Installation Notes

Version 2025
HiCAD and HELiOS
Date of issue: 05/03/2025
HiCAD and HELiOS Content

2 / 200 Installation Notes

Content HiCAD and HELiOS

TOC
Getting Started 6

System Requirements 13
System Requirements for HiCAD 14
Compatibility Matrix for Interfaces Applications (HiCAD) 16
System Requirements for the HiCAD Spooler 18
System Requirements for the HELiOS Database Server 19
System Requirements for the HELiOS Vault Server 20
System Requirements for the HELiOS Client 21
Compatibility Matrix for Interfaced Applications (HELiOS) 22
System Requirements for the HELiOS Spooler 24
System Requirements for the License Server 25
Operation in Virtual Environments 26
HELiOS Client 26
HELiOS Spooler 26
License Server 26
Network licenses on Virtual Machines (VM) 26
Further Requirements for Installation 27

Installation 28
Installation von HiCAD 31
Installing the Online Help 44
Installing the HiCAD Viewer 47
Installation des HiCAD Spoolers 50
Installing the HELiOS Database Creator 53
Installing the HELiOS Vault Server 56
Installing the HELiOS Client 60
Support with the Office Interface 68
Installing the HELiOS Spooler 70
Installing the HELiOS Server Monitor 75
Installing the HELiOS Task Starter 77
Installing the Trial Edition (Demo Version) 80
Installation Education Edition (for Students) 84
Silent Installation 88

Configuration 93
Configuration Management 94
Configuration Management for Updates 96
Configuration Management for New Installations 97
Parameter Configuration for HiCAD 99

Installation Notes 3 / 200

HiCAD and HELiOS Content

Update 102
Licensing in Case of Updates 106
Updating the Server License 106
Updating Local Licenses 107
Carrying Out the Installation 108
Data Compatibility of HiCAD/HELiOS 109
Update of HiCAD 110
Backups Before Performing the HiCAD Update Installation 110
Update Installation of HiCAD 111
ISD Update Service 124
Installing the ISD Update Service 124
Using the ISD Update Service 127
ISD Update Service: Settings 130
Update - Procedure for the modules Plant Engineering and Pipeline Planning 132
Part Variants 132
Updating the HELiOS Database (Database Schema) 133
Manual Registration of Multi-CAD Add-ins 138
New Mask Editor for HELiOS 139
New File Format for 2-D Files in HiCAD 141
Conversion of 2-D Data to the FGA Format 141
Installing the FIG-FGA Converter 143
CatalogueMaker 147
CatalogueUpdate 147
CatalogueMaker 148

Licensing 150
General Notes on Licensing 151
General Information on Local (Workstation-specific) Licenses 151
General Information on (Server-controlled) Network Licenses 151
General Information on Commuter Licenses 152
Installing the License Server 154
Licensing via Entitlement ID (License Activator) 160
AutoRequest Licenses 160
Activate Licenses 162
Deactivate Licenses 163
Trial Licenses 164
Reconstruction of Licenses 164
Notes on the Use of Mobile Computers (Laptops) 164
Floating Licenses 165
Commuter Licenses 166
Checking Out Commuter Licenses, with Network Connection 166
Checking Out Commuter Licenses, without Network Connection 169
License Configuration 174

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Content HiCAD and HELiOS

Server Monitor 177

Theft of a Workstation 178

First Steps 179

HiCAD at a Glance 180
Start HiCAD 181
DLL Check 182
Start Centre 183
Close HiCAD 185
HELiOS at a Glance 186
Start HELiOS 187
What's New in Version 2025? 189

How to Use the Help 190

Hotline 193

Copyright 194

Installation Notes 5 / 200

Getting Started

Getting Started

Important Notes!

Hardware Exchange
If you use local HiCAD/HELiOS licenses and want to exchange any hardware components, modify the par-
titioning of, or re-install the operating system, you need to revoke the existing license on the HiCAD/HELiOS
workstation first, and request, using the new hardware or modified configuration, a new license key (further
information on the procedure can be found in the software documentation).
If a revocation is technically possible, but will not be performed, the ISD reserves the right to charge costs in an
appropriate amount for the reissuing of the license. If the license will not be revoked, or if such revocation is no
longer technically possible, the ISD may request proof that the unrevoked license is no longer utilisable; in case
of failure to produce such proof, the ISD reserves the right to refuse the transfer of the license to a new hard-
ware.

Discontinuation of HELiOS 32 Bit, HiCAD Viewer 32 Bit and Office Interface 32 Bit
Since HELiOS 2022 (Version 2700.0) there is no 32 Bit version available for HELiOS and the HiCAD Viewer.
Since Microsoft has also offered a 64 Bit installation of Office since Office 2010 and many add-ins for Office are
now also available as 64 Bit versions, with HELiOS 2024 we will support an Office interface only for a 64 Bit
Office. If you are still using the Office interface in conjunction with a 32 Bit Office, you must uninstall your Office
version and reinstall it as a 64 Bit version as soon as you update to HELiOS 2024.

Discontinuation of Microsoft SQL Server 2012

Microsoft® discontinued support for SQL Server 2012 in July 2022 and no longer provides security updates. As
a result, SQL Server 2012 will no longer be supported from HELiOS 2025 onwards.s.

Discontinuation of the Spooler Client

As of HELiOS 2025 (Version 30.0), the Spooler Client tool for limiting parallel printing processes is no longer
supported.

Discontinuation of the HELiOS.Briefcase tool

As of HELiOS 2025 (Version 30.0), the HELiOS.Briefcase tool for synchronising separate HELiOS databases will
no longer be supported.
In order to be able to continue working at different locations without significant latency to the database, the cor-
responding workstations must be provided centrally, and appropriate remote access to the environment must
be set up.

Discontinuation of the Zuken E3 interface

As of HELiOS 2024 (Version 2900.0) we will no longer support the Zuken E3 interface.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Discontinuation of Oracle
As of HELiOS 2022 (Version 2700.0), Oracle will no longer be officially supported as a database system! Please
migrate to a SQL Server as soon as possible.

Discontinuation of Mircosoft Office 2010 interface

From HELiOS 2021 (Version 2600.0) on, we will no longer support Office 2010 in the HELiOS – Office interface.

Discontinuation of old Multi-CAD interfaces for HELiOS 2025

As of HELiOS 2025 (Version 30.0), the following versions of Multi-CAD interfaces are no longer supported:
n AutoCAD 2021 or older
n AutoCAD Mechanical 2021 or older
n Inventor 2021 or older
Before installing or updating, please check if your current interfaces are supported by HELiOS.

Discontinuation of the "old" Report Manager

From HELiOS 2024 onwards, the "old" Report Manager, i.e. the Report Manager up to 2022, will no longer be
delivered with a standalone installation of the HELiOS Desktop. In a HiCAD/HELiOS installation or a HELiOS
update of HiCAD, however, the "old" Report Manager is still included. From HiCAD 2025 onwards, only the
"new" Report Manager as of 2023 will be supported.

Discontinuation of the ISD.PDM.API

Before carrying out a HELiOS update for an older HiCAD version, please note that from HELiOS 2022 omwards,
the previous ISD.PDM.API will be discontinued and replaced by the new API from Helios.Interface. If you use
customisations that use functionalities from the previous ISD.PDM.API, you must update the customisations to
the new API before carrying out the HELiOS update. If you use customisations that use functionalities from the
HiCAD API, you should ensure that the HiCAD version used is at least version 2502.5 or 2601.1 or newer. If you
are unsure whether you are using corresponding adaptations, please talk to your administrator or contact the
ISD in case of doubt.

Discontinuation of Windows® 7 and Windows® 8

Microsoft® has discontinued support for the Windows® 7 operating system in January 2020. For compatibility
reasons, HiCAD 2020 SP2 and HELiOS 2020 SP2 were the last versions of our CAD or PDM system to support
Windows© 7. HiCAD 2021 and HELiOS 2021 no longer run under Windows© 7, Windows© 8 and the cor-
responding server operating systems (Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012 and older) are also no
longer supported. If an attempt is made to install HiCAD 2021 or HELiOS 2021 on a computer with Windows©
7 or Windows© 8, a message appears.

Installation Notes 7 / 200

Getting Started

Discontinuation of length measurements deviating from mm

HiCAD 2022 only supports drawings with the unit of measurement “Millimetres” (mm). The unit of meas-
urement is saved in the corresponding SZA, FGA or KRA file when saving a drawing or a part. Attempts to open
drawings with a different unit of measurement or to insert parts with a unit of measurement different from mm
will be blocked.

Discontinuation of "old" OpenGL versions

From HiCAD 2021 on, only OpenGL version 4.3 is used in all HiCAD modules. Until now this was only the case
with the module HiCAD Point Cloud. This means that HiCAD 2022 can no longer be run on computers without
a separate graphics card. To avoid possible problems with onboard graphics cards, we recommend using a
stand-alone graphics card.

Discontinuation of "old" HiCAD itemization

As of HiCAD 2019 the “old” itemisation, i.e. the itemisation that was used up to HiCAD 2017, will only be avail-
able for model drawings that were already itemized with these functions. From HiCAD 2021 onwards, only the
“new” itemization will be supported. Please also read the information given in the Conversion of Old Itemisa-
tions topic.

Discontinuation of CADENAS PARTdataManager

As of HiCAD 2022 SP2, the CADENAS PARTdataManager will no longer be supported. Thus, the functions
Insert main part, PARTsolutions (CADENAS program) and Import PARTsolutions part will no longer be available
from SP2 onwards.

HELiOS Workspaces: Conversion of the system directories

When updating from an older version to HELiOS 2025 (Version 30.0.0) or higher, please note that the directory
structure will change. Since an automated migration is not possible, all users have to check out all data and
empty their workspaces before installing the update to avoid data loss.
In previous versions, the workspaces were located at %localappdata%. This meant that different workspaces
could be located on one system. To prevent this, the update to HELiOS 2025 will move the workspaces to the
%programdata% directory.
Checked-out files are then stored at %programdata%\ISD Software und Systeme\HELiOS Workspace\(…)*\
(*plus Location ID and User ID). The workspace databases are stored version- dependently at %pro-
gramdata%\ISD Software und Systeme\HELiOS <Version>\Location-ID\.

Microsoft SQL Server

The SQL Server Native Client (often abbreviated to SNAC) has been removed by Microsoft from SQL Server
2022 (16.x) and SQL Server Management Studio 19 (SSMS). It is recommended to use the latest version of the
Microsoft ODBC Driver for SQL Server instead.
Further information can be found on the Microsoft website or in the installation instructions for Microsoft SQL
Server 2022.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Mark-up und redlining

The HiRedLine tool allows you to add comments or modification suggestions to a HiCAD drawing, without chan-
ging the original file.
As of 2023, this tool is only available as part of a HiCAD/HELiOS installation. In case of a standalone installation
of the HELiOS Desktop, starting it will no longer be possible.

Transfer HiCAD sheet structure to HELiOS

From HELiOS 2023 onwards, information on the HiCAD sheet structure, which is transferred when saving a
model drawing with HELiOS, is used for printing drawings via HELiOS. For inventory data that have not yet been
re-saved yet, this information is missing and printing via HELiOS is not possible.
If HiCAD is started with HELiOS after an update installation, you will get a message and you can add the HiCAD
sheet structure for inventory data. See also the information in the HELiOS Online Help.

Data compatibility
HiCAD 2025 uses a different data format, which means that.SZA files saved with HiCAD 2025 can no longer be
loaded into older HiCAD versions.
When performing a HELiOS update, the update start mask shows you the HELiOS version, which needs to
match the existing database. If this is not the case, only an error message will appear when you start HELiOS.
To update the database schema, use the program HeliosDbUpdate.exe. If the database schema requires an
update, you can no longer access the database with older HELiOS versions. Therefore, all workstations access-
ing the database need to be readjusted accordingly at the same time.

Update HiCAD and HELiOS

In the context of HiCAD/HELiOS Update Installations, the last 5 release cycles are supported. As of
HiCAD/HELiOS 2025 (Version 30.0.*), you can only update installations from 2020 (Version >= 2500.0) and
newer. (See also Carrying out the installation.)

New Mask Editor in HELiOS 2020

Due to the complete revision of the Mask Editor in HELiOS 2020, the previous mask format has been changed
from .MSK to .XML. In addition, mask files are now managed outside the installation directory, resulting in some
changes in the system architecture that Administrators must consider:
n The masks of older versions (before V 2500.0) that were previously stored in the SYS directory of the install-
ation are automatically converted to the new XML format in case of an update installation and stored at
%Programdata%.
n The new masks at %Programdata% should not be overwritten under any circumstances, as these rep-
resent the "delivery status", which will be updated by later update installations. If masks are edited and
changed with the Mask Editor, you must store and call them at %Appdata%.

Installation Notes 9 / 200

Getting Started

Updating the HELiOS-Inventor interface

For an update of the Inventor interface from an older HELiOS version to HELiOS 2020 (Version 2500) or higher
(and the corresponding update of the database schema) the following changes have to be considered:
1. The structure identifiers for Inventor parts must be updated.
2. The standard part and semi-finished product identifiers are changed to a document-based (instead of art-
icle-based) management.
An update installation can only be carried out after an appropriate preparation of the migration.
In case of an update, please contact the Consulting team of the ISD Group. New installations of HELiOS 2020
and the associated database are not affected.

Attribute mappings: Conversion of the default mapping

With HELiOS Major Release 2022 (V. 2700) an adjusted standard attribute mapping is delivered. By converting
the mapping for designating component names to configuration-specific attributes, a significant performance
increase was achieved.
Existing mappings, which are generally not changed by an update installation, should be updated to the new
standard manually. Please refer to the HELiOS Online Help.

Important update notes for attribute mapping in title blocks

Up to HELiOS 2019, the attribute for the title block in AutoCAD was created using the following files:
n heliossac_titleblock.dat,
n helacblock.xml
As of HELiOS 2020 (version 2500.0), the mapping must also be set up manually here.
In case of an update, please contact the Consulting team of the ISD Group.

Important notes for administrators during a HELiOS update installation working with the HELiOS integ-
ration for Inventor and AutoCAD!
When updating the database to HELiOS 2019 Service Pack 2 or higher, the old workspace is checked for doc-
uments in progress. These are documents with the pen symbol in the respective (old) workspace dialog, or
entries of locked documents in the Workspace Manager from HELiOS Desktop (on the right hand side).
Should the check find relevant documents, the following message appears:
The update of the database cannot be performed because there are still locked documents in old local work
areas which will not be supported in the future. After this update, only work areas with new administration are
supported and automatic migration is not possible. More information can be found here.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

HELiOS Data base schema

As existing datasets with non-compliant conditions may cause conflicts during the central update process of
the HELiOS delivery database, you should consider the following:
1. Do a database backup: You should make sure that a backup of your HELiOS database has been created
before the update. This can be done with the HELiOS Database Creator or via your SQL server application.
Please contact the ISD hotline if you have any questions or need support for your individual system archi-
tecture.
2. The log file of the update: If any conflicts occur during the update, they are traced in the log file HeliosDbUp-
date.txt (in the system path %appdata%\ISD Software and Systems\HeliosDbUpdate\). Have this file ready
if you contact the ISD hotline for troubleshooting and successful updates.

Units for attributes when working with the HiCAD-HELiOS interface

If you work with the HiCAD-HELiOS interface and want to use interface-relevant units for attributes, then you
must work with HiCAD 2022 (V 2700) or higher.

Omission of the system files KSTEXT_STDKOP.DLL and TEILHOST_NEXT.EXE

As of HELiOS 2022 (V. 2700), the system file KSTEXT_ STDKOP.DLL and the executable file TEILHOST_
NEXT.EXE are omitted. Customer-specific adjustments to your system, in which these files were used, must
therefore be adjusted again.
Please contact the Consulting team of the ISD Group.

Operating system
We recommend deactivating local licenses and network licenses before performing an update/upgrade of the
operating system (e.g. from Windows 10 to Windows 11), and activating them again after successful update/up-
grade of the operating system.

Discontinuation of Part insertion v26 (PE)

The old Part insertion function in Plant Engineering has now been completely replaced by the new Part inser-
tion function. Therefore, the function Part insertion v26 in Plant Engineering is no longer available as of HiCAD
2024 SP1.

Discontinuation of 3-D projection grid

As of HiCAD 2023, the 3-D projection grid function is no longer available.

Installation Notes 11 / 200

Getting Started

Discontinuation of old figure format (FIG)

The following notes regarding FIG-FGA conversion are unnecessary if HELiOS is used in conjunction with the
HELiOS Vault Server.
Since HiCAD 2017 we support FGA as figure format (before that FIG). From HiCAD/HELiOS 2021 or HELiOS
2021 as an update for HiCAD 2019/2020 onwards, we require that all figures stored with HELiOS have been
converted to the new FGA format beforehand. To convert existing 2-D FIG files, the tool Converter_FIG_To_
FGA.exe is available in the exe directory of the HiCAD installation.
If there are still unconverted FIG files in the HELiOS document database at the time of the database update, you
will be informed of the outstanding conversion of these files before the database update. In this case, the con-
version must be carried out before or at the latest directly after the update using Converter_FIG_To_FGA.exe.

Discontinuation of the "old" Create detail drawing function

With the release of HiCAD 2012, the previously valid workshop drawing functionality in Steel Engineering had
been extended to a function for general drawing derivation. The previous functions for detail drawings in Steel
Engineering were still available in the Detail drawing section of the Drawing menu. As of HiCAD 2022 (Version
2700.0) these functions are no longer supported.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

System Requirements
n HiCAD
l Compatibility Matrix for Interfaced Applications (HiCAD)
n HiCAD Spooler
n HELiOS Database Server
n HELiOS Vault Server
n HELiOS Client
l Compatibility Matrix for Interfaced Applications (HELiOS)
n HELiOS Spooler
n License Server
n Operation in Virtual Environments
n Further Requirements for Installation

Installation Notes 13 / 200

System Requirements

System Requirements for HiCAD

Here you will find the system requirements for operating HiCAD.

Minimum hardware requirements

Computer Generally, all hardware can be used enacting current drivers of applicable OS.
Please note that for instance the graphic-card drivers support OpenGL command sequence.
Internet connection and adrive for the installation medium.
Processor Intel or AMD processor with AVX2 and FMA support. This is the case for all processor gen-
(CPU) erations from Intel Haswell (2013) or AMD Excavator (2015).
Main memory 8 GB RAM
Hard disk approx. 20 GB free disk space
Graphics A fully OpenGL 4.3-capable graphics card with at least 1 GB memory should be used.
card
You can check whether the graphics output requirements of your computer are sufficient for
HiCAD with the OpenGL Test button (in the Installation Wizard > Standard Edition)
To avoid possible problems with onboard graphics cards, we recommend using a stand-alone
graphics card. .
Screen res- 1920 x 1080
olution
Operating sys- Microsoft Windows 10
tem:
Other For the output of reports, e.g. Sheet Metal cost calculations, you require Microsoft Office.

There are no further requirements for the installation of the HiCAD version with License Management; the legal
licensing check is performed during runtime.

