Skip to main content

Install FRI3D from ZIP Package

Installing FRI3D from ZIP Package

This page covers detailed instructions for installing FRI3D from a self-contained ZIP archive package. This installation method is commonly used for evaluation licenses and provides a portable, standalone installation that doesn't require administrator privileges.

Overview

✅ Offline Installation:
No internet connection is required for this ZIP package installation. The package is completely self-contained with all dependencies, libraries, and components included. You can install FRI3D on systems without internet access or in air-gapped environments.

The ZIP package contains a pre-compiled, self-contained FRI3D installation including:

  • FRI3D executable (FRI3D.exe)
  • All required libraries and dependencies
  • Database connectivity components
  • User Interface components
  • License files (for evaluation installations)

This method is ideal for:

  • Evaluation installations - Quick setup for trying FRI3D
  • Standalone deployments - No system-wide installation required
  • Portable installations - Can be run from any folder
  • Non-administrator users - No admin privileges needed
  • Offline environments - No internet connection required

Prerequisites

Before installing from ZIP package, ensure your system meets the minimum requirements:

  • Operating System: Windows 10 64-bit or later
  • Processor: 64-bit Intel or AMD multi-core processor
  • Memory: 8GB RAM minimum
  • Disk Space: 3GB free disk space for installation
  • Graphics: Graphics Processing Unit (Intel/AMD/nVIDIA) recommended

Step-by-Step Installation

Step 1: Obtain the ZIP Package

  1. Request Evaluation (if needed):

  2. Download the ZIP Archive:

    • Click the download link provided in the email
    • Save the ZIP file to a location you can easily access (e.g., Downloads folder)
    • The file is typically named something like FRI3D_Evaluation.zip or 2021_PSAEVAL_FRI3D.zip

Step 2: Extract the ZIP Archive

  1. Locate the ZIP file in your file system

  2. Extract the archive:

    • Windows 10/11: Right-click the ZIP file → Select "Extract All..." → Choose destination folder → Click "Extract"
    • Alternative: Use any ZIP extraction tool (7-Zip, WinRAR, etc.)

  3. Choose extraction location:

    • Recommended: Extract to a user-accessible folder (e.g., C:\Users\YourName\FRI3D or D:\FRI3D)
    • Note: If you extract to a user folder (not Program Files), no administrator privileges are required

Step 3: Locate FRI3D.exe

After extraction, navigate to the extracted folder structure:

Extracted_Folder/
├── FRI3D/
│   ├── FRI3D.exe          ← Main executable
│   ├── FRI3D.ini          ← License file (if included)
│   ├── [other files and folders]
│   └── ...
└── [other folders if present]

Common locations:

  • FRI3D\FRI3D.exe - Main executable
  • FRI3D.exe - May be in root of extracted folder
  • Check subfolders if structure differs

Step 4: Run FRI3D

  1. Double-click FRI3D.exe to launch the application

  2. First Launch:

    • FRI3D will start and initialize
    • For evaluation licenses, the license is typically automatically registered during first launch
    • You may see a license registration dialog - follow the prompts

  3. Verify Installation:

    • FRI3D should open to the main interface
    • Check that all components load correctly
    • Verify license status in the application

What the ZIP Package Contains

The self-contained ZIP archive includes:

ComponentDescription
FRI3D.exeMain application executable
LibrariesAll required DLLs and dependencies
Database ComponentsDatabase connectivity libraries
UI ComponentsUser interface and visualization components
License FilesFRI3D.ini file (for evaluation installations)
DocumentationOptional: Workshop files, examples, or documentation

License Configuration

Evaluation License (Automatic)

For evaluation installations:

  1. License File: The ZIP package typically includes a FRI3D.ini file
  2. Automatic Registration: Running FRI3D.exe for the first time automatically registers the evaluation license
  3. License Duration: Evaluation licenses are typically valid for 90 days (duration may vary)
  4. No Additional Steps: No manual license installation required

Manual License Installation

If you need to install a license manually:

  1. Obtain License File:

    • Download the license file (.ini format) provided by FRI3D support
    • Rename it to FRI3D.ini if needed

  2. Copy License File:

    • Copy FRI3D.ini to the FRI3D installation folder (same folder as FRI3D.exe)

  3. Restart FRI3D:

    • Close FRI3D if running
    • Launch FRI3D.exe again
    • The license will be loaded automatically

For more details, see the Licensing Guide.

