Updates and Service Packs and Versions, OH MY! What is going on?

When you look at the Product Information dialog, (Help->About->click the Product Information button) Under the "Product service pack" label it shows Version 3. You thought you downloaded and installed Service Pack 2 and when checking the website to see what was downloaded it shows "AutoCAD update 2". What gives?





With the 2009 release, Autodesk has changed some of its terminology. When you install an update, the version of the update ADDS to the version you have installed, therefore, when you install update 2 onto the original version, the Product service pack reads "Version 3".

This makes it a bit confusing especially since the Update number and the Version number do NOT match in current versions. In previous versions, the service pack number you downloaded and applied was the same as what showed in the "Product service pack" that displayed in the Product information dialog. Now the former Service Packs are now known as Updates and may be released more frequently (more than once per year).




Always review the readme file for the particular product update; as it will help you decide if you need to install the respective update. A screenshot from the AutoCAD 2009 update 2 readme is shown above.

Autodesk Service Packs and Updates 12-18-2008

The following have all be listed within the last 60 days. Be sure to read all the readme or FAQ files before you execute any update or service pack. We highly recommend you have a backup of your files before you begin as a precaution.

If you run into an eror you cannot easily fix, remember we're just a phone call away - 800-808-7945.

AutoCAD 2009 Update 2
Published date: 2008-Oct-30
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL11899352

Applies to: AutoCAD® 2009

AutoCAD LT 2009 Update 2.01
Published date: 2008-Nov-11
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL12049749

Applies to: AutoCAD LT® 2009

AutoCAD Architecture 2009 Product Update 2
Published date: 2008-Oct-28
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL12004783

Applies to: AutoCAD® Architecture 2009

AutoCAD Electrical 2009 SP2
Published date: 2008-Oct-27
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL11992831

Applies to: AutoCAD® Electrical 2009

AutoCAD Mechanical 2009 Service Pack 2
Published date: 2008-Oct-17
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL11998386

Applies to:
AutoCAD® Mechanical 2009
Autodesk® Inventor™ Professional 2009
Autodesk® Inventor™ Routed Systems Suite 2009
Autodesk® Inventor™ Simulation Suite 2009
Autodesk® Inventor™ Suite 2009

AutoCAD Revit MEP Suite 2009 Product Update 2
Published date: 2008-Oct-20
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL12005566

Applies to:
AutoCAD® MEP 2009
AutoCAD Revit MEP Suite 2009

AutoCAD MEP 2009 Product Update 2
Published date: 2008-Dec-12
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL12005790

Applies to:
AutoCAD® MEP 2009

Autodesk Mechanical Desktop 2009 Service Pack 2
Published date: 2008-Oct-17
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL11998347

Applies to:
Autodesk® Inventor™ Professional 2009
Autodesk® Inventor™ Routed Systems Suite 2009
Autodesk® Inventor™ Simulation Suite 2009
Autodesk® Inventor™ Suite 2009
Autodesk Mechanical Desktop 2009 (AIP - Routed Systems)
Autodesk Mechanical Desktop 2009 (AIP - Simulation)
Autodesk Mechanical Desktop 2009 (AIP)
Autodesk Mechanical Desktop 2009 (AIS)

MapGuide Enterprise 2009 Update 1 for Windows
Published date: 2008-Oct-21
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL12004070

Applies to:
Autodesk MapGuide Enterprise 2009

Revit MEP 2009—English
Web Update #3 Service Pack – November 2008
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/item?siteID=123112&id=11273489

Important Note:
Web Update #3 is not a full install; rather it is using Service Pack technology similar to AutoCAD® based products. Prior to installing the Web Update #3 Service pack, please verify that you have already installed the First Customer Ship build or Web Update #1 build of Revit MEP 2009. The full install of Revit MEP 2009 (64-bit) can be downloaded from the Subscription Center.

Notes:
* The service pack contains changes from all previous service packs.
* The service pack can be applied to both the standalone and suite versions of Revit MEP 2009.

AutoCAD 2009 Update 2 for AutoCAD Revit Architecture Suite 2009
Published date: 2008-Nov-11
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL11899247

Applies to:
AutoCAD® 2009
AutoCAD Revit Architecture Suite 2009
Revit® Architecture 2009

AutoCAD 2009 Update 2 for AutoCAD Revit Structure Suite 2009
Published date: 2008-Nov-11
http://usa.autodesk.com/getdoc/id=DL11899272

Applies to:
AutoCAD® 2009
AutoCAD Revit Structure Suite 2009
Revit® Structure 2009

Undocumented Feature of AutoCAD 2009: Layer Manager

In AutoCAD 2009, if you change settings to tell AutoCAD to use the old-style Layer Manager, it might actually be good for performance. To change the mode of the Layer Manager Palette (dialog) do the following

1. Enter LAYERDLGMODE at the command line and hit the Enter key to access the setting
2. Enter 0 at the command line and hit the Enter key to set the value

This will make the Layer dialog appear like what you’ve seen in previous versions and make the dialog "modal" again; so you must close the dialog before performing the next command. This can help speed up the performance of AutoCAD, because when you have multiple drawings open and you switch between drawings while the default 2009 Layer Manager Palette is open, AutoCAD must re-populate the list of layers in the Layer Manager window; refreshing the list each time you switch. This can take a bit of time and, in larger drawings or drawings with XREFs, it can cause AutoCAD to become unusable.

LAYERDLGMODE is an undocumented system variable; therefore it won't be found in the Help file.

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