Install F/X CAD 2020
The following steps are for installing F/X CAD 2020 on a computer that already has Land F/X installed.
F/X CAD is a CAD platform for your Land F/X licenses, sold and supported by us. More information about F/X CAD.
Quick video
Step 1: Prerequisites
To complete this installation, you will need:
Your Land F/X Support ID*.
Your Serial Number and Product Key*.
*You or your office will have received your Support ID, Serial Number, and Product Key in an email from Land F/X.
The current location of your LandFX folder, as well as where you plan to store it.
Don't have a LandFX folder? You'll need to install Land F/X before installing F/X CAD using one of the following sets of steps:
- Install Land F/X with Cloud Data – Multi-User or Single-User
- Install Land F/X with Local Data:
F/X CAD requires a robust computer in order to function properly.
Take a look at our system requirements.
Installing in an office that uses Land F/X on a central server or shared folder and has multiple users?
If so, you'll need to install F/X CAD 2020 locally on each individual workstation. Do not install F/X CAD on your server or network share.
Installing on a Mac? You'll need to install virtual software such as Parallels or VMware Fusion and a Windows operating system first.
Before installing F/X CAD 2020, verify that you do not have:
- AutoCAD or F/X CAD 2020 installed on your computer – even a trial version.
- A previous version of Land F/X Workstation on your computer. Check for and uninstall Land F/X Workstation.
Important: Do not uninstall the F/X Server component – only F/X Workstation.
As part of our licensing agreement with Autodesk, F/X CAD requires a licensed installation of Land F/X.
If you do not have a Land F/X license, you will be unable to use F/X CAD until you obtain one.
Installing as a trial? We are only able to offer a 30-day trial for F/X CAD. We are unable to offer extensions.
Step 2: Install Land F/X (if you haven't already)
For F/X CAD to function properly, you'll need to have Land F/X installed. Do you already have Land F/X installed?
Upgrading from a previous version, or don't know whether or not you already have Land F/X installed?
If you're upgrading to F/X CAD 2020 from another version of F/X CAD or AutoCAD you've already been using with Land F/X, you likely have Land F/X installed already, with a LandFX folder on your computer, on a shared online drive, or an office server. If this is a new computer or user at an office that's already using Land F/X, you also likely have Land F/X already installed to a shared LandFX folder.
In either of these cases, skip straight to Step 3 to just install F/X CAD 2020.
Do you have Single-User or Multi-User Land F/X?
- Single-User Land F/X: If you only have Land F/X installed on your computer and do not access it via a central server or shared online folder, move on to Step 3: Download and extract the installer.
- Multi-User Land F/X: If you access Land F/X via a central server or shared online folder:
- First, follow our steps to map a letter drive for Land F/X
- You can then move on to Step 3: Download and extract the installer.
Mapping a letter drive to your LandFX folder is absolutely crucial for Multi-User installations.
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Do you plan to use Cloud Data or Local Data?
- Cloud Data (Multi-User or Single-User):
- Local Data:
Which one should I choose?
Cloud Data or Local Data:
If your office has a dependable Internet connection, we recommend Cloud Data in most cases. Our Cloud Data installation steps are the same for Multi-User and Single-User Land F/X.
Multi-User or Single-User Land F/X:
If you have to (or prefer to) use Local Data:
- Use our
- Multi-User, Local Data steps if your office has multiple Land F/X users who access, or will be accessing, Land F/X from a central server or network drive.
- Otherwise, you can use our Single-User, Local Data steps if you only plan to install Land F/X on your computer and won't be using a server or network drive, but we still recommend opting for Cloud Data if you have a reliable Internet connection.
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Step 3: Download and extract the installer
3A. Close any instances of AutoCAD or F/X CAD you currently have open.
3B. After ensuring you don't have any versions of CAD open, right-click the F/X CAD 2020 Installer download link below.
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Select "Save Target As" or "Save Link As" from the menu that opens, and save the file to your desktop.
The installer is quite a large piece of software. Please allow 10 to 30 minutes for the download to complete.
3C. Go to your desktop, and double-click the file fxcad2020.64.1.
If you clicked the download link directly, this file will likely be in your Downloads folder.
Error 1603
Are you seeing an Error 1603 message after attempting to run the installer? If so, here's what to do.
At this point, you might see the following message: Do you want to allow this app from an unknown publisher to make changes to your PC?
