Technical Support:
Table of Contents:

 

Installing ShapeBook 2009 with 2D3DSteel 2009 Version 4.4.2009

Installation information for older ShapeBook versions

Installing Bill of Material Director 2010 Version 1.01.2010

Installing ShapeBook 2009 with 2D3DSteel 2009 Version 4.4.2009:

This version of ShapeBook with 2D3DSteel now supports Windows 7, Vista, and XP, with 32/64 bit os compatibility, and complete Windows 7 and Vista "User Account Control" compliance.

If you are installing ShapeBook with 2D3DSteel on 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7, Vista, or XP you must login to an account with full administrative access rights before you can install ShapeBook. After the installation is complete, you can login using your normal login account.


Activate the ShapeBook to 2D3DSteel interface:

Depending on your specific situation you may need to activate the ShapeBook to 2D3DSteel interface in ShapeBook 2009. The interface is turned on by default when ShapeBook is installed but it may have been turned off. If for instance, you purchased ShapeBook only and then later upgraded to ShapeBook 2009 with 2D3DSteel 2009 or at some point unchecked the "Activate ShapeBook to 2D3DSteel interface" checkbox on the ShapeBook options dialog.

Use the following steps to activate the ShapeBook to 2D3DSteel interface:

  1. Start ShapeBook and click on the "Options" button.

  2. Place a check mark in the checkbox labeled "Activate ShapeBook to 2D3DSteel interface".

  3. Click the "Close" button to close the Options dialog.

  4. Select a new shape in ShapeBook so that a new interface file is created for the current shape selection.

2D3DSteel 2009 Setup in AutoCAD 2000-2012:

If you are upgrading from an older version of 2D3DSteel, you will need to remove any entries in the "AutoCAD Support File Search Path" that reference a ShapeBook folder before you proceed.

 

To install 2D3DSteel 2009 in AutoCAD all you need to do is add the 2D3DSteel2k9.vlx application file to your AutoCAD Applications Startup Suite. If you do not want 2D3DSteel 2009 to load with each AutoCAD session you can just load the 2D3DSteel2k9.vlx application when needed. The 2D3DSteel application automatically adds the ShapeBook AppData folder to the support file search path and loads and configures the menus, toolbars, ribbon, and dashboard panels. The steps for both methods are listed below.

 

2D3DSteel File Locations:

The 2D3DSteel VLX application, cuix, cui, & mnu files are now installed in the users ShapeBook AppData folder.

Because this folder is in the local users account, AutoCAD and ShapeBook are automatically allowed read/write permissions. As of this release you should no longer be required to change any application privileges.


2D3DSteel Installation Notes:

All the 2D3DSteel menu commands will demand load the 2D3DSteel application. Once the application has been loaded manually the first time and the menus are loaded and the search path is set. It is not necessary to have the application in your AutoCAD Application startup suite. The menu commands will automatically load the 2D3DSteel application the first time you use a 2D3DSteel command. This will save a little on your AutoCAD application load time.

If you are upgrading from an older version of 2D3DSteel, manually remove any AutoCAD support file search paths to the older versions' program folder. Instructions for doing this are in the "Removing 2D3DSteel from AutoCAD" help topic. Be sure to make these settings in each AutoCAD profile in which you plan to use 2D3DSteel.

In 2D3DSteel 2009 you need to use the 2D3DSteel set properties command and select a Layer and Linetype for 2D3DSteel to use. Note that layers must be created and linetypes must be loaded prior to being able to select them in the 2D3DSteel set properties command. These two settings will be saved in your drawing file.


2D3DSteel Setup Instructions:

Use the following steps to add the 2D3DSteel 2009 application to your AutoCAD Applications Startup Suite:

  1. Start your AutoCAD Application.

  2. Click on the "Tools" pull-down menu.

  3. Click on the "Load Application..." menu command.

  4. Click on the "Contents..." button in the Startup Suite section of the "Load/Unload Applications" dialog.

  5. Click the "Add..." button on the "Startup Suite" dialog.

  6. Browse to the ShapeBook AppData folder (see above).

  7. Select the 2D3DSteel2k9.vlx application file and then click the "Add" button.

  8. Click on the "Close" button on the "Startup Suite" dialog.

  9. Click on the "Close" button on the "Load/Unload Applications" dialog.

  10. Exit and then restart AutoCAD. 2D3DSteel 2009 will be installed and ready to use.

Use the following steps to load the 2D3DSteel 2009 application for use in your current AutoCAD session when 2D3DSteel has not been added to the AutoCAD Startup Suite:

  1. Start your AutoCAD Application.

  2. Click on the "Tools" pull-down menu.

  3. Click on the load "Load Application..." menu command.

  4. Browse to the ShapeBook AppData folder (see above).

  5. Select the 2D3DSteel2k9.vlx application file and then click the "Load" button.

  6. Click on the "Close" button on the "Load/Unload Applications" dialog.

  7. 2D3DSteel 2009 will be installed and ready to use.

In 2D3DSteel 2009 you need to use the 2D3DSteel set properties command and select a Layer and Linetype for 2D3DSteel to use. Note that layers must be created and linetypes must be loaded prior to being able to select them in the 2D3DSteel set properties command. These two settings will be saved in your drawing file.

