Upgrade Notes
Here you will find some information that will help you get started with upgrading to MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 from inCAD 2011, 2010, or 2006. If you don't find an answer to your question here, try searching our Helpdesk, or submit a support ticket.
About MicroSurvey inCAD 2012
What CAD Engine is used in MicroSurvey inCAD 2012?
MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 can be used in AutoCAD 2012, AutoCAD Civil 3D 2012, AutoCAD AutoCAD Map 3D 2012. Unofficially, AutoCAD Architecture 2012, AutoCAD Map 3D Enterprise 2012, and AutoCAD Civil 3D Land Desktop Companion 2012 should also work but are untested.
Will it be a big adjustment learning MicroSurvey inCAD 2012?
Overall you should not find it difficult to get up to speed with MicroSurvey inCAD 2012. The "look and feel" of MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 is very similar when compared to previous versions of MicroSurvey inCAD, and because it resides inside your AutoCAD 2012 software you probably already know how to use most of the CAD functionality.
Installing MicroSurvey inCAD 2012
Will MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 overwrite my existing copy of MicroSurvey inCAD?
MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 will install into your AutoCAD 2012. You cannot have multiple versions of inCAD installed into the same AutoCAD version, but you can have multiple versions of inCAD installed into different AutoCAD versions and they will not conflict in any way.
Should I un-install my current version of MicroSurvey inCAD prior to installing MicroSurvey inCAD 2012?
Since you are installing into a different version of AutoCAD, then we suggest keeping your previous inCAD installed until after you install MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 and have tested it to make sure it installed ok.
Please remember that if you have purchased MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 as an upgrade from a previous version, then you no longer own the license for that previous version and should not be using it for production work.
How do I install the new version?
To install, you must be logged in with an Administrator account. Please contact your network administrator if you do not have Administrator access. Insert the CD that you received when you purchased inCAD 2012 into your CDROM drive. The install wizard should automatically start for you. If it doesn't simply browse to your CD-ROM drive and execute the setup.exe file. Follow the on-screen instructions to step through the installation. You must already have a compatible version of AutoCAD 2012 installed on your computer.
Do I really need an Administrator account?
You need an Administrator account only to install MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 and then to run it for the very first time on your computer. After that, you can use your normal account; it will not matter whether it is an Administrator or Limited account.
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, or try downloading a new copy from our website.
I was lucky enough to have a prerelease or Beta copy of MicroSurvey inCAD 2012. 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 MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 completed. We do recommend that you un-install your beta copy of MicroSurvey inCAD 2011. You should back up any changes you have made to customize MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 first. 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 has changed.
How do I remove my old MicroSurvey inCAD version?
Please use the Control Panel | Add / Remove Programs option and remove the program. This will remove any extra files that we installed into various directories. After the program is removed, there will be a few configuration files left in the MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 directories. After you have examined the remaining files in these directories and subdirectories to verify that you haven't placed any valuable files there, you can delete them.
Files used by MicroSurvey inCAD 2012
What will happen to all my old jobs? Can I still use them with MicroSurvey inCAD 2012?
Absolutely! inCAD 2012 can open projects from previous versions of inCAD, however inCAD 2012 projects may not be able to be read into older inCAD versions.
What about the drawing file? Is it different for MicroSurvey inCAD 2012?
MicroSurvey inCAD runs within your AutoCAD software, so the drawing file format depends on what version of AutoCAD you use. AutoCAD 2012 can read drawing files from previous AutoCAD versions, meaning MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 will read any DWG files created by older versions. While older versions of AutoCAD can read DWG files, the format does change occasionally so you may need to convert any drawing files created with AutoCAD 2012 to an older DWG format depending on your previous version of AutoCAD.
What about the database file? Is it different for MicroSurvey inCAD 2012?
MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 and inCAD 2011/2010 both use the same .MSZ database file.
If you open a inCAD 2006 drawing that has an MSD database file, MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 will automatically convert the MSD database file to the new MSZ format database file. However, MSZ database files can not be converted back to the previous MSD format. If you need to open a MicroSurvey inCAD 2011 drawing in an older inCAD version, you can export the point database as an ASCII file to import it into the older version of MicroSurvey inCAD. And always use the SAVEAS command in the File Menu, and save the drawing file to an older DWG format, as discussed above.
When a database is first converted from the older MSD format to the new MSZ format, a backup copy of the current MSD file will be created with an MS5 extension. It will not be updated again with any changes you make while in the new format, but if necessary it can be used to re-open the prior database in the previous version of MicroSurvey inCAD.
What about the log file? Is it different for MicroSurvey inCAD 2012?
MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 and inCAD 2011/2010 all create a rich text format log file with a RTF extension. The existing .log files from older versions of MicroSurvey inCAD are not affected.
What about all the other files? Are they different for MicroSurvey inCAD 2012?
All other files types created by MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 such as surface files, alignment files, batch files etc, are completely interchangeable between previous versions of MicroSurvey inCAD.
When using FieldGenius with MicroSurvey inCAD 2012, where do my jobs go now?
