© Copyright 1989 - 2008 VX Corporation. All rights reserved

 

907 E Strawbridge Ave Suite 200

Melbourne, Florida 32901

(321) 676-3222

 

This documentation may be reproduced provided it complies with the terms presented on the LICENSE AGREEMENT supplied.

 

VX Corporation and the program authors have no liability to the purchaser or any other entity, with respect to any liability, loss, or damage caused, directly or indirectly by this software, including but not limited to, any interruptions of service, loss of business, anticipatory profits, or consequential damages resulting form the use of or operation of this software.  Updates may be made to this documentation and incorporated into later editions.

 

VX® is a registered trademark of VX Corporation. The VX® logo is a trademark of VX Corporation. All products mentioned herein are registered trademarks of their respective companies.

 

First printing December 2003

Printed in the United States of America

 

 

 

VX Corporation recommends the following minimum / (preferred) configuration for operation of VX CAD CAM Software.

 

• Intel or AMD 700 MHz (1 GHz and up)

• 512 MB PC 133 SDRAM (1GB and up)

• 500 MB Hard Disk space for installation

• 512 MB swap space (1GB and up)

• 3 Button Mouse (with scroll wheel)

• 17 inch Monitor (19 inch)

• Any Microsoft supported video card (Nvidia chipset)

• Intel must run at 16 bit color

• 1024 x 768 16 Bit Color Video Resolution (1280 x 1024 32 bit color)

• Operating systems supported: Windows 2000 and XP and Vista only.

 

Required for licensing:

 

• Ethernet card or hardware key.

 

Required for Floating License:

 

• Installation of TCP/IP network protocol.

 

Highly recommended:

 

• Speakers or head phones for training and support

• Spaceball is supported

 

 

 

You must be ‘administrator’ or have ‘administrator’ permissions to install the VX software.

 

A VX password is required to run a fully functional version of VX. If you do not currently have a password - contact your dealer.

 

When you run VX without a password installed, the following options are provided:

 

• Run VX in Viewer Mode: Viewer mode only allows you to view a file but not make any changes or prints.
   

• Run VX in Demo Mode: Demo mode runs with a VX Mold & Die Bundle license.  There is no limit on the file size but all output has been disabled including file saving.
   

• Install a Password: Gives you the opportunity to install a password. See Install VX Passwords (page 23)

 

Most everyone should be able to use this method unless you are going to use a Floating License and therefore have to install a License Server first.

 

 

 

 

• The words password and license are used interchangeably in this document.  They are the same thing.

 

 

 

The VX CD is AutoPlay enabled. Loading the CD into your CD–ROM drive will start the installation program by loading the VX Installation Main Menu.

 

VX Installation Main Menu

 

 

 

 

TROUBLESHOOTING: 

 

IF the CD does not autoload and you can not navigate and run SETUP, you have either:

 

1. A permission problem. You are not authorized to run a SETUP.EXE executable file.
   
   Try to open a Command Prompt at the “VX” directory on your CD and type:
   
   “vx.exe -cns -dbgprt -dprint –i”
   
   This is the exact same file as setup.exe except for the name.
   
   OR
    

2. System time is wrong. Fix your clock.

 

 

 

Downloaded versions of VX are available from the VX Support web site http://support.vx.com.

Customers are entitled to a login.  If you don’t already have one, click on the link to obtain one.

 

There are three options listed under

 

CUSTOMER RESOURCES:

 

• Full

• Program Only

• Manuals and Online Help

 

Save the zip or rar file to a temporary directory,  i.e. ".\My Downloads\VX1350" and extract/uncompress to the same location.

 

 

 

 

If you download the program only file and download the documentation separately, make sure to extract to the same temporary directory.

