1. Hawk Ridge Systems
  2. Data Management
  3. CustomTools

How to Upgrade CUSTOMTOOLS

Avatar
David Lange

Problem

This article will provide the necessary steps to upgrade your current CustomTools version. Prior to upgrading, download the installation files from the ATR Soft Customer portal ATR Soft Customer Portal - Login. Reviewing the system requirements is also recommended and can be viewed here System Requirements. The major versions of CustomTools are compatible with two previous versions of SolidWorks CAD.

Solution Step 1: Upgrading the License Server

  1. Upgrade the License Server. (Only applies to Networked clients when upgrading major releases such as 2025. This is not necessary when upgrading between service packs.)
  2. Copy the installer to the server containing the CUSTOMTOOLS Network License Manager.
  3. Run the installer to begin the installation wizard.

  4. When notified of the upgrade, press Yes.

    CustomTools Install Wizard Upgrade Prompt. Click Yes to Continue or No to Close.

  5. Press Next and OK until you get to the Installation Completed window.

  6. Clear any “Show me” options you don’t want to see and press Finish.

    CustomTools Installation Window Completion Screen.

  7. Open the CUSTOMTOOLS Network License Manager.
  8. Activate your license to enable CustomTools. 
  9. Close the CUSTOMTOOLS Network License Manager.

Solution Step 2: Upgrading a CustomTools network license version older than 2018.

  1. Transfer the license from the current license server.
  2. Open CustomTools License Manager.
  3. Select the |'ManageLicenses' option.
  4. Select the 'Transfer License ' option.
  5. Close the application when complete.
  6. Uninstall the Custom Tools License Manager.
  7.  Install the new ATR CustomTools License Manager.
  8. Copy the CustomTools installer for the server hosting the CustomTools Network License Manager.
  9. Run the installer to begin the installation wizard.
  10. Select "Custom' Installation option.

CustomTools Custom Setup installation Screen. Individual components can be selected from this menu.

11. Press the 'Next' button until the 'Installation Complete' Window is displayed.

12. Clear any 'Show me' options that are not wanted and press the 'Finish' button.

CustomTools Installation Manager Screen showing the Completion Screen. The check boxes for showinng guides or what's new can be selected from this installation window.

13. Open the ATR License Server from the Windows Start Menu. 

Windows Start Menu listing the ATR Soft folder and the license manager application icon.

14. Select the "Manage Licenses' button.

15. Enter the CustomTools product serial number with spaces (example: 0000 0000 0000).

16. Enter a valid email address.

17. Optionally enter your name and phone number.

18. Select the 'Activate License' option.

19. Select the 'Next' button until the action process is finished.

20. Close the CustomTools License Manager.

21. Restart the ATR License Manager Service or reboot the server.

Picture of the Windows services console and how to restart the ATR license manager service on the Windows machine.

 

Solution Step 3: Upgrading the CustomTools Server

1. Copy the installer that contains SQL Express to the server. 

2. Run the installer that will launch the installation wizard.

3. Select the 'Yes' button to proceed with the upgrade.

CustomTools Installation Wizard prompt. Clicking the Yes button will contine install. Clicking the No button will stop the upgrade.

4. Press the 'Next' button until the 'Installation Complete' window appears. 

CustomTools Installation Summary Completion Screen. Click the Finish button to complete the installation.

5. Clear any 'Show me' options that are not wanted and click the 'Finish' button.

6. Open the CustomTools Administration client.

Windows Start Menu showing the CustomTools Folder and the CustomTools Administration application icon below the folder.

7. Activate your CustomTools lIcense if prompted (standalone license)

8. Select your CustomTools Database and press the 'Login' option.

CustomTools Adminsitration Console displaying the login button. Click login to log into CustomTools to start the upgrade.

9. If there is a warning symbol next to the CustomTools database icon, press the 'Upgrade' button.

This is the CustomTools adminstiration console image. Showing to click the upgrade button in order to start the database upgrade process.

10. Follow the wizard prompts and accept default settings, then click 'Finish' once complete.

11. Press the 'Close' button once the 'Completed' dialog window appears.

Picture of the Database Upgrade Wizard menu showing the database was upgraded.

12. Close the CustomTools Administration Client console. 

Solution Step 4: Upgrading the CustomTools Client

Update the CustomTools client add-in for SolidWorks.

  1. Copy the CustomTools installer to the SolidWorks client machine.
  2.  Run the installer to launch the installation wizard.
  3. When notified of the upgrade, press the 'Yes' button.

Picture of the CustomTools installation wizard asking perform the setup by clicking Yes. Click No to stop the installation.

4. Press the 'Next' and 'Ok' buttons until you get to the installation Complete dialog Window.

5. Clear any of the 'Show me' check boxes that are not needed and press the 'Finish' button.

CustomTools Installation Wizard Completion Screen. Click Finish to complete the installation process.

6. Open SolidWorks CAD and log in to CustomTools when prompted. 

Note: (If no CUSTOMTOOLS login or menu bars are present after SOLIDWORKS opens, check the Add-ins list and make sure CUSTOMTOOLS for SOLIDWORKS is enabled.)

7. Activate the license if prompted; network licenses will not prompt.

8. If the CustomTools Toolbar displays in SolidWorks, the client upgrade was successful.

For further technical support, please contact Hawk Ridge Systems at 877.266.4469 for the U.S. or 866.587.6803 for Canada and support@hawkridgesys.com.

 

Was this article helpful?
1 out of 1 found this helpful

Comments

0 comments

Article is closed for comments.

Articles in this section