Installation information for older ShapeBook versions:

Installing ShapeBook 2009 Version 4.2.2009 or 4.3.2009:

Note: These versions of 2D3DSteel will not run on 64-bit Windows systems. Please use Version 4.4.2009 for 64-bit systems.


Activate the ShapeBook to 2D3DSteel interface:

Depending on your specific situation you may need to activate the ShapeBook to 2D3DSteel interface in ShapeBook 2009. The interface is turned on by default when ShapeBook is installed but it may have been turned off. If for instance, you purchased ShapeBook only and then later upgraded to ShapeBook 2009 with 2D3DSteel 2009 or at some point unchecked the "Activate ShapeBook to 2D3DSteel interface" checkbox on the ShapeBook options dialog.

Use the following steps to activate the ShapeBook to 2D3DSteel interface:

  1. Start ShapeBook and click on the "Options" button.

  2. Place a check mark in the checkbox labeled "Activate ShapeBook to 2D3DSteel interface".

  3. Click the "Close" button to close the Options dialog.

  4. Select a new shape in ShapeBook so that a new interface file is created for the current shape selection.

2D3DSteel 2009 Setup in AutoCAD 2000-2010:

To install 2D3DSteel 2009 in AutoCAD all you need to do is add the 2D3DSteel2k9.vlx application file to your AutoCAD Applications Startup Suite. If you do not want 2D3DSteel 2009 to load with each AutoCAD session you can just load the 2D3DSteel2k9.vlx application when needed. The 2D3DSteel application automatically adds the ShapeBook program folder to the support file search path and loads and configures the menus, toolbars, and dashboard panels. The steps for both methods are listed below.


Windows Vista Security Setting Requirements:

ShapeBook and AutoCAD must be able to access a ShapeBook program folder. The file that ShapeBook uses to interface with 2D3DSteel in AutoCAD and the menu related files that AutoCAD creates when the 2D3DSteel application is loaded are contained in the ShapeBook program folder. The quickest and easiest method to do this is to check "Run this program as an administrator" in the "Privilege Level" area of the Compatibility Tab in the shortcut properties for all of the shortcuts you use to start AutoCAD and ShapeBook (Administrative privileges required). You could also set the executable file for each application to run as administrator instead of changing the shortcuts.

Due to a new security feature in Windows Vista called "User Account Control", without administrative privileges any file that the ShapeBook program creates in its program folder will be automatically rerouted to a folder created under your user account named: "C:\Users\YourUserName\AppData\Local\VirtualStore\Program Files\SFT\ShapeBook 2009". The folder may be hidden depending on your Windows settings and will only be created the first time a shape is selected in ShapeBook with the 2D3DSteel interface option activated. You will need to change your Windows Explorer settings to show hidden files to see this folder. Also, AutoCAD will be denied access to the ShapeBook program folder if it does not have administrative privileges.

If you do not want to use the run as administrator shortcut settings method above, you can copy the 2D3DSteel files 2D3DSTEEL2K9.cui, 2D3DSteel2k9.dll, 2D3DSteel2k9.VLX, 2D3DSteelV2k9.dll, and 2D3DSteelV2K9.mnu files from the ShapeBook program folder to the above folder after it is created, manually add the above folder to the AutoCAD support file search path and then use the above folder when you load the 2D3DSteel application. If there is already a support file search path entry to the ShapeBook program folder you will have to remove it.


2D3DSteel Setup Instructions:

All the 2D3DSteel menu commands will demand load the 2D3DSteel application. Once the application has been loaded manually the first time and the menus are loaded and the search path is set. It is not necessary to have the application in your AutoCAD Application startup suite. The menu commands will automatically load the 2D3DSteel application the first time you use a 2D3DSteel command. This will save a little on your AutoCAD application load time.

If you are upgrading from an older version of 2D3DSteel, manually remove any AutoCAD support file search paths to the older versions' program folder. Instructions for doing this are in the "Removing 2D3DSteel from AutoCAD" help topic. Be sure to make these settings in each AutoCAD profile in which you plan to use 2D3DSteel.

Use the following steps to add the 2D3DSteel 2009 application to your AutoCAD Applications Startup Suite:

  1. Start your AutoCAD Application.

  2. Click on the "Tools" pull-down menu.

  3. Click on the "Load Application..." menu command.

  4. Click on the "Contents..." button in the Startup Suite section of the "Load/Unload Applications" dialog.

  5. Click the "Add..." button on the "Startup Suite" dialog.

  6. Browse to the ShapeBook 2009 program installation folder. This folder is usually located at "C:\Program Files\SFT\ShapeBook 2009".

  7. Select the 2D3DSteel2k9.vlx application file and then click the "Add" button.

  8. Click on the "Close" button on the "Startup Suite" dialog.

  9. Click on the "Close" button on the "Load/Unload Applications" dialog.

  10. Exit and then restart AutoCAD. 2D3DSteel 2009 will be installed and ready to use.

Use the following steps to load the 2D3DSteel 2009 application for use in your current AutoCAD session when 2D3DSteel has not been added to the AutoCAD Startup Suite:

  1. Start your AutoCAD Application.

  2. Click on the "Tools" pull-down menu.

  3. Click on the load "Load Application..." menu command.

  4. Browse to the ShapeBook 2009 program installation folder. This folder is usually located at "C:\Program Files\SFT\ShapeBook 2009".