 

 

 

VX Installation Main Menu

 

 

Install (software)	You accept the license agreement and the installation process will start.
Help	You can access this documentation online whenever the Help button is displayed on a menu.   Pick Help to display the VX online help. Then select Installation to locate this help page.   You can also browse all VX online documentation directly from the VX CD.  Open the file “vxhelp.chm.” in the "\VX\doc" folder.
License Manager	Displays the License Manager Menu. Make a selection from the menu according to your needs. You can also run the License Manager after VX is installed by selecting Utilities License Manager...
Exit	Exits the installation process.

 

 

 

VX License Agreement

 

 

The VX license agreement is displayed from the VXInstallation Main Menu.

 

Review the license agreement, pick I Agree and then pick  Next > to continue or pick Quick Install (preferred) to allow the software to install using all the default locations and settings.

 

 

 

 

If you pick Quick Install, a summary page will appear. You can pick Next > to start the install or < Prev to return to the above screen and continue with the regular installation.

 

VX Install Summary

 

 

VX Installation Type

 

 

This window is displayed when you agree to the VX License Agreement and pick NEXT > .

 

It allows you to select from three installation types. Read the description for each.  You can also view the README file for Pre-Install notes and supported Operating Systems.

 

 

Install VX Components

 

 

This window is displayed when you select Custom Installation from the VX Installation Type menu.

 

It allows you to select which VX components to install.

 

Refer to the table below for more information about each component.

 

Install VX Components (descriptions)

Install Program	Installs the minimum number of files required to run VX. Continue to VX Install Path.
Install Help	Installs all of the VX online help.
Install User Directory	Install a user directory. This is a directory where VX will be executed. At least one user directory per version of VX is required. Additional user directories may be added at any time. Go to Install VX User Directory to continue.   Starting with Version 13, this directory will no longer be located in the Program Files folder.   XP/2000 – C:\Documents and Settings\All Users Vista – C:\Users\Public
Other Options	View Readme - Displays the VX Readme file. Help - Loads the VX Online Help. < Prev - Returns to the Installation – Main Menu Next > - Accepts the selections and displays the appropriate form related to the first VX component selected. Cancel - Cancels the VX Installation.

 

 

 

1. After selecting the Installation type and components to install:
    

2. Pick Next > to continue to the VX Install Path window.

 

 

VX Install Path

 

 

3. Depending on the options picked earlier the install routine will ask a few questions then do the installation at the end.
   
   The default directory for the install path is displayed. You can accept it, change the drive letter, enter a different install path or pick Browse to display the Directory Browser to locate and select the install path.
   
   If you select an install path using the Directory Browser, the path "\VXCorp\VX-13.50" will be appended to the selected path and displayed in the window.
    

4. Pick Next > to continue.

 

 

 

VX User or Viewer Directory

 

 

Use this form during the VX installation to install a user directory. The user directory will contain the necessary application files to execute and operate VX depending on the options picked. At least one user directory per installed version of VX is required. Each user (even a single user) should operate VX from a unique user directory. Each user can also install multiple user directories.

 

1. The default user directory is displayed.

 

 

WIN2000 & XP	C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\VXCorp\User-13.50
Vista	C:\Users\Public\VXCorp\User-13.50

 

                 

You can accept it, change the drive letter, enter a different user directory or pick Browse to display the Directory Browser to locate and select the user directory.

 

If you select a user directory using the Directory Browser, the path "\VXCorp\User-13.50" will be appended to the selected path and will be displayed in the window.

 

2. Typically, you would not pick either check box on this form.
    

 

Install as a viewer directory:	Check this first box if your intention is to run VX in “Viewer” mode.     This mode is useful for someone that just needs to see the part or drawing and possibly measure the geometry.  The shortcut will automatically be setup with the –viewer option so they are never prompted for a password.
Install minimal user directory:	Check this box if disk space is a concern.  Only the files necessary to run the software are copied to the User directory.  i.e. no training files.

 

 

3. Pick Next > to continue
    

4. Review the options selected:

 

 

VX Install Summary

 

5. Pick Next > to start the installation
    

6. Double-click on the Desktop shortcut to start the VX application.

 

 

 

The VX readme file contains information about documentation and technical support.  Any "last-minute" technical information will be contained in this file.  The file "README.txt" is located in your VX Install directory.  See VX Install Path in this document page for more information.
 