If so, click Yes.
Step 4: Install F/X CAD
4A. Click Install when prompted.
4B. Select I Accept to accept the agreement.
Then click Next.
4C. Click Install.
F/X CAD will now begin to install. Please allow between 5 and 20 minutes for the installation to complete.
If you now see the Locate F/X Server Installation dialog box, pictured to the left, it means that F/X Workstation is:
- Not installed on your computer already, or
- Has to be replaced
If so, use the link below for instructions.
If you now see the Locate F/X Server Installation dialog box, F/X Workstation is not installed already or has to be replaced.
Click Browse to browse to your LandFX folder.
You'll see a visibility notice informing you that you may not be able to see your mapped letter drive in the next dialog box.
Read the instructions and click OK to proceed.
You'll be brought to the Browse for Folder dialog box (pictured below). Browse to your LandFX folder, select it, and click OK.
Multi-User Land F/X: Your LandFX folder will be on the letter drive you mapped in Step 2 above.
Single-User LandF/X: Your LandFX folder will likely be on your computer's C: drive.
- If you are able to browse to and select a legitimate LandFX folder, the F/X Workstation installer will copy into that folder and run automatically when you click OK. If so, you can then move on to Step 5: Configure F/X Workstation.
- If you can't locate your Land F/X folder, click Cancel.
If you cancel the dialog box pictured above, you'll be prompted that you need to connect F/X CAD to your existing Land F/X installation.
Click the link to Install the F/X Workstation Component Using setup_FXWorkstation.exe.
You'll then be brought to a folder containing a file named setup_FXWorkstation or setup_FXWorkstation.exe.
Drag this file into the LandFX folder on your server or shared online location, replacing any existing setup_FXWorkstation files in the same location.
You should now be able to proceed to Step 5: Configure F/X Workstation.
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F/X Workstation is already installed. Please uninstall it from Programs and Features.
Did you receive this message, and the installer cancelled and closed? Here's what to do:
1. Uninstall the Land F/X Workstation component.
2. Double-click the F/X CAD installer file (fxcad2020.64.exe) again, and install F/X CAD. You should now be able to complete the installation.
Other errors or issues?
- F/X CAD not installing correctly, or shutting down after installation Troubleshooting steps
- A red "NO" sign to the left of the F/X CAD checkbox Solution
- Please install DirectX before installing AutoCAD 2020 Solution
- Error message containing the text /SecondRun and /FirstRunThreadld Solution
- Install Incomplete. Please click the link to open a webpage to wrap up your installation before continuing. Solution
- Menus not loaded. We were unable to automatically set the appropriate menus for this F/X CAD installation. Please click the link below to visit our guide to do so. Solution
- Unable to Set License Type. F/X CAD Prep failed to set the License Type automatically. You will need to select Enter a Serial Number on license selection dialog manually. Solution
Step 5: Configure F/X Workstation
After completing Step 4, you may be brought to the F/X Workstation installer.
Multi-User Land F/X
Use these steps if you have Multi-User Land F/X installed on either:
- An office server, or
- A shared online location using a service such as Dropbox.
5A. (Multi-User): If you don't have the correct Land F/X menus installed, you should now see a folder that contains a file named setup_FXWorkstation.exe.
Copy this file into your LandFX folder on your server or shared online folder. If prompted to replace the existing file, click Yes.
You can then drag the dowloaded file into your LandFX folder as shown above.
5B. (Multi-User): Run (double-click) the setup_FXWorkstation.exe file from within your LandFX folder.
5C. (Multi-User)
Welcome Screen: Click Next.
5D. (Multi-User) License Agreement: Scroll down and select Accept if you agree.
5E. (Multi-User) F/X Server Network Location
Because you're using F/X CAD with Multi-User Land F/X, you'll need to point it to your LandFX folder on your shared mapped letter drive.
Click Browse. Browse to and select your LandFX folder, then click Next.
Important: It is absolutely crucial to navigate to the correct location of your LandFX folder during this step. What is the LandFX folder?
Error message: Could not connect to database 'landfx' on server XXXXXX with user 'ODBC'. Continue anyway? Solution
Don't know the location of your LandFX folder? Click the Can't locate your LandFX folder? button.
Don't see the letter drive for your LandFX folder when browsing? Here's what to do.