You will need to ensure that you are using the newest version of MicroSurvey Transfer, and that it is set to sync with MicroSurvey inCAD 2012. inCAD 2012 will not appear as a sync option in older versions of MicroSurvey Transfer.
Registering MicroSurvey inCAD 2012
I've got it installed. How do I register it?
First, you need to activate the USB License Key you received when you purchased MicroSurvey inCAD. Plug the USB License Key into any computer that is connected to the internet and run the License Manager software that was installed with MicroSurvey inCAD.
How do I register it with my network license?
First, you need to activate the USB License Key you received when you purchased MicroSurvey inCAD. Plug the USB License Key into any computer that is connected to the internet and execute the License Manager software that was installed with MicroSurvey inCAD.
Then install the MicroSurvey Network License Server application on any computer on your network with an available USB port. Once your USB License Key has been activated online, just plug it into any available USB port on any computer on your network which has the MicroSurvey Network License Server installed. Make sure you know the name of the computer that the USB License Key is plugged into. If you are unsure of the computer name, please contact your IT Department for assistance.
Then run MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 on any computer on the same network. When asked, simply provide MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 with the computer name that the USB License Key is plugged into, and then press the "Connect to Server USB Key" button and it will automatically detect the USB License Key and unlock the program if there is an available seat available. You must leave the USB License Key plugged in to the server computer for the entire duration that anyone is running MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 – if you unplug the key, MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 will become disabled on any computer it is running on.
Do you have hardware locks available?
Yes, all of our MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 licenses use a USB License Key for activating the program. Simply plug the USB License Key into the computer, and then start MicroSurvey inCAD 2012. Want to work on MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 at home or on another computer? Just take the USB License Key with you, wherever you want to use MicroSurvey inCAD 2012!
Can I use MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 without a hardware lock?
No, all of our MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 licenses use a USB key for activating the program.
Customizing MicroSurvey inCAD 2012
I have taken many hours to setup my AutoMap Library to work as desired in my previous version of MicroSurvey inCAD. What is going to happen to all that work?
All you need to do is copy the CSV file that you created with a previous version into MicroSurvey inCAD 2012. Then as you have done before, load it and use it anytime you require. If you had saved your CSV file under the name survey.csv or mscad.csv then we recommend that you give it a new name in MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 to help keep track of which one is which.
The Automap Library files for MicroSurvey inCAD 2006 are located in C:\Program Files\(your AutoCAD folder)\mscad\. The Automap Library files for MicroSurvey inCAD 2010/2011/2012 are located in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MicroSurvey\inCAD\yyyy\mscad\ if your computer runs Windows XP, or in C:\Program Data\MicroSurvey\inCAD\yyyy\mscad\if your computer runs Windows Vista or Windows 7.
You will need to update the paths for the symbols that may be associated with your AutoMAP library if you used MicroSurvey inCAD specific symbols. For example, if you created your library with MicroSurvey inCAD 2006 you may see something like: C:\Program Files\(your AutoCAD folder)\mscad\Blocks\ICI_AP.DWG for a symbol path. When you remove MicroSurvey inCAD 2006 from your computer the path will no longer exist and you will need to update your AutoMap library to look in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MicroSurvey\inCAD\2012\mscad\blocks\ if your computer runs Windows XP, or in C:\Program Data\MicroSurvey\inCAD\2012\mscad\blocks\ if your computer runs Windows Vista or Windows 7.
I have setup several Toolbars and I really would prefer not to have to do them all again in MicroSurvey inCAD 2012. Is there a quick way to convert these over so I don't lose them?
Please refer to your AutoCAD documentation.
I have setup many Aliases and I really would prefer not to have to do them all again in MicroSurvey inCAD 2012. Is there a quick way to convert these over so I don't lose them?
Please refer to your AutoCAD documentation.
I have setup several Keyboard Hotkeys and I really would prefer not to have to do them all again in MicroSurvey inCAD 2012. Is there a quick way to convert these over so I don't lose them?
Please refer to your AutoCAD documentation.
I have created an extensive Building Library, can I transfer it into MicroSurvey inCAD 2012?
The Building/Structure Library from inCAD 2006 is stored in a file called DB_POLY.ASC which is found in C:\Program Files\(your AutoCAD folder)\mscad\
The Building/Structure Library is stored in a file called DB_POLY.ASC which for inCAD 2006 is found in C:\Program Files\(your AutoCAD folder)\mscad\, or for inCAD 2010/2011/2012 is found in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MicroSurvey\inCAD\yyyy\mscad\ if your computer runs Windows XP, or into C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\inCAD\yyyy\mscad\ if your computer runs Windows Vista or Windows 7.
Copy this file into the 2012 folder, overwriting the existing file if there is one already there.
I have created an extensive Description Translation Library, can I transfer it into MicroSurvey inCAD 2012?