1. Please read the entire file before operating VX.

2. Pick OK to close the form.

 

 

 

You should complete "The First 5 Minutes" mini-tutorial and then the Introductory Tutorial called "Basic Modeler" for more lessons that will get progressively more challenging.

 

These introductory lessons will lead you step by step through the construction of 4 more parts utilizing VX hybrid modeling techniques.

 

Topics included are:

 

• Primitive shape creation

• Basic fillets

• Shell

• Surface creation

• Morph

 

• Sketch - Dimension and Constrain

• Revolve shape

• Extrude shape

• Fillet

• Sweep

• Pattern

 

• Sweep surface

• Replace face

• Variable radius fillet

 

• Import IGES file

• Sew

• Healing techniques

 

Utilities License Manager (File/Object Level)

 

If you wish to add additional licenses or update an existing license, you can open the License Manager from within VX.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This form is displayed when you choose to add a new license from the License Manager menu.

 

Obtain the 40+ digit VX password from your dealer and paste it in the space provided. The password is case sensitive and may contain alpha-numeric characters.

 

 

VX Network Card Password Form

 

VX Hardware Key Password Form

 

 

1st option Enter a new local password for this computer	Obtain the 40+ digit VX password from your dealer and paste it exactly as provided without spaces. If you enter a password with a system ID that matches the hardware key then you will be asked if you want to write the code to the hardware key. Typically you would answer YES.  If you choose to write it to the disk you will have to do so on all machines where you will use VX.  If you enter a password with a system ID that is different, then you are asked if this is for a floating license.   If you pick No, the install terminates. If you are considering picking Yes, STOP........   This should only happen if you are on the wrong machine or there is a problem with the password.
2nd option Enter the name of your license server (floating license)	This is used if you are installing a password to the License Server from a client or installing a client license file.  The License Server must be installed prior to installing a floating password.  Refer to the topic "Install License Server" within this help page for installing the VX license server.
3rd option  Get a new local password from the VX Corp. Internet password server	If you have downloaded the VX software and wish to get a temporary license outside of normal business hours then you can use this option to get the password directly from "support.vx.com" and have it installed automatically.   Important Note: This method will return a 7 day temporary password (for VX Modeler).
4th option  Enter your email address to get a new local password via email	This option is basically the same as above except that it's done via email. Once you enter your email address, a menu will appear with your mail server filled in. If it's not, you need to specify a valid email server through which you can send mail. Once VX receives your email it will automatically be forwarded to the password server.  A response will be emailed back to the email address that you entered.  This usually takes around 5-6 minutes.   DO NOT USE OPTIONS 3 or 4 if you are an existing customer looking for a new license to replace one that is expiring.   Send an email to VX Operations at passwords@vx.com   State all relevant information like:   Company name Your name Phone number in case we need additional information. VX Software Version System ID that you need the code for.

 

 

Use this function to delete a password from the local machine.
 

1. Select a license to delete from the currently installed list of licenses and pick OK to continue.

 

 

 

2. Pick Yes if you are sure you want to delete the selected license.  The password for the specified license will be deleted. Pick Continue.

 

 

 

Use this function to get the current license information for the local machine.
 

• Pick OK or Cancel to close the form.

 

 

 

 

 

Use this function to get the system id number for the local machine.  

 

 

 

 

• Pick Continue.

 

 

 

 

 

The VX License Server can be used to share licenses between two or more machines. However, only one machine can use the license at a time. If you purchase 20 licenses, the server can control who can access the licenses.  When they are used up, the 21st person will have to wait until a license is freed up.  

 

The VX License Server should only be installed once on your Network License Server computer.

 

There is no need to reinstall with new versions of VX. 

 

Additionally, VX software and a license file should be installed on each client to be served by this computer.  Each client has to be on the same local sub-net as the server and you should be able to 'ping' the server from the client and vise versa.

