ArredoCAD FAQ
Answers to frequently asked questions for the use of ArredoCAD.
General information
ArredoCAD is a software that has been especially developed for interior designers, architects, show-rooms and professionals working in the field of real estate renovation and sale. It allows to create 3-dimensional design and architectural solutions in few minutes starting from the creation of a plan to final rendering.
Compared to programs for 3D solid modeling, ArredoCAD is specific for interior designing. With ArredoCAD you don't need to design every furnishing element because inside the program there is an archive made up of 30.000 3D parametric and customizable elements (kitchens, living zones, bathrooms, bedrooms, wardrobes, design items). It is extremely easy to use and the planning automatisms (automatic insertion of worktop, plinths and household-appliances, as well as out-of-square calculation, element cutting, covering and tiling application ecc.) make planning and design simple and very fast.
Yes, it can. ArredoCAD allows you to import 3D files in .OBJ, .SKP (Sketchup) and .3DS (3DSMax). Moreover you can import plans in .DXF and .DWG format.
D-RAY, the rendering-engine of ArredoCAD, has been especially developed by Dinamica Software and it has been already optimized to use the elements contained in the libraries of the program. Rendering, material and light setting is therefore extremely simple and rapid and you don't need to have special professional training. According to the complexity of the project, the PC used, the final image size and quality you want to obtain, rendering time can be very different ranging from some minutes to half an hour.
You can read the requirements clicking here
Yes, it is. ArredoCAD can be also used on Mac* after installing of Windows through:
- Boot camp
This is a free software that the mac operative system OSX makes available to create a Windows partition (recommended).
- Parallels Desktop
Purchasable software that creates a virtual device (a window on the desktop) in which Windows run (less performant).
* At the moment ArredoCAD cannot be installed on MAC operating systems with M1 processors.
At the momenti it is not available for Tablet or Smartphone.
You can ask for the free trial version of ArredoCAD filling in the demo request form on the website of ArredoCAD.
The trial version of ArredoCAD has all functionalities of the software.
The limitations you only have are:
- The trial has a validity of 30 days
- Watermarks with the name ArredoCAD are added automatically to the renders.
Once the trial is expired, the projects remain inside of the installation folder of ArredoCAD and they can be used again if you rent or buy the software.
It is possible to purchase ArredoCAD Designer or ArredoCAD Kitchen subscribing to both monthly and yearly license. The monthly license of ArredoCAD costs 60/120€ (Kitchen/Designer) and the annual one 480/960€ (Kitchen/Designer). Undoubtfully, the yearly license is the most advantageous solution allowing you to save 240/480€ (Kitchen/Designer) comparing with the monthly subscription.
You can unsubscribe at any time or subscriptions renew automatically at the expiring date.
Subscriptions include the main ArredoCAD plug-ins and the premium support (yearly phone support as well as software updates).
To know all the offers and prices of the ArredoCAD products visit our Online Shop or contact us for a customized quotation.
You can easily learn how to use ArredoCAD through the Tutorials and the Video manual available when you open ArredoCAD and click on the right in the window: ArredoCAD Channel, as well as clicking here. Otherwise you can follow the free webinars and the training courses organized by ArredoCAD Academy.
Yes, you can. You can use ArredoCAD in another PC if you deactivate the license in your computer and activate it in another pc or laptop temporarily entering your online account and following the related instructions. You have to install ArredoCAD in any PC station you will work with. If you need to use ArredoCAD in several PC stations at the same time, you have to purchase further licenses.
The contacts to receive support are the following:
Dinamica Software
Tel. (+39) 0721 26465
Mail. [email protected]
During the free trial period a Live Chat is also availabe on the work screen of ArredoCAD (at the bottom right corner).
Installation and activation
- Through the link to download the program: click on the link that you received via e-mail and follow the instructions on the page.
- Through USB flash-driver: insert the flash driver in any USB port of your PC. Visualize the content of the flash-player and click on the file Setup.exe (a blue icon with white arrows) contained in the folder DVD_ARREDOCAD.
Before installing you have to be sure that you have the administrator rights on the computer you are using (Control panel -> User account).
If you don’t see the icon on the desktop, open the folder C:\ArredoCAD\ DATABASE|ARREDOCAD_2009. Make right click on the file “arredocad.exe” and select “Create shortcut”. Then move the shortcut that has been created to the desktop. Make right click on the shortcut and then on Properties. In the destination folder, add a space and a (majuscule) R at the end of the string. In the source folder (“from”) you have to cancel part of the string and only leave
C:\Arredocad\
If you should have problems once you have followed the instructions above, please contact Dinamica Software: tel. (+39) 0721 26465 | [email protected]
Once you have installed ArredoCAD, you have to activate the user licence. After double click on the icon of the software to open ArredoCAD, click on "Web activation" (you have to be connected permanently or temporarily to the internet). A mask to fill in appears. In the field "Description" (mandatory) you have to insert a name you choose (any kind of name) to identify the PC on which you are activating the user licence. Insert the five codes (cod. 1-5) contained in the PDF you received per e-mail into the five blank fields under the description.
