This document has detailed instructions on how to install, register and administer all products available on the CAMWorks Download.

Before loading any software, you should always login with full administrative permissions, turn User Account Control Settings down to Never Notify and disable your anti-virus and anti-spyware programs.

This is not a troubleshooting guide. If you have any technical issues with CAMWorks please contact a support technician through our website or call us at 1.877.266-4469 (USA) or 1-866.587.6803 (Canada).

This document is only to be distributed and used by Hawk Ridge Systems customers. Any other use is prohibited.

System Requirements

Hawk Ridge Systems highly recommends taking a moment before installing CAMWorks and checking that you are ready to load your new software. First, ensure that your computer meets minimum system requirements and that your video card passes certification checks . Make sure you have a solid modeler software already installed, such as SOLIDWORKS or CAMWorks Solids, and verified the version compatibility . Confirm that the hard drive has enough space to have at least 15% free space after the full installation. Back-up data such as any local or shared Technology Database, custom materials database, feeds and speed, or tool libraries, and a data management vault if used. As always, verify with coworkers, customers, or vendors that all are on the same version of SOLIDWORKS. Older versions of SOLIDWORKS cannot open files from newer versions.

Note: From CAMWorks 2015 version onwards, only 64-bit versions of the CAMWorks Application will be supported. A 32-bit version of CAMWorks 2023 will not be available.

Installation Procedure

We recommend that you completely disable all anti-virus programs running on your computer. Also, we recommend logging in to your system as a user with full administrative rights.

When you install CAMWorks, the application files and data files will be installed in two locations:

The application files can be installed in any folder (e.g., C:\Program Files\CAMWorks2023x64).
The data files can be installed in a different user-defined folder (e.g.,

C:\CAMWorksData\CAMWorks2023x64). These data files, which require write-permissions, must be installed in a folder other than Program Files.

Installing from the USB drive

The steps to install the CAMWorks software are listed below.

Insert the CAMWorks USB drive. If the screen does not display automatically, you can also start the program from Windows Explorer by opening the USB drive folder and double-clicking CAMWorks2023x64_Setup-SP#.exe.
The installation wizard for CAMWorks will open.
Follow the prompts to install CAMWorks. NOTE: the installer will look like it starts and stops several times. It is actually installing several different sections of the CAMWorks package, including databases, virtual machine, etc.

Installing from Downloaded Files Online

Open the website camworks.com .
Login using your username and password. If you do not have an account yet, click on Login and then Register to gain access to the website, (no registration of the software needed here). NOTE: If you cannot register on the website, please call Hawk Ridge Systems Technical Support for further assistance.
After successfully logging in, hover over Support, then select Customer Area.

Click on the link for CAMWorks Downloads. Click on the link for CAMWorks 2023 and select Download “CAMWorks 2023 SP#”. We recommend you save the compressed folder to a local drive. Note: See Miscellaneous Downloads for the UPG etc.

Right click on the downloaded .zip file, select Properties, then check Unblock. Extract the downloaded file using Right Click > Extract Files.

From the unzipped folder, run the CAMWorks2023x64_Setup-SP#.exe. Follow the instructions given in the Installation Wizard to complete the install.

Prerequisite Installation for MS Access-Based TechDB Import or Link

The SQLite-based TechDB was introduced as the default TechDB environment in CAMWorks 2018. Users with an existing MS Access-based TechDB can import or link the data to CAMWorks, which requires installing the pre-requisite MS Access Database Engine 2010 (64-bit) separately. You can obtain the installation file at the CAMWorks website at Support > Customer Area > Miscellaneous Downloads.

Requesting & Activating Standalone and Network File Based Licenses

Your CAMWorks license defines the modules and versions that you are authorized to run. A standalone license authorizes use of CAMWorks on a specific computer. CAMWorks provides two options for standalone licensing: software encryption or a hardware USB Key (dongle). Both methods require the use of the CAMWorks License Manager, which should be automatically installed with CAMWorks.

Built-in software encryption technology is the default licensing method for CAMWorks. After you install the CAMWorks License Manager, you must submit the request for a CAMWorks license.
Optionally, a USB key (dongle) and a license file (.cod) can be used for licensing CAMWorks. This hardware device will be connected to the USB connector on the computer.

Each of these methods are designed to protect you and Geometric Technologies Inc. from unauthorized use of CAMWorks.

Prerequisite for Activating the CAMWorks License

The CAMWorks License Manager is required to implement a standalone or network license file. Note that the license manager only needs to be installed separately if the license is intended for a server with a network license. The license manager can be downloaded from the CAMWorks website at Support > Customer Area > Miscellaneous Downloads.