Examples of suitable hardware components for HiCAD

Computer: HP Workstation Z2 G9
Processor Intel® Core™ i7-13700K 16 Core 3,4 GHz (24MB Cache) max. Turbo 5,4 GHz
(CPU):
SingleCore Benchmarks that can be found on various websites may help you with the
choice of the processor. Example:
https://www.cpubenchmark.net/singleThread.html
Main memory: 64GB DDR5 nECC / 4800 MHz
For optimal performance with large drawings, the system should have significantly more
main memory than is apparently necessary for HiCAD.
When converting point clouds, the memory requirement is often significantly greater than
when using the converted point cloud in HiCAD.
Hard disk: HP Z Turbo Drive 1TB NVME M.2 SSD
Graphics card: NVIDIA® Quadro RTX A4000 16GB GDDR6 graphics memory
Alternatives: NVIDIA® RTX 3070, AMD Radeon PRO W6600, AMD Radeon RX6600
When working with point clouds, at least 16 GB of graphics memory is recommended.
Screen res- Working with a high screen resolution is only possible to a limited extent. Resizing of text
olution: ("Enlarge text") is not recommended.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Examples of suitable hardware components for HiCAD

Operating sys- Microsoft Windows 11
tem:
Others: For the output of reports, e.g. Sheet Metal cost calculations, you require Microsoft Office.

The interfaces available for the HiCAD can be found in the compatibility matrix.

Please note:
n For the connection to Sentinel License Server, the Firewall of the UDP Port 5093 License Server must be
released for in- and outcoming connections; for the Windows Firewall, the port release is executed auto-
matically by activating the respective option in the installation program of the License Server.

n As of HiCAD 2024 SP2, Microsoft Windows 10 N and Microsoft Windows 11 N are no longer supported.

n If you use network licenses, use the operating systems indicated in the System Requirements for the
License Server.

n Internet access is necessary for the computer/server via which the licenses are managed!

n In addition, you need one of the database systems listed under Hardware Requirements for the HELiOS
Database Server when using HELiOS.

n If you encounter any kind of display problems, please check if your graphics card driver is up-to-date first. If
it is not, update to the current driver.

Installation Notes 15 / 200

System Requirements

Compatibility Matrix for Interfaces Applications (HiCAD)

Listed below you find an overview of the interfaces that are available for HiCAD:

HiCAD HiCAD HiCAD

2025 2024 2023
Operating system
Microsoft Windows *
* As of HiCAD 2024 SP2, Windows 10 N and Windows 11 N are
no longer supported.
Windows 11, 64 Bit

Windows 10, 64 Bit

Windows 8.1, 64 Bit or older

PDM system
HELiOS 2025

HELiOS 2024

HELiOS 2023

HELiOS 2022 or older

Interfaces
LogiKal 12

LogiKal 11

LogiKal 10

LogiKal 9

KISSsoft 03/2017 up to 03/2025

CADClick 3.0

Microsoft Office *
*If communication between Microsoft Office and HiCAD takes
place via the COM interface, then both must have the same Bit
version (64/64 Bit). Otherwise problems may occur in con-
nection with VBA, e.g. when creating/editing Excel BOMs.
Office 2021

Office 2019

Office 2016

Office 2013

Browsers

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

HiCAD HiCAD HiCAD

2025 2024 2023
Internet Explorer 9 - 11

Edge

Mozilla Firefox

Google Chrome

The symbol does not always mean that the respective product is not compatible. It can also mean that the inter-
actions between this product and the HELiOS Client have not been sufficiently tested by the ISD yet.

Installation Notes 17 / 200

System Requirements

System Requirements for the HiCAD Spooler

The system requirements for Spooler are identical to those for a normal HiCAD Client (please see System Require-
ments for HiCAD). The RAM should be at least as large as the RAM for the existing HiCAD Clients. The reason for
this is that the Spooler must be able to perform, besides automation tasks, various other tasks such as the con-
version of HiCAD drawings (to 3D-PDF or similar).The HiCAD Spooler runs on a separate Plot Server System.
In a combined operation of HiCAD and HELiOS, the HiCAD Spooler is driven by HELiOS Spooler. You can find fur-
ther instructions for installing HELiOS Spooler running on the same system as the HiCAD Spooler in HELiOS Help.
Besides the Client operating system Windows 10 you can also use the Server operating systems Windows Server
2016 or newer. Whether a Server operating system needs to be used depends on the licensing conditions for the
Microsoft operating system that you use. The decisive factor is the number of permitted simultaneous device con-
nections.
Windows 10 allows 20 simultaneous connections. This will be sufficient for 20 Print Clients, if all of them are actually
running at the same time. Please note however that each connection from a non-HiCAD/HELiOS workstation will
reduce this number.

Please note:
n The HiCAD Spooler runs on a separate Plot Server system.

n The minimum requirement for HiCAD is OpenGL 4.3. If the minimum requirements for the HiCAD Spooler
are not met, individual graphics components are replaced by customised components (Mesa imple-
mentation version 24.2.0) during installation, so that the Spooler can also run on systems that do not sup-
port OpenGL 4.3. This may result in some restrictions.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

System Requirements for the HELiOS Database Server

The requirements with regard to the hardware primarily depend on the specifications given by the respective sup-
plier (Microsoft). Currently, following operating systems are supported:

HELiOS 2025 HELiOS 2024 HELiOS 2023

Microsoft SQL Server 2022

Microsoft SQL Server 2019

Microsoft SQL Server 2017

Microsoft SQL Server 2016

Microsoft SQL Server 2014

Microsoft SQL Server 2012

Microsoft SQL Server 2008 or older

In addition, the following minimum requirements should be guaranteed for the main memory and hard disk:

HELiOS 2025 HELiOS 2024 HELiOS 2023

Main Additionally at least 4 GB main memory.
memory
With an increasing database size the working memory should be enlarged in order to guarantee
optimal performance.
Hard disk Additionally at least 10 GB hard disk memory.
The actual demand depends on the size of the database.

Please note:
n The use of virtual servers is essentially possible. Please consider to grant sufficient resources within the vir-
tual environment.

n On the database server, HELiOS data base should be imported beforehand, for example via HELiOS Data-
base Creator, so that clients can connect with the database.

n SQL Server Standard vs. SQL Server Express

The productive use of SQL Server Express is also possible. Please note that SQL Express has limited storage
size (10 GB) for each data base and provides weaker performance than SQL Standard, especially on power-
ful hardware. If well-equipped hardware is used for the server (multiple processors and plenty of RAM), the
SQL server thwarts the performance again. On regular desktop hardware the difference between SQL
Express and SQL Standard is smaller due to the accordance of express limits and system. A detailed com-
parison of the different SQL Server editions can be found on the manufacturer's website.

Installation Notes 19 / 200

System Requirements

System Requirements for the HELiOS Vault Server

The minimum requirements are as follows:

HELiOS 2025 HELiOS 2024 HELiOS 2023

Processor 64 Bit processor
(CPU)
Main memory Additionally at least 4 GB main memory
Hard disk The required hard disk space depends on the volume of arising data use (files). A safety mar-
gin should be considered. For optimal performance we recommend using an SSD drive.
Operating sys- Microsoft Windows 10 or Microsoft Windows Server 2016 or higher
tem

Please note:
n If you work with only interfaces to HiCAD and/or Microsoft Office, the use of HELiOS Vault Servers is
optional. Other interfaces must be used in conjunction with the HELiOS Vault Server.

n The needed hard disk space can also be distributed on multiple volumes.

n We recommend the use of RAID system in order to ensure failsafe performance.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

System Requirements for the HELiOS Client

The minimum requirements for the HELiOS Client are as follows:

HELiOS 2025 HELiOS 2024 HELiOS 2023

Processor (CPU) 64 Bit processor
Main memory Additionally at least 4 GB main memory
Hard disk Additionally at least 2 GB free hard disk memory
Operating system Microsoft Windows 10 or Microsoft Windows Server 2016 or higher

The interfaces that are available for the HELiOS Clientare listed in a Compatibility Matrix.

Please note:
n When linking a HELiOS Client to other applications such as a CAD system or office product, the minimum
requirements of the respective system manufacturer must also be observed.

n If you want to use an integrated viewer, the hardware requirements of respective viewer manufacturer must
be considered.

n Using the HiCAD Viewer in HELiOS from Version 2024

l During the HiCAD installation ("HiCAD and HELiOS", red installation dialogue), the Active X component
of the HiCAD Viewer is automatically installed. This enables the preview of HiCAD files in HELiOS.
l On workstations on which only the HELiOS Desktop (standalone) is installed, the HiCAD Viewer must be
installed separately from HELiOS 2024 and updated if necessary. This is also the case if only HELiOS is
updated when using an older HiCAD version with HELiOS. Otherwise, the preview of HiCAD files cannot
be displayed in HELiOS. You will find the installation of the HiCAD Viewer both on the yellow installation
medium at Tools > HiCAD Viewer and at Download Area > Tools Download.

n Before starting a HELiOS Client, you need a HELiOS Database Server and an appropriately configured
ODBC connection. Documents (in .pdf format) on installing the database system and importing and export-
ing the database can be found here.

n If a HELiOS application crashes, so- called dump files will be stored in the directory
%LOCALAPPDATA%\ISD Software und Systeme\CrashDumps.

Installation Notes 21 / 200

System Requirements

Compatibility Matrix for Interfaced Applications (HELiOS)

Below you find a list of possible interfaces for the HELiOS Client:
HELiOS 2025 HELiOS 2024 HELiOS 2023
Operating system
Windows 11, 64 Bit

Windows 10, 64 Bit

Windows 8.1 or older

Server Operating system

Windows Server 2025

Windows Server 2022

Windows Server 2019

Windows Server 2016

CAD system
HiCAD 2025

HiCAD 2024

HiCAD 2023

HiCAD 2022

HiCAD 2021

HiCAD 2020 or older

AutoCAD (Mechanical) 2025

AutoCAD (Mechanical) 2024

(as of 28.2.1)
AutoCAD (Mechanical) 2023

AutoCAD (Mechanical) 2022

AutoCAD (Mechanical) 2021

AutoCAD (Mechanical) 2020

AutoCAD (Mechanical) 2019 or older

Inventor 2025

Inventor 2024
(as of 28.2.1)
Inventor 2023

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

HELiOS 2025 HELiOS 2024 HELiOS 2023

Inventor 2022

Inventor 2021

Inventor 2020

Inventor 2019 or older

CAE-SYSTEM
EPLAN Electric P8 2025
(as of 30.0.1) (as of 29.2.3)
EPLAN Electric P8 2024
(as of 29.2.2) (as of 28.2.6)
EPLAN Electric P8 2023
(as of 28.0.3)
EPLAN Electric P8 2022

EPLAN Electric P8 2.9

EPLAN Electric P8 2.8

EPLAN Electric P8 2.7

EPLAN Electric P8 2.6

EPLAN Electric P8 2.5

EPLAN Electric P8 2.4

OFFICE
Office 2021

Office 2019

Office 2016

Office 2013

Office 2010 or older

The symbol does not always mean that the respective product is not compatible. It can also mean that the inter-
actions between this product and the HELiOS Client have not been sufficiently tested by the ISD yet.

Installation Notes 23 / 200

System Requirements

System Requirements for the HELiOS Spooler

The minimum requirements for the HELiOS Spooler are as follows:

HELiOS 2025 HELiOS 2024 HELiOS 2023

Processor 64 Bit processor
(CPU)
Main memory Additionally at least 4 GB main memory.
The main memory should be dimensioned at least as large as the main memory of the client
systems used. This ensures that all data to be processed by the HELiOS Spooler (which is
transmitted from the client systems to the HELiOS Spooler) can be processed successfully.
Hard disk Additionally at least 4 GB free hard disk memory
Operating sys- Microsoft Windows 10 or Microsoft Windows Server 2016 or higher
tem

Please note:
n The HELiOS Spooler requires corresponding locally installed CAD, E-Tech or Office applications to execute
the plot or conversion jobs. Please consider that you need appropriate licenses for the operation of these
applications and that the hardware requirements of the respective system provider must be taken into
account accordingly.

n The applications used by the HELiOS Spooler to process print and conversion jobs must be exclusively avail-
able to the Spooler and must not be used by other applications or HELiOS installations used sim-
ultaneously. Otherwise, unexpected behavior may occur during job processing.

n In addition to the client operating systems for Windows, the above-mentioned server operating systems can
also be used. Whether a server operating system must be used depends on the license conditions for the
Microsoft operating system you are using. The number of permitted simultaneous device connections is
decisive here. Windows 10 allows 20 simultaneous logins to the operating system. In this case, you must
ensure that, in addition to the existing logins, there are sufficient free logins left that can be used by the
respective print clients of the client computers.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

System Requirements for the License Server

The minimum requirement for running a license server is as follows:

HiCAD/HELiOS 2025 HiCAD/HELiOS 2024 HiCAD/HELiOS 2023

Processor (CPU) 64 Bit processor.
Recommended: 2 GHz Processor
Main memory Additionally at least 1 GB main memory
Hard disk Additionally at least 2 GB free hard disk memory
Operating system Microsoft Windows 10 or Microsoft Windows Server 2016 or higher

We use the Software Sentinel RMS© from Thales© for licensing. The license server is in principal a 32 Bit applic-
ation.

Please note:
n The license server need not be installed on a separate server or server operating system.

n A static IP address is required for the correct operation of a license server. When using a virtual server, a
static MAC address is required.
The use of a cloud server is only possible if changes to the underlying hardware can be excluded by the
cloud provider. This also includes that the provider does not move the virtual server to another physical
machine.

n The license server must not be installed on the same computer with HELiOS Desktop, because both
products share system information with regards to the licensing.

n Internet access is needed for the license server due to activation and deactivation.

n A Windows Server Core installation is not supported.

Installation Notes 25 / 200

System Requirements

Operation in Virtual Environments

HELiOS Client
Generally, the HELiOS Client can be operated on Virtual Machines (VM). If you use integrated viewers, the hardware
requirements of the respective viewer manufacturer must be considered.
The HELiOS Client can also be used as a terminal application.

HELiOS Spooler
Generally, the HELiOS Spooler can be operated on Virtual Machines (VM). However, limitations may occur with
regard to simultaneously installed CAD system, electrical engineering software or Office applications.
With regard to graphics functionality, performance and integration of printers, too, limitations may occur in virtual
environments.

License Server
The license management system based on Sentinel RMS© by the company Thales© can, generally, also be used in
virtual environments.
The use of a cloud server is only possible if changes to the underlying hardware can be excluded by the cloud pro-
vider. This also includes that the provider does not move the virtual server to another physical machine.

Network licenses on Virtual Machines (VM)

If you want to use/activate/deactivate the network licenses on virtual machines, please observe the following points:
n A static MAC address is required
n A static IP address is recommended or required when using Commuter Licenses
n Before copying or changing a virtual machine, deactivate the network licenses, since the UUID (Universal
Unique IDentifier) of the VM will change due to the copying process, and cannot be deactivated afterwards any
more. This also applies to the starting of the VM on a different host.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Further Requirements for Installation

n Microsoft .NET Framework and Visual C++ Runtime Libraries need to be installed on the computer before
HiCAD/HELiOS can be used; these packages will be installed as part of the HiCAD/HELiOS installation if
required.
n To be able to work with HELiOS, a database system must be available that has been prepared for HELiOS. For
this you require
l A Microsoft SQL Database Management system on your Server,
l A HELiOS database imported with the HELiOS Database Creator and
l An ODBC connection on the Clients.
Documents (in .pdf format) describing the installation procedure for the database system and the import and export
of the database can be found here.

Installation Notes 27 / 200

Installation

Installation
The installation medium (e.g. ISO file from the Download area) contains the installation files for:
n HiCAD
n HiCAD Online Help
n HiCAD Viewer
n HiCAD Spooler
n HELiOS Database Creator (required when creating a HELiOS database for the first time, and for importing or
exporting an existing database)
n HELiOS Vault Server
n HELiOS Client (HELiOS Desktop, Standalone)
n HELiOS Spooler
n HELiOS Server Monitor
n HELiOS Task Starter
n Trial Edition (Demo version)
n Education Edition (for students)
n Silent Installation
n Postscript printer driver (required for the output of multiple views in a PDF file)

Important note on the scope of installed modules!

The scope of modules that will be installed depends on the product that was purchased. This means that not all
modules described in the installation manual may be included in your software version.

It is mandatory for the installation of HiCAD to start the setup.exe file from the root directory of the ISO file; only in
this way it is ensured that the version will recognize the operating system, and that the matching HiCAD-/HELiOS ver-
sion will be installed.

Please note:

n You can conveniently download the current HiCAD/HELiOS version in the Download Area.

After running the setup.exe file, the following dialogue will be displayed:

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Click on the Standard Edition button. This will open the following selection mask:

Leave this selection mask open, so that you can select the desired components one after the other.

Installation Notes 29 / 200

Installation

Discontinuation of Windows® 7 and Windows® 8

Microsoft® has discontinued support for the Windows® 7 operating system in January 2020. For compatibility reas-
ons, HiCAD 2020 SP2 and HELiOS 2020 SP2 were the last versions of our CAD or PDM system to support Win-
dows© 7. HiCAD 2021 and HELiOS 2021 no longer run under Windows© 7, Windows© 8 and the corresponding
server operating systems (Windows Server 2008 R2, Windows Server 2012 and older) are also no longer supported.
If an attempt is made to install HiCAD 2021 or HELiOS 2021 on a computer with Windows© 7 or Windows© 8, a
message appears.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Installation von HiCAD

To install HiCAD, start Windows. If Windows has already been started, close all other applications and start the
installation wizard. In the installation wizard, click on the Standard Edition button. This will open the following selec-
tion mask. Leave this selection mask open, so that you can select the desired components one after the other.

Click on the HiCAD and HELiOS button to start the installation.

Before using HiCAD/HELiOS, Microsoft .NET Framework and the Visual C++ Runtime Libraries must have been
installed on the computer; these packages will be installed as part of the installation if required.

Installation Notes 31 / 200

Installation

Please read the Installation Notes and the Licence Agreement carefully.

Select an installation directory.

32 / 200 Installation Notes

 HiCAD and HELiOS

You can help us increase the user-friendliness of our products even further. To participate or terminate your par-
ticipation, please activate the corresponding checkbox.
In the dialogue window, our notice on collection of data for constant GUI optimization can be opened.
You can terminate your participation at any time by choosing Help > Customer Feedback, and activating the cor-
responding checkbox.

Installation Notes 33 / 200

Installation

Data Protection notice: Collection of Data for Constant GUI Optimisation

You can help us increase the user-friendliness of our products even further. If you participate, the ISD will col-
lect information on your use of our software, in order to detect trends and use patterns. This information will
then be used for a constant optimisation of our user interface, with the aim to make the operation of our soft-
ware as convenient and efficient as possible for our users.
The collected information
n Contains data on the functions that you used (frequency and chronological order).
n Contains a key enabling the identification of your computer. It does not contain any personal data, and will
not be used to detect your identity. The key will only be used to obtain data on the diffusion rate of customer
feedback. For instance, it is important to know whether a functionality has been used 100 times by 1 cus-
tomer, or whether another function has been used only once by 100 customers etc.
n Will be automatically removed after transmission to the ISD. In case of a failed transmission (e.g. because of
network problems) the information will be automatically removed after 1 week at the latest when the pro-
gram has been re-launched.
n Will not cause a slowing down of the program operation.
The ISD will not
n Store your name, address, or any other personal data.
n Ask any further questions besides asking for your consent to the participation.
n Use the data for any other purposes than those described above.
n Contact you in any form in connection with your participation.
You can choose to participate when installing the product for the first time. To terminate your participation at a
later time, choose Help > Customer Feedback, and select the corresponding option.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

For different drawing areas HiCAD offers especially adjusted surfaces and configurations, e.g. for Mechanical Engin-
eering, Steel Engineering and Plant Engineering. These can be selected during the installation of HiCAD. If you
choose imperial as the Regional setting, then the system automatically switches to imperial, i.e. non-metric units.
This applies to the units of your drawings, dimensions and scales. In addition, further drawing frames are available.
Depending on the parameter configuration the saved settings in the CSV file will be applied, too. The CSV file con-
tains information on e.g. which files (e.g. HiCAD part masks or template files for labels) should be copied into the sys
directory. In case of an update different system files in the HiCAD sys directory will be replaced – without further
inquiry – by file supplied in the HiCAD templates directory, which are specifically adjusted to the chosen modules
and activated checkboxes (e.g. DSTV or Drawing Management).
Via Extended Settings you can change the parameter configuration once more and select your own template files.
Select a module for the parameter configuration and click Next.

