Overview
If you plan to customize your FireCAD database — for example, adding custom block definitions, cables, or devices — you need a local editable copy of the master database. This article walks through creating that local copy using the Cadgen Database Utility.
Once created, your local database can be edited, placed on a network drive to share with your team, and used as the starting point for new FireCAD projects.
Step 1: Open the Cadgen Database Utility
Launch the Cadgen Database Utility from the Windows Start menu.
Step 2: Connect to the Read-Only Master Database
When the utility opens, it prompts you to connect to a database. Select the read-only master database: cadgen.database.windows.net.
If this entry is not in the Server Name dropdown, add it using the credentials from your license and activation email.
The utility may take a few moments to load the full remote database.
Step 3: Reset the Local Database
From the top ribbon, click Reset Local DB. This backs up your existing local database to a subfolder, then creates a new blank database file in the default location.
Important: Do not skip this step. If you merge the online database into an existing local database without resetting, you may end up with duplicate parts, circuits, and other unpredictable results.
Step 4: Copy the Master Database to Your Local Copy
Click Copy To Local DB to copy all information from the master database into your new local copy.
Step 5: Connect to the Local Database
Click Connect and select the (localdb)\firecad connection to load your new local database in the utility.
You can now make changes to the local database. Any edits you save in the utility will be reflected in new FireCAD projects that connect to this database.
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