| What is the installation article about? | It explains the basic installation scenarios for HELIOS 3D, including local installation, network installation, SQL Server access, first startup, workstation configuration, Autodesk Civil 3D prerequisites, Sentinel driver installation, and license server setup. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What is HELIOS 3D technically based on? | HELIOS 3D is based on Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D and uses a Microsoft SQL database for multi-user data handling, storage, shared information, and document management. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Do I need Autodesk Civil 3D before installing HELIOS 3D? | Yes. Autodesk Civil 3D should be installed and updated before installing HELIOS 3D. HELIOS 3D supports Autodesk Civil 3D versions 2021 through 2026. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Do I need SQL Server for HELIOS 3D? | Yes. A preinstalled Microsoft SQL Server Express is required to add a database catalogue during the HELIOS 3D installation. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Should I choose a local or a network installation? | Choose a local installation if HELIOS 3D will mainly be used on one workstation. Choose a network installation if several users or workstations need to share the same HELIOS 3D program data, project data, libraries, or database. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Which setup file starts the HELIOS 3D installation? | Start the installation with Helios3D_2025_Setup.exe from the HELIOS 3D installation USB stick or installation package. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Which information should I prepare before a local installation? | Prepare the installation path, SQL Server name or instance name, SQL Server login credentials, information about whether an existing installation should be updated or an additional version installed, and access to the installation medium or download package. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Which installation path is recommended for a local installation? | The recommended default path is C:\Helios3D, because HELIOS 3D needs write access to its program base path. C:\Program Files\ is not recommended unless HELIOS 3D is run as administrator. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I consider when selecting the installation path? | The selected drive should have enough free space not only for the program installation, but also for future project data, drawings, libraries, and exported files. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What database name should I use? | The default database name is Helios3D. You may enter another unique name. A unique database name should be used for each independent HELIOS 3D installation. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Why should Autodesk Civil 3D be installed before HELIOS 3D? | Installing Autodesk Civil 3D first allows the configuration steps described under “First Steps” to be completed automatically in most cases. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
Why is C:\Program Files\ not recommended? | HELIOS 3D needs write access to several program and data subdirectories. Standard Windows permissions can restrict write access under C:\Program Files\, so HELIOS 3D would need to be run as administrator. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Why is a backup important before installation or update? | A backup should include existing HELIOS 3D project data, drawing files, database-related information, and customized library or block data. This is especially important when updating an existing installation. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Can DWG files saved with a newer HELIOS 3D version be opened in older versions? | Not always. DWGs saved with HELIOS 3D 2025 can no longer be opened in HELIOS 3D 2024 or earlier. Productive DWG files should be copied before opening them with a newer HELIOS 3D version. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Why should all clients in a network installation use the same path? | All clients must access the shared HELIOS 3D installation and related paths consistently. Different drive letters or paths can cause configuration and file access problems. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Why are multiple local installations with one shared database not allowed? | Multiple local installations connected to one shared database can cause problems with updates, version consistency, and shared data handling. The article explicitly says this setup is not allowed. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| How do I add a new client in a network installation? | Install Autodesk Civil 3D first, then run setup.exe from the Client Setup folder inside the shared HELIOS 3D main directory. A client needs the Sentinel driver for licensing and a desktop link to the shared application. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I verify after adding a client? | Verify that Autodesk Civil 3D starts correctly, the HELIOS 3D desktop link points to the shared installation, the Sentinel driver is installed, SQL Server login works, HELIOS 3D paths are reachable, and a test project or drawing can be opened. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What must be configured after the first HELIOS 3D login? | A default workstation configuration must be created. Open Modules > Workstation, select the workstation, go to Additional data > Program configuration, and create a configuration that connects HELIOS 3D to the CAD application. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if Civil 3D does not start from HELIOS 3D? | Check the configured program path, selected program type, profile name, and default CAD configuration in the workstation configuration. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if SQL Server is not listed or cannot be reached? | Check the server name, instance name, SQL Server services, network connection, firewall configuration, enabled protocols, SQL Server Browser service, and network name resolution. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I do if database creation fails? | Restart Windows, verify that SQL Server is running properly, and run the HELIOS 3D setup again. If the CREATE DATABASE script fails, the database catalogue can be created manually in SQL Server Management Studio and then used in the setup. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if HELIOS 3D cannot copy files during installation? | Check firewall settings, antivirus software, Windows permissions, network access, and whether the setup was started with sufficient rights. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Which SQL Server services and protocols are required for network access? | SQL Server and SQL Server Browser should be running and set to automatic. Shared Memory, TCP/IP, and Named Pipes should be enabled for the SQL Server instance, followed by a restart of the services. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| Which firewall ports are relevant for SQL Server access? | TCP port 1433 is required for SQL Server, and UDP port 1434 is required for SQL Server Browser. A firewall exception for sqlservr.exe may also be configured. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I consider for SQL Server Express installation? | In company networks, SQL Server installation and configuration should be performed or approved by internal IT. Important points include administrator rights, firewall handling, instance naming, Mixed Mode authentication, sa credentials, collation settings, services, protocols, and SQL Server Management Studio. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I do if the Sentinel driver was not installed correctly? | Run the Sentinel driver installation manually with administrator rights. The driver package is located in .\Client Setup\Hardlock; for a local installation, the default path is C:\Helios3D\Client Setup\Hardlock. If necessary, copy the files to a local drive and run the installation again. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if the Sentinel Admin Control Center is not reachable? | Check whether the Sentinel driver installation was successful, whether the installation was run with sufficient permissions, and whether security software blocked the execution. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What is required to set up a HELIOS 3D license server with SL keys? | Select a physical or virtual server, install the Sentinel driver, generate a server fingerprint with SuSRUS.exe, save the generated .c2v file, and send it to STÖHR+SAUER to request activation. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should I check if the license server is not detected? | Check whether the Sentinel driver is installed on the client, whether the license server is reachable in the network, and whether TCP and UDP port 1947 are allowed by all relevant firewalls. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| How should updates be handled in a network installation? | Updates should be coordinated with the administrator because all clients should use a consistent HELIOS 3D program version. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
| What should be validated after installation? | Verify that HELIOS 3D starts without errors, the SQL Server login works, the expected database is used, Autodesk Civil 3D can be started from HELIOS 3D, the workstation configuration exists, project and library paths are reachable, the Sentinel driver and license are detected, and a test project or drawing can be opened. (Helios 3D | HELP CENTER) |
