How to Upgrade CUSTOMTOOLS

David Lange
Updated

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.

Upgrading the License Server

Upgrading the License Server only applies to Networked clients when upgrading major releases such as 2025. This is not necessary when upgrading between service packs.

  1. Copy the installer to the Server containing the CUSTOMTOOLS Network License Manager
  2. Run the installer to begin the installation wizard

  3. When notified of the upgrade, click "Yes"

    CustomTools Install Wizard Upgrade Prompt. Click Yes to Continue or No to Close.
  4. Click "Next" and "OK" until you get to the Installation Completed window

  5. Clear any “Show me” options you don’t want to see and click "Finish"

    CustomTools Installation Window Completion Screen.
  6. Open the CUSTOMTOOLS Network License Manager
  7. Activate your license to enable CustomTools
  8. Close the CUSTOMTOOLS Network License Manager

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 the "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 click 'Finish'

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

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 'Yes' 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 'Finish'

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

Upgrading the CustomTools Client

Update the CustomTools client add-in for SolidWorks with the steps below:

  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, click 'Yes' 
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

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

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

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 from Tools > Add-ins.

For additional support, existing customers can submit a ticket or new customers can contact Hawk Ridge Systems.

 

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