You can now start with the installation or modify the Extended Settings, e.g. for the user configuration, the cata-
logues, or HiCAD with HELiOS.

Please note the following important information:

If a network path is specified on the tabs User Configuration, Catalogue or LogiKal interface, please make sure
that not the connected network paths (e.g. H:\Data\HiCAD_Katalog) are specified here, but the direct UNC
paths to the respective server, e.g. \\Server01\Data\HiCAD_Katalog.
This is because the user, e.g. the system administrator performing the installation, in contrast to the user using
HiCAD, may not have connected the required network drives (in the above example: H:\). In such a con-
stellation, these paths cannot be set up correctly by the installation.
In contrast, UNC paths are available in the same form to both users - provided that both users have access.

Installation Notes 35 / 200

Installation

In the Configuration Database, customer-specific settings for various features such as dimensioning, annotations,
workshop drawing creation or fitting of vertical ladders are stored. When performing an update, customer-specific
settings can be applied. In addition, values that have not been modified by the user will automatically obtain the
updated pre-settings.
In the Parameter configuration you can modify previously activated default templates. Moreover, you can select CSV
files via Own templates. The settings stored in the CSV file, too, will be applied. In a CSV file it is, amongst other
things, specified which files (e.g. HiCAD part masks or template masks for annotations) are to be copied to the sys
directory. When performing an Update, various system files in the HiCAD sys directory will be replaced with the files
supplied in the HiCAD templates directory which have been designed especially for a working with the selected mod-
ule and the activated checkboxes (e.g. …DSTV or Drawing Management). The standard CSV files are located in the
templates directory of the HiCAD installation. CSV files are configuration templates that you can create and edit with
Microsoft Excel (please see Online Help).
Parameter configuration: No templates is activated by default in Parameter Configuration. You can also change this
setting subsequently, via the programs ..exe/ParKonfigComp.exe (for the workstation) and ..exe/ParKonfigUser.exe
(for the User).

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

The execution of the CatalogueMaker serves the purpose of specifying which standard series are to appear in the
standard part catalogues (currently standard series are available for DIN, ISO, EN, ANSI and JIS); the selection of
standards in the CatalogueMaker only influences the display of standard parts, but not their availability; the avail-
ability is still controlled via license selection in the ISD License Manager.
The CatalogueUpdate tool is used to update the catalogues during an update installation. It can be started auto-
matically during the update installation by activating the option Execute CatalogueUpdate. You can also start the tool
later from the EXE directory of your HiCAD installation, e.g. if you want to exchange catalogues among customers.

Installation Notes 37 / 200

Installation

In case of a new installation you can specify an arbitrary name for the system data source. In case of an update, the
existing data source will be offered. User and Password will be identical with the ODBC login.
If you use a Vault Server, activate the Vault Server checkbox. Enter the name of the Server in the Address input field,
and the Server Port of the Vault Server in the Port input field. You already entered both during the installation of the
Vault Server.
If you have not installed the Vault Server yet, you can do this now: Choose HELiOS Options > Database > General >
Vault Server and specify the connection. For activation you must then restart the HELiOS Desktop.
During an update installation it will be checked whether the existing HELiOS version is newer than the one on the
DVD. If this is the case, the HiCAD installation will only update the non-HELiOS files. The HELiOS files are those that
would be supplied by a standalone installation of the HELiOS Desktop, minus the hicadcommons contained therein.
If you want to process your print jobs via the ISD Plot Management, you need to install one PrintClient on each work-
station. Activate Use Spooler. In the Server field, enter the network name of the computer on which the Spooler is
installed. The Port is used for communication between Client and Spooler as well as for monitoring via the Server
Monitor. The Spooler collects the print jobs and processes them, taking your settings into account.
Individual settings of HELiOS can be distributed to other users or workstations. To do this, create a ZIP file in the

HELiOS Client via the HELiOS icon > HELiOS Options > Manage... > Export settings.
To make the settings available to several workstations, activate the option Use central directory for configuration
data when installing and then select the directory by clicking on the icon. The configuration data is then provided
using the HELiOS.ConfigImport.exe tool in the EXE directory of your installation.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

The availability of interfaces with HELiOS depends on the programs that are installed on your computer. You can
only link 64-Bit versions to HELiOS 64-Bit versions. Please note however that an additional, special ODBC con-
nection will be required for old BOMs. In such cases, please contact the ISD Consulting team.
Multiple selections of HELiOS Interfaces are also possible. The HELiOS functions will be integrated in the programs
that are linked to HELiOS.

Please note:
Integration of shared networks
If a directory is accessed by more than one computer, in the filegrup.dat under C: (for the Szenen directory)
should not be listed a local path or the network connection letter, but the entire UNC path according to the pat-
tern C:\\servername\ShareName\Directory.
The filegrup.dat can be found in the HiCAD/HELiOS installation in the HiCAD exe directory and in case of an
EPlan interface as well under HELiOS Synchronisation Service\exe. In the HELiOS Standalone installation the
filegrup.dat can be found in the HELiOS exe directory.

Installation Notes 39 / 200

Installation

If you have installed LogiKal on your computer, you can enter the installation directory here.

Please note:
In HiCAD, at Settings > Further directories you can set the paths for the database of the Configuration Editor,
the Catalogue Editor and LogiKal. These paths are located in the Windows Registry at HKEY_ LOCAL_
MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ISD Software und Systeme\HiCAD\XXXX. XXXX is the HiCAD version number.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

The Activate license administration tools checkbox must be activated for the management of server licenses.
If you checkmark the Activate ISD Update Service option, a Hotfix will be searched on the ISD Web Server when you
start HiCAD. You can also activate this option subsequently via the Windows Control Panel: There, choose Programs
and Features, right-click on HiCAD and choose Change.
If you want the function Save to HELiOS to appear in the context menu of Windows Explorer, activate the checkbox
Create context menu entry in Windows Explorer for saving files in HELiOS.
Click Save to save the Extended settings to an .ini file. If you place the .ini file in the installation directory when
installing server licenses, the settings will be applied.
As soon as you exit the Extended settings dialogue with OK, the installation will be started.

Installation Notes 41 / 200

Installation

Click Install.

42 / 200 Installation Notes

 HiCAD and HELiOS

Click Finish to complete your HiCAD installation. After successful installation you will find the HiCAD shortcut
on the Desktop of your computer for program start.
If desired, you can use the buttons of the installation mask to install further software components.

Installation Notes 43 / 200

Installation

Installing the Online Help

The Online Help is available locally (status of the date of installation DVD creation) and on the Internet (regularly
updated) at www.help.isdgroup.com. Both versions of the Help can be directly launched from HiCAD/HELiOS.
Please note that corresponding login data are required to access the Internet version of the Help.
Start Windows to install the Help. If Windows has already been opened, close all other applications and start the
installation wizard.
In the installation wizard, click the Standard Edition button, which opens a mask with various selection options for
software components. Leave the selection mask of the installation wizard open, so that you can select the desired
components one after the other.

Click on the HiCAD and HELiOS Help button.

44 / 200 Installation Notes

 HiCAD and HELiOS

Enter the installation directory for HiCAD/HELiOS.

Installation Notes 45 / 200

Installation

After successful installation, the Help can be found in the program folder and can be called from HiCAD/HELiOS
.

46 / 200 Installation Notes

 HiCAD and HELiOS

Installing the HiCAD Viewer

The HiCAD Viewer enables you to view drawings in HiCAD format (*.sza, *.szx) and output these drawings (in non-
scale representation). This viewer is free of charge and may be provided free, without changing the scope of deliv-
ery.
Start Windows to install the HiCAD Viewer. If Windows has already been opened, close all other applications and
start the installation wizard.
In the installation wizard, click the Standard Edition button, which opens a mask with various selection options for
software components.
Leave the selection mask of the installation wizard open, so that you can select the desired components one after
the other.

Click on the HiCAD Viewer button.

The minimum requirement for HiCAD is OpenGL 4.3. If the minimum requirements for the HiCAD Spooler are not
met, individual graphics components are replaced by customised components (Mesa implementation version
24.2.0) during installation, so that the Spooler can also run on systems that do not support OpenGL 4.3. This may
result in some restrictions.

Installation Notes 47 / 200

Installation

Enter the installation directory for the software.

48 / 200 Installation Notes

 HiCAD and HELiOS

Click Install.

Click Finish to complete the installation of the HiCAD Viewer. You can now install further components from the selec-
tion mask.

Installation Notes 49 / 200

Installation

Installation des HiCAD Spoolers

Start Windows to install the HiCAD Spooler. If Windows has already been opened, close all other applications and
start the installation wizard.
In the installation wizard, click the Standard Edition button, which opens a mask with various selection options for
software components.
Leave the selection mask of the installation wizard open, so that you can select the desired components one after
the other.

Click on the HiCAD Spooler button.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Please read this information carefully.

Enter the installation directory for the software.

Installation Notes 51 / 200

Installation

You can now either begin with the installation or open the Extended Settings, for example to modify the user con-
figuration or catalogues. You can modify the Extended Settings as you would do for a HiCAD installation.
Click Install.

After successful installation, the HiCAD Spooler can be found in the program folder.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Installing the HELiOS Database Creator

The HELiOS PDM modules (Document management, Part Management, Workflow etc.) are based on a relational
database. Before you put HELiOS into operation, the Microsoft SQL Server database administration system needs to
be installed on the server, a HELiOS database needs to be imported and a ODBC connection needs to be set up on
the clients.
When you set up a HELiOS database for the first time, the HELiOS Database Creator needs to be installed and
executed on the database server first. The database and table structures will then be created, and filled with data
records of the HELiOS standard database.
An empty HELiOS standard database is located in the HELiOS\Databases directory on the installation medium.

Please note:
Further information about the correct procedure for the execution of the HELiOS Database Creator, as well as
the previous and subsequent steps required for the setting up of a database server can be found in the user
guide for the installation of the Microsoft SQL Server. You can find this document here.

Start Windows to install the HELiOS Database Creator. If Windows has already been started, close all other applic-
ations and start the installation wizard.
Click on the Standard Edition button. This will open the following selection mask.
Leave this selection mask open, so that you can select the desired components one after the other.

Click on the HELiOS Database Creator button.

Installation Notes 53 / 200

Installation

Select an installation directory for the HELiOS Database Creator and click Next.

54 / 200 Installation Notes

 HiCAD and HELiOS

Click Install to start the installation.

Click Finish to complete the installation of the HELiOS Database Creator. If desired, you can now install further com-
ponents via the selection mask.

Installation Notes 55 / 200

Installation

Installing the HELiOS Vault Server

Please start Windows to install the HELiOS Vault Server. If Windows is already open, end all other applications and
start the Installation Wizard.
Click on Standard Edition.The screen with the software components then appears.
This screen remains open so that you can install the required components one after another.

Click on the Vault Server button.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Enter the installation directory for the Vault Server. If the installation wizard finds an already installed version, it will
be offered to you for updating.

Installation Notes 57 / 200

Installation

Give the Vault Server a name, e.g. the name of your company, plus the location of your company. This name will be
shown, for example, when you connect to the Vault Server from the Vault Client.

The Vault Server renames all documents that are managed in the database (e.g. SZA, DOC, XLS, …) to *.VDF.
These VDF files are saved to the Document directory.
The files stored in the Management directory contain the assignments of the VDF file names to the “original file
names”.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Log files (*.LOG) are saved to the Log directory. They record each access to the VDF files.
Enter the name of the log file in the Log file name field. The name of the Vault Server would also be possible here. If
the log file exceeds a certain length, it will be cut down and suffixed by the current date.

Click Install.

Installation Notes 59 / 200

Installation

Click Finish to complete the installation of the Vault Server. You can now install further components from the selec-
tion mask.

Installing the HELiOS Client

The HELiOS Client is normally automatically installed during the HiCAD installation. But of course, you can also
install HELiOS separately. To install HELiOS, start Windows. If Windows has already been started, close all other
applications and start the installation wizard.
In the installation wizard, click on the Standard Edition button. This will open the following selection mask. Leave this
selection mask open, so that you can select the desired components one after the other.

Click on the HELiOS button.

Before using HELiOS, Microsoft .NET Framework and the Visual C++ Runtime Libraries must have been installed on
the computer; these packages will be installed as part of the installation if required.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Please read the Installation Notes and the Licence Agreement carefully.

Select an installation directory. If the installation wizard finds an already installed version, it will be offered to you for
updating.
In accordance with the current Microsoft guidelines, the HELiOS documents will be saved to C:\User-
s\Public\Documents\ISD Software und Systeme\ in case of a new installation. Only the Administrator has write per-
missions for the installation directory (C:\ProgramFiles\..).

Installation Notes 61 / 200

Installation

If you work on several workstations without a Vault Server, you need to enter on each workstation the path of the doc-
ument directory into the system file FILEGRUP.DAT. This means that the default path needs to be changed accord-
ingly in all corresponding places of the FILEGRUP.DAT. The directory should be a shared network directory to which
all Clients have access.

Please read these important notes on update installations for Inventor and AutoCAD carefully and activate the check-
box . Further information can be found here.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Please read the Notes on Hardware Exchange carefully.

Hardware Exchange
If you use local HiCAD/HELiOS licenses and want to exchange any hardware components, modify the par-
titioning of, or re-install the operating system, you need to revoke the existing license on the HiCAD/HELiOS
workstation first, and request, using the new hardware or modified configuration, a new license key (further
information on the procedure can be found in the software documentation).
If a revocation is technically possible, but will not be performed, the ISD reserves the right to charge costs in an
appropriate amount for the reissuing of the license. If the license will not be revoked, or if such revocation is no
longer technically possible, the ISD may request proof that the unrevoked license is no longer utilisable; in case
of failure to produce such proof, the ISD reserves the right to refuse the transfer of the license to a new hard-
ware.

Accept the notes to continue with the installation.

You can now start with the installation or modify the Extended Settings for HELiOS.

Installation Notes 63 / 200

Installation

In case of a new installation you can specify an arbitrary name for the system data source. In case of an update, the
existing data source will be offered. User and Password will be identical with the ODBC login.
If you use a Vault Server, activate the Vault Server checkbox. Enter the name of the Server in the Address input field,
and the Server Port of the Vault Server in the Port input field. You already entered both during the installation of the
Vault Server.
If you have not installed the Vault Server yet, you can do this now: Choose HELiOS Options > Database > General >
Vault Server and specify the connection. For activation you must then restart the HELiOS Desktop.
If you want to process your print jobs via the Plotmanagement of the ISD, you need to install a Print Client on each
workstation. Activate Use Spooler. In the Server field, enter the name of the computer on which you install the
Spooler. The Port is used for communication between Client and Spooler as well as for monitoring via the Server
Monitor. The Spooler collects the print jobs and processes them according to your settings.
Individual settings of HELiOS can be distributed to other users or workstations.To do this, create a ZIP file in the

HELiOS Client by clicking on the HELiOS icon and choosing HELiOS Options > Manage... > Export set-
tings.
To make the settings available to several workstations, activate the option Use central directory for configuration
data when installing and then select the directory by clicking on the icon. The configuration data is then provided
using the HELiOS.ConfigImport.exe tool in the EXE directory of your installation.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

The availability of interfaces with HELiOS depends on the programs that are installed on your computer. You can
only link 64-Bit versions to HELiOS 64-Bit versions. Please note however that an additional, special ODBC con-
nection will be required for old BOMs. In such cases, please contact the ISD Consulting team.
Multiple selections of HELiOS Interfaces are also possible. The HELiOS functions will be integrated in the programs
that are linked to HELiOS.
Please take a look at the Compatiblity Matrix.to check which interfaces to external software products are supported
by HELiOS.

Installation Notes 65 / 200

Installation

The Activate license administration tools checkbox must be activated for the management of server licenses.
During the installation, you decide to search for a hotfix on the ISD Webserver when starting HELiOS by activating
the checkbox Activate ISD Update Service.
If you want the function Save to HELiOS to appear in the context menu of Windows Explorer, activate the checkbox
Create context menu entry in Windows Explorer for saving files in HELiOS.
Click Save to save the Extended Settings to an .ini file. If you place the .ini file in the installation directory when
installing server licenses, the settings will be applied.
Close the Extended settings dialogue with OK.

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Click Install.

Installation Notes 67 / 200

Installation

After successful installation, you will find the HELiOS shortcut on the Desktop of your computer for program
start.

Support with the Office Interface

Starting the Office interface with administrator rights

Note that the interface between HELiOS and an Office application does not work if the corresponding Office applic-
ation has been started via the Windows option Run as administrator, but HELiOS has been started as a normal user.
This is because Windows prevents communication between normally running applications and applications started
as administrators.

If the AddIn starts but is constantly deactivated again

In this case, there are probably contradictory entries in the registry. If the HELiOS AddIn is blocked by Office, Office
stores the corresponding information in the registry. This can also cause you to have different behaviour depending
on whether you start Office as an admin or normal user. Then delete the following registry keys:
n HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Addins\HelOutlookAddIn4 (complete folder includ-
ing subentries)
n HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Word\Addins\HelWordAddIn4 (complete folder including
subentries)
n HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Excel\Addins\HelExcelAddIn4 (complete folder including
subentries)
n HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\PowerPoint\Addins\HelPowerPointAddIn4 (complete folder
including subentries)

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

n HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\FormRegions\IPM. Note the entry HelOutlookAd-

dIn4.HelMailFormRegion
Then start HeliosCouplings.exe as administrator and link the interface again..

Important:
Changes to the registry should only be carried out by an administrator. In any case, the original files should be
saved before making any changes!

Installation Notes 69 / 200

Installation

Installing the HELiOS Spooler

Start Windows to install the HELiOS Spooler. If Windows has already been opened, close all other applications and
start the installation wizard.
In the installation wizard, click the Standard Edition button, which opens a mask with various selection options for
software components.
Leave the selection mask of the installation wizard open, so that you can select the desired components one after
the other.

Click on the HELiOS Spooler button.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Enter the installation directory for the software. If the installation wizard finds an already installed version, it will be
offered to you for updating.

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Installation

In the Service registration area you can choose between the options Local system and User account.
A part of the Spooler is started by the system as a background process (Windows service). For safety reasons it is
recommended to create a Windows User account, with User name and Password with read and access permission,
before installation.
If you do not know the user yet, you can choose Local system. The Spooler will then run, initially without access to
any printers, as a simple Windows system service. Now, select Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Services.
Right-click HELiOS Spooler and select Properties. On the Log On tab, switch to This account and enter the User
name and the Password.

Important:
If the Spooler user's password later changes or expires, the password must be reassigned to the HELiOS
Spooler service in the Windows Control Panel at Management > Services via Right-click > Properties > Log On.

