Technical Data

Computer / System Requirements

• OCAD 12 requires Windows XP (Service Pack 3), Windows Vista (Service Pack 1), Windows 7, Windows 8 or Windows 10 (32 or 64 bit). OCAD 12 is available as 32 bit and 64 bit software.
• We strongly recommend for Windows Vista und Windows 7 to use the default Aero Theme to avoid unnecessary screen redraws or erased maps when moving dialogs.
• 50 MB of free disk space for the installation
• At least 1 GB RAM (depends on the size of open maps and background maps). The OCAD program without any open map needs only 70 MB RAM.
• OCAD 12 as 32 bit software can allocate up to approx. 3.5 GB RAM (32-bit Windows XP, Vista™ and 7 consult the page Physical Memory). OCAD 12 as 62 bit software and can allocate more than 3.5 GB RAM if available.
• Screen resolution: 1280 x 1024 or higher recommended
• OCAD 12 MappingSolution/OCAD 12 Professional/OCAD 12 ThematicMapper: We recommend to install the Borland Database Engine (import shape files, database connections to dBase files, using OCAD to create thematic maps) and the Microsoft Access Database Engine 32-bit (database connections to Access/Excel files, using OCAD to create thematic maps).

It is not possible to install the Access Database Engine 2010 32-bit edition if the Microsoft Office 2010 64-bit edition is installed on the same computer. The solution is to install the Access Database Engine 2007 32-bit edition.

64-bit Version vs. 32-bit Version

OCAD 12 is new available as 64-bit version. However, we have still also a 32-bit version. The OCAD Setup installs both versions. Both versions uses the same resources, nevertheless it is possible to run both version at the same time. The installer creates a program shortcut for each version. Please note, the 64-bit version isn't faster than the 32-bit version. The big advantage of 64-bit is that OCAD can allocate more than 3 GB RAM if available on the computer. That is important when loading huge raster background maps or DEM files.

You can check your Windows version in the OCAD map information dialog.

OCAD 64-bit runs only in Windows 64-bit version. Nowadays, most computers are running on a 64-bit Windows version. OCAD 32-bit runs on both Windows 64-bit and 32-bit. The ocd files are 100% compatible between both versions.

Please note that not all OCAD functions are available in both versions. The restrictions for OCAD 64-bit version are:

• dbf database file cannot be used
• GPS Real Time via COM interface does not work
• Laser Range Finder does not work

After the installation ocd files are assicated with OCAD 12 32-bit version. To change to 64-bit see How to Change Default Program Association.

OCAD on Mac OS X

Read the OCAD on Mac OS X article for more information.

OCAD Limits

• Maximal map size: 4 x 4 meters (OCAD Orienteering edition), 80 x 80 meters (Professional edition)
• Resolution (accuracy of coordinates) 0.01 mm
• 10000 objects (Starter edition), 16 million objects (OCAD Professional, Orienteering, Course Setting and Viewer edition)
• 4 million vertices for each object
• Unlimited number of symbols (number range 0.001 to 999'999.999)
• 32'000 colors (number range from 0 to 32'000)
• 2 GB file size

OCAD File Format

This description of the OCAD file format is intended for programmers who want to directly access the information in OCAD files.

• OCAD 12 File Format
• OCAD 11 File Format
• OCAD 10 File Format
• OCAD 9/10 Graphic
• OCAD 9 File Format
• OCAD 6/7/8 File Format

Recommendations

OCAD runs on all 7 / 8 or 10 computers except Windows 8 RT (ARM tablets).

Mapping on TabletPC

Hardware:

• Tablet PC with Windows
• Long battery life (8 hours or longer)
• Outdoor screen
• GPS with USB or Bluetooth connection

Software:

• OCAD Orienteering Edition

Draw Orienteering Maps and Course Setting

Hardware:

• Desktop or Laptop with Windows
• 4 GB or more RAM (at least 8 GB RAM when working with big Airborne Laserscanning Files)

Software:

• OCAD Orienteering Edition or OCAD Course Setting Edition

Map Publishing Companies

Hardware:

• Desktop PC with Windows one or two screens
• 4 or more GB RAM

Software:

• OCAD Professional Edition

Special OCAD Settings:

• Switch on the Faster text rendering in OCAD Preferences -> View tab in Options menu.
• Switch off the Anti-Aliasing mode in View menu. If Anti-Aliasing is switched off then OCAD draws the screen color by color. Otherwise OCAD draws the screen once after a short time.

---

Back to Main Page

Previous Chapter: Tutorials