Getting Started

Navigation: User Guide ➔ Getting Started

Getting Started and Installation				Training		Tutorial		Guidelines and Examples
Getting Started	Download Software	Installation Instructions	SysCAD Files	Training Information	Training Preparation	Tutorial Overview	Tutorial Videos	Modelling Guidelines	Example Projects	Example Reports	Example PGM Files	FAQ

Latest SysCAD Version: 13 May 2026 - SysCAD Build 139.37082

Related Links: Features, Applications, SysCAD Structure, Tips and Tricks

---

Introduction

SysCAD is a powerful and versatile plant simulator that can be used to simulate the simplest processing circuit through to complex full plant operations.

• The main SysCAD features can be found here: Features
• For information on how SysCAD can be used, please see: Applications
• For information on SysCAD operating modes, available add-ons, etc., please see: SysCAD Structure
• For information on SysCAD license options, please see: SysCAD License Options or contact us at [email protected]

Hardware, Operating System, and Software Requirements

See Hardware, Operating System, and Software Requirements.

Downloading SysCAD Software and Updates

When a new client joins the SysCAD community, they are provided with access to two websites: to Download SysCAD and to Exchange Files with the SysCAD team.

These websites are:

Please take note that these two websites have DIFFERENT usernames and passwords.
	SysCAD Download Website: https://www.syscad.net/	This is the SysCAD website, the "SysCAD User" area is designated for: Downloading SysCAD installation software, updates to SysCAD program files, example projects and other documentation such as supplementary tutorial files and so on. Users will also be able to download the client add-ons to which they are entitled. Please see Downloading SysCAD Software and Updates for more information Each client account has one main "admin user", the "admin user" can add or remove users in their group.
	File Sharing site: https://syscad-users.basecamphq.com/login	This site is set up for file sharing purposes between users and the SysCAD team. Each user has their own unique username & password. The SysCAD team needs to invite each user to the basecamp site. This website is OPTIONAL, some clients may not be able to access this website due to country/company internet policies. For information on how to upload/download shared files, please see File Transfers (Basecamp)

SysCAD Software Installation

Administrator or Local Administrator rights are usually required to install SysCAD and are required to install the SysCAD Crypkey licensing service software.

The steps to follow for a new installation:

1. To install SysCAD run "SysCAD 9.x Install Build13X.yyyyy.exe" from the downloaded files.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions, usually accepting the default options.
3. As part of the setup process, SysCAD will install the Crypkey Service required for licensing.
4. Installation Complete.

A start up icon for SysCAD will be installed on your desktop and Start menu.

For more information please refer to SysCAD Installation Instructions.

Start-up

To start SysCAD, double click on the SysCAD icon:

Multiple copies of SysCAD can be started on the same computer with a single stand-alone license; however, each instance of SysCAD can load one project only. With a multi-user network license, each copy of SysCAD started will use one of the available licenses.

Licensing

Without a valid SysCAD License, SysCAD will operate in Demo mode with restricted functionality. You can only build small projects and you will not be able to load most projects.

• The different types of licenses are described in some detail in SysCAD License Options
  • A site may have a combination of separate stand-alone and network licenses.
  • A site may have a combination of full and/or run-time licenses.
• Each license may potentially have different combinations of solver mode and add-on options selected.
  • SysCAD has two primary solver modes: Steady State (ProBal - mass and energy Process Balance) and Dynamic (time based simulations).
  • Please see SysCAD Structure for more information on the solver and add-ons.

Requesting a Software License

• If you are an existing SysCAD user with an existing SysCAD license, but would like to request a training license, please see this topic first: Training Preparation
• If you have downloaded the trial version of SysCAD, and would like to request a trial license, please see this topic: Trial User
• If you are a new SysCAD user with no existing SysCAD license, to obtain a short-term software SysCAD license:

1. With SysCAD started in demo mode, <menu command> “License\License Authorisation”

   

2. You will be shown a dialog box with a Site Code.

   

3. To send your Site Code to the SysCAD licensing team:
   • Option 1: (Build139 or later only) Click the button to automatically generate an email addressed to [email protected].
     Please note that this feature depends on your email configuration and IT permissions, and may not be available or functional for all users.
   • Option 2: Click the button to copy the Site Code to your clipboard, then paste it into an email addressed to [email protected].

   Important: Regardless of which option you use, please ensure that the Name, Company, and License Details fields at the end of the email are completed before sending your request.
   You can see a sample email below.