If the Start service upon installation option is active, the Spooler service will not require a manual start after install-
ation.
Normally, the HELiOS Spooler runs as a Windows Service in the background. In this standard configuration the
Spooler process will be started by the operating system in a special session which is not visible for the user. There-
fore, the process will even continue running after the Spooler user has logged off from the computer. Unfortunately,
internal tests have found that problems may occur with this type of operation in conjunction with some CAD sys-
tems.
Should you encounter any problems,, we therefore recommend choosing the Start in interactive mode option during
installation. When this option has been selected, the Spooler will no longer be set up as a service, but will be started
directly in the foreground via the Administration UI. During this type of operation, the Spooler process will appear in
the form of a small text window in the window bar (Caution: When you log off from the Server, the Spooler process
will also be ended here!)

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

For starting the “interactive” configuration of the Spooler automatically, the file Helios.Spooler.exe from the install-
ation directory must be invoked with the option “—no service”, for instance, either from the “Autostart” folder or via
Windows task planning. If you have further questions, please contact our ISD Consulting team.
The Communication port is used for communication between client and spooler as well as for monitoring via the
Server Monitor.
Select the data directory. Activate the Create network share checkbox to enable the communication with the PrintCli-
ent. If the network share is not created during installation, it must be created manually afterwards. Since special set-
tings will be required here, we recommend contacting our Consulting team.
Choose the CAD system that you want to link to the HELiOS Spooler, and click Next.

In this dialogue window you will be asked for the login of the database user, which is the login of the (SQL) database
system.
For System data source you have to select the corresponding ODBC database connection. Here the HELiOS User is
selected, over which the spooler runs. It is important that this user has admin rights and is also assigned to the
HELiOS Group of "PDM administrators" here. Otherwise you will get an error message. Then you will be asked for the
login of the database user. This is the login of the (SQL) database system.
Activate Use Vault Server and enter the Address and Port of the Vault Server installed in the system for your Multi-
CAD operation.
Click Next.

Installation Notes 73 / 200

Installation

Click Install.

Click Finish to complete your installation.

After successful installation, the HELiOS Spooler can be found in the program folder.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Installing the HELiOS Server Monitor

With the Server Monitor you have the possibility to monitor the runnability of your HELiOS server applications. You
start the installation of the Server Monitor by double-clicking the SETUP.EXE file from the Tools > ServerMonitor dir-
ectory of your installation medium.

Installation Notes 75 / 200

Installation

Specify the installation directory.

After the installation you start the monitoring with a double click on the ServerMonitor.exe file (EXE directory). The
running monitoring by the Server Monitor is displayed in the Windows notification area.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Installing the HELiOS Task Starter

The HELiOS Task Starter is a tool with which HELiOS services such as the HELiOS Spooler can be automatically
restarted after termination or after a crash (e.g. due to interruption of the database connection or network access).
You start the installation of the HELiOS Task Starter with a double click on the file SETUP.EXE from the directory
Tools > TaskStarter of your installation medium.

Installation Notes 77 / 200

Installation

Specify the installation directory.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

After the installation, the HELiOS Task Starter must be configured (see HELiOS online help). To do this, edit the file
TaskStarter.config (%programdata%\ISD Software und Systeme\HELiOS Task Starter <Version>\). Then enter the
service in the Windows task scheduler. If you have any questions, please contact the ISD Consulting team.

Installation Notes 79 / 200

Installation

Installing the Trial Edition (Demo Version)

The Trial Edition (Demo version) has a changed data format, which allows a reading of data out of the Standard Edi-
tion, but not a writing of data back to it (i.e. in a Standard Edition the data format of special versions is not readable!).
For printouts, plot stamps will always be output.

Please note:
The license is free and valid for 30 days from the date of installation. Its transfer to other computers after its
activation is not possible.

Start Windows to install the HiCAD Spooler. If Windows has already been opened, close all other applications and
start the installation wizard.

In the start mask of the Installation Wizard, click Trial Edition.

Before using HiCAD/HELiOS, Microsoft .NET Framework and the Visual C++ Runtime Libraries must have been
installed on the computer; these packages will be installed as part of the HiCAD installation if required.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

In the Welcome... window, click Next.

Enter the activation data for product activation and click Next.
To obtain the activation data, please fill in the form on our website at isdgroup.com.

Installation Notes 81 / 200

Installation

Install the program to the ...\Trial Edition folder.

Click Install.

82 / 200 Installation Notes

 HiCAD and HELiOS

Click OK to start the installation of the local Help.

Click OK to complete the installation.

Installation Notes 83 / 200

Installation

Installation Education Edition (for Students)

The Education Edition (Student Version) is a fully functional standard version. The license is free and valid for 1 year
(365 days). It can be activated and deactivated with the ISD License Manager, which will be available after install-
ation (see Chapter 7.3).
The drawings (.-SZA) and parts (.KRA) created with Education Edition can not be loaded with the Standard Edition.
In case if a file (.SZA or .KRA) created with the Education edition is opened with a Standard Edition, an appropriate
message will be sent. The title bar of the HiCAD interface will show the text HiCAD Education Edition: Not for com-
mercial purposes.
If the Autostart function has been switched off in the operating system, you must run the setup.exe file in the root dir-
ectory of the DVD for installation. Only in this way will be ensured that the version of the operating system will be cor-
rectly recognized and that the correct HiCAD version will be installed.

Click on the Education Edition button.

Before using HiCAD/HELiOS, Microsoft .NET Framework and the Visual C++ Runtime Libraries must have been
installed on the computer; these packages will be installed as part of the HiCAD installation if required.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Click Next to start the installation.

Enter the activation data for product activation and click Next.
To obtain the activation data, please fill in the form on our website at isdgroup.com and upload your student identity
card or your matriculation certificate.

Installation Notes 85 / 200

Installation

Select an installation directory.

Click Install.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Click OK to start the installation of the local Help.

Click OK to complete the installation.

Installation Notes 87 / 200

Installation

Silent Installation
The silent installation can, for example, be configured for HiCAD, HELiOS or the HELiOS Spooler. The procedure is
always the same.
To configure the installation options, start the installation setup.exe as usual and make the required settings.
In the last dialogue of the installation, click on Extended Settings.

Here you can configure in particular the settings for the and the Catalogues in such a way that user interactions will
no longer be required.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

The parameter configuration takes place via selection of the .CSV file.

Installation Notes 89 / 200

Installation

For Execute CatalogueMaker, the Interactive checkbox must been deactivated.

Clicking Save creates a setup.ini file containing the desired settings. This file will be loaded automatically if it is loc-
ated in the same directory as the Windows Installer package HiCAD.msi. Alternatively you can specify a file via the
command line:
setup.exe SETTINGS="<Ini-Datei>" /l*v "<Log-Datei>"
or
msiexec /i HiCAD.msi SETTINGS="<Ini-Datei>" /l*v "<Log-Datei>"
In this case the starting will not be “silent”, i.e. the installation dialogues will appear, but with the default values of
the .ini file.
The option /l*v "<Log-Datei>" creates a log file of the installation which can be used for the diagnosis of installation
problems.

Redistributables
Before distributing the installation you need to install the required redistributables on the target systems in order to
circumvent the Microsoft-EULAs.
Examples:
vcredist.exe /passive
dotNetFx40_Full_x86_x64.exe /passive

The respective command line options of the individual Redistributable Installer can be called via the command line
option /?.
If required, the .msu files of the Windows Installer 4.5 can be installed with the Windows Package Manager pkg-
mgr.exe (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/934307/en).
The packages can be installed with /passive /norestart. Otherwise, a reboot would be initiated automatically. If a
package requires a reboot, the return value is 3010; otherwise it is 0 or an error code.

Please note:
n You need to install the redistributables that are located on the DVD at Program32 or Program64 (except for
the setup.exe and the language-specific folders such as de-de).
n The utilisation of the msi package or the setup.exe, respectively, differs insofar as the setup.exe will issue
an interactive message if a requirement (redistributable) is missing, while the msi package will cancel the
process with an error code. The latter might be more suitable for a deployment within the scope of a soft-
ware distribution program.

Starting the installation in the silent mode

The installation can only be set to the silent mode via the command line:
setup.exe SETTINGS="<Ini-Datei>" /passive /l*v "<Log-Datei>"
or

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

msiexec.exe /i HiCAD.msi /qb!- /SETTINGS="<Ini-Datei>" /l*v "<Log-Datei>"

As neither dialogues nor error messages are displayed, /l*v "<Log-Datei>" creates a log file of the installation which
can be used for the diagnosis of installation problems.
Information on further command line options can be obtained via the command line, by means of the command
msiexec /? , and via the Internet at
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc759262%28WS.10%29.aspx#BKMK_SetUI
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa372024%28v=vs.85%29.aspx

Starting a hotfix installation in the silent mode

Example: msiexec.exe /i "\\entw042\Setups\Hotfix_HiC26022x64-3.msi" INSTLOC="C:\HiCAD" /passive

Example: Batch installation incl. Redistributables and Log

@REM UAC auto elevate -->
@net file 1>nul 2>nul && goto :run || powershell -ex unrestricted -Command "Start-Process -Verb RunAs -FilePath
'%comspec%' -ArgumentList '/c cd /d %CD% && %~fnx0 %*'"
@goto :eof
:run
@REM UAC auto elevate <--

@setlocal
@setlocal EnableDelayedExpansion

@set SOURCE=d:\Programm64
@set LANGUAGE=en-us

@for /r "%SOURCE%" %%f in (vc*redist*) do @(

echo "%%f" /passive /norestart
"%%f" /passive /norestart
if not "!errorlevel!" == "0" if not "!errorlevel!" == "1638" if not "!errorlevel!" == "3010" echo Visual C++ Runtime Install-
ation Error && goto error
)

"%SOURCE%\DotNetFX48\NDP48-x86-x64-AllOS-ENU.exe" /q /norestart
@if not "%errorlevel%" == "0" if not "%errorlevel%" == "1638" if not "%errorlevel%" == "3010" echo .NET Runtime
Installation Error && goto error

"%SOURCE%\VSTOR40\vstor_redist.exe" /passive /norestart

Installation Notes 91 / 200

Installation

@if not "%errorlevel%" == "0" if not "%errorlevel%" == "1638" if not "%errorlevel%" == "3010" echo VSTOR
Runtime Installation Error && goto error

@setlocal DisableDelayedExpansion

msiexec.exe /qb+! /i "%SOURCE%\%LANGUAGE%\HiCAD.msi" /l*v "HiCADInstall_%COMPUTERNAME%.log"

SETTINGS="%setup.ini"

goto :eof

:error
@echo Error %errorlevel%
@net helpmsg %errorlevel%
@pause

Important:
The INI file must always be specified in the batch file with the complete path, as no assumptions can be made
about the current directory of the Windows installer process.
If the INI is in the same directory as the batch file, this could be done via SETTINGS="%~dp0setup.ini".

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Configuration
Company- or user-specific requirements can be conveniently adapted to the configration.
n Configuration Management HiCAD
l Configuration Management for Updates
l Configuration Management for New Installations
n Parameter Configuration for HiCAD

Installation Notes 93 / 200

Configuration

Configuration Management
HiCAD offers a central configuration management with the Configuration Editor. This tool allows the creation of cus-
tomer-specific configurations for a wide range of tasks, such as dimensioning, annotation, workshop drawing cre-
ation, fitting of vertical ladders etc. Once adjusted to company-specific requirements, these configurations can
directly be used in HiCAD, without having to specify any further settings. The aim of our further developments is a
gradual transfer of the previously used system files with their adjustable parameter settings into the Configuration
Editor, thus enabling a central and safe configuration management.
This transfer has already been realised for the following files:
n ALGPAR.DAT (as of 1800)
n BEMPAR.DAT (as of 1800)
n DIMENSIONING_SETTINGS.XML (as of 1800)
n KRPGEN.DAT (as of 1801)
n MASPAR.DAT (as of 1801)
n FITTABLE_SETTINGS.XML (as of 1801)
n STBEMPAR.DAT (as of 1801)
n TXTANSI.DAT (as of 1801)
n STABMPAR.DAT (as of 1802)
n AUBM3PAR.DAT (as of 1802)
n ALG3DPAR.DAT (as of 1901)
n FEATURE.DAT (as of 1901)
n SCHRIF.DAT (as of 1901)
n TXTFONT.DAT (as of 1901)
n LINPAR.DAT (as of 1901)
n SSWRITESTEP.DAT (as of 1901)
n PASSTAB.DAT (as of 2000)
n ANSGEN.DAT (as of 2100)
n PARAMASS.DAT (as of 2101)
n SSTINI3D.DAT (as of 2102)
n SSTINI.DAT (as of 2102)
n STB_PARAMETER.DAT (as of 2102)
n GRAPAR.DAT (as of 2201)
n KNTPAR.DAT (as of 2202)
n REF3D_ATTR_AKT.DAT (as of 2300)
n TXTPAR.DAT (as of 2300)
n TPAR.DAT (as of 2400)
n ABWPAR.DAT (as of 2402)
n ABWCOL.DAT (as of 2402)
n ABWPOL.DAT (as of 2500)

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

n KRPMOD.DAT (as 2700)

n SKIZZTEC.DAT (as 2701)
The settings from these files have been integrated into the Configuration Management. In the Online Help for the
Configuration Management you will find the document schluesselnamen.pdf, which shows you where you can
retrieve the entries from the DAT files in the Configuration Editor.
In addition, the Online Help provides a description of various scenarios for the utilisation of the tool. An extensive
description of the Configuration Management (Performance – Functions – Scenarios) is provided in the document
ISD-Configuration.pdf.

Installation Notes 95 / 200

Configuration

Configuration Management for Updates

When performing an update, your settings from the existing configuration file HICAD.CFGDB of your previous
HiCAD version will be transferred to the Configuration Management of HiCAD 2025, namely into the Administrator
profile.
When the update is performed, only the values predefined by the ISD, i.e. the “factory settings”, will be changed. All
other (administrator or user) settings will be preserved.
If you use a central configuration database on a server, it will be automatically detected by the update program by
means of the aforementioned Registry entry, and will be updated. For an update of several workstations, one single
update will be sufficient; a multiple update will, however, not do any harm either (as an already updated setting will
not be updated again).
When HiCAD is started, the configuration database will be checked.
n If HiCAD is started with an outdated configuration base, a corresponding message will be displayed. In this case,
please perform an update of the configuration database in order to avoid error messages or unexpected beha-
viour.
n If HiCAD is started with the database of a newer Major Release, a corresponding message will be displayed. In
this case, please use a compatible database to avoid error messages or unexpected behaviour.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Configuration Management for New Installations

If you perform a (new) installation of HiCAD 2025, the settings predefined by the ISD will be initially used in the
Administrator profile of the Configuration Management. If you want to transfer your individual settings in the file
HICAD.CFGDB to the Configuration Management of HiCAD 2025, use the program CfgDbTool.exe in the HiCAD EXE
sub-directory for this.
Furthermore, you are enabled to transfer settings from old DAT and XML files which are now managed in the Con-
figuration Editor, to the configuration database of the current version.
Start the CfgDbTool.exe from the HiCAD / exe sub-directory

Use the Update tab of the CfgDBTool you tab to transfer the settings of your previous configuration file (.CFDB) to
the configuration file.
Installed The configuration database to be updated, i.e. (the configuration database of your previous
database HiCAD.
Update The configuration database of the new version; the configuration database with the current ISD
source settings can be found in the folder: [HiCAD installation directory]\Configuration.
Update tar- The result of the update. If you enter the same file here as in the Installed database, a backup
get of the previous configuration database will be created. You cannot enter the same database
here that you entered in the Update source field.

Select the directories.

Click the Update button to start the process.
Use the Migrate tab to transfer your individual settings from old DAT and XML files which are now managed in the
Configuration Editor, to the configuration database of HiCAD 2019.
The setting files with their adjustments need to be copied to the HiCAD SYS subdirectory of the new HiCAD version
for this purpose.
Start the CfgDbTool.exe from the HiCAD / exe sub-directory and activate the Migrate tab.

Installation Notes 97 / 200

Configuration

HiCAD base Here you enter the directory where your old DAT and XML files etc. are located. Please make
folder sure that the old files have the same name and are located in the same directory structure as in
a HiCAD standard installation.
Target data- Here you specify the database to which the data are to be transferred.
base

Select the directories.

Click the Migrate button to start the process.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Parameter Configuration for HiCAD

Important update notes - please read carefully!

When you run the Computer Parameter Configurator (HiCAD exe\ParKonfigComp.exe) tool – either during the
installation/update (Extended Settings > User Configuration tab) or later – the following message will be dis-
played.

After confirming with OK, various system files in the HiCAD sys and szenen directory will be replaced with the
files supplied in the HiCAD templates directory which have been designed especially for a working with the
selected module and the activated checkboxes (e.g. …DSTV or Drawing Management). These files include, for
example
n HiCAD masks for the part attributes (*.HDX),
n HELiOS masks for projects, documents and articles (*.XML, *.MSK),
n Various configuration files (*.HDB) and
n Template files for annotations (*.FTD).
You should therefore always make backups of all files that you have customized before using the ParKon-
figComp.exe tool! If you have any questions, please contact your nearest ISD branch office.
Cancel aborts the operation without any changes to the configuration.

HiCAD provides suitably customised interfaces and configurations for various fields of engineering, e.g. for Mech-
anical Engineering, Steel Engineering, Metal Engineering or Plant Engineering. You can select these options during
the installation of HiCAD.
To change the parameter configuration subsequently, start the programs
n ..exe/ParKonfigComp.exe for the workstation configuration, and
n ..exe/ParKonfigUser.exe for the user configuration.
Depending on the selection in the Parameter configuration, the settings stored in the CSV file, too, will be applied. In
a CSV file it is, amongst other things, specified which files (e.g. HiCAD part masks or template masks for annota-
tions) are to be copied to the sys directory.
When performing an Update, various system files in the HiCAD sys directory will be replaced with the files supplied
in the HiCAD templates directory which have been designed especially for a working with the selected module and
the activated checkboxes (e.g. …DSTV or Drawing Management). The standard CSV files are located in the tem-
plates directory of the HiCAD installation. CSV files are configuration templates that you can create and edit with
Microsoft Excel.

Installation Notes 99 / 200

Configuration

In the dialogue window you have the following setting options:

n Region
If you choose North America as the Region, then the system automatically switches to imperial, i.e. non-metric
units. This applies to:
l units of your drawings,
l dimensions and
l scales.
This means that settings made in the Configuration Editor will be replaced if necessary! The same applies if you
choose Europe as the Region. Here, the conversion is to metric units, dimensions and scales. In addition, fur-
ther drawing frames are available.
n Module
Here you choose the required filed of engineering. The common HiCAD parameters are then configured for this
area.
n Font
Specifies the text font default setting, e.g. for dimensioning, title blocks, view labelling, annotation etc.
n Attribute configuration according to DSTV
If you want the HiCAD attribute masks for parts and drawings to obtain the DSTV-relevant attributes, please activ-
ate the appropriate checkbox. The files BRW_3DTEIL.HDX and BRW_SZENE.HDX in the HiCAD SYS directory
will be preset for DSTV BOM configuration.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

n HiCAD/HELiOS Default Solution

Provides you with a preconfigured database solution for a safe and convenient management of product data. If
you want to use it, activate the checkbox.
n Novice Configuration
If you want HiCAD to be preset so that the automatic procedures of the novice configuration apply, activate this
checkbox.
n Drawing Management
Provides the PDM configuration with typical civil engineering attributes, masks and title blocks.
n User-defined template
Activate this option if you want to use your own configurations. Then select the relevant configuration file.

