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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:

Related Documentation#

Reach out

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