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Latest SysCAD Version: 13 May 2026 - SysCAD Build 139.37082

Related Links: Project Structure, Relative File Path, SysCAD Installation

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Introduction

When SysCAD is installed, it creates a number of folders and files essential for its operation. To ensure SysCAD functions correctly, certain files must remain in their designated locations. The default name for the main installation folder is typically SysCADxxx (e.g. "SysCAD139").

SysCAD is not designed as a lean client, meaning it must be installed directly on the computer that will run it. Users cannot install SysCAD on a separate machine or server and then run it locally from another device. However, it is acceptable to install SysCAD on a remote computer and access it using Remote Desktop or similar remote access tools.

To illustrate the function and necessity of these folders and files, an example install is used and the sample file location tree is as follows:

In this layout, the following two folders mandatory and must reside within the main SysCAD folder. These contain the core system and executable files required for SysCAD to run. \BaseFiles \bin Other folders, such as those for documentation, examples, or licensing, can be moved or deleted if necessary. If the license has already been issued and stored in the current license folder, deleting that folder will also remove the active license. If the SysCAD license is stored elsewhere, such as on a network drive or in a different directory, it is safe to delete the license folder from the main installation. The folders are explained in the following sections.

NOTE:

• It is strongly recommended to install SysCAD on a local drive using a path like C:\SysCAD139. Installing it under Program Files or on synced cloud drives (e.g., OneDrive or Dropbox) should be avoided. These locations can cause file permission issues and may alter the license folder path, potentially corrupting the license file.

Base Files Folder

This folder MUST always be present and must not be renamed. Full user access permissions are required in this folder. When SysCAD is installed, it places all the distributed data files in the BaseFiles folder. These include: Fonts folder - The Fonts folder contains font shape(.shp) files that define the appearance of text in the Graphics commands Insert Text and Change Text. These files are only compatible with SysCAD versions starting from Build 139.34893. Older versions of SysCAD do not use these files. Symbols folder - contains all the standard drawing symbols available in SysCAD. TemplateReports folder - contains the report templates. These templates are used to auto create "02GeneralReport.xlsx" and "04DetailedReport.xlsx" for each project. User can modify these templates to their reporting standards. (If these are modified, please keep a backup in the BaseFilesUser Folder so they do not get overridden in the event of re-installing SysCAD at the same location.) Default.93.db3 - The default species database containing a species table that is available to all users. IonList.txt - This file is a backup file for TCE projects that need an ion list file. When the ion list.txt file is not in the TCE project group, this file will be added to the project automatically. SysCADSymbolsList.pdf - This file contains a list of the drawing symbols available in SysCAD (i.e.: BaseFiles\Symbols folder). The purpose of this file is for user to view the available symbols without having to scroll down the list one at a time. (NOTE: New Symbols maybe added to SysCAD from time to time, this file may not contain all the symbols.) QuickViewDefaults.2.ini - a file used to define default tag lists for Quick View for each model type. In addition it contains a number of templates for the text based (controller and reaction) files. All files stored in this folder should be treated as global data files, that is, any projects can access these reference files. No user specific files should be placed in this folder, they should go in BaseFilesUser. These files are supplied by SysCAD and can be overwritten or updated at any time (a new install, SysCAD update, etc.). A recommended practice before installing a major update is to delete the contents of the BaseFiles folder so that no "old" or "obsolete" files are unintentionally retained. If this folder is deleted, SysCAD will not run.

Base Files User Folder

This folder is used to store user preferences, settings, custom conversions and user defined symbols. If SysCAD is re-installed, it will NOT overwrite any files stored in this folder.

This folder is used to store users defined Graphics Symbols. These symbols will be available for use in SysCAD in the same list as the standard symbols. When moving to a new computer, you can copy your Symbols between PCs.

Bin Folder

This folder MUST always be present and must not be removed - SysCAD will not run if this folder is missing.

When SysCAD is installed, it places all the program files in the bin folder. These include:

• SysCAD93.exe
• Dynamic Link Libraries (dlls)
• DLLs for users with custom add-ons
• COM Type Libraries (tlb) files

Please see SysCAD Files for a more detailed list of the files present in this folder.

If the user wishes to upgrade to the latest SysCAD version, but not run a full install, then they can unzip the upgraded SysCAD bin files into this folder.

