StoneCAD® Frequently Asked Questions

StoneCAD® 4.0

Q.How do I upgrade to version 5.0?
A.From within StoneCAD, you can access Help menu > Check for Updates. Alternatively, you can go to Start Menu > All Programs > StoneCAD > Check for Updates. If you did not register StoneCAD® when you initially installed the application these two methods will not work. Instead, using the Internet, you can point your browser to the following url: http://www.culturedstone.com/stonecad/
Q. How do I install AutoCAD® Hatch Patterns (version 4.0 and newer of StoneCAD)?
A.

Version 4.0 of StoneCAD® introduced a new and easier way to install Hatch Patterns. StoneCAD® now includes pattern files for multiple CAD applications, not just AutoCAD®! After you've installed StoneCAD, run the application. Click on the “Hatch” icon from the Menu Bar.

For Windows users, StoneCAD® will search for installed CAD applications. If StoneCAD® successfully identifies CAD applications, it can install patterns into the appropriate locations. Click on the Hatch Target tab on the left of the screen, which will enter into the Automatic mode if known applicaitons are found. In the Automatic mode window, you can pull down the CAD Application menu item to reveal all the CAD applications that StoneCAD® found. In the main Hatch window, click the action button adjacent to the name of each pattern you'd like to install (in the Status column). Next click on the Save icon in the black bar at the top of the main Hatch window. The selected action buttons should have changed from green to black. The patterns are now installed. See “How do I access installed Patterns” below for AutoCAD® instructions.

If StoneCAD® did not identify any CAD applications or if you are on a Macintosh computer, the navigational window on the right will enter into Manual mode. Click the “Select Application” button to associate StoneCAD® with your target CAD application. After you've associated StoneCAD® with the CAD application, follow the instructions listed above in the Hatch Info tab for installation of the patterns.

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StoneCAD® 3.2

Q.Will StoneCAD® 3.2 patterns work with the current versions of AutoCAD®?
A.No, StoneCAD® 4.0 or higher is required for any version of AutoCAD® newer than version 14.
Q.My computer says I need a minimum of 3 MBs of virtual memory. I have lots of RAM. What's wrong?
A.Versions 3.2 and older of StoneCAD® will report this error on computers running Windows 2000 or Windows XP, which have more than 512 MBs of RAM. It's a known bug with the version of Macromedia Director, which powers StoneCAD®. The only fix is to upgrade to version 5.0 of StoneCAD®. Please visit http://www.culturedstone.com/stonecad/ to order an update. A workaround to obtain needed assets while waiting for your new version to arrive is to explore the \export directory on the StoneCAD® CD-ROM. Contained within this directory are most of the assets used by StoneCAD®. The assets are organized in subdirectories by the type of content.

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Older versions of StoneCAD®

Q.How do I install AutoCAD® Hatch Patterns (versions 1.1 thru 3.2 of StoneCAD®)?
A.

Hatch Patterns are installed using the StoneCAD® Pattern Selector Application. After you've run the Setup.exe from the root of the StoneCAD® CD, the default location to launch the Pattern Selector is Start > Programs > StoneCAD > StoneCAD Pattern Selector. For AutoCAD® 2000 and newer the patterns included with StoneCAD® versions older than version 3.2 will result in an AutoCAD® crash. Please update your copy of StoneCAD® by visiting http://www.culturedstone.com/stonecad/

Q.How do I install Hatch Patterns (version 1.0 of StoneCAD®)?
A.

Hatch Patterns need to be added to your “acad.pat” file. This is a text file that AutoCAD® uses which gives the mathematical definitions of hatch patterns. “Acad.pat” can be opened in any text editing program (WordPad or NotePad will do). Before modifying this file it is recommended you first save a backup copy.

The “acad.pat” file is typically located within the following file structure: [drive:]acad\support\. You can use the Find File utility under your Start menu to locate this file if necessary. Make a note as to where this file is located.