Please note:
When performing an update, only activate the copying of default templates if no user-specific, customized
masks and Bills of Materials are used.

Installation Notes 101 / 200

Update

Update
n Licensing in Case of Updates
l Updating the Server License
l Updating Local Licenses
n Carrying Out the Installation
n Data Compatibility of HiCAD/HELiOS
n Update of HiCAD
l Backups Before Performing the HiCAD Update-Installation
l Update Installation of HiCAD
n ISD Update Service
l Installing the ISD Update Service
l Using the ISD Update Service
l ISD Update Service: Settings
n Update - Procedure for the modules Plant Engineering and Pipeline Planning
n Updating the HELiOS Database (Database Schema)
n Mask Converter for HELiOS
n Manual Registration of Multi-CAD Add-ins
n New File Format for 2-D Files in HiCAD
l Installing the FIG-FGA Converter
l Conversion of 2-D Files into FGA Format
n CatalogueMaker

Important notes on updates!

Hardware Exchange
If you use local HiCAD/HELiOS licenses and want to exchange any hardware components, modify the par-
titioning of, or re-install the operating system, you need to revoke the existing license on the HiCAD/HELiOS
workstation first, and request, using the new hardware or modified configuration, a new license key (further
information on the procedure can be found in the software documentation).
If a revocation is technically possible, but will not be performed, the ISD reserves the right to charge costs in an
appropriate amount for the reissuing of the license. If the license will not be revoked, or if such revocation is no
longer technically possible, the ISD may request proof that the unrevoked license is no longer utilisable; in case
of failure to produce such proof, the ISD reserves the right to refuse the transfer of the license to a new hard-
ware.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Licenses
Before updating HiCAD/HELiOS, you must deactivate all licenses (Server Licenses or Local Licenses). The pro-
cedures for Server Licenses and Local Licenses are different.

Data compatibility
HiCAD 2025 uses a different data format, which means that.SZA files saved with HiCAD 2025 can no longer be
loaded into older HiCAD versions.
When performing a HELiOS update, the update start mask shows you the HELiOS version, which needs to
match the existing database. If this is not the case, only an error message will appear when you start HELiOS.
To update the database schema, use the program HeliosDbUpdate.exe. If the database schema requires an
update, you can no longer access the database with older HELiOS versions. Therefore, all workstations access-
ing the database need to be readjusted accordingly at the same time.

Administrator
Before carrying out an update you should inform the responsible Administrator to ensure a well coordinated
switch to the higher version.

HELiOS Workspaces: Conversion of the system directories

When updating from an older version to HELiOS 2025 (Version 30.0.0) or higher, please note that the directory
structure will change. Since an automated migration is not possible, all users have to check out all data and
empty their workspaces before installing the update to avoid data loss.
In previous versions, the workspaces were located at %localappdata%. This meant that different workspaces
could be located on one system. To prevent this, the update to HELiOS 2025 will move the workspaces to the
%programdata% directory.
Checked-out files are then stored at %programdata%\ISD Software und Systeme\HELiOS Workspace\(…)*\
(*plus Location ID and User ID). The workspace databases are stored version- dependently at %pro-
gramdata%\ISD Software und Systeme\HELiOS <Version>\Location-ID\.

Update HiCAD and HELiOS

In the context of HiCAD/HELiOS Update Installations, the last 5 release cycles are supported. As of
HiCAD/HELiOS 2025 (Version 30.0.*), you can only update installations from 2020 (Version >= 2500.0) and
newer. (See also Carrying out the installation.)

Backup HiCAD/HELiOS
Backups of the following files must be made, for cases in which an unexpected interruption of the update
occurs: Catalogues, HiCAD.cfgdb (Configuration Database) and HELiOS Database (only required if you actually
use a HELiOS Database).

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Update

HELiOS Data base schema

As existing datasets with non-compliant conditions may cause conflicts during the central update process of
the HELiOS delivery database, you should consider the following:
1. Do a database backup: You should make sure that a backup of your HELiOS database has been created
before the update. This can be done with the HELiOS Database Creator or via your SQL server application.
Please contact the ISD hotline if you have any questions or need support for your individual system archi-
tecture.
2. The log file of the update: If any conflicts occur during the update, they are traced in the log file HeliosDbUp-
date.txt (in the system path %appdata%\ISD Software and Systems\HeliosDbUpdate\). Have this file ready
if you contact the ISD hotline for troubleshooting and successful updates.

New Mask Editor in HELiOS 2020

Due to the complete revision of the Mask Editor in HELiOS 2020, the previous mask format has been changed
from .MSK to .XML. In addition, mask files are now managed outside the installation directory, resulting in some
changes in the system architecture that Administrators must consider:
n The masks of older versions (before V 2500.0) that were previously stored in the SYS directory of the install-
ation are automatically converted to the new XML format in case of an update installation and stored at
%Programdata%.
n The new masks at %Programdata% should not be overwritten under any circumstances, as these rep-
resent the "delivery status", which will be updated by later update installations. If masks are edited and
changed with the Mask Editor, you must store and call them at %Appdata%.

Updating the HELiOS-Inventor interface

For an update of the Inventor interface from an older HELiOS version to HELiOS 2020 (Version 2500) or higher
(and the corresponding update of the database schema) the following changes have to be considered:
1. The structure identifiers for Inventor parts must be updated.
2. The standard part and semi-finished product identifiers are changed to a document-based (instead of art-
icle-based) management.
An update installation can only be carried out after an appropriate preparation of the migration.
In case of an update, please contact the Consulting team of the ISD Group. New installations of HELiOS 2020
and the associated database are not affected.

Important update notes for attribute mapping in title blocks

Up to HELiOS 2019, the attribute for the title block in AutoCAD was created using the following files:
n heliossac_titleblock.dat,
n helacblock.xml
As of HELiOS 2020 (version 2500.0), the mapping must also be set up manually here.
In case of an update, please contact the Consulting team of the ISD Group.

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HELiOS List attributes

The database version update (HELiOSDbUpdate.exe) checks from HELiOS 2022 onwards whether list attrib-
utes with other data types than VARCHAR exist. If this is the case, the database version update for updating the
database schema will not be carried out. In this case, please contact the ISD in order to migrate with the help of
the Consulting the corresponding attributes to data types that will be supported in the future.

Important notes for administrators during a HELiOS update installation working with the HELiOS integ-
ration for Inventor and AutoCAD!
When updating the database to HELiOS 2019 Service Pack 2 or higher, the old workspace is checked for doc-
uments in progress. These are documents with the pen symbol in the respective (old) workspace dialog, or
entries of locked documents in the Workspace Manager from HELiOS Desktop (on the right hand side).
Should the check find relevant documents, the following message appears:
The update of the database cannot be performed because there are still locked documents in old local work
areas which will not be supported in the future. After this update, only work areas with new administration are
supported and automatic migration is not possible. More information can be found here.

User-defined columns in catalogue tables

Until now, the creation of user-defined columns was only possible for tables in the Factory standards catalogue.
From HiCAD 2024 this is supported for tables in all catalogues. For this purpose, the table function New
column has been extended. With this extension, the columns CUSTOM1 to CUSTOM9, which were previously
predefined for this purpose (before HiCAD 2024), are no longer needed and have been removed from the table.
During a catalogue update, however, only empty CUSTOM columns are removed from the tables.

Material Manager
The Material Manager (materialmanager.exe) that enables a taking over of materials from Catalogue Editor to
HELiOS needs to have the same database schema as HELiOS. Therefore the Material Manager will also be
updated.

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Update

Licensing in Case of Updates

Before updating HiCAD/HELiOS, you must deactivate all licenses (Server Licenses or Local Licenses). The pro-
cedures for Server Licenses and Local Licenses are different.

Updating the Server License

For a Server license the License Server software and the License Management tools may require an update. Fur-
thermore, you need to deactivate the licenses for the old Version first, and then activate those for Version 2025.
You can start with the installation of HiCAD/HELiOS before or after activation of the new licenses; a starting of the
software is, however, only possible after activation of the new licenses.
The current Version of the License Server, Sentinel RMS License Manager 8.6.2, can be found on the installation
medium of HiCAD/HELiOS 2025. If you have an older version, you need to uninstall this version with the help of the
Windows Control Panel. First, uninstall the Sentinel RMS License Manager there and (if there are any) the
AdminToolsServer.
You can then install the new version of the License Server from the installation medium. Start the installation wizard
and click on the Standard Edition button. In the selection mask of the installation wizard, click on the License Server
button.

Before you can use the new licenses of HiCAD/HELiOS 2025, you need to deactivate the old licenses with the help of
the ISD License Manager (32 Bit). This tool is can be found via the in the Windows Start menu.
After starting the ISD License Manager the License Activator tab will be active. Normally, the EID (Entitlement ID)
field is still filled in and the fields E-mail and Password are still empty. The activated modules of the old version are
highlighted (blue). Click on the Deactivate button to revoke the activation of these modules.

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To activate the new licenses you require the ISD License Manager. After installing HiCAD/HELiOS 2025 this tool is
available in the Windows Start menu via Programs > ISD Software und Systeme GmbH > Administration.
Another prerequisite for the activation of the new licenses is their requesting via the via the Update form and the sub-
sequent provision of the licenses by the ISD.
Start the current ISD License Manager, which you can find in the Windows Start menu viaPrograms > ISD Software
und Systeme GmbH > Administration (the 32 Bit ISD License Manager required for server licenses is installed in the
folder C:\Program Files (x86)\ISD Software und Systeme\AdminToolsServer\exe).
On the License Activator tab, enter the Entitlement ID, your E-mail address and your Password and click Login. After
connecting to the ISD License Server, all your purchased licenses will be shown. Use the checkboxes to select the
modules that you wish to activate and confirm your selection with a click on the Activate button.
After successful activation you can start HiCAD/HELiOS.

Updating Local Licenses

Before installing HiCAD/HELiOS 2025, you need to deactivate the local licenses of the old version on all work-
stations. After installing HiCAD/HELiOS 2025, you need to activate the new licenses.
To deactivate the old licenses you use the ISD License Manager, which is located in the Windows start menu at ISD
Software und Systeme or in the exe directory of your HiCAD version.
On the License Activator tab, click on the Deactivate button to revoke the activation of the modules, i.e. to deactivate
them. After successful deactivation, a corresponding message will be displayed.
To activate the new licenses you require the most recent ISD License Manager. After installing HiCAD/HELiOS 2025
this tool will be available to you in the Start menu of Windows under ISD Software und Systeme or in the exe directory
of the new HiCAD version.
Another prerequisite for the activation of the new licenses is their requesting via the Update form and the sub-
sequent provision of the licenses by the ISD. After installing HiCAD/HELiOS, start the most recent ISD License Man-
ager (Folder [HiCAD/HELiOS installation directory]\exe).
On the License Activator tab, enter the Entitlement ID, your E-mail address (the address to which the E-mails of the
Activation@isdgroup.de were sent) and your Password and click Login.
After connecting to the ISD License Server, all your purchased licenses will be shown. Use the checkboxes to select
the modules that you wish to activate and confirm your selection with a click on the Activate button. The selected
modules will then be activated on your workstation. You can deactivate them again at any time to enable their use on
a different workstation.
After successful activation you can start HiCAD/HELiOS.

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Update

Carrying Out the Installation

The installation of HiCAD/HELiOS and 3rd Party CAD can be carried out by the Consulting of the ISD. In the context
of Update Installation, the last 5 release cycles are supported.
We recommend to note the following instructions:
1. Users with sufficient background knowledge can generally perform the updates themselves.
2. When performing an Update Installation, the "Installation Notes" must be read/considered thoroughly. The
responsibility lies with the user. Updates generally fall under the category "Consulting". Therefore, questions
about the Update Installation that go beyond purely functional questions about the installation are subject to a
charge.
3. When performing an Update Installation, in addition to reading the "Installation Notes", we always recommend
carrying out a test update as part of a test installation first and, only if this is successful, carrying out the update
in the live system. Customer-specific adjustments to the HiCAD/HELiOS installation may have to be updated/-
adjusted as part of the test installation.
Since the effort of an update increases with the number of skipped versions, we generally recommend an install-
ation by the ISD. This also saves the user from having to familiarize themself with the Update Installation topics and
ensures that nothing will be forgotten.

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Data Compatibility of HiCAD/HELiOS

No changes are made to the HiCAD data format and the HELiOS standard database within major releases. This
means that all patches and service packs of a version (e.g. 30.0.x, 30.X.x) will be using the same data format, and
no HELiOS update will be required.
When updating from older HiCAD versions to HiCAD 2025(Version 30.X), please note the information given below.

Update from Version HELiOS Update HiCAD data format changed

HiCAD 2024 Version 29.X

HiCAD 2023 Version 28.X

Please note:
n If a HELiOS update is necessary, older HiCAD, respectively HELiOS versions have no access to the data-
base any more. All workplaces need to be converted at the same time.

n If the HiCAD data format has been changed, drawings and parts cannot be loaded with the older version if
they were saved with the new version.

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Update

Update of HiCAD
The ISD recommends performing an Update Installation when switching from an old version to HiCAD 2025 or for
the installing of Service Packs and Patches. Before the update, create a backup of the Catalogues, the HiCAD.cfgdb
(Configuration Database) and the HELiOS Database (only required if you actually work with a HELiOS Database).

Important update notes - please read carefully!

When you run the Computer Parameter Configurator (HiCAD exe\ParKonfigComp.exe) tool – either during the
installation/update (Extended Settings > User Configuration tab) or later – the following message will be dis-
played.

After confirming with OK, various system files in the HiCAD sys and szenen directory will be replaced with the
files supplied in the HiCAD templates directory which have been designed especially for a working with the
selected module and the activated checkboxes (e.g. …DSTV or Drawing Management). These files include, for
example
n HiCAD masks for the part attributes (*.HDX),
n HELiOS masks for projects, documents and articles (*.XML, *.MSK),
n Various configuration files (*.HDB) and
n Template files for annotations (*.FTD).
You should therefore always make backups of all files that you have customized before using the ParKon-
figComp.exe tool! If you have any questions, please contact your nearest ISD branch office.
Cancel aborts the operation without any changes to the configuration.

Backups Before Performing the HiCAD Update Installation

Before starting the Update Installation of HiCAD, you should create a backup of the following files:
n Catalogues
n HiCAD.cfgdb (Configuration Database)
n HELiOS Database (only required when you actually work with a HELiOS Database)
These components will be automatically updated during the installation. Nevertheless is a backup of these com-
ponents recommended, e.g. for cases in which an unexpected interruption of the update occurs.
Please create an archive folder for the storage of these backups.

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Backup of catalogues
Find the folder where the catalogues of the old version are located.
n In case of a local installation this is usually the KATALOGE folder in the directory of your HiCAD installation.
n In case of a network installation the catalogues are normally located in a shared network folder, which is indic-
ated in the Windows Registry at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ISD Software und Systeme\HiCAD\XXXX
(version) in the CatDir key.
In the Windows Explorer, right-click the folder that contains the catalogues. Select Send to > Compressed (zipped)
folder. Important: Please choose a descriptive name for the zipped folder enabling an easy recognition of the cata-
logues, e.g. HiCAD_2024_CATALOGUES.ZIP
After its creation, move the file to the archive folder.

Backup of Configuration Database HiCAD.cfgdb

Before installing the new HiCAD version, copy the old file HiCAD.cfgdb to the archive folder.
In the Windows Registry at HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ISD Software und Systeme\HiCAD\XXXX (version)
in the CfgdbPath key you can see where the file HiCAD.cfgdb is located.

Backup of HELiOS Database

Open the SQL Server Management Studio. .On the left side, right-click bauteil… in the list. Then, select Tasks >
Back Up. Make sure that the backup will be stored in the archive folder. You can then compress the backup file
(.bak) to a ZIP file.

Update Installation of HiCAD

You can conveniently download the current HiCAD version in the Download Area. On the corresponding installation
medium you will find, besides the HiCAD installation, further utilities and the HELiOS installation. Please note that
the HELiOS installation is the last available HELiOS patch containing the same database version as the HELiOS ver-
sion that was originally released with the corresponding Major Release. The advantage of this is that you will not
need to update the database as well thanks to the simultaneous installation of HELiOS.
Start Windows to begin with the Update Installation. If Windows has already been opened, close all other applic-
ations and start the installation wizard.
In the installation wizard, click the Standard Edition button, which opens a mask with various selection options for
software components.

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Update

Click on the HiCAD and HELiOS button.

Please read the Installation Notes and the Licence Agreement carefully.
If the installation program finds an already installed HiCAD Version, this will be indicated in a corresponding dia-
logue window.

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Activate the Update Installation option and click Next.

You can help us increase the user-friendliness of our products even further. To participate or terminate your par-
ticipation, please activate the corresponding checkbox.
You can terminate your participation at any time by choosing Help > Customer Feedback, and selecting the cor-
responding checkbox.

Installation Notes 113 / 200

Update

You can now start with the installation or modify the Extended Settings, e.g. for the user configuration, the cata-
logues, or HiCAD with HELiOS

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Under the path specified in the Configuration Database field, customer-specific settings for various features such as
dimensioning, annotations, workshop drawing creation or fitting of vertical ladders are stored. When making an
update, customer-specific settings can be applied. In addition, values that have not been modified by the user will
automatically obtain the updated pre-settings.
You can change the parameter configuration after the update installation with the programs ../exe/ParKon-
figComp.exe (for the workstation) and ../exe/ParKonfigUser.exe (for the user).

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Update

The running of the CatalogueMaker serves the purpose of specifying which standard series are to appear in the
standard part catalogues (currently standard series are available for DIN, ISO, EN, ANSI and JIS); the selection of
standards in the CatalogueMaker only influences the display of standard parts, but not their availability; the avail-
ability is still controlled via license selection in the ISD License Manager.
The CatalogueUpdate tool is used to update the catalogues during an update installation. It can be started auto-
matically during the update installation by activating the option Execute CatalogueUpdate. You can also start the tool
later from the EXE directory of your HiCAD installation, e.g. if you want to exchange catalogues among customers.

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For a new installation, you can enter any name for the system data source. In the case of an update, you are offered
the existing data source. User and Password are identical to the ODBC login.
If you are working with a HELiOS Vault Server, Use Vault Server is activated and the Address and Port are entered.
The data of the spooler are also taken over.
Individual settings in HELiOS can be distributed to other users or workstations. To do this, create a ZIP file in the

HELiOS client via > HELiOS Options > Manage... > Export settings to create a ZIP file. To make the set-
tings available to several workstations, activate the Use central directory for configuration data option during install-
ation and then select a directory by clicking on the icon. The configuration data is then provided using the
HELiOS.ConfigImport.exe tool from the EXE directory of your installation.
During the update installation, the system checks whether the existing HELiOS version is more recent than the one
on the installation medium. If this is the case, the HiCAD installation will only update those files that do not originate
from HELiOS. The files that belong to HELiOS are those that a standalone installation would bring from the HELiOS
desktop minus the hicadcommons contained there.

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Update

The availability of interfaces with HELiOS depends on the programs that are installed on your computer. You can
only link 64-Bit versions to HELiOS 64-Bit versions.
Multiple selections are also possible. The HELiOS functions will be integrated in the programs that are linked to
HELiOS.

Please note:
Integration of shared networks
If a directory is accessed by more than one computer, in the filegrup.dat under C: (for the Scenes directory)
should not be listed a local path or the network connection letter, but the entire UNC path according to the pat-
tern C:\\servername\ShareName\Directory. The filegrup.dat can be found in the HiCAD/HELiOS installation in
the HiCAD exe directory and in case of an EPLAN interface as well under HELiOS Synchronisation Service\exe.
In the HELiOS Standalone installation the filegrup.dat can be found in the HELiOS exe directory.

