FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

  • Installation

    Can I download OCAD?

    Yes, OCAD can be downloaded after the purchase at latest within 2 working days.

    Can I make a second installation of my license on an additional device?

    According to the General Terms and Conditions (GTC), the primary user of the subscription option “OCAD for Single Users” is entitled to perform a second installation on request on an additional device and to use the software there, if this second device is used exclusively by the primary user. Please contact OCAD support for that.

    Can I re-install and activate OCAD after purchasing a new PC or a total failure of my hard disk?

    Yes, that’s possible. If the maximum number of activations has already been reached, you have to contact OCAD AG via the transfer form for OCAD 10 Professional, OCAD 10 Standard, OCAD 10 CS, OCAD 11, OCAD 12 or OCAD Subscription in order to release the license. In this case, the old and new licensee are identical.

    What should I do if I want to transfer my license to another person?

    For OCAD Subscription and OCAD 12 users it can easily be done in the License Transfer Utility in the OCAD Help menu. Alternatively, use the Transfer form on the webpage.

    To transfer your OCAD license to an other user please fill in the transfer form for OCAD 10 Professional, OCAD 10 Standard or OCAD 10 CS or OCAD 11 (all Editions).

    Does OCAD run on Macintosh?

    OCAD is a Windows software. Additional software like Virtual PC, Parallels Desktop, VMWare Fusion or Bootcamp must be installed on the MAC to use OCAD. For more information, see the OCAD Wiki on the OCAD on Mac OS X page.

    Do different versions of OCAD run in parallel on the same computer?

    Yeah, that’s fine. Please install the different versions in different program directories.

    Does OCAD run on Clouds like like Dropbox or OneDrive?
    Yes. OCAD runs as app on clouds like Dropbox or OneDrive. Install your Team or Single User Licenses in the Cloud. Especially the installation of OCAD Team User Licenses in the Cloud has many advantages.

  • Editions

    Are there different editions?

    Yes, there is a suitable edition for each user group.

    What is the difference between OCAD 2018, OCAD 2019, OCAD 2020 and OCAD Subscription?

    OCAD is only offered as a subscription model. The year in the name should underline that you are buying a software with the latest features and standards. It is not a new version. If you are in the subscription model, you will automatically receive OCAD with the latest updates and do not need to buy new licenses.

    For technical reasons, the installation folders etc. of OCAD will continue to be marked 2018. However, the general strategy is to omit the year in the name of each OCAD edition in the future. In order to distinguish it from earlier OCAD versions (OCAD 12, 11, 10…), the term OCAD Subscription will be used in a few places.

    What is the OCAD Academic Edition?

    The OCAD Academic Edition can only be ordered by universities and the license name must be name of the University. The university is allowed to install the software on max. 20 computers within one classroom. The OCAD Academic Edition is not a personal license for students. Teaching persons shall order an additional OCAD license each if they want to use it out of the classroom. OCAD Academic corresponds to the functional range of the OCAD Mapping Solution.

  • Subscription model: General Information

    How do I know that I should update OCAD and what new features the update contains?

    If there is a new update available, it will be displayed when you start OCAD. The update usually takes less than half a minute. Your personal settings will not be changed. We will inform you about the content of the update via blog entries, on the website, in the “What is New” menu of the OCAD Wiki or in the Release Notes.

    What does the subscription model mean to me?

    By introducing the subscription model, you can purchase OCAD for 1- or 3 year. After that, you have to renew your subscription to continue to use OCAD and benefit from the further development and support services. With the free and co-installed OCAD Viewer, you can open and print your map files at any time, even after the subscription period has expired.

    How can I cancel, change or renew the subscription?

    About 6 weeks before the end of the subscription period, the person who purchased OCAD will receive an e-mail. It contains all necessary information to cancel, change (e.g. choose an edition with a higher functionality and/or another subscription period),  or renew the OCAD subscription. Subscriptions will not be renewed automatically. If you do not renew the subscription, OCAD can not be opend after the subscription end date.

    Can I view and/or print my created maps after the subscription expires?

    Yes, after the subscription expired the OCAD files can be opened/viewed and printed with the installed OCAD Viewer. With the OCAD Viewer can also save files in OCAD 2018, OCAD 12 and OCAD 11 version.

    Is OCAD Subscription compatible with previous versions (<= OCAD 12)?

    With OCAD Subscription all OCAD files can be opened. However, with OCAD Subscription you cannot save your map in all previous versions, i. e. only down to version 10. The reasons for this are that the OCAD file format is extended from version to version. So, it is possible that information may be lost when saving a map in a previous version. However, you will be warned if data would get lost when saving a map in a previous file format.