Examples Folder

When SysCAD is installed a number of Example projects are stored in this folder . These projects have been setup to demonstrate features and functionalities in SysCAD, or to show some common circuits used by specific industries. For example: The 02 Features sub-folder contains projects on how to set up or use solubility, makeup, or demand. The 03 UnitModels sub-folder contain projects on how to set up flash trains, solvent extraction circuits, counter current circuits, etc. The 10 Alumina sub-folder will show some common circuits used by the alumina industry. The 40 Nickel sub-folder has a demonstration project for a simplified Ni-Cu plant. These projects may provide users with a basic starting point for new projects. For example, if a user wishes to create a SysCAD model of an Ammonia plant, then they could create a copy of the Example Ammonia plant and use that as the basis for a more complex model. This folder may be deleted or moved. A recommended practice before installing a major update is to delete the contents of the Examples folder so that no "old" or "obsolete" projects and files are unintentionally retained.

Please NOTE that some projects would require additional add-on (and license option) to run. See Example Projects and Project Structure for more information.

License Folder

This folder contains files required for the SysCAD license.

• Full user access permissions are required in this folder.
• This is the default license location and contains all of the licensing files.
• User may move this folder to another location or rename it before the license is issued and then browse to the new location the first time that SysCAD is opened (thereafter the software will remember the location).
• The license does NOT normally need to be upgraded when SysCAD is upgraded.

Note: This folder may be deleted, moved or renamed, only if the license is NOT stored in this folder or it has not yet been issued. Once a license has been issued to this location, the folder must not be moved or renamed. If either of these steps is carried out the SysCAD license will be lost.

Setup Folder

This folder contains files used during SysCAD set up or for future use. The setup folder includes several sub-folders with software that works in tandem with SysCAD. Some of this software is installed when SysCAD is installed, but it is also available here for reinstallation if needed. These include: MS VC Redist - SysCAD requires up-to-date Microsoft Visual C++ Redistributable files to function correctly. Reaction Editor - The SysCAD reaction editor can be updated separately. Other folders that are not automatically installed but can be manually installed or used by users include: AQSol Demo folder - For users evaluating AQSol in demonstration mode, they need to run the install within this folder before running the AQSol example projects. LicenseUtility folder - The files in this folder can be used to test/authorise the SysCAD license. Please see License Authorisation using Licensing Utility for more information. Network license Client/Server folders - these are for users with network licenses, please see Network License for instructions on how to use these files. NotePad++ / TextPad / VSCode_PGM_Extension folders: We recommend using Notepad++ or VSCode as the default text editor for editing PGM files. These editors offer several advantages over the standard text editor installed with Windows. Notepad++: Contains installation and syntax files for Notepad++. See Notepad++ for detailed instructions. VSCode: The installation files can be downloaded online. Once VScode is installed, user must run the PGM extension file to use it in SysCAD. The extension file is stored in the VSCode_PGM_Extension folder. See Using VS Code for detailed instructions. OPC setup folder is for user with dynamic license and SysCAD Marshal (OPC) Add-on. See Getting Started with OPC Server and Client for more information. Met Dynamics folder - Available from Build 139.37028. For users using the Met Dynamics add-on, they can use the Excel version here (requires a license from Met Dynamics). This folder may be deleted or moved.

Tutorial Folder

This folder contains files used as part of the standard SysCAD steady state training courses. Various training and reference documents can be found in this folder, including the Introductory Tutorial, Getting Started and Quick Reference documents. See Steady State Introductory Tutorial for more information. All the tutorial projects are using the same "CfgFiles" folder. Each project in this folder corresponds to a section of the tutorial documentation. These projects can be used as starting points during training if required. This folder may be deleted or moved. For more information on the Tutorial documentation, please see Tutorial Overview

CfgFiles Folder

Each "Project Group" should contain a Cfgfiles folder (An example of a project group is give above: Tutorial Folder)

The CfgFiles Folder should contain:

1. SysCAD.93.db3 - The project Species database containing species data used by the project group.
2. One or more configuration files with extension cfg. For example: Basic.cfg or NickelCopper.cfg

The project group Species data base file and the project configuration file used by the project must be stored in the same folder.

Other files that maybe stored in the cfgfiles folder are: CnvDefaults.ini - to stored user selected conversion units (for access window display) Options.CopyBlockData.ini - for Data transfer QuickViewFormats.2.ini - to store user defined Quick View entries.