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If you have installed LogiKal on your computer, you can enter the installation directory here.

Please note:
In HiCAD, at Settings > Further directories you can set the paths for the database of the Configuration Editor,
the Catalogue Editor and LogiKal. These paths are located in the Windows Registry at HKEY_ LOCAL_
MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ISD Software und Systeme\HiCAD\XXXX.
XXXX is the HiCAD version number.

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Update

The Activate license administration tools option must be activated for the management of server licenses.

Please note:
During installing of HiCAD, a ISD License Manager that may exist will be uninstalled. By checkmarking the
Activate license administration tools option you can reinstall the current standard ISD License Manager during
the installation.

If you checkmark the Activate ISD Update Service option, a Hotfix will be searched on the ISD Web Server when you
start HiCAD. You can also activate this option subsequently via the Windows Control Panel: There, choose Programs
and Features, right-click on HiCAD and choose Change.
If you want the function Save to HELiOS to appear in the context menu of Windows Explorer, activate the checkbox
Create context menu entry in Windows Explorer for saving files in HELiOS.
Click Save to save the Extended settings to an .ini file. If you place the .ini file in the installation directory when
installing server licenses, the settings will be applied.
Close the Extended settings dialogue with OK.

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Click Install.
You will now be informed that you need a new license key for the new version.

Click Continue anyway to start the installation.

Towards the end of the installation you can specify the procedure for the updating of the catalogue files if you activ-
ated the Execute CatalogueUpdate checkbox in the Extended settings beforehand.
Please remember that HiCAD will check the version of the utilized version upon HiCAD start. If the catalogue dir-
ectories are old there is a risk that HiCAD will search for catalogue entries which do not yet exist in the old cata-
logues. One example of this is the Textures that were integrated in the catalogue some time ago. If these are missing
in the catalogue, you will have no access to these Textures in HiCAD. Use the CatalogueUpdate.exe program in the
HiCAD EXE directory to update the catalogues

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Update

Specify the desired settings and click Update.

After successful updating, the update information for the replaced files will be shown in a dialogue window. The old
files will be preserved and renamed, e.g. 0.mac > 0.mac.XXXX.

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Click Save to save this list to a directory of your choice. Click OK to continue with the installation.

Click Finish to complete your HiCAD installation. .

If you have already activated the new Server License before the installation, you can start HiCAD now (Standard
Konfiguration).
If you have a local license you need to activate it first before you can start HiCAD.

Installation Notes 123 / 200

Update

ISD Update Service

The automatic search for and installation of HiCAD/HELiOSupdates (Hotfixes). For this you require the program
ISDUpdateSvc.exe, that you can either activate during installation of HiCAD or install via the Windows Control Panel
afterwards.

Installing the ISD Update Service

You can activate the automatic search for and installation of HiCAD/HELiOS updates (Hotfixes), either during the
installation of HiCAD/HELiOS or, later, via the Windows Control Panel.

During installation you can go to Extended settings > General and activate the Activate ISD Update Service option to
activate the automatic search for Updates on the ISD Server. You can also activate or deactivate this option after-
wards via the Windows Control Panel.

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In the Windows Control Panel, choose Programs and Features, right-click on HiCAD and choose Change.

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Update

Checkmark Activate the ISD Update Service and click Next. After all options have been queried, click Change.
After successful installation, the program ISDUpdateSvc.exe will be located by default in directory C:\Program
Files\ISD Software und Systeme\ISD Update Service

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Using the ISD Update Service

If you have installed the ISD Update Service, the following message appears at the bottom right of your screen
whenever a Hotfix is available:

Click on the message or double-click on the icon at the bottom right to start the ISDUpdateSvc.exe program. You
can also directly double click on the ISDUpdateSvc.exe file to start the program.
Confirm the query in the Windows User Account Control dialogue window.

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Update

If an update is available, click the Download button to download it from the ISD Server to your computer. If an
update should not be displayed anymore, activate the Hide... checkbox. In addition to the Hotfix, Major Release
and Service Pack are also displayed here. However, unlike the Hotfix, you cannot download and install these here.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

After downloading of the Hotfix, click Install.

Confirm the Windows Security Warning with Install.

Follow the instructions on the screen to install the update.
The HiCAD Info window displays the current HiCAD version number (including build number) as well as the num-

bers of any installed hotfixes. To show the info window, click on Help Topics and Information and choose
HiCAD.

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Update

ISD Update Service: Settings

If you have installed the ISD Update Service, you can, after calling the program (with the icon at the bottom right
on the Windows Taskbar, or by double-clicking on the file ISDUpdateSvc.exe), configure the search and the install-
ation with the Settings button.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Via the Settings button you can specify the download directory for Updates and a time interval for the search for
updates.

You can use the icon to start the search for updates manually.

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Update

Update - Procedure for the modules Plant Engineering and Pipeline Planning
If you have already used the modules of a HiCAD version older than 2022, proceed as follows:

1. Backup
Make a backup of the current state of your database. In the file FILEGRUP.DAT in the exe directory of the existing
old HiCAD version, check the entry located under 6:. The entry specifies the part directory for HiCAD Plant Engin-
eering. This can be the local PlantParts directory of your HiCAD installation (e.g. 6:C:\hicad\PlantParts) or a server
directory, e.g. 6:\\MyServer\hicad\PlantParts.
n If the Server directory has been entered here, make a backup of this Server directory.
n If the local directory has been entered here, make a backup of this local PlantParts directory.

2. Installation
Perform the HiCAD Update Installation. Please do not start the programs yet.

3. Realise required database state (only for Plant Engineering!)

n Start the DbPlantDataImport.exe program. Login as Administrator. Please note that you require all read and
write permissions.
n Click on Update HELiOS for Plant Engineering.
n After completion of the process, close the program.

Part Variants
HiCAD currently offers more than 1000 part variants for Plant Engineering, which can be found in the PLANTPARTS
sub-directory of your HiCAD installation. If you open a VAA file with the Variant Editor you will obtain extensive
information about this variant.
Use the DbPlantDataImport.exe tool to import supplied (new) variants to your database if these are not yet contained
in it.

Please first check whether these variants do not already exist in your database!

Please note:
n To transfer new variants to the HiC catalogue, use the tool VARTOCAT.EXE or the Part data synchronisation
function.

n With the PLANTPARTSLIST.EXE tool you can generate a list of the current Plant Engineering variants - in
German, English, French, Italian and Polish. The list is written to a CSV file, which you can then open and
edit with Microsoft Excel.

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Updating the HELiOS Database (Database Schema)

Improvements of the HELiOS functionality require a regular updating of the database; if the database version is no
longer up to date, HELiOS displays the following message (version numbers may vary) when it is started:

To update the database schema, use the program HeliosDbUpdate.exe.

HELiOS Data base schema

As existing datasets with non-compliant conditions may cause conflicts during the central update process of
the HELiOS delivery database, you should consider the following:
1. Do a database backup: You should make sure that a backup of your HELiOS database has been created
before the update. This can be done with the HELiOS Database Creator or via your SQL server application.
Please contact the ISD hotline if you have any questions or need support for your individual system archi-
tecture.
2. The log file of the update: If any conflicts occur during the update, they are traced in the log file HeliosDbUp-
date.txt (in the system path %appdata%\ISD Software and Systems\HeliosDbUpdate\). Have this file ready
if you contact the ISD hotline for troubleshooting and successful updates.

Please note:
n It is mandatory to make a database backup before the update, as the update can normally only be reverted
by importing the backup.

n After an update, access is only possible with the appropriate HELiOS version. A mixed operation with
HELiOS versions requiring an older database schema is not possible.

n The update must be performed once and applies to all HELiOS installations.

n As of HELiOS 2022 SP 1 (Version 2701), HeliosDbUpdate.exe no longer supports databases older than ver-
sion 212 (corresponds to the database delivered with HELiOS 2013, Version 1800). In this case, use an
older version of HeliosDbUpdate.exe or contact the Consulting department of the ISD.

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Update

n The responsible administrator should always be informed prior to the update, in order to enable a coordin-
ated conversion.

n In some cases, a window with the message "The designations of the database attributes must be updated."
will be displayed during the update process. In such cases, the language-dependent standard designations
for attributes will be updated. This applies only to standard designations of attributes which have not been
changed or created by the user, i.e. only for attributes according to the default settings. This means that
designations that were assigned via Attribute Editor by the user will remain unchanged in the process.

n When updating a HELiOS version older than HELiOS 2022 Service Pack 2 to a newer one, an extended
range of functions for deriving projects and folders is implemented. Please note that folders created via
action lists of the workflow management or containing subfolders created via action lists cannot be derived.
If corresponding folders are found in your database when updating the database schema, you will receive
the following message:
"The functions for deriving project and folder structures have been extended. Currently it is not possible to
derive folders which were created via action lists or which contain folders created via action lists with these
functions. Since such folders exist in your database, please contact the ISD Consulting department to see to
what extent adjustments will be necessary in the future."

n If you have pipe classes with identical pipe class numbers (RKLname), this will be displayed during a data-
base version update.

To make the uniqueness check independent of the pipe class number (RKLname), a unique index is
assigned for all objects in the database. The background is that in HELiOS the path of the objects is never
taken into account.
Any conflicts in the database are reported during the database version update and a database index is cre-
ated for the pipe classes. You can view this index with the programme HEL_ATTREDIT.EXE and adjust your
database or delete the index.

The update can be performed from any HELiOS workstation with a database connection. The HeliosDbUpdate.exe
program is used for this purpose. It can be started via the Windows Explorer, or similar programs, from the exe dir-
ectory of the HELiOS installation.
The following mask (software and database version may vary) will be displayed after starting the program:

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Click the Update database… button to start the update.

The following message (version numbers may vary) will be displayed after clicking the button.

If you confirm this message with OK, another confirmation prompt is displayed.

The update starts after confirming the security question with Yes and leads to the following message after a suc-
cessful update.

Installation Notes 135 / 200

Update

By switching from HELiOS Database Options to the HiCAD Configuration Editor, this important note will appear the
first time you update to HiCAD 2023 or newer. Please read the note carefully.

Since version 2024, the version numbers of 3D parts (KRA files from HiCAD) have been stored in HELiOS. However,
the version numbers are not available in HELiOS for existing data from customers who do not work with the vault. For
this reason, the version numbers of the KRA files are now transferred to HELiOS.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

After the transfer, you will find the log with further information in the displayed path. If the transfer fails, you have to
call the tool again from the command line HeliosDbUpdate.exe /CheckKraVersion.

A further check can be carried out by clicking the Re-determine button in the main window of the program, after
confirming this message with OK.
After a successful update, software version and database version should be identical.

Please note:
If you use HiCAD and HELiOS together it may occur after an update of HiCAD that according to the error mes-
sage for verification of your database version the number of the required version is lower than that of the current
one, which is, according to the message, not supported.
In this case, please contact our Hotline:
Tel: 02 31 / 97 93 - 166
Fax: 02 31 / 97 93 - 101
E-Mail: support@isdgroup.com

Installation Notes 137 / 200

Update

Manual Registration of Multi-CAD Add-ins

If you use both HiCAD and HELiOS on your system in mixed operation it is not possible (as opposed to the stan-
dalone version of the HELiOS Desktop) to establish an interface between HELiOS and further CAD or CAE software
via an update or modification installation.
To do so you can use the HeliosCouplings.exe tool (in the /exe/ directory of the HiCAD installation).
It can be used to activate interfaces with AutoCAD, Inventor or EPLAN.

Activate the checkbox of the required software and confirm with OK. The interface will then be activated.
The respective software has to be installed in the system.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

New Mask Editor for HELiOS

The Mask Editor (as of HELiOS 2020) has been completely revised. Besides a modern ribbon design, which also
supports operation at high resolutions, the basis for a further expansion of the masks and the editor has been laid.
The revision of the mask editor has also led to a conversion of the mask format to XML. Mask files are now managed
outside the installation directory.

New mask format and central mask configuration

In HELiOS 2020, the previous mask format has been changed from .msk to .xml, parallel to the revision of the mask
editor. In addition, mask files are now managed outside the installation directory, resulting in some changes in the
system architecture that administrators should urgently consider:
The masks of older versions that were previously stored in the \sys\ directory of the installation are automatically con-
verted to the new XML format by an update installation of an older HELiOS version to HELiOS 2020 (V 2500.0) or
higher and stored at%Programdata%.
At %Programdata%, the masks are stored in a version-specific path, i.e. for HELiOS 2020 this path could look like
this: "C:\ProgramData\ISD Software und Systeme\HELiOS 2020\GUI\Masks". In a later version, the version identifier
in the path will be correspondingly higher.

This conversion or directory is not dependent on whether the local or central directory was selected for the interface
configuration (see below).
The old configuration file can then be found in a Backup directory that was created below the installation folder.

Installation Notes 139 / 200

Update

The new masks at %Programdata% should not be overwritten in any case, because these are the "delivery status",
which may be updated by later update installations. If masks are edited and changed with the mask editor, they are
stored at %Appdata% and are called up by HELiOS when working in corresponding masks from this directory.

Important:
This means: If masks are to be distributed uniformly to different workstations, they must be saved under %Ap-
pdata% and not (!) under %Programdata%.

Mask Converter
During the update installation - starting from an installation earlier than HELiOS 2020 - the tool MskToXm-
lUpdate.exe is placed in the exe directory of the HELiOS installation. This tool is used by the installation program
when updating to HELiOS 2020 for automatically converting masks in the old MSK mask format to the new XML
mask format. The images contained in the masks are also copied together with the masks.
If necessary, this tool can also be used to convert old mask files to the new XML mask format at a later date. To do
this, the tool must be started as administrator from the Windows command line as follows
MskToXmlUpdate –BACKUPPATH=path name –MSKPATH=path name
A path must be specified for both the BACKUPPATH and MSKPATHparameters.
BACKUPPATH
Here the directory must be specified to which the "old" MSK/BMP files are to be moved after conversion.
After the conversion, a conversion log with the name _MskToXmlResult.txt is saved in this directory.
MSKPATH
Here the directory has to be entered containing the files to be converted.

Example:
MskToXmlUpdate –BACKUPPATH=C:\helios\sys\backup_msk -MSKPATH=C:\helios\sys\
The files are automatically converted into the file %PROGRAMDATA% of HELiOS, for instance […]\Pro-
gramData\ISD Software und Systeme\HELiOS 2020\GUI\Masks.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

New File Format for 2-D Files in HiCAD

Similar to the KRA files in 3-D there are now 2-D figure archives with the filename extension .FGA. This contain the
previous 2-D data (.FIG), the DB attributes (.FIG.DBA2) as well as the attribute container data (.FIG.ATC) and
replaces the former 2-D files. Moreover, the new FGA format allows the displaying of 2-D files in HiCAD Viewer and
also contains the 2-D HCM files.

Discontinuation of old figure format (FIG)

The following notes regarding FIG-FGA conversion are unnecessary if HELiOS is used in conjunction with the
HELiOS Vault Server.
Since HiCAD 2017 we support FGA as figure format (before that FIG). From HiCAD/HELiOS 2021 or HELiOS
2021 as an update for HiCAD 2019/2020 onwards, we require that all figures stored with HELiOS have been
converted to the new FGA format beforehand. To convert existing 2-D FIG files, the tool Converter_FIG_To_
FGA.exe is available in the exe directory of the HiCAD installation.
If there are still unconverted FIG files in the HELiOS document database at the time of the database update, you
will be informed of the outstanding conversion of these files before the database update. In this case, the con-
version must be carried out before or at the latest directly after the update using Converter_FIG_To_FGA.exe.

Conversion of 2-D Data to the FGA Format

Start the Converter_FIG_To_FGA.exe program to convert the 2-D parts.

Installation Notes 141 / 200

Update

Folder to scan
Enter the path of the folder that should be converted. Via this symbol you can select the
folder in the Windows Explorer.
The folder will only be evaluated if there is an activated checkbox behind Folder to scan.
Filegrup.dat In order to search the directories in the Filegrup.dat for FIG files the checkbox behind File-
grup.dat has to be activated.
All directories from the Filegrup.dat that are activated will be considered when searching
for FIG files.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Create If you have activated Create backup a ZIP file with all selected FIG files will be created.
backup (zip)
Overwrite exist- If you have activated the Overwrite existing FGA option, existing FGA files will be overwritten
ing FGA if the names are identical with the converted files.
Folder backup Enter the path for the backup and log file here.
and log
Scan for *.FIG By pressing the Scan for *.FIG button you start the search for FIG files in the selected
folders.
Convert FIG -> Via Convert FIG -> FGA you start the conversion. In the process all *.FIG, *.FIG.DBA2 and
FGA *.FIG.ATC will be deleted.

After the conversion the number of converted files will be displayed. Furthermore, the number of defective con-
verted files will be shown. Further information regarding the error can be found in the LOG file.

Installing the FIG-FGA Converter

Start Windows to install the FIG-FGA Converter. If Windows has already been opened, close all other applications
and start the installation wizard.
In the installation wizard, click the Standard Edition button, which opens a mask with various selection options for
software components.
Leave the selection mask of the installation wizard open, so that you can select the desired components one after
the other.

Installation Notes 143 / 200

Update

Click on the FIG-FGA Converter button.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Enter the installation directory for the software.

Click Install.

Installation Notes 145 / 200

Update

After successful installation the Converter_FIG_To_FGA.exe can be found in the program folder.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

CatalogueMaker
CatalogueUpdate
The tool CatalogueUpdate is used to update the catalogues and can be started automatically or manually. When
updating HiCAD, the existing configuration is adopted, the tool CatalogueUpdate.exe is only started automatically if
you have set the check mark in the Extended settings.

If you want to add new tables to the catalogues or exchange catalogues with customers later, the program can be
called from the EXE directory of the HiCAD installation.

Installation Notes 147 / 200

Update

For the automatic update during the update installation, the Source is preset. The path is automatically filled with
the catalogues to be replaced.
If the program is started manually, then the source is to be selected as follows:
n for a HiCAD Update:
\Program64\de- de\hicad3.cat\Kataloge
on the DVD or in the ISO file of the update.
n in case of a HiCAD Patch:
\de- de\hicad3.cat\Kataloge
on the DVD or in the ISO file of the patch.
For foreign language installations, replace de-de with the corresponding language abbreviations, i.e. en-us (English)
fr-fr (French), it-it (Italian), pl-pl (Polish).
Please note that the activation of the option Retain user settings.... is possible, but not recommended. option is pos-
sible but not recommended. If you have activated the setting, some tables may not be displayed correctly. Check the
log file if necessary.

Please note:
n For a version with a patch (i.e. .0 and .X), from HiCAD 2021 (e.g. version 2600.1) onwards, the catalogue is
only installed once by the patch when reinstalling. Previously it was installed from the .0 and then updated
from the patch, which of course takes much longer.

n During the update installation of the major release from HiCAD 2021 (e.g. from Version 2501 to 2600), the
catalogue is updated only once from the patch of the previous version, instead of first from the base install-
ation and then again from the patch as before. This also applies to the "silent installation".

CatalogueMaker
With the CatalogueMaker (HiCAD EXE directory) you can compile your individual selection of standards, whether a
complete national standard or any combination of national and international standards. During a new or update
installation, the CatalogueMaker is called up if the check mark is set in the Extended settings.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

The CatalogueMaker is used to determine which series of standards are to appear in the parts catalogues (currently,
series of standards for DIN, ISO, EN, ANSI and JIS are available); the selection of standards in the CatalogueMaker
only affects the display of the parts catalogues, not their availability; this is still controlled by the licence selection in
the configuration menu.