You must run the CAMWorks License Manager as an administrator using Right-Click > Run As an Administrator, or be logged in as an administrator with full privileges when setting up or making changes in the license manager.
The license request file must be created directly on the computer where the license will reside. If the license request file is created when running the license manager via remote communication software such as pcAnywhere (Symantic Corp) and submitted to Geometric Americas Inc., an invalid license will be generated.
If you need a floating license file for your server, the request will need to be done directly on the server system.

Requesting Your CAMWorks Network License

IMPORTANT! - The following steps MUST be performed on the system that is identified as the License Server machine. This may or may not be the same machine that CAMWorks is installed.
From the Windows desktop on the computer where the license will reside, select Start on the taskbar, then navigate to Programs > CAMWorks License Manager > CW License Manager.

Note: You must use the Right Click > Run-as Administrator method or be logged in as administrator with full privileges when setting up or making changes in the license manager.

Click the License Setup
For the License Method, make sure Floating Network Server is selected.

Click the Server Settings tab and select the option to Use this Machine as License Server (if this is a new setup).

Set the Server License Method to License File Based and then click the Request Network Server License.

Complete the form. An asterisk (*) indicates a required field.
Select the Other button to save the request file to C:\CWLicense Manager. If you have Outlook installed, click on the Outlook button instead to have the request file attached and opened in an Outlook email. Email the request to gt.register@HCL.com with the request file attached.

Your license file will be sent to you within24 to 72 hours. Click Close to exit the request form. You can also close the License Manager. CAMWorks will run in demonstration mode in SOLIDWORKS until you receive the license file and activate the license.

Requesting Your CAMWorks Standalone License

From the Windows desktop on the computer where the license will reside, select Start on the taskbar, then navigate to Programs > CAMWorks License Manager > CW License Manager.

Note: You must use the Right Click > Run-as Administrator method or be logged in as administrator with full privileges when setting up or making changes in the license manager.

Click the License Setup
For the License Method, make sure Nodelocked (Standalone) is selected.
Click the Request License

Complete the form. An asterisk (*) indicates a required field.
Select the Other button to save the request file to C:\CWLicense Manager. If you have Outlook installed, click on the Outlook button instead to have the request file attached and opened in an Outlook email. Email the request to gt.register@HCL.com with the request file attached.

Your license file will be sent to you within24 to 72 hours. Click Close to exit the request form. You can also close the License Manager. CAMWorks will run in demonstration mode in SOLIDWORKS until you receive the license file and activate the license.

Activating Your Standalone License

When you receive the license from Geometric Technologies, save the file to a folder on your computer. The license file must be on the same computer as CAMWorks. We recommend you save the license file in the same folder as the license manager (C:\CWLicense Manager).
Run the license manager as an administrator and click the License Setup
Make sure License File Based Activation is selected and the License Method is set to Nodelocked (Standalone), then click the Browse
Browse to the folder where you copied the license file, select the file and click Open.

Click the Status tab and verify that the information has been updated as follows:

Authorization status = Succeeded
License File Used = path to the file and the filename

Click the Authorized Modules This tab lists the modules you are licensed to run and shows the expiration date of the license file.
Click Close to exit the license manager.

Activating Your Network License – License Server Machine

When you receive the license from Geometric Technologies, save the file to a folder on your computer. The license file must be on the server that is running the CAMWorks License Manager. We recommend you save the license file in the same folder as the license manager (C:\CWLicense Manager).
Start the license manager and click the Server Settings

Note: You must run the CAMWorks License Manager as an administrator using Right-Click > Run As an Administrator, or be logged in as an administrator with full privileges when setting up or making changes in the license manager.

Select Use this Machine as License Server. For the License File Path, browse to the folder where you copied the license file, select the file and click Open.

Set the Log File path. The log file MUST be on the server that is running the CAMWorks License Service. The log file folder does not have to be the same as the license file folder. The log file folder and the log file must have read/write permissions. The default file path is C:\CWLicenseManager\.
Click the Install License Service This installs the CAMWorks License Service, which can take up to a few minutes.

Click the Start License Service The status message at the bottom of the dialog box indicates the CAMWorks License Service is running.

Verify Successful Activation of Floating License

Before setting up the license on the client computers, you should make sure the floating license has been installed and activated successfully on the server. You can do this by setting up the server to also be a client.

Start the license manager, if it is not running.
Click the License Setup tab and verify that Floating Network Server is selected for the license method.
In the Configure FlexLM license section, make sure the Set Server Host name and Port number for floating license is selected.
Type the server host name and the port number (typically 27000).

IMPORTANT! This field requires the host name of the server. Since you are setting up the server computer as a client, the host name of the client is the same as the server host name, so you can type the host name that displays at the top of the dialog box. You will need the host name of the server when you set up other client computers.

Click the Authorized Modules

If Yes is displayed in the Available column for your modules, click OK to close the license manager. You are now ready to set up the client computers to run CAMWorks.
If the Authorized Modules cells are blank, the server may have a software and/or hardware firewall that you need to configure to allow the clients to see the server.

