How to change the default Project Templates Folder location

When you create a new Data Shortcut folder, you are given the option to use a Project Template.  This Template is just a snapshot of how you want your folder structure to look.  If you, for example, want every project to have an Images folder, than this is the place to make that change.  I am going to show you a quick tip to make this selection process a little easier for you.

When you are the “New Data Shortcut Folder” dialog box, you will see that you are able to change the Templates folder, but it will always default to:

C:\Civil 3D Projects Templates\

That’s well and good, if that’s where you want your templates.  But what if you store your templates on a network drive?  You either have to hit the ellipsis to navigate to that location every time or follow this little tip.

That folder location is stored in the Registry.  This is very easy to modify, but if you have never played with the Windows Registry before, then please read the warning below, or ask someone who is more comfortable with this to give you a hand. 

The key is found here:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R17.2\ACAD-7000:409\AEC\Directories\ProjTemplateDir

In the right panel, right-click on the String “ProjcTemplateDir” and select Modify.  Place in your correct, new path.  For any of you on Vista 64-bit, the key is hidden under one more layer:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R17.2\ACAD-7000:409\AEC\Directories\ProjTemplateDir

And that’s all there is to it.  Enjoy!

The fine print: Problems caused by improperly editing the Windows registry could render your computer operating system unusable. Microsoft provides a wealth of critical information that you need to know about the registry in the Microsoft Knowledge Base.

Use the Microsoft® Registry Editor only at your own risk and only after backing up the registry as well as the system.dat and user.dat files as outlined for your operating system in the Microsoft Knowledge Base and in the related Autodesk solution,TS66513. Additional information about the registry is also contained in the Help topics in the Microsoft Registry Editor.