 

Also, don't confuse a dongle (hardware key) with a floating license.  A dongle gives you mobility. As long as a machine has the VX software and the hardware key driver loaded, you can plug in a dongle that has a license on it and start working.

 

 

 

 

1. The default VX license server directory is displayed. You can accept it, enter a different directory or pick Browse to display the Directory Browser to locate and select the VX license server directory.
   
   If you select a VX License Server directory using the Directory Browser, the path "\VXCorp\VXServer-13.50" will be appended to the selected path and will be displayed in the window.
    

2. When you are satisfied with the VX license server directory, pick Next > to continue.
    

3. If the directory does not exist, pick Yes to create it.
   
    

 

 

4. If you want to install the VX license server as a service (i.e., it will start at system startup. (Preferred)) pick Yes. Otherwise pick No …The 'No' option is going away in future revisions.  Send an email to support@vx.com if you are using this.

 

 

 

 

Now that the server is running you need to add a license to the server.  This is done from the License Server machine.  Use the first option to "Enter a new Local Password…"

 

 

1. Type the server name followed by ":"  then paste the password.  The License Server must already exist.   If you don't know the name, open a Command Prompt (DOS Prompt) and type: "ipconfig /all" and look for the "Host Name".
   
   
   
   (mayflower is an example)
   
    

2. Pick Next > to continue.
    

3. Enter a description for this license. The description can be any text that you want to associate with the license.
   
   A typical description may be:
   
   V13 Designer or
   V13 Machinist or
   V13 End-to-End
    

4. Pick OK.
    

5. Enter a PORT number.  (Floating License only)
   
   When you install a password on a license server there is also a port number that can be assigned to the license. If you do not specify a port number then the license server assigns port 2000 by default.  If you have purchased several different licenses you will want to install each with a different port designation.
   
   For example, you have a Designer license with 2 seats and just a single End-to-End license.  You can install the Designer license to port 2051 and the End-to-End license to port 2054.
   
   Suggested port numbers:
   
   2051 Designer
   2052 Mold & Die
   2053 Machinist
   2054 END-to-END
   2055 Modeler
   2056 Mechanical
   
   On the client side you will need one shortcut for each port you just defined.
   
   Right-click on the shortcut and pick Properties.
   
   Add to the very end of the Target line  "  -lport  xxxx" to control which port the VX software talks to.  In this example if you wanted to connect to the Designer license you would run VX with "  -lport  2051". This, in effect, separates the 2 licenses but still uses only a single server.
   
   Don't forget to Rename the shortcut so you know which one is going to give you the Designer or the End-to-End license.
   
   There is no reason to install a new License Server with each new version of the VX software.
    

6. Compare the information in the window to the email and make sure it is accurate.
   
   
   
   
    

7. Pick Yes.
    

8. Repeat the Add a New License command if you have more than one license to install on the server.
    

9. You now have a running license server with passwords  installed.  
   To verify what you have, see the file:
   
   "Program Files\VXCorp\VXServer-13.50\etc\vxlic\vxv"
   Open it with "Wordpad".
    

10. The last step is to install a license file on the client.  Its purpose is to point the software to the server to obtain the actual password.
    
     

 

Use this function on the server to run the previously installed license server program when it is not running.  If a VX License Server is not currently installed, the installation process will begin.  See Install License Server for more information.
 

 

 

Use this function either locally or remotely to stop the VX license server program.  To restart the license server, see Run License Server. 

 

 

 

 

• Enter a valid license server name to stop and then pick OK.

 

 

 

This function can be used either locally or remotely to uninstall the license server program.  To re-install the license server,seeInstall License Server.  Enter a valid license server name to uninstall and then pick OK.

 

 

 

This form is displayed when you select InstallThird Party Passwords from the VX License Manager Form. It allows you to install passwords for any of the third party translators listed below.

