Skip to main content

Installing Design Master HVAC

This section describes how to install Design Master HVAC.

System Requirements

Visit the System Requirements page to make sure you can use the software before installing.

If you are installing the software to your local machine, follow the Installing Locally instructions. A local install is recommended if you are the only one using the software.

If you are installing the software to a network server, follow the Installing on a Network instructions. A network install is recommended if you will have multiple people using the software, as it ensures everyone is using the same version and customization.

If you are a current user installing an update to the software, follow the Updating Design Master HVAC instructions.

Installing Locally​

Run the Installer​

Download and run the latest Design Master HVAC installer.

tip

If you are also using other Design Master Software products, links to combination and standalone installers are available on the Downloads page.

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.

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 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.

    tip

    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 hvac-loadInAutoCAD.vlx and press the button.

  5. Press the button.

  6. You will be asked to select an installation type. Press the button.

  7. You will be asked to configure your installation settings. The default folder locations are provided for you. Press the button to finish the configuration.

  8. The first time you run a command, you will be asked to install your license. You have three options:

    • To begin a trial of the software, press the button.
      The trial is fully featured and not time-limited. Text inserted on drawings will randomly be replaced with DMH watermarks until a license is installed.
    • To purchase a license, press the button.
    • If you already have a license, press the button, enter your License ID and Activation Password in the fields provided, and press the button.
      tip

      If you do not know your license ID and password, visit the License Key Request page to have them emailed to you.

Video Demonstration

Installing on a Network​

Run the Installer​

Download and run the latest Design Master HVAC installer. When the installer asks for the install location, specify a location on the network.

tip

If you are also using other Design Master Software products, links to combination and standalone installers are available on the Downloads page.

warning

The installer must be run from a workstation, not on the server itself. If you are unable to install to the server folder from the workstationvisit the Limited Privileges Installer section below.

Installing the software on a network folder that all users in the company can access is recommended. If you are installing more than one Design Master program, they should all be installed to the same location. Do not install the programs to separate folders.

Install Components Once on Each Computer​

The software does not need to be fully installed on each computer that is going to run the software, but some components do need to be present on the machine.

Download and run the Design Master Components installer.

tip

The Design Master Components only need to be installed one time for each machine. The following files will be installed:

  • Slide.ocx: An ActiveX DLL for displaying slide images in a dialog box. This component was written by Autodesk and provided to 3rd-party developers.
  • Jet64.exe: A 32-bit ActiveX executable used to connect to the Microsoft Jet Database from 64-bit AutoCAD. This component was written by Design Master Software.

All of our AutoCAD-based programs use the same components. They do not need to be reinstalled if you install a new version of AutoCAD , or if you install an update to our software.

If an update ever requires that the Design Master Components be reinstalled, we will make that clear.

Configure AutoCAD​

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

To configure AutoCAD:

  1. Open the install.dwg file in the Admin folder where Design Master is installed.

    If you are given a warning that the file is in use or read-only, press the 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.

    tip

    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.

  4. Select hvac-loadInAutoCAD.vlx and press the button.

  5. Press the button.

  6. You will be asked to select an installation type.

    • Press this button when the computer is a desktop connected to the network. The customization files will always be located on the server.
    • Press this button when the computer is a laptop that is disconnected from the network at times. The customization will load from the server when connected to the network and from the local computer when not connected.

  7. You will be asked to configure your installation settings. The default folder locations are provided for you. Press the button to finish the configuration.

  8. The first time you run a command, you will be asked to install your license. Press the button, enter your License ID and Activation Password in the fields provided, and press the button.

    tip

    If you do not know your license ID and password, visit the License Key Request page to have them emailed to you.

Limited Privileges Installer​

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

  1. Download and run the regular Design Master HVAC installer.

  2. Download and run the Design Master HVAC, Electrical, & Plumbing Limited Privileges Installer.