CAD Monkey is your first step in starting a new project. First, let’s set up your File Tree. Your File Tree will determine which model and paper space files are created.

MONKEYCONFIG

First type in MONKEYCONFIG, now you’re at the Model Space configuration screen. We recommend entering just two files at first, to get comfortable. 

Perform the following steps:

1. Give the File Tree a name, like ‘Renovation Plan’
2. Click ‘Include’ on row A, enter a description. For example: “Base Building”.
3. Enter a Suffix - this will be included in the file name. For example a suffix of ‘INT’ will yield a file named like ‘1234_INT.dwg’ (1234 is the project number in this example - we'll talk about that later).
4. Enter your Autodesk® AutoCAD® template. ‘acad.dwt’ is the default, but feel free to use your own template, like “base_template.dwt”. The template must be placed in the directory that your AutoCAD templates are located.
5. Leave the "Attach Xref?" column blank. For this first file, we won’t be adding an xref.
6. Now let’s fill in the second row - click “Include?”
7. Add a description, suffix, and template
8. Under “Attach Xref?” select the first row (“A”) - this will attach the first file as an xref
9. Click ‘Accept’ to save your settings for this File Tree
10. Next we'll run the MONKEY command to see the files you just configured get created!

MONKEY

Next, type MONKEY and press return to start file generation. You will be asked some questions first.

1. First enter your project number. For example if you type ‘1234’, your Model Space files will be named similar to “1234_INT.dwg”.
2. Choose a File Tree from the dropdown - if you edited FileTree0, select that one.
3. Choose the location of your project. For example if you choose C:\caduser\mydocuments, your project folder will be something like C:\caduser\mydocuments\1234 and your files will be located in one folder (called “1234”).
4. Continue and watch your files get created! Be sure to review the Xrefs.

At this point, take a break and visit our FAQ: https://cadmonkeyllp.com/monkey-lite 

MONKEYPAPER

Okay, let’s tackle Paper Space next. Type MONKEYPAPER to launch the Paper Space configuration screen. On this screen you’ll be configuring which files get created in Paper Space.

1. Select your File Tree (for example: “FileTree0”)
2. Enter a description in the first row, for example: A100. This description will be used in the file name.
3. Enter a template. “acad.dwt” is the default, but feel free to use your own template.
4. If desired, add xrefs from the model space configs. For example if you select “(A) base file”, then the ‘base file’ will be attached during file creation. Xrefs paths are relative (not absolute) so you can copy and paste your project easily (version 2018+). You may choose to xref multiple model space files.
5. Enter other paper space files if desired!
6. Add a Title Block if you would like the Paper Space files to reference a Title Block
7. Click accept

MONKEY

Okay, now let’s try the MONKEY command again using both Model and Paper Space settings.

1. Type MONKEY and press return
2. Enter your project number
3. Select your File Tree
4. Confirm your Title Block
5. Confirm the location of your project folder
6. Go get a cup of coffee, come back in a few minutes
7. Review the files that were generated! 

MONKEYSECRETS

This command launches the global configuration settings for CAD Monkey. Currently, the only two settings are:

1. Close model space files after opening them?
2. Separate model and paper space settings into separate folders?

Once selected, these settings will apply to all File Tree creation. They may be changed at any time.

The installer that ran when you downloaded this app/plug-in from Autodesk App Store will start installing the app/plug-in. OR, simply double-click the downloaded installer to install the app/plugin. You may need to restart the Autodesk product to activate the app/plug-in. To uninstall this plug-in, exit the Autodesk product if you are currently running it, simply rerun the installer, and select the "Uninstall" button. OR, click Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features (Windows 7/8.1/10) and uninstall as you would any other application from your system.

We are always working to improve so please let us know how you think we can do better at CADMonkeyLLP@Gmail.com.

Please check out the FAQ page and Configuration settings here: CAD Monkey Lite.