MSCAD 2004 Upgrade Information

What's up with the three versions of MSCAD?

For 2004 we have decided to streamline our products so they're more consistent for the user.  MSCAD 2004 is available in three versions.  The upgrade from all previous versions of MSCAD will be to MSCAD 2004 Premium.  MSCAD 2004 Standard has everything the Premium version has minus the Design and Modeling functions.  Finally, the upgrade from MS 98 or MSX 2001/2002 will be to MSCAD 2004 Basic.  All three versions will have a similar look and feel which will make it easier for companies who have multiple versions of MSCAD.

Will MSCAD 2004 overwrite my existing copy of MSCAD or MSX?

MSCAD 2004 will install by default to a folder named MSCAD2004.  We recommend that you leave it there to make things easier for you.  This will allow your MSCAD 3.1, 2001 or 2002 to continue to run in its original folder so you can transition cleanly and easily.

Should I un-install my current version of MSCAD 3.1, 2001 or 2002 prior to installing MSCAD 2004?

We suggest keeping your current version installed until after you install MSCAD 2004 and have tested it to make sure it installed ok.  When you're satisfied that everything is running ok, you can un-install your older version.

What will happen to all my old jobs?  Can I still use them?

MSCAD 2004 will read ALL old jobs with no problems.  Simply open them in MSCAD 2004 just as you would have done in your previous version of MSCAD. 

What about the drawing file?  Is it different for 2004?

MSCAD 2004 uses a newer CAD engine.  So if you need to open your project in an earlier version of MSCAD you have to convert it.  From the File Menu you can use the SAVEAS command and save your project back to previous versions of MSCAD.

What about the database file?  Is it different for 2004?

MSCAD 2004 uses the same database file as did MSCAD 2002.  However, if you need to open a MSCAD 2004 drawing in a previous version always use the SAVEAS command in the File Menu.  This will convert the FLX file and ensure that you have the correct database file as well.

How do I install the new version?

To install, insert the CD that you received when you purchased the upgrade into your CDROM drive.  The install wizard should automatically start for you.  If it doesn't simply browse to your CDROM drive and execute the setup.exe file.

During the install you will be asked to for your 16 digit key number so make sure you have this handy and always save it in a safe place for future use.  Once the install is complete you will need to register your version of MSCAD 2004.

I inserted the new CD in my drive and nothing seems to happen.  Is the CD damaged or did I do something wrong?

If your CD does not automatically start the install wizard you can try the following.  1)  Insert the CD into your drive and close the CD door while holding the <shift> key down on the keyboard.  2)  Go to the Windows Explorer program and change to the CD drive that contains your new CD.  3)  Double click on the setup.exe file to start the install procedure.

If this doesn't work you may have a damaged CD, contact your sales representative for another CD.

I've got it installed.  How do I register it?

Once installed, the first time you start the program you will see our startup dialog.  Press the Register your Copy of MicroSurvey button.  You will then see a Product Activation dialog where you can enter in your Product Key number.  Follow the steps and you will be registered in no time.

Can I continue to use my older version of MSCAD while MSCAD 2004 is installed?

Yes you could, but there is no need to do so.  MSCAD 2004 has everything in it that the older version did as well as hundreds of improvements and new features.  You may run the older version for a period of 30 days while you are becoming more comfortable with the new version.  At this time you must uninstall the old version.  You are not permitted to run the two versions on two computers.  This is a new license - it is an upgrade and replaces the old version.

I have setup many aliases in MSCAD3.1, 2001 and 2002 and I really would prefer not to have to do them all again in MSCAD2004.  Is there a quick way to convert these over so I don't lose them?

The original alias's are saved in a file called SAMPLE.KEY or MicroSurvey.key located in your MSCAD----\CFG folder.  All you need to do is open this file in WordPad, find the section marked [ALIAS COMMANDS], highlight the alias's you wish to save, with your mouse, and then Copy it to the clipboard.  Then open the MicroSurvey.key file found in the MSCAD2004\CFG folder and find the same section.  Pick on the last line under the section list and Paste your old list into the new file.  Then check for any duplication of keys and correct appropriately.

I have setup several Hotkeys in MSCAD3.1/2001/2002 and I really would prefer not to have to do them all again in MSCAD2004.  Is there a quick way to convert these over so I don't lose them?

The original Hotkeys are saved in a file called SAMPLE.KEY or MicroSurvey.key located in your MSCAD-----\CFG folder.  All you need to do is open this file in WordPad or Notepad, find the section marked [FCAD FctKeys] or [ACCELERATOR KEYS], highlight the hotkeys you wish to save, with your mouse, and then Copy it to the clipboard.  Then open the MicroSurvey.key file found in the MSCAD2004\CFG folder and find the section named [ACCELERATOR KEYS].  Pick on the last line under the section list and Paste your old list into the new file.  Then check for any duplication of keys and correct appropriately.  Some key combinations setup in MSCAD3.1, 2001 or 2002 may not be available in MSCAD 2004.

I have taken many hours to setup my AutoMap library to work as desired.  What is going to happen to all that work?

All you need to do is copy the CSV file that you created in MSCAD3.1, 2001 or 2002 into MSCAD 2004. Then as you have done before, load it and use it anytime you require. If you had saved your CSV file under the name MSCAD. CSV then we recommend that you give it a new name in MSCAD 2004. The AutoMap function has been updated in MSCAD 2004 to allow you to layers and colors for Point numbers, Elevations and Point Nodes. Also there is a toggle in the Toggle settings that allows you to control the AutoMap Symbol rotation.

