Technical Support:

Installing ShapeBook with 2D3DSteel Version 4.4.2009:

This version of ShapeBook with 2D3DSteel supports Windows 10, 8.1, 8, 7, Vista, and XP, with 32/64 bit os compatibility, and complete Windows "User Account Control" compliance.

You must login to an account with full administrative access rights before you can install ShapeBook. After the installation is complete, you can login using your normal login account.

Activate the ShapeBook to 2D3DSteel interface:

Depending on your specific situation you may need to activate the ShapeBook to 2D3DSteel interface in ShapeBook. The interface is turned on by default when ShapeBook is installed but it may have been turned off. If for instance, you purchased ShapeBook only and then later upgraded to ShapeBook with 2D3DSteel or at some point unchecked the "Activate ShapeBook to 2D3DSteel interface" checkbox on the ShapeBook options dialog.

Use the following steps to activate the ShapeBook to 2D3DSteel interface:

1. Start ShapeBook and click on the "Options" button.
2. Place a check mark in the checkbox labeled "Activate ShapeBook to 2D3DSteel interface".
3. Click the "Close" button to close the Options dialog.
4. Select a new shape in ShapeBook so that a new interface file is created for the current shape selection.

2D3DSteel Setup in AutoCAD 2000-2017:

If you are upgrading from an older version of 2D3DSteel, you will need to remove any entries in the "AutoCAD Support File Search Path" that reference a ShapeBook folder before you proceed.

To install 2D3DSteel in AutoCAD all you need to do is add the 2D3DSteel2k9.vlx application file to your AutoCAD Applications Startup Suite. If you do not want 2D3DSteel to load with each AutoCAD session you can just load the 2D3DSteel2k9.vlx application when needed. The 2D3DSteel application automatically adds the ShapeBook AppData folder to the support file search path and loads and configures the menus, toolbars, ribbon, and dashboard panels. The steps for both methods are listed below.

2D3DSteel File Locations:

The 2D3DSteel VLX application, cuix, cui, & mnu files are installed in the users ShapeBook AppData folder. The AppData folder is a hidden folder so you will need to set Windows File Explorer to show hidden files and folders and to not hide file extensions. In File Explorer click Organize/Folder and Search Options, then select the View tab and you will find the settings in the Advanced Settings List.

1. On Windows 10, 8, 7, and Windows Vista machines this folder is usually located at "C:\Users\UserName\AppData\Roaming\SFT\ShapeBook 2009".
2. On Windows XP machines this folder is usually located at "C:\Documents and Settings\UserName\Application Data\SFT\ShapeBook 2009".

Because this folder is in the local users account, AutoCAD and ShapeBook are automatically allowed read/write permissions.

2D3DSteel Installation Notes:

All the 2D3DSteel menu commands will demand load the 2D3DSteel application. Once the application has been loaded manually the first time and the menus are loaded and the search path is set. It is not necessary to have the application in your AutoCAD Application startup suite. The menu commands will automatically load the 2D3DSteel application the first time you use a 2D3DSteel command. This will save a little on your AutoCAD application load time.

If you are upgrading from an older version of 2D3DSteel, manually remove any AutoCAD support file search paths to the older versions' program folder. Instructions for doing this are in the "Removing 2D3DSteel from AutoCAD" help topic. Be sure to make these settings in each AutoCAD profile in which you plan to use 2D3DSteel.

In 2D3DSteel you need to use the 2D3DSteel set properties command and select a Layer and Linetype for 2D3DSteel to use. Note that layers must be created and linetypes must be loaded prior to being able to select them in the 2D3DSteel set properties command. These two settings will be saved in your drawing file.

Use the following steps to add the 2D3DSteel application to your AutoCAD Applications Startup Suite:

1. Start your AutoCAD Application.
2. Click on the "Tools" pull-down menu.
3. Click on the "Load Application..." menu command.
4. Click on the "Contents..." button in the Startup Suite section of the "Load/Unload Applications" dialog.
5. Click the "Add..." button on the "Startup Suite" dialog.
6. Browse to the ShapeBook AppData folder (see above).
7. Select the 2D3DSteel2k9.vlx application file and then click the "Add" button.
8. Click on the "Close" button on the "Startup Suite" dialog.
9. Click on the "Close" button on the "Load/Unload Applications" dialog.
10. Exit and then restart AutoCAD. 2D3DSteel will be installed and ready to use.

Use the following steps to load the 2D3DSteel application for use in your current AutoCAD session when 2D3DSteel has not been added to the AutoCAD Startup Suite:

1. Start your AutoCAD Application.
2. Click on the "Tools" pull-down menu.
3. Click on the load "Load Application..." menu command.
4. Browse to the ShapeBook AppData folder (see above).
5. Select the 2D3DSteel2k9.vlx application file and then click the "Load" button.
6. Click on the "Close" button on the "Load/Unload Applications" dialog.
7. 2D3DSteel 2009 will be installed and ready to use.

In 2D3DSteel you need to use the 2D3DSteel set properties command and select a Layer and Linetype for 2D3DSteel to use. Note that layers must be created and linetypes must be loaded prior to being able to select them in the 2D3DSteel set properties command. These two settings will be saved in your drawing file.

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Installation information for older ShapeBook versions:

ShapeBook 3.1 with 2D3DSteel 2.1 - Loading the 2D3DSteel Menu in AutoCAD 2006 & 2007:

Click Tools/Customize/Interface then in the CUI dialog that appears click on the folder Icon with the blue plus sign at the top of the upper left panel. In the open file dialog that appears click the down-arrow on the listbox at the very bottom of the dialog and select menu files. Then browse to the ShapeBook program folder usually at "C:\Program Files\SFT\ShapeBook 3.1". Select the menu file "2D3DSteelV210.mnu" then click on the open button. A dialog may appear asking you if it is ok to compile the menu. Click "Ok" and the menu will load. Please note: In ShapeBook 2.1 the program folder is "C:\Program Files\SFT\ShapeBook 2.1" and the menu file name is "2D3DSteelR2k.mnu".

To change the position of the 2D3DSteel pull-down in your pull-down menus, in the left pane at the top of the list there, click on the Workspace that you use, in the right pane open the pull-down menu list and click and drag the 2D3DSteel menu item to the position in the list that you would like it to be on your screen. Now close the CUI dialog and locate the 2D3DSteel fly-out toolbar icon on your AutoCAD screen and click and drag it to a convenient location with your other AutoCAD toolbars.

In 2D3DSteel 2.1 you need to use the 2D3DSteel set properties command and select a Layer and Linetype for 2D3DSteel to use. Note that layers must be created and linetypes must be loaded prior to being able to select them in the 2D3DSteel set properties command. These two settings will be saved in your drawing file.

Help is available via Phone at (360) 274-0493, or you can send us an email at support@southforktech.com