Don't have a letter drive mapped for your LandFX folder? See our article on How to map a letter drive for the LandFX folder
5F. (Multi-User) Database Server Name
You might see a screen asking for your Database Server Name.
Enter the name of your F/X Data Server, then click Next.
Don't see this screen? Move on to the next step.
Your F/X Data Server name may consist of an IP address or hostname, depending on what you've've been using previously. The quickest way to check is to open CAD on another Land F/X workstation and follow our instructions to locate your LandFX folder and Project Data Server. Whatever you see listed as your Project Data Server is what you should enter here.
5G. (Multi-User) Ready to Install the Program
Click Install.
Please allow a few minutes for the installation to complete.
5H. (Multi-User) InstallShield Wizard Completed
Click Finish.
You can now move on to Step 6: Open F/X CAD and get started.
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Single-User Land F/X
Use these steps if you have Land F/X installed on a single computer and aren't using an office server or shared online folder.
5A. (Single-User)
Welcome Screen: Click Next.
5B. (Single-User) License Agreement: Scroll down and select Accept if you agree.
5C. (Single-User) F/X Server Network Location
Because you're using F/X CAD with Single-User Land F/X, the default location, C:\LandFX, is correct in most cases. If this location is correct, click Next. Otherwise, click Browse and navigate to your LandFX folder.
Important: It is absolutely crucial to select the correct location of your LandFX folder during this step. What is the LandFX folder?
Error message: Could not connect to database 'landfx' on server XXXXXX with user 'ODBC'. Continue anyway? Solution
Don't know the location of your LandFX folder? Click the Can't locate your LandFX folder? button.
5D. (Single-User) Ready to Install the Program
Click Install.
Please allow a few minutes for the installation to complete.
5E. (Single-User) InstallShield Wizard Completed
Click Finish.
You can now move on to Step 6: Open F/X CAD and get started.
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Step 6: Open F/X CAD and get started
6A. You should see the Autodesk Licensing screen, pictured to the right.
Click I agree to agree to the privacy statement.
6B. You should now see the Product License Activation screen.
Click Activate, then proceed to our steps to activate F/X CAD 2020.
Important: Once you begin using F/X CAD or click Activate, your F/X CAD installation will lock after 30 days unless you complete the entire activation process.
If you see the Let's Get Started screen, pictured to the right, instead of the Autodesk Licensing screen, click enter a serial number.
You can then proceed to our steps to activate F/X CAD 2020.
Errors/Issues?
• Issue: Error message: This product is not registered. Please reactivate it by typing REACTIVATE.
Solution: Reactivate your installation, then restart F/X CAD.
• Issue: When you open F/X CAD, do you not see your Land F/X ribbons, tools, or menus?
Solution:
1. Load the Land F/X menus manually.
2. Still don't see your Land F/X ribbons, tools, or menus? Get the latest Land FX ribbons.
• Issue: You received an error message similar to the following: Unable to establish an Internet connection to the registration server to validate your Support ID.
Solution: You may need to disable a firewall on your computer before you can license our software.
Step 7: Migrate your settings and uninstall any older versions
For F/X CAD to function correctly, it's a good idea to uninstall all previous versions of AutoCAD or F/X CAD from your computer – after you migrate your personal settings from that version.
7A. Follow our instructions to migrate your AutoCAD or F/X CAD settings.
7B. Open your Start menu, and select Control Panel.
7C. Select Programs, or Programs and Features. Then select Uninstall Program.
7D. Select any Autodesk product you need to uninstall (example: F/X CAD 2019), then click Uninstall/Change.
You'll now see the Uninstall screen for the version of AutoCAD or F/X CAD you selected. Click Uninstall and follow the prompts to uninstall the program.
What's next?
Ready to see F/X CAD 2020 in action?
- Watch our brief Power Tip video on What's new with F/X CAD 2020.
- View our in-depth webinar on F/X CAD 2020.
We also have an extensive Learning Resources section covering everything you need to know about our software, with resources ranging from instructional articles to short Power Tip videos, in-depth webinars, and more.
- Go to our Learning Resources page.
- See our documentation on customizing your F/X CAD interface.
- Check out our recommendations for configuring F/X CAD.
Contact
- Land F/X
Our software tailors AutoCAD® to the needs of landscape architects, irrigation designers, and other professionals. We automate your most tedious tasks and ensure accuracy, giving you more time to design.