QuickStart Guide CAD •

AVCAD for CAD. Quickstart Guide.

AVCAD for CAD is a plugin for AutoCAD, BricsCAD, ZWCAD, and GstarCAD. Your CAD software must support .NET to work properly with AVCAD.

This guide will help you install AVCAD for CAD and get started with creating schematics and rack layouts, as well as generating Excel reports such as Equipment Lists and Cable Lists.

If you encounter any issues, please contact support@aadbsoftware.com and specify the exact step where the issue occurs.

Please refer to the User Manual for complete information about AVCAD and its features.

Check out these playlists to learn how AVCAD works:

For the latest development news, updates, and discussions, check out our Dev Diary in the AVCAD Facebook group. https://www.facebook.com/groups/avcad Feel free to join the discussion, leave comments, and submit feature requests and suggestions.

1. Installation

1.1. Installation of AVCAD Database Manager

1.1.1. Download the AVCAD Database Manager installation file.

1.1.2. Launch the installation file and follow the instructions to complete the installation process. Launch AVCAD Database Manager. Choose Device Edit mode and click the OK button. The interface will appear.

1.1.3. Click the Change Databases Folder button. Choose a folder for creating AVCAD databases (e.g., C:\AVCAD_Databases) or a shared folder if you want to share your databases with other users. Note: Use the shared folder if there are two or more AVCAD users. The shared folder needs to be mounted as a disk (e.g., C:\AVCAD_Databases).

1.1.4a. If you have a Premium Databases license key, please activate it. Then click the Premium Databases button to download databases. Follow the instructions to complete the download. You will see a List of Manufacturers as a result.

Please, watch this video to see how it works: DATABASES

Note: Using Settings mode, users can change the cloud server with databases.

1.1.4b. If you are using the trial version of AVCAD or do not have a Premium Databases subscription, click the Initial Databases button to download free databases. Follow the instructions to complete the download. You will see a List of Manufacturers as a result.

1.2. Installation of AVCAD for CAD

1.2.1. Dowload the AVCAD installation file.

1.2.2. Launch the installation file and follow the instructions to complete the installation process.

1.2.3 Launch your CAD program. You should see a new ribbon of commands. Note: In AutoCAD, the ribbon is in the Add-Ins tab.

1.2.4a. If you want to use the free demo of AVCAD for CAD, simply run the AADB command. The interface will appear, and you will have a 2-week free trial after the first launch.

1.2.4b. If you have an AVCAD for CAD license key, please activate it.

Note: If you have already purchased AVCAD on the Autodesk App Store, then use your Autodesk account to launch the program.

2. Import databases from AVCAD Database Manager to AVCAD

2.1. Open AVCAD Database Manager and choose Device Edit mode.

2.2. Use Synchronize the selected database or Synchronize all databases button to import database(s) from AVCAD Database Manager to AVCAD.

2.3. After that, run the AADB command in your CAD program. The interface will appear and you will see the list of Manufacturers.

3. Simple AVCAD drawing

3.1. Adding devices to the Model space (AADB command)

3.1.1. Run AADB command.

3.1.2. Choose Manufacturer.

3.1.3. Choose Group of devices.

3.1.4. Select Device.

3.1.5. Press Add to drawing button and type SYSNAME.

Note: SYSNAME is the main id of a device into your drawing. The device can has many views (CAD’s blocks) and they all are linked with each other by the same SYSNAME. It is not allowed to have different devices with the same SYSNAME in the project.

3.1.6. Insert the block into the drawing. If device contains Hard Options choose them if needed. If device contains Options choose them if needed.