    Will previous versions continue to be maintained with service updates?

    No. Previous version are no longer actively developed. Service updates will only be created if it is a system-critical error.

  • Subscription model: Option "OCAD for Single Users" and "OCAD for Teams"

    Are there different subscription options?

    Yes, there are two subscription options. One option for “Single Users” and one for “Teams” (companies and associations).
    Minimum order quantity for the “Teams” subscription option is two licenses, additional licenses can be added easily.

    Subscription Option OCAD for Single Users OCAD for Teams
    Target Audience Individual users For companies and teams/clubs
    Minimum order quantity 1 license 2 licenses
    Activations per license 1 automatic, further activation for own devices on request (e.g. Laptop, tablet, home PC) 1 activation
    Automatic license transfer No Yes, transfer is possible independently, fast and simply in the OCAD program under Help->License Transfer Utility

    What is the advantage of the subscription option for “Teams”?

    Users of the subscription option “OCAD for Teams” can transfer their license immediately and at any time to another person.

    Licenses can be assigned to an organisation. The License Manager always provides an overview of which licenses an organisation currently owns (subscription Team license, subscription Single User license, license of previous OCAD versions).

    What does a possible example for “OCAD for Teams” look like?

    A club with 20 team members owns 10 OCAD licenses, which are all assigned to a specific person. However, only half of them use OCAD often and hardly more than two people at the same time.

    This would be a case for the subscription option “OCAD for Teams”. The club buys e.g. 5 team licenses. All 20 club members can install OCAD, but only 5 members can activate and use OCAD. If member A (has no license) wants to use OCAD now, member B (which has a valid license) can transfer his license to member A. Member A immediately receives an e-mail with the license information and can activate OCAD. If member A no longer needs OCAD, the license can be transferred to another member.

    Note: You can also run OCAD as app on cloud storages like Dropbox or OneDrive.

    The subscription option “OCAD for Teams” therefore requires some coordination within the team, but can save money.

    On how many computers can I activate the subscription option “OCAD for Single Users”.

    The terms of use for the subscription option for “Single Users” are essentially the same as before; the user can install the software automatically on 1 device (desktop or notebook). In order to allow the use on several own devices at the same time (desktop, notebook, tablet) further activations for own devices can be granted by OCAD on request. Please contact OCAD Support in this case.

    How to transfer a Team license?

    Team licenses can be transferred independently, fast and simply in the OCAD program under Help->License Transfer Utility.

  • Order

    Which license fits best?

    There are four different OCAD editions.
    – OCAD Mapping Solution: For use in professional cartography to create city maps, topographic maps and thematic maps
    – OCAD Orienteering: All you need to produce orienteering maps, e.g. LiDAR analys tool, GPS support, WMS connection and much more. Including Course Setting module.
    – OCAD Starter: Suitable for starting with cartography. Including Course Setting module.
    – OCAD Course Setting: For course planning in orienteering sport.

    A Single User license is meant for one person. This person can use OCAD on several own devices at the same time (e.g. PC at home and work, laptop, tablet)

    If there are several people of a club or company, which use OCAD irregularly, the Team option might be the better choice. Team licenses can only be activated on one device at the same time, but be transferred from one user to another user as many times as desired.

    • Last but not least, choose between a subscription time of 1-year or 3-years (10% discount).

    You can at any time upgrade an edition or add an additional license.

     How can I order an OCAD license?

    You can order OCAD licenses in our webshop or write us an email at order@ocad.com and we can execute the order.

     

  • Prices

    How much does an OCAD license cost?

    The prices for OCAD can be found in the price list.

    Are there any discounts?

    • 3-year subscription: If you buy a 3-year subscription (Single User or Teams) you will receive a discount of 10% compared to the 1-year subscription.
    • Volume discount: For total amount of all licenses (Team and Single User) of one edition (Course Setting/ Starter/
      Orienteering/ Mapping Solution) per order. 3 licenses-> 10%, 4 licenses->15%, 5 and more license->20%.

    For details please see the price list.

    There are no longer update discounts for previous OCAD versions.

    Do I have to pay Taxes?

    For supplies within Switzerland and the EU countries the VAT is compiled within the invoice. This tax must not be paid abroad these countries, but the customs authorities of the importing country can levy import duties and taxes.

    How can I pay the invoice?

    After an order we will send you an invoice, which can be paid in differnt ways. See here for more information.