Chapter 1   Downloading and Installation.

1.1 Getting Started.

If you are installing in Windows 98 and you have an especially old version the installer will ask to update some "out of date" files. In this case, and only this case, is it alright to let it replace the files.

1. Select MaxCAD from the list near the bottom of the programs page and single click the link. Your operating system may give you a paranoiac warning about viruses. I assure you there is no intentionally malicious code in this program. You can click the OK button without fear.

2. The next box you get will give you the choice of "open" or "save". Select "save". Next your system will ask you where you want to save it. On my computer I dump all downloaded files into a folder I have named "My Downloads". Put it wherever you want but remember where you put it. The file will come with its own name but you can change it if you want to. If you do, remember what you called it. As downloaded it has the name "MaxCAD-98.exe".

3. In this dialog box press Save. The download box will open. If the "Close this dialog box when download completes" check box is not checked, I recommend you check it.

4. When the box closes you may close your web browser.

Now you are ready to install the program.

1. Before you extract the zipped files you need to create a new folder to extract them to. This folder may be deleted after the installation is finished. I suggest naming it "AA" so it will be easy to find.

2. Open Windows Explorer and find the file you just downloaded. Double click on it in the right hand pain.

3. A box with the title "Extract Archive Files" will open. There is nothing you can change in this box so click "Next".

4. A box with the title "Destination Directory" will open. Type "C:\AA" in the text box and click "Next".

5. The next dialog will say "Extraction Complete". Click "Finish".

6. Now select the folder "AA" in the left pain and double click on "setup.exe" in the right hand pain. You will get another warning from the paranoid boys. Click "Run".

7. You will get a standard installation box about closing other programs. Click "OK".

8. If you get a message about replacing files on your system, your answer depends on what operating system you are using. If Windows 98 it's alright to replace files.

9. If you use something later than 98 replacing files could damage your system. So don't do it. No matter if the files are older or newer, DON'T REPLACE THEM.

10. The next box tells you where the program is going to be installed. You can change it to anything you want although I recommend you stick to the standard windows path. To move on click the icon in the upper left corner of the box.

11. Next is "choose program group" box. This is where MaxCAD appears in the Windows start menu. Click "continue" and don't worry about it unless you need to for some reason.

12. The next message is that one that brings a big smile to your face, and mine too. "MaxCAD Setup was completed successfully". Click "OK".

The download includes over 500 shape and font files. You are likely to find many of them useful in your application.

Selection of the folder into which you place the shape and font files is very important. They MUST NOT be dumped into a generic folder where other drawing files will also reside. Detection of shape and font files by the program depends on them being in a folder where no other files with the dwg extension will ever be placed. One possibility is in the same folder with the MaxCAD.exe file. The other possibility is in a folder named Shapes and Fonts.

1. Decide if you want to put them in the same folder with the MaxCAD.exe file or in a separate folder named Shapes and Fonts.

   If the latter, I suggest you create a subfolder of "My Documents", a folder which is universally present on Windows computers, and name it "MaxCAD Drawings". Then create a subfolder of "MaxCAD Drawings" named "Shapes and Fonts".

2. Open Windows Explorer and navigate to the folder where you installed MaxCAD. Find the file named MaxCAD_Shapes_and_Fonts.exe. Double click on it in the right hand pain.

3. A box with the title "Extract Archive Files" will open. There is nothing you can change in this box so click "Next". That's right. This was a self extracting zip file within a self extracting zip file.

4. A box with the title "Destination Directory" will open. In the text box type the path to where you installed MaxCAD, or the path to your shapes and fonts folder, and click "Next". If you didn't change it during the installation the path to the location of the MaxCAD.exe file will be "C:\Program Files\MaxCAD".

5. The next dialog will say "Extraction Complete". Click "Finish".

6. Now run the program. You may get an error message that says "Invalid Path to Shape Files. Go to Default Settings under Settings menu to correct the Path."

7. Go to the "Settings" menu and select "Default Settings".

8. Locate the "Shape and Fonts Path", about half way down the right hand column. If you put the shapes and fonts in the same folder with the MaxCAD.exe file, delete anything which is in the text box and leave it completely blank. If you placed the files somewhere else, type in the complete path to where you placed the shape and font files. Click the "Save Changes" button.

MaxCAD is now installed and ready to use.

Now go back and delete the folder AA. You may also want to delete the file MaxCAD_Shapes_and_Fonts.exe which is in the folder where you installed MaxCAD. If you ever need it again you may download it from Fun with Tubes.

If, on the other hand, you do want a desktop icon, here is how to make one.

1.5.1 Method 1.

1. Click the start button and go through the maze until you get to the program you want.

2. With the pointer on the program press and hold the RIGHT mouse button.

3. While continuing to hold the right button drag (move the mouse) off of the menu into a blank part of the desktop.

4. Release the button. A context menu will pop up. Select "Copy here".

5. The icon will appear but it may not be exactly where you want it. Use the left mouse button to drag it to the desired location.

1.5.2 Method 2.

1. Right click in a blank part of the desktop. A menu will pop up. Select "New" and then "Shortcut" from the submenu.
   The shortcut wizard will start.

2. Press the "Browse" button and navigate to the folder where you installed MaxCAD.

3. Select the "MaxCAD.exe" file and then click "OK". Then click "Next".

4. This box contains the name you will see on the desktop. You don't have to use the name "MaxCAD.exe". Make it what ever suits your fancy.

5. Then click finish.