Furthermore, you will need to update the paths for the symbols that may be associated with your Automap library if you used MSCAD specific symbols. For example, if you created your library with MSCAD 2002 you may see something like: C:\MSCAD2002\MSCAD\blocks\ ICI _AP.FLX for a symbol path. When you remove MSCAD from your computer the path will no longer exists and you will need to update your AutoMap library to look in C:\MSCAD2004\MSCAD\blocks\......

I have customized a Palette in MSCAD3.1, 2001, 2002 and created a new one of my own.  What do I do to save them so I can use them in MSCAD2004?

In MSCAD 2004, we've switched to a modern windows style toolbar.  In our help file and menus, we still refer to them as Palettes.

For your customized palettes, copy them into the same subfolder under MSCAD2004.  Now you may load the palette the same way you did, and if you don't remember, run the command found under the File Menu -> Resource Manager -> Palette, or type Palette at the command line and locate and pick the palette you saved.

I have several copies of MSCAD 3.1/2001/2002 and a few copies of MS98 / MSX.  Can I work in MSCAD2004 and then have another person continue in MSCAD 3.1/2001/2002 or MS98 / MSX?

Yes we can save the file back to the older version from MSCAD 2004 by going under the File menu -> SaveAs and save back to the desired version.  We do suggest that you upgrade all your copies to the latest version especially if you have MS98, MSX 2001, MSCAD 3.1 or MSCAD 2001.  These version have our older style database (PST) that can make it difficult to keep track of your database files as each project will have a PST and MSD database.

I was lucky enough to have a prerelease or Beta copy of MSCAD 2004.  What do I do now with the new CD?

We appreciate your assistance as a Beta tester and we thank you all for your assistance in getting MSCAD 2004 completed.  We do recommend that you uninstall your beta copy of MSCAD 2004.  Any changes you have made to customize MSCAD 2004 should be backed up.  We recommend that you copy the changes out to a safe location prior to installing the new CD and then if desired, copy the files back in over the new ones, after looking at what we have done.

I see that MSCAD 2004 defaults to a working folder of JOBS2004 for my new jobs.  Can I still place my jobs in my old folders?

Yes.  The default is Jobs2004 but you can save your projects to any directory you want.

How do I remove my old MSCAD Version?

Please use the Control Panel / Add / Remove Programs option and remove the program. This will remove any extra files that we installed into the Windows System directory.  After the program is removed, there will be a few configuration files left in the MSCAD31, 2001 or 2002 directory. After you have examined the remaining files in this directory and subdirectories to verify that you haven't placed any valuable files in here, you can delete this directory and subdirectories.

Do I have to reset all of my Labeling Defaults so the Bearings, Distances, Point Numbers, Elevations, and Descriptions all have the size and style of lettering I desire, and had in my previous version?

We do ship the program with our defaults preset to make it easier for new customers to get started immediately. However, it is very simple to reset them back to your desired default settings that you setup in your previous version. All you need to do is take an old job that had the desired labeling defaults and open it in MSCAD 2004. Then go to the MsTools Menu -> MicroSurvey System Defaults -> Save as Default Configuration. This will set it so all new jobs use your previous settings.

I want to plot my first MSCAD 2004 drawing. How do I get my MSCAD 3.1/2001/2002 plot configuration for line width and colors into MSCAD 2004?

You just need to copy the file Fcadprin.cfg from your \Mscad31\cfg folder into the \MSCAD2004\cfg folder and then rename the file from "Fcadprin.cfg" to "print.cfg".  If you're using MSCAD 2002 or 2002 you simply need to copy the print.cfg file from \MSCAD####\CFG to MSCAD2004\CFG and over write the existing file.

What happened to the Project Manager?

MSCAD 2004 doesn't use the Project Manager anymore.  We had to abandon this feature due to some changes made to the CAD engine.  When you start MSCAD 2004 you will see that it creates a drawing named Drawing_0.flx and you should then press the SAVE button to save the drawing.  You can also type save at the command line or go to the File Menu. 

If you want to open an existing drawing go to the File Menu and use the Open an Existing Drawing button.  You can also use the OPEN button.   If you want to create a new drawing, press the NEW   button, or from the File Menu use the Create New Drawing. command.  You can also type new at the command line.

How do I set my template file now that the Project Manager is gone?

You can specify your template file by using the Set Template File command in the File menu.  To prevent the template file from being loaded, use the Clear Template File  command in the File menu.

I see that the menus have changed for MSCAD 2004.

Yes you're correct, the menus have changed.  We have spent a great deal of time re-organizing the menus so they're more intuitive to use.  In the short term, you will be a little lost but take some time and examine how they've been organized.  For MSCAD Premium users, you can switch to the older style MicroSurvey menu by going to the File menu and use the Load Alternate Menu Layout command.  Please note that help file and Getting Started guide refer to the new menu structure so we suggest not using the older menus.

How do I load Palettes?

You can load palettes by going to the menu that the palette resides in.  You will note that each menu item has a palette or palettes listed towards the bottom of the menu.  For example to open the Area Palette you would go to the MsCOGO Menu and choose the Area Palette command.

How do I play the training movies?

For MSCAD 2004, the help movies have been built into the help system.  Not only is there a topic listing the available movies you will find that individual topics will have a link to corresponding movies.

I've heard the online help file was improved for MSCAD 2004?

Topics in the help file now contain links to training movies and tell you where the command can be found in the menus.  The topics will also list what command name and icon to use.

What happened to the Symbol Palettes from the old Design Menu?

For MSCAD 2004 we built a new Symbol Librarian.  You will find all the symbols from the Symbol Palettes in this new function which you can open by typing INSYM at the command line, or pick Symbols on the Options Bar.