processor first, and then the graphics card.  For most machines you can add RAM later for less, so start with 16 GB, and if you still have the budget after those items, get the SSD.

 

Ways to download the Autodesk software

The best way to download the Autodesk software is to use the "Download Now" which gives you all the files you need. It is best downloaded in IE (Internet Explorer) or Google Chrome. I have three methods below to try and download your Autodesk software.

First you have to adjust some of your machines securities in order to be successful.

Here is what you will do:

Go to your temp folder and delete everything you can C:\Users\your user profile folder\AppData\Local\Temp OR here is a soundless video on how to get to your temp folder and delete everything:

Open Windows Firewall by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type firewall, and then click Windows Firewall. Click Turn Windows Firewall on or off.  If you're prompted for an administrator password or confirmation, type the password or provide confirmation.

Click Turn off Windows Firewall (not recommended) under each network location that you want to stop trying to protect, and then click OK.

• Set your user account control setting to never notify.

Open User Account Control Settings by clicking the Start button , and then clicking Control Panel. In the search box, type UAC, and then click Change User Account Control settings. To turn off UAC, move the slider to the Never notify position, and then click OK.

• Verify the Autodesk ports and websites used are not being blocked by review my blog regarding Autodesk Trusted Sites.
• Verify you as the user of the machine has the correct permissions. Being a part of the admin group doesn't always get you past permissions issue with installs. Follow my blog regarding Autodesk permissions requirements.

First Option:

Open IE (Internet Explorer) or Chrome to start the download:

Go to https://manage.autodesk.com and sign in

Go to your software and click on the “Download” link

 

OR you can click on the arrow to the left of the software name to expand and see more information. 

 

 

Select which version you want to download and click on the “View All” link

 

 

Select on “Download Now”

 

 

At the bottom of the Internet page will be a question for you “Do you want to run or save AutodeskDownloadManagerSetup.exe..” click “Run”

 

 

Click on “I Agree”

 

 

You may get some dialog boxes that pop up asking if you want to allow the Autodesk site, if they are a trusted site and that your firewall is block (if it's still on).

 

 

 

Click the OK button to download it to the C:\Autodesk folder

 

 

Second Option:

If the first option just sits and doesn't start the download you can then do the following:

While in the manage.autodesk.com site scroll to the bottom of your list of products.

Click on the "Download Products" button.

 

 

This will take you to the old subscription download site.

Select on the software then change the download type to "Download Now".