Understanding Startup Options in BricsCAD
Quick answer: BricsCAD accepts arguments and switches at startup, for example, loading specific drawings, launching with a particular user profile, or starting at a specific licence level.
Switch Syntax Rules
A switch like /P MyProfile accepts either a slash or a hyphen (-P MyProfile works too), the space between the switch and its value is optional (/PMyProfile also works), and the switch character itself is case insensitive (-p MyProfile works as well).
The Startup Switches
| Switch | What it does |
|---|---|
/P [userProfileName] |
Sets the user profile to start with. Without it, BricsCAD uses the current profile, the most recently used one, not necessarily Default. If the named profile doesn’t exist, a new empty one is created with that name. If the argument is an .arg file, it initializes the profile’s settings on first run |
/pr [LicenseLevelName] |
Sets the licence level to start with: lite, pro, bim, mechanical, or ultimate (case insensitive). Without it, BricsCAD uses the current licence level. A valid argument sets RUNASLEVEL for the session |
/B [scriptFileName.scr] |
Runs a script (.scr) or LISP file (.lsp) at startup, and opens any file type that could otherwise be dragged and dropped into the main window. Passing a filename without this switch is treated identically to passing it with /B |
/L |
Suppresses the startup splash screen |
/LD [application.arx/brx/drx/lsp/dll] |
Loads an application at startup and on every new or opened drawing, depending on file extension. .lsp/.des/.mnl files load in every drawing; other types load only once at startup |
/Safemode |
Prevents all third-party plugin code, enablers, and user LISP files from loading in the session, useful for isolating potential crash causes |
/S [path] |
Redefines SRCHPATH |
/T [TemplateFileName] |
Creates a new drawing based on the specified template |
/regserver / /unregserver (Windows only) |
Registers or unregisters BricsCAD’s COM interfaces |
/Automation (Windows only) |
Starts BricsCAD with a hidden UI, no main frame window. Intended for COM automation, but also useful for batch processing without COM, and combinable with other switches. Any script loaded this way must close the application itself once finished |
Combining and Formatting Switches
- Enclose any argument containing spaces in double quotes, for example,
/P "My user profile". - Switches can be combined:
/P MyProfile /L /S C:\BricsCAD\starts with the MyProfile user profile, suppresses the splash screen, and setsSRCHPATHtoC:\BricsCAD\, all in one go. - A switch that requires an argument only takes effect if followed by a valid one.
/Band/LDcan load more file types than you might expect,.cui,.dsd,.txt, and.pdffiles are all processed too.- If
GETSTARTEDis on at launch, the BricsCAD Launcher dialog appears, letting you choose a workspace.
Supported File Types as Direct Arguments
Beyond switches, BricsCAD also accepts these file types directly as Command line arguments: DWG and DXF (load a drawing), SCR (load a script), LSP (load a LISP program), DLL (load an ADS/SDS or DRX/ARX program), SLD (load a slide file), and MNU or CUI (load a menu file).
Frequently Asked Questions
What license level does BricsCAD start with if I don’t specify one? Whatever the current license level already is; use /pr followed by lite, pro, bim, mechanical, or ultimate to override it for that session.
Can I start BricsCAD with a completely clean environment to troubleshoot a crash? Yes, use /Safemode, which prevents third-party plugins, enablers, and user LISP files from loading.
How do I load a script that runs automatically and then closes BricsCAD? Use /Automation together with /B and your script’s path; the script itself needs to close the application once it’s done.
Can I pass a filename with spaces in it as a startup argument? Yes, just enclose it in double quotes, the same as any switch argument containing spaces.