These instructions cover the main version upgrade from 2022 (28.0) to 2023 (29.0) of a Vertex CAD program installed on a file server.

Are you upgrading across multiple versions? Or do you want to keep the previous version in use just in case?

In these cases, install a fresh new version. See the instructions Upgrading Across Multiple Versions.



Backup Files


In general, the normal upgrade routine replaces only the system folder. It does not touch the user’s data storage (models, libraries and databases) in shared folder, nor the user’s environment files in custom folder. Nevertheless, we recommend that you make a full backup copy of your system before upgrading it. This can be done by copying the main folder of Vertex CAD program with its sub directories to another location on the disc or on a network server.

Vertex’s main folder, for example:

  • C:\vxg4 (Vertex G4 - one user installation in the root of the C drive)
  • D:\vertex\vxbd (Vertex BD - one user installation in the vertex folder of the D drive)
  • \\SERVER\vertex\vxg4plant_srv (Vertex G4 Plant - file server installation)



Prepare for the upgrade


You have received an email message about the program’s main version upgrade.

  • The message has been sent to the person that has been marked as responsible for maintenance in the customer register of Vertex Systems Oy.
  • The message includes a download link to the installation package and, if necessary, a download link to the program protection file (LICENSE.TXT) or the license server protection file file lt_llist.

Downloading the installation package:

  • Follow the instructions you have received to download the installation package, and save it to the C:\TEMP folder, for example.
  • Extract the compressed file as follows, for example: select the file and Extract All... from the right-click menu. (Extract All…).

Downloading the protection file:

  • The protection file is not needed, if NetVID licenses or a license server is used.
  • The download link is of the format: http://support.vertex.fi/lic/XXXYYYZZZ/LICENSE.ZIP.
  • Extract the zip file to access the protection file LICENSE.TXT. Save the file to C:\TEMP, for example, to wait until the upgrade program asks for it.

If you upgrade the program directly on the server, or on the same workstation from which you installed the file server originally, the installation program finds the installation and suggests the upgrade.

Installation path of the workstations

The upgrade program asks for the installation path of the workstations and always suggests C:\vx[..], where [..] is the application-dependent character string (for example C:\vxg4, C:\vxbd, C:\vxg4plant, C:\vxed).

  • Usually the default path is correct.
  • You can check the correct path from one of the workstations, or you can view the file
    \\SERVER\vertex\vx[..]_srv\Client_Install\bin\install.ini
    and check the keyword path= .

If a local license server is used

The upgrade program should not ask for the license server and the port number.

However, if needed, this information can be found in the file
\\SERVER\vertex\vx[..]_srv\user\setup.clt
from the keyword lserver= 

  • For example:
    \\SERVER\vertex\vxg4_srv\user\setup.clt
    lserver= "SERVER:2003"



Upgrade to server


Start the upgrade

  • Double-click the installation program install.exe in the installation package.
  • Confirm the installation if prompted by Windows.


Select the installation language

  • Select the same language that was used when the program was installed earlier.
  • Please note, that there are separate upgrade packages for Finnish and English, for example.


Select Vertex Servers

  • The network user license is linked to the server installation, so the server must be installed first.
  • The client license is automatically upgraded when the program is started on the workstation after the server is upgraded.


Select Network Server


Accept the license agreement



Accept the data collection agreement

The program sends user information to Vertex Systems Oy during the use of the program.

  • This data is used for verifying the software license (NetVID license).
  • The data is also used for improving the software quality and user experience.
  • This data contains but is not limited to IP address and certain unique identifiers for your system.



Select Update from version

  • Note: If this question does not come up, but the program only proposes installation, then stop the upgrade.
  • In this case, you must find the computer from which the server was installed, or:
  • Upgrade according to the instructions Upgrade Across Multiple Versions.

This question only appears if there are Network Server installations on the computer (the installation was done from this computer even if the server itself is somewhere else).


License file location folder

This only applies to HASP protected workstations. 

  • If all licenses are shared from the license server, skip this step.
  • If you are using a NetVID license, skip this step.
  • Enter the location of the protection file LICENSE.TXT, if you use workstation-specific HASP protection modules. If necessary, you can later save the LICENSE.TXT file in the user folder of the Vertex installation on the file server, for example:
    • \\SERVER\vertex\vxg4_srv\user (Vertex G4 Mechanical Engineering)
    • \\SERVER\vertex\vxbd_srv\user (Vertex BD Building Design)
    • \\SERVER\vertex\vxed_srv\user (Vertex ED Electrical Design)
    • \\SERVER\vertex\vxg4plant_srv\user (Vertex G4 Plant and Piping Design)


You can also skip this step and copy the LICENSE.TXT file to the folder vx[..]_srv/user on the server after the upgrade.



Check the installation data

  • Check the installation folder, the language of the software package, and the license server information (if a license server is used).



Enter the workstation license installation path

  • First, check the installation path of the workstations from the previous installations.
  • Accept (or enter) the installation path on the workstations.
    Default:
    C:\vx[..]\
    [..] describes the application

An example of the folder path of a workstation license:

  • C:\vxg4 (default folder of Vertex G4)
  • D:\vertex\vxg4plant (Vertex G4 Plant on the D drive in the folder vertex\vxg4plant)
  • C:\CAD\vxed (Vertex ED on the drive C in the folder CAD\vxed)
  • C:\2900\vxbd (Vertex BD on the C drive in the folder 2900\vxbd)


Installation done

  • Confirm by clicking Finish.
  • You will be instructed to install the client licenses.
    • You are prompted to connect the protection modules in the ports on the workstations. The protection modules are not needed, if a license server or NetVID licenses are used.



Upgrading the workstations


Start the program by double-clicking the shortcut icon as usual

  • Go to the workstation.
  • Start Vertex G4 by double-clicking the shortcut icon.

  • The program asks you to confirm that you want to run the installation. You must have permissions to install the program in the folder defined by the installation program.

  • If the execution stops here, it may be caused by inadequate user permissions. Ask for a person who has administrator credentials and permissions to install the program on the computer.




Do not use the command file client.bat to upgrade the workstations.

If you try to install the program using the command file vxg4_srv\Client_Install\client.bat on the server instead of upgrading, you will receive the following error message.

If you clear the installation folder, you will lose all your preferences, backups, and browser favorites that have been saved on your workstation.

For completely new workstations, you can install the program using the client.bat command file.





Install the HASP driver

  • If the license server is the licensing method, this question is not prompted.
  • If you are using a NetVID license, select No.

  • If you are using a HASP module, and Vertex has been previously installed on the computer, select No.

    • The driver has already been installed earlier and you do not have to reinstall it.

  • See the installation of the HASP driver in the section Protection Module on the page Licensing Methods of Vertex CAD Software.


Installation done

  • Confirm by clicking Finish.
  • Start the program by double-clicking the shortcut icon. The first start up will take some time as the the necessary files are copied from the server to the local installation folder.