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The steps on this page are for offices that do not have a central server, are using our Cloud Data service, and want to install Land F/X software on a shared online folder. Your office may want to use a service such as:
- Dropbox
- Google Drive (Note: Google File Stream is now known as Google Drive. If you have Google File Stream installed, it will still work with Land F/X.)
- Box
- Amazon Drive
- SugarSync
- Egnyte
- Panzura
Why install Land F/X on a shared online folder?
Installing on a shared online location is a great option because it:
- Allows you to share files and data seamlessly with colleagues anywhere in the world.
- Requires zero overhead.
- Provides a great backup system.
- Involves very little time and effort to configure.
Shared online services we do not recommend:
Microsoft OneDrive
Over time, we have observed continued incompatibility with the OneDrive platform for several reaons, including:
- Inconsistent sync times
- Color Render dialog boxes loading empty because the necessary files could not be created at runtime
- Duplicate folders
- Our detail system not working correctly
Because of the wide range of issues that seem to come and go with updates, such as those listed above, we do not recommend the use of OneDrive to host our software.
Carbonite:
We no longer recommend Carbonite as a shared online service to use with our software, as it does not allow the real-time sync required for proper operation.
Microsoft's Distributed File System (DFS) & similar services:
Our software will not work with Microsoft's Distributed File System (DFS) or any other cloud file service where files are not hosted locally as well.
Other important notes:
- Want to learn more about shared online folders and see our recommendations for using one with Land F/X? Check out our Working with a Shared Online Folder webinar.
- The Land F/X installer will only accept a local location as the destination, meaning if you're trying to install to a mapped drive that is not a physical drive on the system, it will not allow the installation to proceed. In these situations, you will need to install to a local drive and then move the LandFX folder to your destination of choice after the install completes.
- Looking for steps on how to move your existing Land F/X data, but not your installation of our software, to a shared folder? If so, see our Move Existing Land F/X Data to a Shared Online Folder article.
- Need to choose a shared online folder service? We've compiled a list of several and analyzed their overall compatibility with Land F/X. More information
Step 1: Prerequisites
To complete this installation, you will need:
Your Land F/X Support ID*.
*You or your office will have received your Support ID in an email from Land F/X.
Dropbox, Sugarsync, Google Drive, or another online folder application installed on your computer. Our software will not function correctly with Carbonite, Microsoft OneDrive, or Microsoft's Distributed File System (DFS).
You'll also need to know the location of the online folder on your computer. You'll install our software in this folder. Need help finding the shared folder? Ask your IT administrator.
A single office or home computer that already has a compatible CAD engine and DOES NOT already have our software on a server.
Land F/X is compatible with AutoCAD, F/X CAD, AutoCAD Civil 3D, AutoCAD Map 3D, or AutoCAD Architecture, version 2019 or newer.
Land F/X is not compatible with AutoCAD LT.
Step 2: Download the installer
Right-click the F/X Installer download link below.
Land F/X Cloud Server Installer (87.74MB)
Updated 03/27/2023
Select "Save Target As" or "Save Link As" from the menu that appears, and save the file to your desktop.
The installer is quite a large piece of software. Please allow 5 to 10 minutes for the download to complete.
Step 3: Install Land F/X on your shared online folder
3A. Go to your desktop, and locate the file setup_FXServer_cloud.exe if you saved it there. If you clicked the link directly, this file will likely be in your Downloads folder.
Double-click the setup_FXServer_cloud.exe file, and proceed through the installation steps, paying special attention to the screens pictured below..
3B. Enter your Support ID* when prompted. You can simply copy and paste it into the text field.
*You or your office will have received your Support ID in an email from Land F/X.
"The Wizard was interrupted"
Did you see this error after entering your Support ID? Solution
3C. File Location and License Terms
During the File Location and License Terms step, you'll set a folder path on your shared online folder where your Land F/X data and projects will be stored.
Click Browse and browse to your shared online location.
The Land F/X installer will only accept a local location as the destination, meaning if you're trying to install to a mapped drive that is not a physical drive on the system, it will not allow the installation to proceed. In these situations, you will need to install to a local drive and then move the LandFX folder to your destination of choice after the install completes.
3D. Navigate to the location on your shared folder where you want to store your LandFX folder, then click Select Folder or OK.
We recommend storing the LandFX folder directly on the shared folder. This example shows how to install our software on Dropbox. When you install Dropbox, it creates a Dropbox folder in your user path at C:/Users/(Your Username)/Dropbox – where (Your Username) represents your actual username on your computer. We'll navigate to this folder in our example. More information on the LandFX folder
3E. You might see a message that A 'LandFX' folder does not exist in the chosen destination. Create one there?
If so, click Yes.
3F. You should now see the intended location of the LandFX folder in the text field.
Check the box to agree with the License terms and conditions, then click Next when finished.
3G. F/X Server has been successfully installed
Click Close.
Step 4: Map your shared LandFX folder to a letter drive
Why do you need to map your installation to a letter drive?
The LandFX folder will be on a different path on each computer in your office because its folder path on each computer will include the user name assigned to that computer. In order for AutoCAD to treat all of these folders consistently, it requires a uniform path. Using a letter drive is the best way to do this.
4A. Download our Land F/X Drive Mapper tool.
Right-click the link below, and select Save As or Save Target As from the menu. Save the file to your desktop or Downloads folder.
4B. Double-click the LandFXDriveMap.exe file you just downloaded.
4C. Browse to and select the LandFX folder in your shared online location. (This example shows a LandFX folder on Dropbox.)
Click OK.
4D. Open the pull-down list and select the drive letter you want to use (example: L).
Then click Map.
Your LandFX folder will be mapped to a letter drive automatically.
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4E. On each Land F/X workstation in your network, ensure that the LandFX folder is set to be available for offline use or stored at all times on the local computer.
This setting and specific instructions will vary depending on the the provider you choose to host your F/X Server installation, so check with your vendor for the appropriate steps.
Step 5: Configure your workstations for F/X CAD or AutoCAD
You'll now set up the workstations in your office to use Land F/X with either AutoCAD or F/X CAD.
On each workstation where you plan to use F/X CAD:
On each workstation where you plan to use AutoCAD:
Configure Land F/X to work with AutoCAD by installing the F/X Workstation component.
If you're prompted to Enter the name of the Land F/X Data Server, type landfx.com in the text box.
Step 6: Repeat Steps 4 & 5 from every CAD workstation in your office
This step will configure all your office's CAD workstations to read the LandFX folder on the shared folder.
What's next?
Our extensive Learning Resources section includes 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.
- View our three-part webinar series for Land F/X beginners to learn what Land F/X is, how it works, why it’s such a valuable design tool, and much more.
- Browse our documentation section.