Installation Notes 149 / 200

Licensing

Licensing
n General Notes on Licensing
l ...for Local Licenses
l ...for Network Licenses
l ...for Commuter Licenses
n Installing the License Server
n Licensing via Licensing ID (License Activator)
l AutoRequest Licenses
l Activate Licenses
l Deactivate Licenses
l Trial Licenses
l Reconstruction of Licenses
l Notes on the Use of Modbile Computers (Laptops)
l Floating Lizenzen
n Commuter Licenses
l Checking Out Commuter Licenses, with Network Connection
l Checking Out Commuter Licenses, without Network Connection
n License Configuration
n Server Monitor
n Theft of a Workstation

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

General Notes on Licensing

HiCAD/HELiOS can be activated via 3 types of licenses:
n Standalone Licenses (Local Licenses)
n Network Licenses
n Commuter Licenses

Please note:
n A static IP address is required for a correct operation of the License Server.

n If you activated a license while the WLAN card is switched on, this license will only be valid and visible when
the WLAN card is switched on.

n In the HiCAD/HELiOS directory DOCU you can find an Online Help for the Licence Manager. You start the
Help by calling the LICENSEMANAGER.HTML file in the folder Docu\tools\Licensemanager.

n In the Online Help, on the PDF Documents on Various Topics page, you can find the document Checking
out Licenses.

General Information on Local (Workstation-specific) Licenses

If you choose local licensing, the activation will be directly locked to the hardware of the workstation on which your
HiCAD and HELiOS Desktop program is installed.
The ISD will send you an E-mail containing the Entitlement ID for local licenses (standalone). This ID will be required
for the activation and deactivation of the licenses and software modules. Please keep the Entitlement ID! Without
this ID you cannot activate or deactivate any licenses! In case of a defect, no reconstruction of licenses will be pos-
sible without the Entitlement ID! After installing HiCAD/HELiOS , you activate the licenses by means of the License
Activator in the ISD License Manager.

General Information on (Server-controlled) Network Licenses

If you choose network (server-controlled) licensing, the license will be directly locked to the hardware of the server
that centrally manages the HiCAD/HELiOS licenses. These licenses can be used on any workstation in your network
that is connected to this server.
The ISD will send you an E-mail containing the Entitlement ID. If you have several network servers, e.g. at several loc-
ations, you will receive one Entitlement ID for each network server. This ID will be required for the activation and
deactivation of the licenses and software modules. Please keep the Entitlement ID! Without this ID you cannot activ-
ate or deactivate any licenses! In case of a defect, no reconstruction of licenses will be possible without the Enti-
tlement ID! You activate/deactivate the network licenses by means of the License Activator in the ISD License
Manager.
To be able to use network licenses, a License Server needs to be installed on a computer without HiCAD/HELiOS.
The license server enforces and manages licensing in multi-user environment. It keeps track of all the licenses and
handles requests from network users who want to run a HiCAD/HELiOS application, granting authorization to the
requesters, or denying requests if all licenses are in use.
The license server must not be installed on the same computer on which an ISD software product (HiCAD/HELiOS)
is installed, as both product share system data concerning the licensing information. Formerly, such parallel install-

Installation Notes 151 / 200

Licensing

ations of license servers and ISD products were performed in cases where a customer occasionally wanted to trans-
fer the license to another computer (Remote Commuter License).

Important:
Installations of license servers and ISD products on the same computer are no longer covered by the warranty.
The ISD group advises you strongly not to perform such installations.
A static IP address is required for correct operation of the license server.

General Information on Commuter Licenses

Individual licenses can be checked out from the server and locked to a workstation within or outside the network
(so-called “commuter licenses”). This enables you to continue working at a different location, without being con-
nected to the license server (unless your HiCAD/HELiOS installation requires a connection to a database server). For
this purpose you define a specific period during which you want the license to be available on a selected work-
station. For this period, this license will be blocked on the license server. After expiry of this period, the license will
be made available on the license server again. It is also possible to manually return this license to the server before
expiry of the defined period, if the workstation is connected to the server. Licenses for one workstation can be
checked out for at least one day, with the counting beginning at 1:00 AM on the day following the checkout date.
If you want to replace/exchange your license server, you need to deactivate all licenses first.

Practical Examples of Network Licensing

n Let us assume that three licenses have been activated on your server. Monday morning (11.00 am) you sud-
denly need to see a customer for design tasks, and you know that you will still be on-site at the customer’s facility
on Tuesday. You therefore check out a license for 24 hours on 11.00 am. This means that you can use this
license until Tuesday night, 11.59 pm, from your mobile workplace. After expiration of this period, the license is
automatically made available again on the server. If you manage to finish your work on Tuesday at midday, you
can go back to your office and return the license to the server somewhat earlier.
n Similar situation as the one described above, with the difference that you are not in your office on Monday,
11.00 am. In such cases you can generate a hardware ID, enabling your colleagues in the office to check out a
license for you. This license is sent to you by E-mail and can then be activated. In contrast to the previous

152 / 200 Installation Notes

 HiCAD and HELiOS

example, this license is exclusively available to you for a fixed period of time and cannot be returned to the
server before expiration of this period.

Installation Notes 153 / 200

Licensing

Installing the License Server

If you want tp perform a HiCAD/HELiOS update to Version 2025 and use a license server (i.e. work with network
licenses), you require Version 8.6.2 of the License Server. If you have installed an older version, you need to unin-
stall it before re-installing the License Server.
To install the License Server, start Windows. If Windows has already been opened, close all other applications and
start the installation wizard.
Click the Standard Edition button, which opens a mask with various selection options for software components.
Leave the selection mask open, open, so that you can select the desired components one after the other.

Click on the License Server button.

154 / 200 Installation Notes

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Installation Notes 155 / 200

Licensing

156 / 200 Installation Notes

 HiCAD and HELiOS

Installation Notes 157 / 200

Licensing

158 / 200 Installation Notes

 HiCAD and HELiOS

After successful installation you will find the Server (Sentinel RMS License Manager) under Services. From here you
can also start and end the License Server.

Important:
To ensure that the HiCAD/HELiOS Client will find the correct License Server, an environment variable
LSFORCEHOST should be set on each Client using network licenses. The value HOSTNAME, respectively the
IP address of the License Server is assigned to the variable.

Installation Notes 159 / 200

Licensing

Licensing via Entitlement ID (License Activator)

The ISD License Manager significantly facilitates the communication between the customer and the ISD during
licensing.

Important:
To activate HiCAD/HELiOS, you always require the ISD License Manager that matches the version you use.

AutoRequest Licenses
When acquiring a HiCAD/HELiOS license, you will obtain one Entitlement ID for local licenses (Standalone) and
another one for network licenses (Network). If you have several network servers, e.g. at different locations, you will
obtain one Entitlement ID for each network server. These numbers will be required for the activation and deac-
tivation of the licenses and the software modules.

Important:
Please keep the Entitlement ID! Without this number you cannot activate or deactivate licenses. In case of a sys-
tem crash a reconstruction of the licenses cannot take place without the Entitlement ID.

After installing HiCAD/HELiOS you can find the program in the Windows Start menu under ISD Software und
Systeme > Administration. Please note that for the execution of some functions, administrator rights are required.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

The range of functions of the ISD License Manager depends on the activation of the License Administration Tools
option. The information about this setting is entered in the Registry and can also be changed there subsequently if
desired (please contact the Hotline).

Important:
To activate/deactivate Network Licenses, always start the ISD License Manager via the Windows Start menu:
Select ISD Software und Systeme GmbH > Administration. To avoid errors when activating/deactivating
licenses, perform an update of the new ISD License Manager and/or the License Administration Tools before-
hand.

Activate the License Activator tab and enter the Entitlement ID, your E-mail address and your Password. New cus-
tomers obtain their password from the ISD Hotline. With this password you can also access the Download Area.
After entering the data, click Login. The ISD License Manager connects to the ISD License Server and the acquired
licenses will be displayed.
This process may take several minutes. You can then activate the licenses.

Installation Notes 161 / 200

Licensing

Activate Licenses
After successful Login the number of available licenses and the number of acquired licenses are indicated next to
each module.

Select the modules to be activated and click Activate to start the activation. For Server Licenses the modules are
already pre-selected.
After successful activation a message showing you that all licenses have been successfully activated will be dis-
played:

You can then log out and work with the HiCAD/HELiOS modules.
In addition, you will receive an E-mail informing you about the deactivated modules.
For Network Licenses, all modules will always be activated or deactivated (for further information about the oper-
ation of the License Manager, please read the Online Help for the License Manager).

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Deactivate Licenses
A deactivation of licenses for modules will be required in the following situations:
n Exchange of hardware or changing of hard disk partitioning
n Update of the operating system,e.g. from Windows 8 to Windows 11). For updates within one version no deac-
tivation will be required.)
n Transfer of local modules from one workstation to another
n Acquisition of further modules, or return of hired licenses
n Switch from local licenses to network licenses
Please note the following: All workstations with modules having the same Entitlement ID need to be deactivated com-
pletely before a redistribution of the module licenses can take place.
Close all HiCAD/HELiOS applications before deactivating local licenses or logging onto the License Manager.
After starting the ISD License Manager the activated modules will be highlighted in a different colour.

Click the Deactivate button to revoke the activation of the modules.

A selection is not possible, as you need to deactivate all modules, no matter whether local licenses or network
licenses. The deactivation process must not be disrupted, e.g. by a logout or the closing of ISD License Manager!

Installation Notes 163 / 200

Licensing

Click on Yes when the security prompt appears.

After successful deactivation the following message will be displayed.

Trial Licenses
If you select Display trial licenses after login, you will be also shown, besides all trial licenses with a limited period of
validity, all purchasable licenses which are not simultaneously available as trial licenses.

Reconstruction of Licenses
As all licenses are stored on the ISD Server, you can, in case of an interrupted connection or an accidental deletion
of licenses, restore all licenses by logging in with your Entitlement ID. The restoring will only function if the hardware
was not changed (see Deactivate Licenses).

Notes on the Use of Mobile Computers (Laptops)

If you use a computer with WLAN card, Please make sure that the WLAN card is either always switched on, or
always switched off.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Floating Licenses
If you have acquired a HiCAD Extension Module with the property Floating- able at runtime, you can activ-

ate/deactivate them during the current HiCAD session. To do this, click on the m HiCAD nach dem Help icon
on the top right of the HiCAD screen and choose the option Floating Licenses. The HiCAD module selection window
will be displayed:

If one Extension Module is (de)activated, the Extension Modules that are prerequisites for this module will also be
(de)activated (if they are also floating-able at runtime).

Installation Notes 165 / 200

Licensing

Commuter Licenses
Commuter licenses enable you to use network licenses even if the workstation is not connected to the Server. There
are two ways of receiving commuter licenses:
n Checking Out Commuter Licenses, with Network Connection
n Checking Out Commuter Licenses, without Network Connection

Checking Out Commuter Licenses, with Network Connection

Start the ISD License Manager (while a connection to the Server still exists). Switch to the Commuter License tab.

Use the Search network button to automatically search for License Servers. Expand the tree structure of the found
Server by a click on the “+”-sign. All Versions will then be shown on the License Server. The result looks as follows:

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Select the required licenses by activating the corresponding checkboxes on the left hand side.

Installation Notes 167 / 200

Licensing

On the right hand side, information on the selected license is displayed.

In the Commuter license: Validity in days field, you enter the number of days that you want the commuter licenses to
remain checked out from the Server. The maximum number of days is 30. By default (or if a “0” is entered), the
value is set to 1.
For reasons of safety you should check out the licenses only for the required period! If a commuter license is lost,
e.g. because of theft or a defect of the client computer, the license on the Server cannot be used any more before
expiry of this date.
After entering the expiry date for the commuter licenses, click the Update licenses button. The Commuter licenses
are checked out from the Server.

All selected licenses are now checked out from the Server and you possess all rights on your computer for the spe-
cified validity period for the commuter licenses. This means that you are enabled to work network-independent. The
checked out licenses are no longer available to the other computers on the network.

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You can however also return the commuter licenses before their expiry date. To do this, you need to connect to the
Server, deactivate the checkboxes on the left and click the Update licenses button. All licenses are now made avail-
able on the Server and locked on your computer, i.e. you can now only use HiCAD/HELiOS if there is a connection to
the License Server. The licenses made available again can now also be used from other workstations.

Checking Out Commuter Licenses, without Network Connection

Commuter licenses can also be drawn from the License Server without an existing network connection. For this
Administrator rights are required.
Commuter licenses checked out in this way cannot be returned to the License Server! This means that the com-
muter licenses that have been checked out from the Server are only (automatically) made available again after their
expiry date.
Several steps are required for checking out without network connection - by the Administrator having a network con-
nection to the License Server, as well as by the Client (that is, your laptop) having no network connection to the
License Server.
As long as commuter licenses are checked out in this way, it is not possible to update the network licenses on the
server. The same applies when buying new modules/licenses and changing the configuration.
The Client starts the ISD License Manager tool, switches to the Remote Locking Code tab.

Installation Notes 169 / 200

Licensing

Then, the Client sends the generated character set to the Administrator (via E-mail or over the phone).
The Administrator starts the ISD License Manager and switches to the Commuter License tab.

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The License Server will be selected, and the required licenses (modules) are activated in the left window. In the Com-
muter license: Validity in days field, you enter the number of days that you want the commuter licenses to remain
checked out from the Server. The maximum number of days is 30. By default (or if a “0” is entered), the value is set
to 1. To checkout a remote commuter license the administrator now needs to activate the Check out authorisation
for remote computer checkbox . Administrator rights are required for this.
A click on the Update licenses button opens a new dialogue window, in which the administrator enters the character
set received from the Client

After selecting OK, another dialogue opens.

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Licensing

Here the Administrator enters the target path and the file name for the licenses to be swapped out. Make sure that a
unique file name is used, for example, by including in the file name the host name of the remote computer and the
expiry date.

Click OK to check out the commuter licenses from the License Server and swap them out to a file, e.g.
RemoteLicCode.lic.
After receiving the file with the commuter licenses, the Client starts the ISD License Manager again and activates the
Install Remote Authorisation Code tab.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Now the Client can install the received commuter licenses directly via file selection or via copying of the file contents.
Click the Install Remote Commuter License button to install the Commuter Licenses on the Client.

After successful installation, the Client must switch to the Standalone License Info tab.

To update, the Client must click on the Activate button. The information which licenses are installed locally on the
computer will then be provided to the Client.

Installation Notes 173 / 200

Licensing

License Configuration
Some cases may require the use of only certain specific licences on a computer. Example: On the Server HiCAD
Creator and HiCAD Solution licenses are available. On one Client, HiCAD is to be started with a HiCAD Creator
license; on another Client, with a HiCAD Solution license. If the selected license is no longer available, an application
start is no longer possible.
If there are several basic modules in a standalone (workstation) license (to which also the Commuter Licenses
belong), it is mandatory to make a pre-configuration and save it as workstation configuration. If no pre-configuration
is possible, the HiCAD configuration tab will be displayed before the start of HiCAD/HELiOS. If the selected con-
figuration does not match the available licenses, a warning message will be issued, with a list of available licenses.
After this, the configuration selection will be displayed again.

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On the HiCAD Configuration or HELiOS Configuration of the ISD License Manager tool you have the option to save a
workstation or user configuration for individual Clients.
n Save as workstation configuration: This configuration will be saved for all users of this computer. When
HiCAD/HELiOS is started, the selection window is no longer displayed (administrator rights are required for this).
n Save as user configuration: This configuration is only saved for the current user. When HiCAD/HELiOS is started,
the selection window with the saved configuration is always displayed.
These license configurations apply to network licenses and standalone (workstation) licenses.

Licence selection with parallel product start

If you start several applications without licence selection (e.g. without workstation configuration) one after the other,
the system checks whether a licence selection dialogue is already displayed in another application. If this is not the
case, the dialogue is displayed.
If another licence selection dialogue is already displayed, then you will receive the following message:

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Licensing

The Repeat button checks whether another licence selection dialogue is started at the same time. If yes, the same
information dialogue appears again. If not, the start (and possibly the display of the licence selection dialogue) is
continued.
Use the Cancel button to end the start of the application.

Please note:
If no licence could be reserved for the HiCAD integration module, only viewing functionalities are available in
the HELiOS, regardless of the selected basic module.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Server Monitor
With the ISD License Manager tab Server Monitor you are allowed (as far as you are able to execute ISD License
Manager) to view detailed information as follows:
n Listing of available modules with module description (e.g. “Element Installation”). Relevant is the License Server
which the user is connected with.
n Apart from the module description, the maximum amount of available licenses as well as allocated licenses is
displayed.
n You can open up the available modules and here the users using the respective license are displayed.
n The listing of users using a license also shows which user is connected with the License Server and which user
uses a Commuter License.
By listing the licenses you can easily see who blocks licenses and, for example, easily speak to them in case if you
need a license.
In the installation program, the tab Server Monitor is activated by clicking on the option Activate license admin-
istration tools.

Installation Notes 177 / 200

Licensing

Theft of a Workstation
The user is responsible for appropriately insuring the HiCAD and HELiOS workstations against theft. If desired, we
can tell you the reinstatement value of your software. If a workstation is stolen, you will need a new license. In such
cases, please send us the police report of the theft first. We will then provide you with a license for a limited period of
time, and submit an offer for a new license to you. The ISD will send you the new license after clarification of the
case with your insurance and receipt of your payment for the license fee.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

First Steps
n HiCAD at a Glance
n Start HiCAD
n DLL Check
n Start Center
n Close HiCAD
n HELiOS at a Glance
n Start HELiOS
n What's New in Version 2025?

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First Steps

HiCAD at a Glance
HiCAD is a versatile CAD with a unique, combined 2-D/3-D approach, innovative functions, comprehensive industry
solutions and an integrated PDM component. State-of-the-art technologies and a multitude of automatisms help you
speed up your daily routine tasks. And simulation and analysis tools enable you to find and correct possible col-
lisions and errors in your product models at very early design stages.
Performance characteristics:
n Microsoft Windows Standard
n GUI with multifunctional toolbar (Ribbon)
n Combined, fully associative working in 2-D and 3-D
n From 2-D to 3-D via model reconstruction
n Part-oriented designing
n Combined free ("direct") and parametric modelling
n Information + Communication Navigator (ICN)
n Automatic object snap and context menus (opened via right-click)
n Access to extensive symbol and standard part libraries (also online)
n Function simulation with the HiCAD Constraints Manager (HCM)
n Mounting, transport and motion simulations
n Free-form surface (FFS) technology
n Part referencing
n Feature technology
n Material Editor and lighting models
n Integrated Product Data Management (PDM) with HELiOS
n Transfer of data from other systems (CATIA, STEP, DXF, DWG etc.)
n BOM creation, PPS interface, data transfer to NC machines
n Powerful and versatile industry solutions
n Modular, expandable structure

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Start HiCAD
You start HiCAD by

n
Selecting the HiCAD symbol via the Start button on the Windows task bar (Start > All Programs >ISD Soft-
ware und Systeme > HiCAD), or

n
via the HiCAD icon on the Desktop of your computer.
Once you have started HiCAD, the input window for License Management is initially displayed, followed by the
HiCAD Start Centre (provided that it has not been deactivated).
If you use HiCAD in conjunction with HELiOS, a login may be required to start HiCAD.
To make the best possible use of the numerous new features and enhancements offered by HiCAD, check out the
videos explaining the new and changed HELiOS functionalities. From now on we will provide you with such videos
with each Major Release and Service Pack to keep you constantly informed in the best possible way.
You can configure the display of the News window at the bottom left. Please note that you can configure the display
of the News window at the bottom left. We recommend using the Show most recent news option to ensure that you
will never miss any news about HiCAD. If you selected the Show never option, you can call the News window again

at any time and change the display option by clicking on the symbol at the top right and selecting Show news.

