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Installing an AutoCAD Add-in for a Single User

This page describes how to install Design Master HVAC, Electrical, Plumbing, or Photometrics for a single user.

Run the Installer

Download and run the latest installer from these links:

Configure AutoCAD

After the software is installed, AutoCAD needs to be configured. If you have multiple versions of AutoCAD on your computer, this needs to be done for each version of AutoCAD.

If you are using BricsCAD, see the instructions below.

To configure AutoCAD:

  1. Open the install.dwg file in the Admin folder where Design Master is installed. The default install location is C:\Program Files\Design Master Software\Admin. If you are given a warning that the file is in use or read-only, press the Yes button to open the drawing in read-only.
  2. Type APPLOAD at the command line and press ENTER. The Load/Unload Applications dialog box will open.
    If you receive an "Unknown command" error, you are running AutoCAD LT, which does not support third-party add-ins. Full AutoCAD is required to run the software.
  3. Browse to the Admin folder. The default install location is C:\Program Files\Design Master Software\Admin.
  4. Select the VLX file that corresponds to the program you are loading and press the Load button.
    • HVAC: hvac-loadInAutoCAD.vlx
    • Electrical: elec-loadInAutoCAD.vlx
    • Plumbing: plumb-loadInAutoCAD.vlx
    • Photometrics: photo-loadInAutoCAD.vlx
  5. Press the Close button.
  6. You will be asked to select an installation type. Press the Local button. The Network and Network Laptop buttons are used when installing the software for multiple users.
  7. You will be asked to configure your installation settings. The default folder locations are provided for you. Press the OK button to finish the configuration.
  8. The first time you run a command, you will be asked to install your license. To begin a trial of the software, press the Request License button. The License Key Request page will open in your web browser. Submit your email address to receive a 30-day license.
    Otherwise, enter the license ID and password we emailed to you and press the Activate button.

 

Configure BricsCAD

After the software is installed, BricsCAD needs to be configured.

If you are using AutoCAD, see the instructions above.

To configure BricsCAD:

  1. Open the install.dwg file in the Admin folder where Design Master is installed. The default install location is C:\Program Files\Design Master Software\Admin.
  2. Type APPLOAD at the command line and press ENTER. The Load Application Files dialog box will open.
    If you receive an "Unknown command" error, you are running BricsCAD Lite, which does not support third-party add-ins.
  3. Press the Add / + button.
  4. Select the DES file that corresponds to the program you are loading.
    • HVAC: hvac-loadInAutoCAD.des
    • Electrical: elec-loadInAutoCAD.des
    • Plumbing: plumb-loadInAutoCAD.des
    • Photometrics: photo-loadInAutoCAD.des
  5. Press the Open button.
  6. Press the Load button.
  7. You will be asked to select an installation type. Press the Local button. The Network and Network Laptop buttons are used when installing the software for multiple users.
  8. You will be asked to configure your installation settings. The default folder locations are provided for you. Press the OK button to finish the configuration.
  9. The first time you run a command, you will be asked to install your license. To begin a trial of the software, press the Request License button. The License Key Request page will open in your web browser. Submit your email address to receive a 30-day license.
    Otherwise, enter the license ID and password we emailed to you and press the Activate button.

 

Installing Updates

To install an update to the software, download the installer using the links in the Run the Installer section and run it.

When installing an update, you must update all three programs at the same time. Do not update one program and not the others.

You need to have AutoCAD or BricsCAD closed when you run the update installer.

None of your existing customization will be overwritten during the update process.

Limited Privileges Installer

Some Windows configurations that limit install privileges do not work well with our installer. We provide this limited privileges installer to help with those cases.

First, download and run the regular installer from above.

After you have run that installer, download and run the limited privileges installer:

Design Master HVAC, Electrical, & Plumbing Limited Privileges Installer