From inCAD 2006: First, export your Description Translation Library from MicroSurvey inCAD 2006 by typing in the command (dumpccpd) at the command line, including the parenthesis. This will create a file in C:\Program Files\(your AutoCAD folder)\mscad\desctran.db
From inCAD 2010/2011: First, locate the file called desctrans.csv in either C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MicroSurvey\inCAD\yyyy\ if your computer runs Windows XP, or C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\inCAD\yyyy\ if your computer runs Windows Vista or Windows 7.
Then copy this file into C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MicroSurvey\inCAD\2012\ if your computer runs Windows XP, or into C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\inCAD\2012\ if your computer runs Windows Vista or Windows 7, and if necessary rename it to desctrans.csv.
I have customized or added my own Blocks in the Symbol Librarian, can they be transferred into MicroSurvey inCAD 2012?
Yes, simply copy any customized DWG or DXF files from your old Symbols folder into the new one.
The MicroSurvey inCAD 2006 Symbol Librarian is found in C:\Program Files\(your AutoCAD folder)\Symbols\
The MicroSurvey inCAD 2010/2011/2012 Symbol Librarian is found in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MicroSurvey\inCAD\yyyy\Symbols\ if your computer runs Windows XP, or C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\inCAD\yyyy\Symbols\ if your computer runs Windows Vista or Windows 7.
I have customized the generic title blocks used by the Add Sheet and Title Block routines, can they be transferred into MicroSurvey inCAD 2012
Yes, simply copy any customized DWG files from the old Design folder into the new one.
The MicroSurvey inCAD 2006 title blocks are found in C:\Program Files\(your AutoCAD folder)\Design\
The MicroSurvey inCAD 2010/2011/2012 title blocks are found in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MicroSurvey\inCAD\yyyy\Design\ if your computer runs Windows XP, or C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\inCAD\yyyy\Design\ if your computer runs Windows Vista or Windows 7.
I want to plot my first MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 drawing. Can I get my prior Print Style Tables for line width and colors into MicroSurvey inCAD 2010?
AutoCAD .CTB and .STB print style table files should be cross-compatible between different versions of AutoCAD. Please refer to your AutoCAD documentation.
How can I transfer my custom Linetype files into MicroSurvey inCAD 2012?
AutoCAD .LIN linetype files should be cross-compatible between different versions of AutoCAD. Please refer to your AutoCAD documentation.
How can I transfer my custom Hatch Pattern files into MicroSurvey inCAD 2012?
AutoCAD .PAT pattern files should be cross-compatible between different versions of AutoCAD. Please refer to your AutoCAD documentation.
How can I transfer my custom Templates into MicroSurvey inCAD 2012?
AutoCAD .DWT template files should be forward-compatible to new versions of AutoCAD. Please refer to your AutoCAD documentation.
How can I transfer my custom MicroSurvey Defaults into MicroSurvey inCAD 2012?
The very easiest way to transfer your MicroSurvey defaults from any previous version of MicroSurvey inCAD into MicroSurvey inCAD 2012, is to just open up an existing project in MicroSurvey inCAD 2012, then go to MsTools | MicroSurvey System Defaults | Save As Default Configuration. This will set everything from its Labeling defaults, System Toggles, and Job Defaults.
Or, you can open your previous version of MicroSurvey inCAD and run the MsTools | MicroSurvey System Defaults | Save Configuration File command, then open MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 and run the MsTools | MicroSurvey System Defaults | Load Configuration File command and then run the MsTools | MicroSurvey System Defaults | Save As Default Configuration command.
How can I transfer my custom Modeling Defaults into MicroSurvey inCAD 2012?
Open your previous version of MicroSurvey inCAD and run the MsModeling | Configuration File Options | Save Configuration File command. Save it as follows:
Windows XP: C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\MicroSurvey\inCAD\2012\QS\QS.QCF
Windows Vista/7: C:\ProgramData\MicroSurvey\inCAD\2012\QS\QS.QCF
MicroSurvey inCAD 2012 will then automatically use that new qs.qcf configuration file.
How do I load Toolbars?
Please refer to your AutoCAD documentation.
Help and Training with MicroSurvey inCAD 2012
I've heard that there are many hours of training movies, how do I play the training movies?
The online training movies are available through the help system, go to MsTools | Help inCAD. An internet connection is required, highspeed recommended. If you prefer, the online movies can be downloaded for offline viewing.
I've heard that the help file was improved for MicroSurvey inCAD 2012?
We have updated the help file for all of the changes to the survey commands. Our help file is independent from the AutoCAD help file, and can be opened by going to MsTools | Help inCAD.
Are there any tutorials or other examples of how to use MicroSurvey inCAD 2012?
Yes, there are several tutorials available in the Getting Started Guide. You can access it through your Start Menu | Programs | MicroSurvey | MicroSurvey inCAD 2011 | Getting Started, or through the Getting Started Guide section in the Help file.
What about classroom-type training, is anything like that available?
Training courses are sometimes offered if there is sufficient demand in a particular region. Please phone your Sales Representative at 1-800-668-3312 or 1-250-707-0000 to enquire about any upcoming training sessions.
Brian Sloman
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