Please note:
During the start of HiCAD it is checked whether the required version of .NET Framework is actually installed. If
this is not the case, an appropriate error message will be displayed and HiCAD will be closed.

Installation Notes 181 / 200

First Steps

DLL Check
Due to entries in the Windows-Registry, more and more libraries from third parties (DLL file) are integrated when
HiCAD is launched, e.g. in order to capture messages or outputs to the screen. Some examples are
n Virus scanners,
n PDF creation programs,
n Programs for recording of screen activities,
etc. These files can sometimes cause problems.
When you start HiCAD, it will first be checked whether DLL files are assigned to the Registry value AppInit in the
Registry key
n HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows (64-Bit)
n HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows (32-
Bit)
If this is the case, the following message will be displayed:

Activate the Suppress message checkbox if you do not want this message to be displayed upon future HiCAD starts.
Also inform your administrator about the message. The message will not reappear until the Registry value changes
again, i.e. not until other DLLs will be loaded!
To display the message again independently of this, set the value for the key CheckBoxState in the Windows registry
at
n HKEY_CURRENT_USER\SOFTWARE\ISD Software und Systeme\HiCAD 2025]\Splash Screen
to 0.

Important:
Be careful when editing the Registry! The entering of incorrect values or the deleting of values may destablilize
the operating system!

182 / 200 Installation Notes

 HiCAD and HELiOS

Start Centre
When you start HiCAD for the first time, the Start Centre will be displayed, which has been designed to facilitate your
first steps of drawing creation.

n When you call the Start Centre again, the last set values will be displayed as default values.
n The settings you have selected for the start action New drawing will even be used in HiCAD if you call the New
drawing function while the Start Centre is inactive.
If you want to create a new drawing, specify whether you want to create a Main assembly by activating the same-
named checkbox. This will make the drawing a main assembly drawing.
n Part drawing (aka Detail drawing)
In a part drawing (detail drawing) you divide your drawing into main parts and sub-parts. To define the part struc-
ture you use so-called dummy parts which symbolise the assembly. You then assign assembly-relevant main
parts and sub-parts to these dummy parts. Instead of dummy parts you may as well use the special part type
Assembly.
n Assembly drawing
You can define 3-D drawings directly when creating the assembly drawing and - if you are working in parallel

Installation Notes 183 / 200

First Steps

with HELiOS - enter them into the database. This provides significantly more efficiency, particularly for ref-
erencing, itemisation and BOM-creation.

Options
n Enter drawing into database
If you are working with HELiOS you can define whether you want to the new drawing to be entered into the data-
base. HiCAD will prompt you to specify the document master data once you exit the Start Centre. If not, you will
be prompted to enter the name of the drawing file.
Activate, if desired, the project to which you want to assign the drawing.
n Scale
Here you can preset the scale of the drawing.
n Start mode
Here, choose the start mode you want to be activated once you exit the Start Centre, e.g. 2-D, if you want to start
the drawing in 2-D or 3-D Extruded solid, if you want to start your drawing by creating an extruded solid in 3-D.
n Create processing planes (3-D only)
Here you can specify which of the standard processing planes you want to create. Activate the appropriate
checkbox.
n View projection and View representation (3-D only)
If you want to work in 3-D, use these functions to pre-set the model view and the view representation.

Open drawing
If you have chosen Openg drawing as start mode, you can specify whether you want to load the drawing via the data-
base, the Explorer or via an interface. As with a new creation, you may also activate the project directly.

184 / 200 Installation Notes

 HiCAD and HELiOS

Close HiCAD
To close HiCAD,
n just click on the icon at the top right , or
n Click on the ISD Button at the top left and choose End.
If HiCAD drawings are still open at this point, you have the option to save them. HiCAD distinguishes between the
currently open drawing, i.e. the one that you see on your screen, and other drawings that are also still open. If a file
with the same name already exists, you can either save the drawing under a different name, or overwrite the existing
file with the same name. Please note however that no backup copy will be created in this case!

Important:
When closing HiCAD, all files except for the auto-saved files will be removed from the TEMP directory of your
HiCAD installation.

Installation Notes 185 / 200

First Steps

HELiOS at a Glance
On the way to the finished product, invested time, spent costs and product quality can only be optimised if all depart-
ments of a company cooperate efficiently. This requires a well-structured and efficient exchange of information
between the parties involved in the production process - from Manufacturing, Purchasing and Service to Marketing
and Sales.
HELiOS is a state-of-the-art PDM/PLM system providing all essential tools for an error-free gathering, management
and distribution of the data required for the production process chain. Once saved, these data can be re-used within
the entire company and for the complete product life cycle. HELiOS manages and controls all process cycles by reg-
ulating and monitoring the processing and transfer of these data.
By combining Product, Process and Peripherals Management in a single system, HELiOS becomes the central
“knowledge reservoir” of your company and guarantees transparent and secure processes.
HELiOS can be interfaced with your CAD system or used as a stand-alone system, the so-called HELiOS Desktop -
either as a single workstation or at different locations.
Thanks to its modular structure, HELiOS can be optimally adapted to company-specific requirements.

186 / 200 Installation Notes

 HiCAD and HELiOS

Start HELiOS
Start the HELiOS Desktop by double-clicking on the HELiOS.EXE file or via the HELiOS icon on the Desktop of
your computer.
If you have not closed HELiOS correctly during your last session, you will receive an error message from the Vault
Server.
To make the best possible use of the numerous new features and enhancements offered by HELiOS, check out the
videos explaining the new and changed HELiOS functionalities. From now on we will provide you with such videos
with each Major Release and Service Pack to keep you constantly informed in the best possible way.
You can configure the display of the News window at the bottom left. Please note that you can configure the display
of the News window at the bottom left. We recommend using the Show most recent news option to ensure that you
will never miss any news about HELiOS. If you selected the Show never option, you can call the News window again

at any time and change the display option by clicking on the symbol at the top right and selecting Show news.

Login
The HELiOS User Management is based on the User Management of Windows. Punctuation marks such as com-
mas, apostrophes, square brackets etc. and special characters such as @ cannot be used in user names. If several
users are registered with the same Windows User Name in EDBSETUP, a login mask will appear when starting
HELiOS Desktop.

User name and active group enable the user to login with the rights guaranteed by the User Management.
If you select a project from the Active project drop-down list, this project will be opened after starting HELiOS
Desktop. If you select the project-independent setting, all documents will be displayed.
Start the HELiOS Desktop with Login.

To ensure that a specific project is always opened after starting HELiOS, click on the icon at the top left of
the Desktop and then select the HELiOS Options. You can select a start project on the General tab.

Installation Notes 187 / 200

First Steps

Switch user

Use the Switch user function for a renewed login while working with HELiOS Desktop, e.g. to work with dif-
ferent rights without having to exit the program.

Activate the Switch user function via the QuickAccess toolbar. Select a different user. Change the active pro-
ject if required and confirm the new settings with Login.

188 / 200 Installation Notes

 HiCAD and HELiOS

What's New in Version 2025?

An extensive overview of all changes and enhancements of HiCAD 2025 can be found in the What's new? topic of
the Help. You can also click on the button in the Help.

An overview in PDF format will be displayed if you click on the button.

Installation Notes 189 / 200

How to Use the Help

How to Use the Help

The Online Help provides you with information, descriptions and examples on all functions and techniques which
are available in HiCAD/HELiOS.

Please note:
The scope of available functions may vary, depending on the configuration of your HiCAD/HELiOS product. This
means that some of the functions described in the Online Help may not be available in your version.

The Help is available both locally (status of the installation DVD) and on the Internet (regularly updated) at help.is-
dgroup.com. Both versions of the Help can be called from HiCAD/HELiOS.

You can call the Help in HiCAD via the Help Topics and Information menu.

Choose > Help Settings to determine which version of the Help will be used.

Click on the button to call the HELiOS Help.

Choose > HELiOS Options to determine which version of the Help will be used.

190 / 200 Installation Notes

 HiCAD and HELiOS

Please note:
If you move the cursor over a function on the Ribbon and press the F1 key, the Help page for that specific func-
tion will be displayed.

To be able to use the Internet version of the Help, you need to register for the ISD customer portal once. This will not
only give you access to the new Help, but also provide you with many other information which will be made available
shortly in the ISD Wiki (Forum, Download area etc.)
Click Sign up in the login window of the Online Help to register. If you have already been registered, enter your
access data and click Login to get directly to the start page of the Online Help.

After clicking Sign up in the Login window of the Online Help, enter the data required in the dialogue window. Con-
firm the security prompt and click the Sign up button.

Installation Notes 191 / 200

How to Use the Help

After successful registration the dashboard will be displayed. A message indicates whether you have been authen-
ticated as an ISD customer.
If you could be identified as an ISD customer, you can now directly launch the Online Help using your registration
data. In addition, you will have access to all important information.
If you could not be identified as an ISD customer, an account will be created, but not all information available for cus-
tomers will be unlocked. If you are a customer, please perform the steps described in the message so that we will be
able to unlock your account for all available content.

Important:
By default the Online Help has been selected after installation. If you prefer using the local Help, start the Install-
ation Wizard again and click on the HiCAD and HELiOS Help button.

192 / 200 Installation Notes

 HiCAD and HELiOS

Hotline
Even after implementation, the support team of the ISD ensures competent support of their customers. Besides sup-
port over the phone, all current means of communication such as E-mail (support@isdgroup.com) and Internet can
be used. If any problems could not be solved in this way, our staff in all our offices will be there to help you at your
company if required.
If all lines are busy, a voice mail system will be activated, allowing you to leave a message. Our staff will call you back
as soon as possible. If a line becomes available during the recording of your message, your call will be accepted
immediately. It is our ambition to solve your problems as quickly as possible and let you have the solution via phone
or E-mail. A problem diagnosis will be made on the spot, and the existing problem will be dealt with and eliminated
as fast as possible.
In cases where your problem cannot be solved immediately, we will call you back after analyzing the situation.
Depending on the level of difficulty our Hotline will also bring in the Development department.

Installation Notes 193 / 200

Copyright

Copyright
© 2011-2025 ISD ® Software und Systeme GmbH. All rights reserved.
This User Guide and the software described herein are provided in conjunction with a license and may only be used
or copied in accordance with the terms of the license. The contents of this User Guide solely serve the purpose of
information; it may be modified without prior notice and may not be regarded as binding for the ISD Software und
Systeme GmbH. The ISD Software und Systeme GmbH does not assume any responsibility for the correctness or
accuracy of the information provided in this document. No part of this document may be reproduced, saved to data-
bases or transferred in any other form without prior written permission by the ISD Software und Systeme GmbH,
unless expressly allowed by virtue of the license agreement.
All mentioned products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers and producers.

Sentinel® RMS and EMS

The license management portion of this Licensee Application is based upon one or more of the following copyrights:
n Sentinel®RMS, © 2009-2025 Thales Group. All rights reserved.
n Sentinel®EMS, © 2009-2025 Thales Group. All rights reserved.
Sentinel® is a registered trademark of the Thales Group.

PDF3D®
PDF3D®, © 2003-2025 Visual Technology Services Ltd. All rights reserved.
PDF3D® is a registered trademark of Visual Technology Services Ltd.

Scene API Standardalone Developer Package®

The HiCAD Point Cloud module contains the SCENE API Standalone Developer Package®.
This is an original product of FARO® Technologies Inc. and protected by copyright.

Protocol Buffer
Copyright 2008, Google Inc. All rights reserved.
Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the fol-
lowing conditions are met:
n Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following dis-
claimer.
n Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the fol-
lowing disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
n Neither the name of Google Inc. nor the names of its contributors may be used to endorse or promote products
derived from this software without specific prior written permission.
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS"AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS
OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION)
HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR

194 / 200 Installation Notes

 HiCAD and HELiOS

TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS
SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
Code generated by the Protocol Buffer compiler is owned by the owner of the input file used when generating it. This
code is not standalone and requires a support library to be linked with it. This support library is itself covered by the
above license.

D-Cubed
This work contains the following software owned by Siemens Industry Software Limited:
D-Cubed® 2D DCM © 2025. Siemens Industry Software Limited. All rights reserved.
D-Cubed® 3D DCM © 2025. Siemens Industry Software Limited. All rights reserved.
D-Cubed® AEM © 2025. Siemens Industry Software Limited. All rights reserved.

lp_solve
HiCAD uses the lp_solve library. lp_solve is an Open Source project provided under the GNU General Public License
(LGPL) as published by the Free Software Foundation.
See http://lpsolve.sourceforge.net/5.5/LGPL.htm for details.

EPPLUS
HiCAD uses the EPPLUS library. EPPlus is an Open Source project provided under the GNU General Public License
(LGPL) as published by the Free Software Foundation.
See http://epplus.codeplex.com/license for details.

FreeImage
HiCAD uses the FreeImage open source image library. FreeImage is licensed under the FreeImage Public License
(FIPL).
See http://freeimage.sourceforge.net for details.

FreeType
Portions of this software are copyright 2018 The FreeType Project (www.freetype.org). All rights reserved.

Autofac, Copyright © 2025 Autofac Project

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated doc-
umentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to
use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons
to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions: The above copyright notice and this
permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR
ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE,
ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN
THE SOFTWARE.

Installation Notes 195 / 200

Copyright

Castle.Core, Copyright © 2004-2025 Castle Project

Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with
the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0 Unless required
by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the spe-
cific language governing permissions and limitations under the License.

ngx-extended-pdf-viewer, Copyright © 2008-2025 by James Boyle. All Rights Reserved.

Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with
the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0 Unless required
by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the spe-
cific language governing permissions and limitations under the License.

Apache log4net, Copyright © 2004-2025 The Apache Software Foundation

This product includes software developed at The Apache Software Foundation (http://www.apache.org/). Licensed
under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with the
License. You may obtain a copy of the License at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0 Unless required by
applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the spe-
cific language governing permissions and limitations under the License.

NHibernate, Copyright © The NHibernate Project

This library is free software; you can redistribute it and/or modify it under the terms of the GNU Lesser General
Public License as published by the Free Software Foundation (version 2.1). This library is distributed in the hope
that it will be useful, but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of MERCHANTABILITY or
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the GNU Lesser General Public License for more details. You should
have received a copy of the GNU Lesser General Public License along with this library; if not, write to the Free Soft-
ware Foundation, Inc., 51 Franklin Street, Fifth Floor, Boston, MA 02110-1301 USA.

Fluent NHibernate, Copyright © 2008-2025, James Gregory and contributors

All rights reserved. Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted
provided that the following conditions are met:
n Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following dis-
claimer.
n Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the fol-
lowing disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
n Neither the name of James Gregory nor the names of its contributors may be used to endorse or promote
products derived from this software without specific prior written permission.
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION)
HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR

196 / 200 Installation Notes

 HiCAD and HELiOS

TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS
SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

Mesa Gallium, Copyright (C) 1999-2007 Brian Paul. All Rights Reserved.
Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy of this software and associated doc-
umentation files (the "Software"), to deal in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights to
use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell copies of the Software, and to permit persons
to whom the Software is furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:
The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all copies or substantial portions of the
Software.
THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE
AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR
ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE,
ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN
THE SOFTWARE.

ZLib, Copyright (C) 1995-2017 Jean-loup Gailly and Mark Adler

This software is provided 'as-is', without any express or implied warranty. In no event will the authors be held liable
for any damages arising from the use of this software.
Permission is granted to anyone to use this software for any purpose, including commercial applications, and to alter
it and redistribute it freely, subject to the following restrictions:
1. The origin of this software must not be misrepresented; you must not claim that you wrote the original software.
If you use this software in a product, an acknowledgment in the product documentation would be appreciated
but is not required.
2. Altered source versions must be plainly marked as such, and must not be misrepresented as being the original
software.
3. This notice may not be removed or altered from any source distribution.
Jean-loup Gailly, jloup@gzip.org
Mark Adler, madler@alumni.caltech.edu

ZStandard, Copyright (c) 2016-present, Facebook, Inc. All rights reserved.

Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the fol-
lowing conditions are met:
n Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following dis-
claimer.
n Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the fol-
lowing disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
n Neither the name Facebook nor the names of its contributors may be used to endorse or promote products
derived from this software without specific prior written permission.
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF

Installation Notes 197 / 200

Copyright

SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION)

HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR
TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS
SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

3Dconnexion, Copyright (c) 1992 - 2021. All rights reserved.

3D input device development tools and related technology are provided under license from 3Dconnexion.

Videoplayer / Video.js:
Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with
the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0 Unless required
by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the spe-
cific language governing permissions and limitations under the License.

Mozilla PDF-Ansicht und Mozilla PDF-Ansicht (Bildanzeige) / Mozilla pdf.js:

Licensed under the Apache License, Version 2.0 (the "License"); you may not use this file except in compliance with
the License. You may obtain a copy of the License at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0 Unless required
by applicable law or agreed to in writing, software distributed under the License is distributed on an "AS IS" BASIS,
WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, either express or implied. See the License for the spe-
cific language governing permissions and limitations under the License.

Für Webbrowser / Microsoft WebView2: Copyright (C) Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the fol-
lowing conditions are met:
n Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following dis-
claimer.
n Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the followin
disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution.
n The name of Microsoft Corporation, or the names of its contributors may not be used to endorse or promote
products derived from this software without specific prior written permission.
THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL,
EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF
SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION)
HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR
TORT
(INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE,
EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

xbim toolkit
HELiOS uses the xbim toolkit. The xbim toolkit is licensed under the Common Development and Distribution License
(CDDL). See https://docs.xbim.net/license/license.html for details.

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 HiCAD and HELiOS

Legal notes
© 2025 ISD ® Software und Systeme GmbH. All rights reserved.
This User Guide and the software described herein are provided in conjunction with a license and may only be used or copied in accordance with
the terms of the license. The contents of this User Guide solely serve the purpose of information; it may be modified without prior notice and may
not be regarded as binding for the ISD Software und Systeme GmbH. The ISD Software und Systeme GmbH does not assume any responsibility
for the correctness or accuracy of the information provided in this document. No part of this document may be reproduced, saved to databases
or transferred in any other form without prior written permission by the ISD Software und Systeme GmbH, unless expressly allowed by virtue of
the license agreement.
All mentioned products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective manufacturers and producers.

Installation Notes 199 / 200

 Your local contact
We attach great importance to the direct contact with our cus-
tomers and partners, because only a lively dialogue and con-
stant exchange with practice ensure application- oriented
software development.
Feel free to contact us! Whether at our headquarter in Dort-
mund or at one of our branches and subsidiaries in your vicin-
ity - we will be happy to answer all your questions about our
products and services. We are looking forward to hearing from
you!

Headquarter Dortmund
ISD Software und Systeme GmbH
Hauert 4
D-44227 Dortmund
Phone +49 231 9793-0
info@isdgroup.com

ISD locations worldwide at www.isdgroup.com

012025_HiCAD 30.1
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© 2025 ISD Software und Systeme GmbH