SQL Server 'Create Database' statement. How to inherit autogrowth settings? I am using SQL Server 2008 R2 and creating databases through continuous deployment.

In our system, the default 1Mb/10% autogrowth settings in SQL Server work badly with our data. Particularly as we have a legacy application that prevents us from changing the schema much. We would like the database settings to be configured at the instance level so we can change it for staged deployments.

I have read in several places that default settings for a new db are based on the settings for 'model', but it appears this only works by clicking new database in SQL Management studio UI and not from a script e.g. CREATE DATABASE [MyDb]. 

msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms186388(v=sql.105).aspx 

sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic1065073-391-1.aspx 

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/8828557/possible-to-configure-database-autogrowth-settings-at-the-instance-level/8828604#comment15586568_8828604

Has anyone actually got this to work with a create script? Is there another way I can set autogrowth per server instance?
For SQL Server 2005+ You can use the following:  

SELECT FILE_ID, type, type_desc, 
CAST( CAST( (CASE WHEN size &lt; 128 THEN 128 ELSE size END) * 8. / 1024. AS INT ) AS VARCHAR(20) ) + 'MB' AS SIZE, 
CASE max_size WHEN -1 THEN 'UNLIMITED' ELSE CAST( CAST( max_size * 8. / 1024. AS INT ) AS VARCHAR(20) ) + 'MB' END  AS MAXSIZE,
CASE is_percent_growth
    WHEN 0 THEN CAST( CAST( growth * 8. / 1024. AS INT ) AS VARCHAR(20) ) + 'MB'
    WHEN 1 THEN CAST( growth AS VARCHAR(30) ) + '%'
END AS FILEGROWTH
FROM sys.master_files
WHERE database_id = DB_ID('model')
GO


This will retrieve File definitions for Model Database.
Later on You can use it either in CREATE DATABASE or ALTER DATABASE.

SSMS actually uses SMO to retrieve these parameters and then creates a Script which looks like:  

CREATE DATABASE [aaa] ON  PRIMARY 
( NAME = N'aaa', FILENAME = N'D:\Data\aaa.mdf' , SIZE = 3072KB , MAXSIZE = UNLIMITED , FILEGROWTH = 1024KB )
 LOG ON 
( NAME = N'aaa_log', FILENAME = N'D:\Logs\aaa_log.ldf' , SIZE = 1024KB , FILEGROWTH = 10%)
GO


If Your Application is creating the Database and You can't modify the application -
then You have to use ALTER DATABASE after creation is done:  

ALTER DATABASE [aaa] MODIFY FILE ( NAME = N'aaa', MAXSIZE = 102400KB )
GO
ALTER DATABASE [aaa] MODIFY FILE ( NAME = N'aaa_log', FILEGROWTH = 10240KB )
GO


This requires at least ALTER DATABASE Permission
(implied by ALTER ANY DATABASE Server Permission)
Obviously, You can generate that script using the first code sample (FROM sys.master_files).

I wouldn't use sysaltfiles for SQL Server 2008R2 because it is Deprecated.

Good luck,
Roi