4. Within 1 business day, the SysCAD License Team will email back a Site Key (this is not auto-generated).
5. Once the site key is obtained, paste it in the license authorisation dialog box and press “Validate”.
6. When this is completed successfully, the SysCAD license files are stored in the license location folder.
7. Please note that each site code is unique, the corresponding site key is good for single use only. The site code will change when a license is issued (and again when a license expires).

Sample Subject Lines: - Providing a clear and descriptive subject line will also help us process your license request more efficiently. For Training licenses: Subject: <<insert company name>> - Standard Introductory Training course - <<insert scheduled training start date>> For Temporary licenses: Subject: <<insert company name>> - Temporary license - USB Key replacement

Sample information included in the email body: (The following information is automatically generated when clicking the Email Site Code or Copy to Clipboard buttons.) SysCAD Version:SysCAD 9.3 Build:139.37077 CrypKey Version:8.0 NGN Build:8058 Current License:Not Licensed License Info:Demo Mode License Location: C:\SysCAD139\License\ Date:24-Apr-2026 Site Code : XXXX XXXX XXXX XXXX XX Name: ⬅️ Company: ⬅️ Please enter details before sending your request License Details (Renewal, Training, etc.): ⬅️

Opening and solving a SysCAD Project

Many example projects are included as part of the SysCAD install. For a list of these example projects, please see: Example Projects

To open and run these example projects, users must have a valid SysCAD license (can be trial or full license). Some example projects may require additional add-ons and licensing options, such as energy balance, size distribution or species and thermodynamic model add-ons.

• Please see Example Projects - Required Add-On column for license option required to open and run the example project.
• Please see Licensing (above) for how to request for a license if required.

An example of how to open and run the ..\SysCADxxx\Examples\03 UnitModels\High Pressure Autoclave Leach Example.spf is given in the SysCADGettingStarted.pdf document, this document can be found in the SysCAD installation folder, e.g.: ..SysCADxxx\Tutorial folder. NOTE that this example project requires the Energy Balance Add-on.

The SysCADGettingStarted.pdf document gives a brief introduction on how to open and run an existing SysCAD project. The summary workflow is as follows:

From the Project menu, choose Open Project and then find the appropriate "project" in the SysCAD Examples sub-folder, in this case, it is \Examples\03 UnitModels\High Pressure Autoclave Leach Example.spf To open the project, click on the project.spj file located within the required project folder. SysCAD will then load the project. A SysCAD project normally consists of many windows as shown by the image, (Please see Windows for full view of the picture with descriptions.) These include: Graphics Windows - for flowsheeting Access Window - for data entry and displaying results - this is activated by right clicking on the graphics symbol on the graphics window Explorer Window - for navigating the project Message Window - for displaying any load time and runtime messages You may change any of the appropriate parameters in the Access Window You may solve the project by pressing the Run icon on the toolbar. The solver will stop when the project is solved (for a steady-state project) or reached its specified duration (for a dynamic project). Alternatively, the user can manually stop the solver by pressing the Stop icon on the toolbar. The model results can be exported to MS Excel for further analysis. To create a report, click on the ‘Report’ toolbar icon: to open the Excel Automation: Export Report and Import Data dialog box. Select a report from the list and press the 'Generate' button to update the report.

For full instructions of the above, please see the SysCADGettingStarted.pdf document.

Shutdown

SysCAD cannot be shut down if it is busy solving.

To shut down SysCAD:

1. If a project is being run, press the Stop icon on the toolbar (Or under Actions Command, select Stop).
2. Choose Exit under the Project menu.
3. Before exiting, SysCAD will prompt you whether to save the current project (Yes or No) or Cancel the exit request. If the project is marked as Read Only, you will need to save any changes using the Save As command before using the Exit command.

Next Step - SysCAD Tutorial Documentation

For more detailed instructions on how to use SysCAD please refer to the SysCADIntroductoryTutorial.pdf (found in the SysCAD installation folder, e.g.: ..SysCADxxx\Tutorial folder). This document is a step-by-step guide to assist the user when learning to build a SysCAD project. This is also a useful reference document for all SysCAD users.

This document covers many topics, including the following:

1. Creating a new project
2. Configuring and running the SysCAD Model
3. Adding a new species to the SysCAD project
4. Adding Reactions
5. Adding different types of control
6. Making changes to an existing project
7. Connecting flows between flowsheets
8. Creating Stream data reports

Please see topic Tutorial Overview for more information on the available tutorial files.