Configure Firewall on Server (if necessary)

If a firewall is running on the server, the firewall may need to be configured to allow the clients to see the CAMWorks License Service. The following directions are for the Windows Firewall. If you are using different software and/or hardware firewalls, refer to the product documentation for directions.

Navigate to Control Panel > System Security > Windows Firewall and select Allow a program or feature through Windows Firewall option on the left-hand task pane.

Select Allow another program and select Browse.

Navigate to file directory C:\CWLicenseManager\, select exe and click on Add.

Click OK and make sure the program is checked in all the columns in the Exceptions
Repeat steps 2 to 4 for the files exe and CWLicenseManager.exe.

Restart the computer. Reinstall and restart the license service. Verify that the Authorized Modules tab in the CAMWorks License Manager displays Yes in the Available columns.

Activate the License on Clients

After the CAMWorks License Service is installed and running on the server, you can implement the license service on the client machines by pointing their CAMWorks License Manager to the server. For client computers, this process can be performed remotely.

When CAMWorks has been installed on the client, start the CAMWorks License Manager.
Select Start on the taskbar and then select Programs > CAMWorks License Manager > CW License Manager.

Note: You must run the CAMWorks License Manager as an administrator using Right-Click > Run As an Administrator, or be logged in as an administrator with full privileges when setting up or making changes in the license manager.

Click the License Setup
For the license method, make sure FlexLM Software is selected.
Make sure Set Server Host name and Port number of floating license is selected.
Type the server host name and enter the port number (typically 27000). IMPORTANT! The server host name must be the host name of the server, not the host name of the client.
Click Apply.
Click the Authorized Modules The licensed modules are listed, and the license type is “floating”.
Click OK to close the license manager. No additional information and actions are required for enabling a client.

Running CAMWorks on Clients

Start SOLIDWORKS or CAMWorks Solids and enable CAMWorks. Click on Help > CAMWorks 2023 > License Info to display the CAMWorks License Info dialog box.

In the Available column, the number indicates how many seats are available for each module. When 0 displays, there are no available licenses.
The Module section lists the modules. A check mark indicates the module has been assigned to this client. To access the functions of an available module, check the box next to the available module.
In the Start Up column, you can specify which modules you want to run on this client at the CAMWorks startup if a module is available. If a license is not available for one of the checked modules when CAMWorks starts, this message displays: “One or more floating licenses that were requested are not available.”
The Update Licenses button can be used to update the availability of modules on a floating license.

Using a Hardware USB Key (Dongle)

Optionally, CAMWorks can use a hardware dongle (also referred to as a key or security block) for standalone licensing and protection against unauthorized use. The USB key (dongle) is programmed for the modules and version you are licensed to run. A USB key is a small hardware device that fits in the USB connector of the computer.

IMPORTANT! The hardware key is essentially your license and you may want to insure it against loss. If the key is lost or stolen, you will be required to purchase a new license.

Obtaining the .cod File

In order to activate your CAMWorks software using the dongle, you will need to obtain a license file (with .cod extension). This file will be sent by Hawk Ridge Systems. If you have not received a .cod file for the dongle, please contact Hawk Ridge Systems Technical Support at support@hawkridgesys.com.

Activating the .cod File using the USB Key

The following steps are how you would set up a USB key.

Plug the USB key into the computer. Be sure to keep it inserted after activation while CAMWorks is in operation. The software looks for and reads the configuration on the USB key during start-up and periodically while it is running.
Next, you will need to open the Key Manager in Start > All Programs > CAMWorks License Manager > Key Manager. Click on Update and choose to update to browse for the .COD file. It will notify you if the security block (USB key) is detected or not.

Note: You MUST open the key manager or CAMWorks License Manager with Right Click > Run as administrator.

If it does not recognize it, you will need to install the Sentinel driver from the CAMWorks website at Support > Customer Area > Miscellaneous Downloads so that it can recognize the key. Once you have done this, try updating It should recognize the block (USB key).
After your dongle has been recognized, you will need to navigate to Start > All Programs > CAMWorks License Manager and open CW License Manager.

Note: Open the CW License manager with Right-Click > Run as an administrator.

In here, you will want to go to the License Setup tab and change the license method from FlexLM Software to Hardware Dongle. Once you do that, select Apply.
Open SOLIDWORKS with CAMWorks now and it should recognize the USB Key (dongle).

Start SOLIDWORKS or CAMWorks Solids

The CAMWorks logo displays to indicate CAMWorks is started. The Technology Database (TechDB) is loaded automatically. This TechDB is compatible with the CAMWorks version you just installed. If you have customized data in a previous version of the database, you can import the data into the new TechDB and get started using CAMWorks.

For further assistance, please contact our support team at support@hawkridgesys.com, or 877-266-4469 (US) or 866-587-6803 (Canada).

_23_CAMWorks Installation_Standalone.pdf
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