Autodesk Desktop App… New in 2017

One of the first changes you may notice when installing AutoCAD 2017 is the new Autodesk desktop app, which is automatically displayed after the install is complete. This new app is replacing the Autodesk Application Manager that delivers security patches and updates for all 2015, 2016, and 2017 versions of Microsoft® Windows®-based Autodesk® products.

The Autodesk desktop app is also far easier to use and allows you to see just the updates available for specific products like AutoCAD or Revit if you desire. Which makes keeping the ones you use on a regular basis, a lot easier to maintain and get alerts on software updates without disrupting your workflow. It also lets you know when new versions of the software are available for download and allows you to install from the new Autodesk desktop app. It is also subscription-aware, and delivers subscription-only updates and learning content for products under subscription.

Please note that an Autodesk desktop app shortcut is also installed on the window’s desktop and taskbar for easy access later.

When clicking the Autodesk Desktop App for the first time, it will display the following to help you get familiar with the user interface.  

Just click the green GET STARTED button in the after getting familiar with the UI.

You will then see the Autodesk Desktop App appear.

Please note that the Autodesk desktop app does not require sign-in. But, it does offer more value when you are. If you don’t have an Autodesk account? You can easily create one by clicking the “Signing up” hyperlink.

Some of the advantages of being signed in are:

Settings for locations paths and other information…

Or easy access to Privacy Statement or Signing out.

All are accessible from the drop-down by your sign in name.

Other things like Feedback and Help are also available.

How it works… when a hot fix, service pack, or security patch becomes available, Autodesk desktop app displays a notification on the system tray. When you launch Autodesk desktop app the Updates tab, will display all available updates for the Autodesk products installed on the computer and each update and any relevant details. This includes any available learning content for the update. Clicking the relevant “Update” button downloads and installs that update.

If you select a specific product below the Update tab (e.g. AutoCAD shown below). It will only show you the relevant updates for that software only allowing you to only focus on updates that you are currently concerned with.

So far everyone I know that is using the new Autodesk Desktop App over the old AAM is much happier and we have seen far fewer support cases. I also know that IT Managers are enjoying life much better than before with its new path locations. With that being said, I want to make sure that any issues that I do come across are passed along to try and make all of you Autodesk experiences as painless as possible. Here is the first one…

Cannot import Autodesk desktop app settings from an existing deployment to AutoCAD 2017-based products

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Cannot-import-Autodesk-desktop-app-settings-in-the-deployment-modification-workflow-in-AutoCAD-2017-based-products.html

If you run into additional issues or have solutions that you want to share with everyone, please contact us at Support@cadsoft-consult.com and we will be more than happy to assist.

Tags: 2017, Autodesk Desktop App, New Features

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016 at 5:19 pm. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.