Google Earth Extension for AutoCAD: How to extract 2011 components and load for AutoCAD 2012

The installer for the Google Earth Extension for AutoCAD supports:

AutoCAD 2011 Family

• AutoCAD 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
• AutoCAD Architecture 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)
• AutoCAD Map 3D 2011 (32-bit and 64-bit)

AutoCAD 2007-2010 Family

• AutoCAD 2007-2010 (32-bit only)
• AutoCAD Architecture 2007-2010 (32-bit only)
• AutoCAD Map 3D 2008-2010 (32-bit only)

The 2011 compatible version will work with AutoCAD 2012, but the installer will not find it because it is searching for 2011. So if you follow these steps, you can extract the components and utilize appload to use the Google Earth Extension with our newest AutoCAD.

Download Google Earth Extension for AutoCAD via Autodesk Labs

To use the extension with AutoCAD 2012, follow these steps.

1. Download the zip file from the Autodesk Labs site.

2. Extract the appropriate MSI file (e.g. 64-bit one) from the PublishDWGtoGE_32_64.zip file.

3. Go to Windows Start > Run then CMD to launch the cmdline.

4. Enter msiexec /a DwgPublishToGEX64Installer.msi

5. The /a starts the installer but instead of the standard installer, it runs the network setup and allows you to extract files to a directory.
   

6. Copy the these files to your install dir of your desired AutoCAD, e.g. AutoCAD 2012.

7. Load the cuix file by doing the following:

   • Select "CUI" tool from the "Manage" ribbon. Or, just type "cui" on the command line.
   • Scroll down on the top half of the dialog until you find "Partial Customization Files". Right click and select "Load Partial -" and pick GoogleEarth.cui from the AutoCAD Roamable Root Folder folder.
   • Restart acad and you should have the Google Earth extension in the ribbon.

8. Load AeccDWGToGE.arx file using APPLOAD command or arx/load or some other way. You might want to select it as one of the apps to load at start up in APPLOAD if you're going to be using this often.

So take the Google Earth Extension for AutoCAD for a spin and let us know what you find at [email protected]. Thanks to Shaan Hurley for the list of steps for extracting the files from the MSI file.

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