How do I download, install and activate BricsCAD?

It’s easier than you might think! BricsCAD uses one installer for every product level (Lite, Pro, BIM, Mechanical and Ultimate). Your license key is what decides which level you get. So you download once, install once and then activate with your key.

Before you start, make sure your computer meets the BricsCAD system requirements.

Jump to:

• How do I download BricsCAD?
• How do I install BricsCAD?
• How do I activate my BricsCAD license?
• What about network licenses?
• How do I reinstall BricsCAD on a new computer?
• Can I install BricsCAD on more than one computer?
• What are the common gotchas?

---

How do I download BricsCAD?

You’ll need a free BricsCAD account to download. If you bought through a dealer, use the same account your license was registered to so your key shows up in one place.

1. Go to the BricsCAD download page and log in (or sign up).
2. Pick your platform (Windows, macOS or Linux), language and version. The newest version is selected by default. Click the drop-down if you need an older release.
3. Click Download BricsCAD.

BricsCAD’s step-by-step version is here: Downloading BricsCAD.

How do I install BricsCAD?

On Windows, double-click the installer file and then:

1. Click Next.
2. Check the box to accept the License Agreement and click Next.
3. Accept the default installation folder (or click Change… to pick another one) and click Next.
4. Click Install.
5. Choose whether you want a desktop shortcut and whether to show the release notes when it’s done. Click Next.
6. Click Finish.

See Interactive installation in BricsCAD’s licensing guide. If you’re the IT person rolling BricsCAD out to a bunch of machines, there’s also a silent installation option that can activate the license at the same time.

On macOS and Linux, pick that platform on the download page and run the installer for your system. Linux users choose the package for their distribution. BricsCAD has instructions for installing the Linux RPM package. Mac users should also read Apple compatibility for BricsCAD.

Good to know: each new major version (V25, V26 and so on) installs right next to the previous one. So you can keep your old version until you’re comfortable with the new one.

How do I activate my BricsCAD license?

The first time you open a new major version without a license, BricsCAD offers you a 30-day trial. The trial runs as BricsCAD Ultimate, the top level. You can use the SETLICENSELEVEL command to try a lower level like Lite or Pro. More on that in our FAQ: Does BricsCAD offer a 30-day trial?

When you’re ready to activate a single-user license (you’ll need an internet connection):

1. Find your license key. Log in to your BricsCAD account and look under Manage licenses (My Licenses).
2. Launch BricsCAD. If your trial has already expired, click Activate license in the BricsCAD dialog box and skip to step 5.
3. Type LICENSEMANAGER at the Command: line and click Manage License.
4. Click Modify.
5. Paste your key in the License Key field and click OK.

Details are in BricsCAD’s Activate section of the single-user licensing guide.

No internet on that computer? BricsCAD has a manual (offline) activation that uses a license file you generate from your account on another computer. Use it only if you have to. An offline-activated license locks to that computer and operating system and can’t be deactivated, so moving it later is a headache. BricsCAD strongly recommends online activation and so do I.

Upgrading? Upgrades no longer create a new license key. If you’re on Maintenance or bought a version upgrade, just install and open the new version and BricsCAD updates your license automatically. If you bought a level upgrade (say, Lite to Pro), run LICENSEMANAGER, click Manage License, click Modify and click OK to reactivate. Your key is already filled in.

What about network licenses?

With a network license, BricsCAD is installed on each workstation but the seats live on a license server. The number of seats you own is the number of people who can use BricsCAD at the same time.

At a high level:

• Your IT person installs BricsCAD’s Network License Server on a Windows or Linux server (there’s no macOS server) and activates the network key there.
• Each workstation (Windows, Mac or Linux) installs BricsCAD and points to the server by name. The default port is 5053.
• Users can “roam” a seat to take it off the network for a while.

I’d hand BricsCAD’s Complete guide to Network licensing straight to your IT person. For the pros and cons of single-user vs. network, see our FAQ: What licensing options does BricsCAD offer?

How do I reinstall BricsCAD on a new computer?

No problem. The key word is deactivate. Free up the license on the old computer first, then activate it on the new one.

On the old computer (it needs to be online):

1. Launch BricsCAD and run LICENSEMANAGER.
2. Click Manage License.
3. Click Deactivate… and then Yes to confirm.

On the new computer:

1. Download and install BricsCAD.
2. Activate it with the same license key.

For online-activated licenses, you can deactivate and reactivate as many times as you need. Also, when you uninstall BricsCAD, it asks whether you want to deactivate the license. Say yes if that computer is going away!

Old computer died? If you can’t deactivate, you can revoke the license from your BricsCAD account (Manage licenses, click the pencil icon, then the X icon). Use this as a last resort. You only get two revokes per key and revoking makes the license ineligible for a refund. See Deactivate a BricsCAD license and Revoke a BricsCAD license.

BricsCAD also says to deactivate before you install a new hard disk, change disk partitions or upgrade your operating system. Better safe than sorry!

Can I install BricsCAD on more than one computer?

It depends on the license type.

• Single-user license: one key activates BricsCAD on one computer at a time. If you work on a desktop and a laptop, you can move the license back and forth by deactivating and reactivating it, but it can only be active on one of them at a time. The good news is that BricsCAD licenses are cross-platform, so the same key works on Windows, macOS or Linux.
• Network license: install BricsCAD on as many workstations on your network as you like. The number of seats you own limits how many people can use it at once.

If you need BricsCAD on two computers at the same time, you’ll need a second single-user license or a network license. An authorized BricsCAD dealer can help you figure out which makes sense. See also What you should know about purchasing BricsCAD.

What are the common gotchas?

• Wrong account. If your key isn’t under Manage licenses, you’re probably logged in to a different BricsCAD account than the one your license was registered to.
• “Key already used” (licensing error -1005). That key is still active on another computer. Deactivate it there first.
• Licensing error -105 (Error reading from network). Activation needs internet access. Check your connection, firewall or proxy.
• Offline activation. It can’t be deactivated, so you can’t easily move it. Activate online whenever you can.
• Retiring a computer. Deactivate before you wipe, replace or recycle it. Revoking afterward is limited to two per key.
• Trial vs. what you bought. The trial runs as Ultimate. Once you activate a Lite or Pro key, some of the tools you played with during the trial will go away.

BricsCAD lists the licensing error codes in the Troubleshooting section of its licensing guide. If an installation goes sideways, see How to repair or perform a clean BricsCAD installation.