  5. Select the 2D3DSteel2k9.vlx application file and then click the "Load" button.

  6. Click on the "Close" button on the "Load/Unload Applications" dialog.

  7. 2D3DSteel 2009 will be installed and ready to use.

ShapeBook 3.1 with 2D3DSteel 2.1:

Loading the 2D3DSteel Menu in AutoCAD 2006 & 2007:

Click Tools/Customize/Interface then in the CUI dialog that appears click on the folder Icon with the blue plus sign at the top of the upper left panel. In the open file dialog that appears click the down-arrow on the listbox at the very bottom of the dialog and select menu files. Then browse to the ShapeBook program folder usually at "C:\Program Files\SFT\ShapeBook 3.1". Select the menu file "2D3DSteelV210.mnu" then click on the open button. A dialog may appear asking you if it is ok to compile the menu. Click "Ok" and the menu will load. Please note: In ShapeBook 2.1 the program folder is "C:\Program Files\SFT\ShapeBook 2.1" and the menu file name is "2D3DSteelR2k.mnu".

To change the position of the 2D3DSteel pull-down in your pull-down menus, in the left pane at the top of the list there, click on the Workspace that you use, in the right pane open the pull-down menu list and click and drag the 2D3DSteel menu item to the position in the list that you would like it to be on your screen. Now close the CUI dialog and locate the 2D3DSteel fly-out toolbar icon on your AutoCAD screen and click and drag it to a convenient location with your other AutoCAD toolbars.

In 2D3DSteel 2.1 you need to use the 2D3DSteel set properties command and select a Layer and Linetype for 2D3DSteel to use. Note that layers must be created and linetypes must be loaded prior to being able to select them in the 2D3DSteel set properties command. These two settings will be saved in your drawing file.

Installing Bill of Material Director 2010 Version 1.01.2010:
BOM Director 2010 supports Windows 7, Vista, and XP, with 32/64 bit os compatibility, and complete Windows 7 and Vista "User Account Control" compliance.

If you are installing BOM Director on 32-bit or 64-bit Windows 7, Vista, or XP you must login to an account with full administrative access rights before you can install. After the installation is complete, you can login using your normal login account.


AutoCAD Requirements:

BOM Director will run on any full version of AutoCAD. It will not run on LT versions of AutoCAD.


Installing BOM Director in AutoCAD:

To install BOM Director 2010 in AutoCAD all you need to do is add the bomdir2010.vlx application file to your AutoCAD Applications Startup Suite. If you do not want BOM Director 2010 to load with each AutoCAD session you can just load the bomdir2010.vlx application when needed. The BOM Director application automatically adds the BOM Director program folder to the support file search path and loads and configures the menus, toolbars, and ribbon panels. You can configure them as you like in the AutoCAD CUI editor.


BOM Director File Locations:

The BOM Director VLX application, cuix, cui, & mnu files are installed in the users BOM Director AppData folder.


On Windows 7 and Windows Vista machines this folder is usually located at:

"C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\SFT\BomDir2010".

 

On Windows XP machines this folder is usually located at:

"C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Application Data\SFT\BomDir2010".

 

This folder is a hidden folder so you will need to set your folder view to show hidden files to see it. Because this folder is in the local users account, AutoCAD is automatically allowed read/write permissions which it needs to create the menu resources. This allows for full "User Account Control" compatibility.

 

BOM Director Setup Instructions:

Use the following steps to add the BOM Director 2010 application to your AutoCAD Applications Startup Suite:

  1. Start your AutoCAD Application.
  2. Click on the "Tools" pull-down menu.
  3. Click on the "Load Application..." menu command.
  4. Click on the "Contents..." button in the Startup Suite section of the "Load/Unload Applications" dialog.
  5. Click the "Add..." button on the "Startup Suite" dialog.
  6. Browse to the BOM Director AppData folder (see above).
  7. Select the BomDir2010.vlx application file and then click the "Add" button.
  8. Click on the "Close" button on the "Startup Suite" dialog.
  9. Click on the "Close" button on the "Load/Unload Applications" dialog.
  10. Exit and then restart AutoCAD. BOM Director 2010 will be installed and ready to use.

Use the following steps to load the BOM Director 2010 application for use in your current AutoCAD session when BOM Director has not been added to the AutoCAD Startup Suite:

  1. Start your AutoCAD Application.
  2. Click on the "Tools" pull-down menu.
  3. Click on the load "Load Application..." menu command.
  4. Browse to the ShapeBook AppData folder (see above).
  5. Select the BomDir2010.vlx application file and then click the "Load" button.
  6. Click on the "Close" button on the "Load/Unload Applications" dialog.
  7. BOM Director 2010 will be installed and ready to use.

Help is available via Phone at (360) 274-0493 or Fax at (360) 274-6105, or you can send us an email at support@southforktech.com