SysCAD Project Folder

• SysCAD project folder has the extension .spf (syscad project folder). This extension should not be deleted.
• The SysCAD project folder contain a number of files, including:
  1. Model files - ModelData.db3, stores the project model data.
  2. Graphics files - in subfolder \DocsGraphics with DXF and SCG files (always in pairs). The SCG file is used to load the DXF into SysCAD.
  3. Trend and Control Trend documents - in subfolder \DocsTrend with TRN and TRC files.
  4. TagList documents - in subfolder \DocsTagList with LST files.
  5. Control files - in subfolder \Controls with PGM and MP files (used by General Controller and Model Procedures).
  6. Reactions files - in subfolder \Reactions with RCT files.
  7. Report documents - in subfolder \Reports. Used to store SysCAD reports, typically Excel Reports.
  8. Print documents - in subfolder \Print. Created when Print commands are used.
  9. Exported Symbol files - stored in sub folder \Symbols. Created when Export All Symbols command is used.
  10. Backup files - Backup.CfgFiles.2.zip and Backup.RmtFiles.zip. Used to store a copy of the CFG files and any remote files used by the project.
  11. Historian files - Histxxxx.xxx. Used to store data when Historian is enabled.
  12. Controls.Data file- contains PGM & MP data.
  13. Various Project INI files
  14. Project.spj file. SysCAD requires this file to load the project. This file must not be renamed.

SysCAD Files

Most of the SysCAD created files are essential and care should be taken to keep these files in the correct location.

The following files are required to run SysCAD or are used for related functionality:

Executable

SysCADxxx\bin\SysCADxxx.exe

Main SysCAD Files (Dynamic Link Libraries)

SysCADxxx\Bin\DevLib.dll

SysCADxxx\Bin\DevLibEx.dll

SysCADxxx\Bin\DevUtils.dll

SysCADxxx\Bin\FlwLib.dll

SysCADxxx\Bin\FlwSlv.dll

SysCADxxx\bin\KWDB.dll

SysCADxxx\Bin\MdlBase.dll

SysCADxxx\Bin\ScDDESrvr.dll

SysCADxxx\Bin\ScdIF93.dll

SysCADxxx\Bin\ScdLib.dll

SysCADxxx\Bin\ScdOPCSrv.dll

SysCADxxx\Bin\ScdSlv93.dll

SysCADxxx\Bin\ScExec.dll

SysCADxxx\Bin\ScHist.dll

SysCADxxx\Bin\scOPCsrv.dll

SysCADxxx\Bin\sqlite3.dll

SysCADxxx\Bin\TagDocDB.dll

SysCADxxx\Bin\UnZip32.dll

SysCADxxx\Bin\Zip32.dll

SysCADxxx\bin\xxx.dll (Model libraries e.g. Basic1.dll Control1.dll, Piping1.dll...)

Command to register SysCAD files (COM_Automation and SysCAD Marshal)

SysCADxxx\Bin\Elevate.cmd

SysCADxxx\Bin\RegAll.cmd

SysCADxxx\Bin\RegAll_Direct.cmd

SysCADxxx\Bin\RegAll_Verbose.cmd

SysCADxxx\Bin\UnregAll_Direct.cmd

NOTE: This group of files are added during full SysCAD installation, they are not supplied with Bin update files.

SysCAD Files for COM Automation (COM Automation)

SysCADxxx\Bin\ScdSlv93.tlb

SysCADxxx\Bin\ScdIF93.tlb

SysCADxxx\Bin\SysCADxxx.tlb

SysCAD Marshal files (SysCAD Marshal)

SysCADxxx\Bin\SysCADMarshal93.exe

SysCADxxx\Bin\SysCADMarshal93_ps.dll

OPC Server Test files

SysCADxxx\Bin\ScdIODB.exe

SysCAD data files

SysCADxxx\BaseFiles\Default.93.db3

SysCADxxx\BaseFiles\Symbols\*.*

SysCADxxx\BaseFiles\Template.inc.pgm

SysCADxxx\BaseFiles\Template.1.pgm

SysCADxxx\BaseFiles\Template.rct

SysCADxxx\BaseFiles\TemplateReports\SteadyStateGeneral.xlsx

SysCADxxx\BaseFiles\TemplateReports\SteadyStateDetailed.xlsx

SysCADxxx\BaseFilesUser\Conversions.db3

SysCADxxx\BaseFilesUser\Symbols\*.*

SysCADxxx\BaseFilesUser\SysCAD.Machine.ini

SysCADxxx\BaseFilesUser\SysCAD.User.xxxx.ini

SysCAD License Files (Licensing)

SysCADxxx\License\README.TXT

SysCADxxx\License\CKS.exe (Used by SetupEx.exe)

SysCADxxx\License\SetupEx.exe (The CrypKey License Service Setup Install program)

SysCADxxx\License\SetupEx_Force.cmd (Force install, see Re-installing Crypkey)

SysCADxxx\License\SysCAD.exe (required)

SysCADxxx\License\crp32002.ngn (required)

SysCADxxx\License\SysCAD.CIHS (created)

SysCADxxx\License\SysCAD.ckn (created)