From within your text editor, open one of the .pat files from the StoneCAD® CD. These are located in a folder called “pats” on the CD-ROM. Any of these files are acceptable, with the exception of “cstlstn.pat” (an updated version of this file is available for download at ftp://ftp.stonecad.com/updates/...). Use Edit > Select All and then Edit > Copy the selection. Open the “acad.pat” file we located earlier. Insert your cursor at the very end (you may need to scroll to the bottom of the window) of this file. Use the Edit > Paste command and then File > Save. The pattern will now be available in AutoCAD®. Repeat the above steps for each of the files contained within the “pats” folder on the StoneCAD® CD.

NOTES:

AutoCAD Lite® uses a file named “acadlt.pat” or “aclt.pat” rather than “acad.pat.” Otherwise these instructions remain the same.

If you use any AutoCAD® extensions, such as ASG, the location of your active “acad.pat” file may be different than what is stated above. Consult the manuals for your extension relative to the name and location of the active pattern file.

Q.How can I register StoneCAD®  version 4?
A.

When StoneCAD® runs, the first thing it checks is to see if it has been registered to that machine previously. If it has not been registered, you will be prompted to register the program either electronically (via the internet) or by fax. If your machine is configured to connect to the Internet, clicking on the Electronic button will automatically launch your Internet browser. Simply fill in the form and click on the submit button. You will be automatically sent a registration code. The next time you run StoneCAD®, type this code into the Serial Number box and click on the “Register” button.

By registering StoneCAD® you can be assured you will be kept up to date on new releases of StoneCAD® and changes to the product line of Cultured Stone.

Q.How do I contact Cultured Stone if I have problems?
A.

Owens Corning is committed in releasing top quality software products. For this reason we have completed extensive testing of StoneCAD® prior to its release.
Although we do not anticipate any “bugs,” occasionally we come across a system configuration we had not anticipated. If your questions cannot be answered by this FAQ or other areas of this website, please visit http://projects.vizfx.com/stonecad/support/.

NOTE:

We cannot answer questions about the operation of your CAD program. Please contact the manufacturer of your CAD program for instructions on how to use that program.

General

Q.What is the difference between StoneCAD® and Exterior FX®?
A.

StoneCAD® is a tool intended for the professional designer who uses electronic tools, such as CAD, 3D modeling/animation, or video/image editing applications. StoneCAD® includes digital representations of Cultured Stone products, which can be imported into other applications for the preparation of presentation or construction documents. StoneCAD® is the tool for designers wanting to incorporate Cultured Stone into documents used to explain the construction of a proposed project.

Exterior FX® is a tool used to digitally apply Cultured Stone and other Owens Corning exterior products to two-dimensional photography. Almost any digital photograph of existing construction can be enhanced to show how the project might appear with Owens Corning products.

Q.How can I get a copy of StoneCAD® or Exterior FX®?
A.

You can get a copy of StoneCAD® online by visiting the Get the latest version of StoneCAD® page on this site. You can learn about obtaining a copy of Exterior FX® by visiting the Exterior FX® Pro site.

Q.What is FirePlace Design Solutions® and how can I get a copy of that application?
A.

Fireplace Design Solutions® (FPDS) is an application tailored specifically for the purpose of visualizing and studying “what if” scenarios for the application of Cultured Stone to fireplaces, barbecues, and chimneys. FPDS is designed to be an easy to use application to pre-visualize 3-dimensional models of the most common designs. The user can interactively modify the major elements of the design, including the Cultured Stone® veneer, mantles, hearths, and fireplace surrounds. Once a design has been created with FPDS, the application allows the user to create professional materials estimates required to construct the design. The raw data from the material estimates can be exported to a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to create an inclusive cost estimate for the construction of the proposed design.

For instructions on how to obtain a copy of FPDS, please visit the Fireplace Design Solutions® page on this site.

If your question(s) have not been answered by this FAQ and you are experiencing difficulty, please visit http://projects.vizfx.com/stonecad/support/.

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