System Requirements
Elecdes Design Suite is designed to run on the same platform as used by your existing CAD package.
Minimum and Recommended System Requirements
| Requirement | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System (Supported Operating Systems) | Windows 7 SP1 | Windows 10 |
| CAD Package | See Supported CAD packages | AutoCAD 2015 (or later) |
| CPU | Intel or AMD dual core (Intel Core 2 Duo, or AMD Athlon II X2, or better) | Intel or AMD quad core (Intel Core i5, or AMD Phenom II X4, or better) |
| Memory (RAM) | 4GB | 16GB |
| Disk Space | 3GB (plus space for projects, drawings, and any additional symbol libraries) | |
| GPU (for Elecdes) | Any GPU capable of running your CAD package in 2D mode | Discrete Nvidia or AMD workstation class GPU (Certified by your CAD package) |
| GPU (for Paneldes) | Discrete GPU capable of running your CAD package in 3D mode | |
| Display Resolution | 1280x800 | 1920x1080 (or greater) |
| Installation Medium | DVD-ROM drive for installing from DVD, or Internet connection for installing from the web | |
| Office Suite (for Instrument Manager and Cable Scheduler only) | Microsoft Office 2003 | Microsoft Office 2010 64bit |
| Note: If you use a 64bit operating system, we recommend you use a 64bit edition of Office (2010 or later) | ||
| Database Engine (for Instrument Manager and Cable Scheduler only) | SQL Server 2000 SP4 (or later), or Microsoft Access (with restrictions) | SQL Server 2008 R2 (or later) |
Supported Operating Systems
EDS supports the following Microsoft operating systems:
Windows XP 32bit (with SP3)
Windows XP 64bit (with SP2)
Windows Vista (SP2)
Windows Vista 64bit (with SP2 or later)
Windows 7 (SP1)
Windows 7 64bit (with SP1 or later) (Recommended)
Windows 8
Windows 8.1
Windows 10
EDS requires the Microsoft .Net Framework v4.0 to be installed. The EDS Installer will attempt to install the .Net Framework v4.0 if it is not detected, but it is recommended to install this manually before installing EDS. Available from Microsoft.com or on the EDS installation media.
32bit Operating System Limitations
32bit versions of Windows operating systems are limited in the amount of memory (RAM) each application can use. This limit is typically 2GB.
If you are working with large projects and encountering performance issues or memory errors on a 32bit Windows, you should consider switching to a 64bit version of Windows. This will allow EDS applications to use as much memory as you have installed in your system. Windows 7 64bit with at least 8GB of RAM is recommended for large projects.
Supported CAD Packages
Elecdes and Paneldes require one of the following CAD packages:
AutoCAD 2010 – 2022 (derivatives, such as AutoCAD P&ID, Plant 3D)
GStarCAD Professional 2012, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020
FelixCAD 5.0 (for Elecdes only)
PowerCAD 5, 6, 7 (for Elecdes only)
AutoCAD 2015 or later is recommended.
Note: Some Elecdes and Paneldes features are only supported in AutoCAD 2007 and later.
Supported Drawing Formats
EDS supports the following AutoCAD DWG file versions:
2000 (Some features are not supported in this drawing format)
2004 (Some features are not supported in this drawing format)
2007
2010
2013
2018
Supported Database Engines
Database Editor, Ebase, Catalog, and Global Editor use the DBASE 3 database format (stored as *.DBF files)
Instrument Manager and Cable Scheduler can use the Microsoft Access database format (stored as *.MDB or *.ACCDB files) or can connect to Microsoft SQL Server 2000 (or later).
Note: SQL Server Express editions are free and suitable for small and medium sized project databases.
Note: SQL Server 2000 requires Service Pack 4 or later.
Access Database Restrictions
To support multiple users in Instrument Manager when using an Access Database, the database file (.mdb or .accdb) must be stored on a networked Windows file share. Cloud file storage solutions such as OneDrive, Google Drive, Autodesk Docs, and BIM 360 are not supported.
Access Databases do not support any form of network file share replication. If multiple users to connect to the same Access database but on different replica instances, then data loss is likely. Replication is typically transparent to users, so check with your IT department before using an Access database in a multi-user environment.