No, it shouldn’t. The connection to the internet is necessary just during user licence activation and for visualization of the contents in the ArredoCAD Channel - Video manual, Account management, updates etc. - that appears when ArredoCAD opens.
Telephonic activation is a kind of activation you use when there is no internet connection. If you don’t have an internet connection please contact Dinamica at (+39) 0721 26465 for telephonic activation of the licence. Please note that in case of telephonic activation, the licence is automatically deactivated when an internet connection is available/functioning again. Then you have to activate it again via web.
No, you don’t. All projects and personal settings saved in the program are maintained after reinstallation. Anyway the program should be installed in the same destination folder C:\Arredocad that has been used for the previous installation.
In this case we suggest you to copy the whole folder C:\Arredocad on an external disk in order maintain all personal settings stored and all the projects created with ArredoCAD. Then, after formatting or changing, you can copy the folder in the C Unit in order to install the program using the same destination folder C:/Arredocad. So, through installation the software is overwritten and projects, data as well as customizations you made will be preserved.
This is a message of Windows warning that there is a problem between the program and Windows Installer Package.
Visit the Microsoft web page and install/update the package according to your operative system.
During installation the antivirus could block some files necessary to the installation of ArredoCAD by mistake. For this reason we suggest you to deactivate temporarily the antivirus (through the control panel of the antivirus) just for the duration of the installation. Once ArredoCAD has been installed, we suggest you to click on settings and add the file arredocad. exe or the whole directory C:\Arredocad in the section exclusions or exceptions. If the antivirus is not deactivated and blocks some installation files, you have to start the installation again.
The language is chosen during installation of ArredoCAD. It can be modified later following these instructions: When you open ArredoCAD, it appears a window (ArredoCAD Channel) where you can click on Advanced ->Preferences-> Language. You can visualize Preferences through the work area of ArredoCAD too, from the menu bar click on Options->Preferences->Language. Select the language between the ones available.
Then close and start the program again to apply modifications.
Click on “Plug-in activation” on the mask that appears immediately after opening the program. Then select the plug-in to activate from the list that will appear and insert the activation code contained in the PDF Licence sheet received via email. Alternatively, you can activate the plug-in from the work area of ArredoCAD, clicking on Options->Commands.
From the window you see after opening ArredoCAD, click on DRAY-PLUS on the right side of the window.
Then a further window will appear and there you can download and save the materials you bought.
After this, open a project and from the menu bar on the left click on Visualize and then on Material archive.
Then from the menu bar on the left click on File and on Import material pack. Select one pack at a time.
Once imported, the system asks to insert the activation codes of the plug-in purchased contained in the PDF licence sheet.
Customer's reserved area: management licence and updates
This is an area reserved to ArredoCAD users. There you can download ArredoCAD and, if you are eligible, you can download the software updates, as well as manage your user licenses in order to reset, move them from one PC to another, see expiring dates, or if they are available for activation etc.. Moreover, you can visualize the Support Manual.
You can enter the Reserved Area clicking on www.arredocad.com/reserved_area and inserting the access codes sent you by Dinamica Software.
The access codes are contained in the pdf Licese sheet (on the latest page).
At any time you can move your user license from a PC to another one. To use the license in another computer, enter your Reserved Area clicking on the following link www.arredocad.com/reserved_area, inserting the access codes that Dinamica Software sent you and that are contained in the PDF license sheet (on the latest page).
Identify the license to transfer and click on RESET. The license will turn available again, so among the licenses to activate. After installing ArredoCAD on the second PC (if it has not already been installed), install the program using the same codes of the reset license.
From the work area of ArredoCAD, from the menu bar click the button Help-> About.
A window with the following information will appear:
- Code Number of user license
- Installed version
- Data of version release
- Date of element libraries
Dinamica software releases an update of the program every 6 months (2 updates per year).
An update consists of new functions, new 3D elements and partners.
If activated, it is possible to download the most recent version of ArredoCAD from the window ArredoCAD Channel that will appear after opening the software. Here you have to click on “Program not updated to the latest available version”, then click on “Download updates” and follow the instructions you’ll find on the page (You will have to insert the access codes sent you by Dinamica). The download of the files and then the installation process will start automatically.
Alternatively it is possible to download an update if you enter the reserve area of the following web site www.arredocad.com, or clicking on the link www.arredocad.com/reserved_area, and then insert your access codes sent you by Dinamica Software. To download the latest version of the program (together with updated libraries and functionalities), click on the section "Updates", then on “DVD complete ArredoCAD”, download the files to install the software and save them on your computer in one folder. After downloading you have just to click on the first part (PART1) to launch the installation of the update.If you already have the latest version but you would like to download the files that Dinamica Software releases after in order to improve the new version, click on “Software updates” and follow the instructions on the page.
If you are not eligible to install updates, contact Dinamica Software to know ArredoCAD update options.