Communicator for BricsCAD - Getting started

Communicator for BricsCAD is an optional plug-in for Pro and higher license levels of BricsCAD that imports and exports 3D data between major CAD formats. Its high-quality conversions facilitate the re-use of 3D CAD data to improve productivity and reduce project costs.

Starting with BricsCAD V27, Communicator for BricsCAD file formats are available in the IMPORT, OPEN and EXPORT commands without requiring a separate Communicator for BricsCAD license.

The available format support depends on the active BricsCAD license level.

  • BricsCAD Pro and BricsCAD BIM include STEP and IGES formats. For additional formats a Communicator for BricsCAD license is required.
  • BricsCAD Mechanical and BricsCAD Ultimate include all the Communicator for BricsCAD file formats.
Format support License level
Pro BIM Mechanical Ultimate
STEP import/export/open ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
IGES import/export/open ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Additional formats (based on the OS type) Requires Communicator for BricsCAD license Requires Communicator for BricsCAD license ✓ ✓
Note: After you download and install Communicator for BricsCAD, these formats become available. No additional license or activation is required. If Communicator for BricsCAD is not installed, a warning message is displayed in the Command line when you select one of these formats using the IMPORT, OPEN, or EXPORT command.

Downloading and installing Communicator for BricsCAD

  1. Do one of the following:
    • Click the Download Communicator button in Start page > Right-side tab.
    • Launch the LICENSEMANAGER command. In the BricsCAD License Manager dialog box click the Download button next to Communicator for BricsCAD.

    The BricsCAD website is displayed. If necessary log in to your account.

  2. Select the platform and version in the drop-down buttons below the Download Communicator for BricsCAD button.
    Note: By default, the most recent version is selected. The minor versions of BricsCAD and Communicator for BricsCAD should match when available, see the Compatibility between Communicator for BricsCAD and BricsCAD article for more information.
  3. Click the Download Communicator for BricsCAD button once the desired version is displayed in the button.

Activating a Communicator for BricsCAD license

Note: The Communicator for BricsCAD license is required only when you want to access additional Communicator for BricsCAD formats except STEP or IGES with BricsCAD Pro and BricsCAD BIM.
  1. Launch the LICENSEMANAGER command.
    The BricsCAD License Manager dialog box displays.
  2. Next to Communicator for BricsCAD, click Manage License.
  3. The License Manager > Activate BricsCAD Communicator dialog box displays.
    • Click Activate Trial to activate Communicator for BricsCAD trial license online.
    • Click Activate Now… and do one of the following:
      • Type a valid Communicator for BricsCAD license key into the License Key field if you are using a single-user license.
        Tip: Retrieve your key from the My Licenses section in your account (see also the Where can I find my licenses? article).
      • Type the server name or local IP address of the license server if you are using a network license.
  4. Click the OK button to activate the license.
Note:
  • To activate Communicator for BricsCAD license offline see: Offline/manual activation (Trial) or Offline/manual activation (Single-user license).
  • To activate Communicator for BricsCAD network license on the license server see: Online activation (Network license) or Offline/manual activation (Network license).