Installation Folder Structure

After extraction, your FRI3D installation folder should contain:

FRI3D/
├── FRI3D.exe              # Main executable
├── FRI3D.ini              # License configuration file
├── [DLL files]            # Required libraries
├── [Configuration files]  # Application settings
├── [Database files]       # Local database components
└── [Other resources]     # Additional application files

Advantages of ZIP Installation

✅ No Administrator Rights Required - Install to user folder
✅ Portable - Can be moved to different locations
✅ Self-Contained - All dependencies included
✅ Quick Setup - No complex installation wizard
✅ Easy Removal - Simply delete the folder
✅ Evaluation-Friendly - Perfect for trying FRI3D

Troubleshooting

Issue 1: "FRI3D.exe not found"

Solution:

  • Verify the ZIP file was fully extracted
  • Check that extraction completed without errors
  • Navigate to the correct subfolder (usually FRI3D folder)
  • Ensure file wasn't blocked by Windows (right-click → Properties → Unblock if present)

Issue 2: "Missing DLL" or "Dependency Error"

Solution:

  • Ensure all files were extracted (don't skip any files)
  • Try extracting to a different location
  • Check Windows Defender or antivirus didn't quarantine files
  • Verify you're using the correct architecture (64-bit)

Issue 3: License Not Working

Solution:

  • Verify FRI3D.ini is in the same folder as FRI3D.exe
  • Check license file hasn't expired
  • Ensure license file name is exactly FRI3D.ini (case-sensitive on some systems)
  • Contact support if license issues persist

Issue 4: Application Won't Start

Solution:

  • Check system meets minimum requirements
  • Verify graphics drivers are up to date
  • Check Windows Event Viewer for error messages
  • Try running as administrator (right-click → Run as administrator)
  • Ensure sufficient disk space available

Issue 5: Antivirus Blocking Execution

Solution:

  • Add FRI3D folder to antivirus exclusions
  • Temporarily disable antivirus to test
  • Contact IT department if corporate antivirus is blocking

Post-Installation

After successful installation:

  1. Verify License Status:

    • Check license information in FRI3D interface
    • Verify evaluation period is active

  2. Test Basic Functionality:

    • Open a sample project or create a new one
    • Verify 3D visualization works
    • Test import functionality

  3. Configure Settings (Optional):

    • Set up workspace preferences
    • Configure database connections if needed
    • Adjust graphics settings for optimal performance

Uninstallation

To remove FRI3D installed from ZIP:

  1. Close FRI3D if running
  2. Delete the installation folder:
    • Navigate to where you extracted FRI3D
    • Delete the entire FRI3D folder
  3. Remove license file (if stored separately):
    • Delete FRI3D.ini if copied to another location
  4. Clean up shortcuts (if created):
    • Remove any desktop or Start menu shortcuts

Note: ZIP installations don't modify system registry or install system services, making removal simple and clean.

Comparison with EXE Installer

FeatureZIP PackageEXE Installer
Admin RightsNot required (user folder)May be required (Program Files)
Portability✅ Portable❌ System installation
UninstallationDelete folderUse uninstaller
Use CaseEvaluation, portableProduction, system-wide
LicenseUsually includedSeparate installation
Setup ComplexitySimple (extract & run)Wizard-based

What's Next?

After installing FRI3D from ZIP package:

  1. Get Started - Learn the basics of using FRI3D
  2. Licensing Guide - Understand license types and management
  3. Import CAD Models - Import IFC, STEP, or OBJ files
  4. Create Your First Project - Start building your fire analysis model

Need Help?

If you encounter issues during installation:

Reach out

If you need help after reading this doc, email us [email protected] for an answer. .