64 bit computers Windows 7 and 12d Model

64bit Computers, Windows7 and 12d Model

Things you need to know about 64bit computers, Windows7 and 12d Model.

Standard 12d Model is a 32bit program. It will run on Windows7, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and (if you really need to) on Windows 2000.
It comes in 10k, 50k, 100k, 250k and 5M versions. (These will process 10,000, 50,000, 100,000, 250,000, and 5 Million points respectively).
A 64bit Version of 12d Model is available. It is called 'BigFoot', and will process up to 250 million data points.
If you have a 64bit computer and a 64bit operating system (such as Windows7), then you will be able to purchase and use BigFoot.
Standard 12d Model will run perfectly well on 64bit computers. You don't need to upgrade to BigFoot just because you have a new computer.
If you save a project in BigFoot, then try to open it in Standard 12d Model it will work perfectly.....unless there are too many points in the project for your 'Standard' version of 12d Model.

Hardware locks (dongles).

The hardware lock (dongle) that 12d Model uses will work perfectly on 64bit computers, and perfectly with Windows7.

If you have a Wibu brand dongle you will need to download and install the 64bit dongle driver. (You can tell if you have a Wibu dongle by looking at it. If it's green, and the number starts with '572d' then it's a Wibu dongle).
If you have a Hardlock brand dongle, you do not need any special drivers. (Hardlock dongles are blue, and dongle numbers start '672d').

If you have a new computer, and you re installing 12d Model for the first time you MUST install the dongle drivers BEFORE you install the dongle. DRIVERS FIRST / DONGLE SECOND.

Should I use 12d Model BigFoot?

Maybe.

The main reason to upgrade to 12d Model BigFoot is that it will allow you to load and triangulate up a LOT of data...up to 250,000,000 (250 million) points. Yes, that is a lot.
With small jobs, it will run slightly faster but you probably won't notice. The main reason to upgrade is so that you can load these huge sets of data.

Please don't think that you can load up 250,000,000 data points and that your new computer will run fast. That's like the truck driver who hooked two trailers to his truck, then complained he could load more in, but that it didn't go as fast as before. The difference is that (like the truck driver) you CAN load more in.

Should I upgrade to a 64bit computer?

First up, if you buy a new computer these days (Feb 2011), it will be a 64bit machine, with Windows7. So stop worrying about it, and enjoy how fast it goes.

If you want 12d Model to go faster, then you should get a 64bit computer with Windows7 and PUT LOTS OF MEMORY INTO IT. That's the good thing about Windows7; it works really well, it has a lot of clever features, but its trump card is that it will let you put a lot of memory into your computer. If you do that, then EVERYTHING will run fast.

If you do a training course with EXDS, you will use in the training course a 64bit machine, running Windows7, and it will have 8Gb of RAM. And yes, it's FAST! In comparison, our old training machines used Windows XP which allows a maximum of 4Gb. Most machines only had one or two.

How do I find out if I have a 64bit computer?

To check if you have a 64 bit computer, look under Control Panel=>System=>Device Manager, in the 'Computer' item. If it has the words 'x64' in the description, then it's a 64bit machine.
To check if you have a 64 bit operating system, look under Control Panel=>System=>Device Manager.

12d Model Help