 

• CATIA Import

• CATIA Export

• Pro/ENGINEER Import

• Unigraphics Import

 

Select the translator and then enter the passwords supplied by your VX dealer. VX contains many built-in translators that do not require additional passwords. See Import/Export Formats for a complete list of file types that VX can import and export.

 

 

Third Party Translator Passwords

 

 

 

Do I need to install a new VX Password?

 

 

 

If you answered NO to any statement above, you don't need a new password and you are ready to run the software.

 

If you require a license there are two ways to proceed.  

 

1. Starting VX will prompt you to install a license.
    

 

 

 

2. The License Manager button gives you access to all license related commands.  When working with licenses, use the first 4 commands in the order shown below.
   
    

VX License Manager

 

 

Add a New License	Refer to the topic "Add a License" within this help page for adding a license to a network card or hardware key.
Delete an existing License	Prior to installing a new license you should delete expired licenses or licenses that you intend to upgrade such as a Designer license that you are upgrading to End-to-End.   The HASP hardware keys only hold two licenses so it will be necessary to make room when adding a license for a new version.  If you currently have a version 11 and 12 code written to the dongle the chances are great that if you simply add a new version 13 code it will overwrite your version 12 license.  Preferably you would want to DELETE the version 11 password then install 13.
Get Current License Information	This command will search your local license file and the hardware key for installed licenses.  This is recommended before either of the preceding commands.  This information will be easy to interpret if you entered a good description when installing the license.
Get System Id number	This should be the same number acquired when you run ipconfig /all and look at the Physical Address.  This will be the number required for licensing on a network card or if a hardware key is installed and a driver is present it will report back the hardware key number.     If you are expecting to see (hardware key) and it lists the network card, see the following page to install the driver.
Install License Server	Refer to the topic "Install License Server" within this help page for installing the VX license server.   By default the license server software is installed in the  “Program Files\VXCorp\VXServer-13.50” directory.  The server executable is called vxserversvc.exe.  There is also a vxsysid.exe command that gets installed.  Both can be run from a command prompt with the “–h” argument to see more advanced options of these commands.   See the Task Manager to verify that the service is running.
Run License Server	Starts the license server software.
Stop License Server	Stops the license server software.
Uninstall License Server	You can only have one License Server running at a time.  If you intend to change the machine that is currently serving your licenses then pick the uninstall command and give the name of the server.   To avoid confusion and the possibility of this server restarting on boot-up, manually delete the VXServer directory.  Now you can install the server software on a new machine.
Install 3rd party licenses	Refer to the topic "Install 3rd Party Licenses" within this help page to install Catia, ProE or Unigraphics translator licenses from CadCam-E.
Exit License Manager	This option exits the License Manager.

 

 

Under most circumstances WINDOWS should install the driver when it is plugged in

for the first time.

 

If it is plugged in and you run the Get System ID command and still do not see (hardware

key), we do provide a driver from Aladdin.  Open - Windows Explorer and navigate

to the folder where you installed the software.  

 

Typically:

Program Files\VXCorp\VX-13.50\hasp.

 

Run the executable.

 

If you need to uninstall the driver go to the Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs

 

 

 

1. Use the License Manager menu.
   
   
   
   VX Installation Main Menu
   
    

2. Add a new license.
   
   
   
   
    

3. On the VX Password form:
   
   Pick the second option -Type the server name or IP Address -
    

4. Pick OK.
   
   No need to enter a description.
   No need to enter a port number
   
   Edit the license file  "C:\WINDOWS\etc\vxlic\vxv" with WordPad.
   
   It only needs to say (as a minimum)  "vxserver,mayflower"
   
   Copy this file to your other clients or repeat the above portion of the procedure on each client, but it only should be done once as long as you are using floating licenses no matter what version of the software you are installing.
   
   You should never have to touch this file again.
   
   If sometime out in the future you decide that you need to change the system that the License Server is installed on, just open this file and edit the name of the server.

 

 

 

Exits the License Manager.