PlanCAD

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Getting Started ​

PlanCAD is a professional 2D CAD application built for event floor plans: exhibition halls, trade shows, conferences, and venues. This guide walks you through installation, first launch, and the basics of creating and saving projects.

Installation ​

Windows ​

Download the installer from the PlanCAD releases page. Two installer formats are available:

  • .msi — Windows Installer package. Recommended for most users. Double-click to run, follow the setup wizard, and PlanCAD will be installed to %LocalAppData%\PlanCAD.
  • .exe — NSIS installer. Functionally equivalent; use this if your organisation's policies block .msi packages.

After installation, PlanCAD appears in the Start Menu and optionally on the Desktop, depending on the options you chose during setup.

macOS ​

Download the .dmg disk image. Open it, drag the PlanCAD application into your Applications folder, and launch it from there or from Launchpad.

On first launch, macOS may show a security warning because PlanCAD is distributed outside the App Store. To allow it:

  1. Open System Settings > Privacy & Security.
  2. Scroll to the Security section and click Open Anyway next to the PlanCAD entry.
  3. Confirm in the dialog that appears.

You only need to do this once. The application is code-signed and notarised.

Linux ​

Three package formats are provided:

  • .deb — Debian, Ubuntu, and derivatives. Install with sudo dpkg -i plancad_*.deb or by double-clicking in a file manager.
  • .AppImage — Universal, runs on any modern distribution without installation. Make it executable with chmod +x PlanCAD_*.AppImage, then run it directly.
  • .rpm — Fedora, openSUSE, and RHEL derivatives. Install with sudo rpm -i plancad_*.rpm.

For AppImage users, consider placing the file in ~/.local/bin/ and adding a .desktop shortcut for easier access from your application launcher.

First Launch and Account Activation ​

When PlanCAD opens for the first time, you are prompted to sign in or create an account. PlanCAD uses a license-based model with three tiers:

PlanProjectsLayersNotes
TrialUnlimitedUnlimitedTime-limited; full features
Free110Permanent, no key required
CompleteUnlimitedUnlimitedRequires a valid license key

After signing in, your trial period begins automatically. No payment or key is needed to evaluate PlanCAD with the full feature set.

Entering a License Key ​

When you purchase a Complete license, you receive a license key by email. To activate it:

  1. Open the Account menu in the menu bar.
  2. Click Enter license key....
  3. Paste your key and press Enter.

The activation is tied to your account and verified online. An internet connection is required at activation time; subsequent launches do not require connectivity.

Creating a New Project ​

When PlanCAD opens, you land on the Home screen. Click New Project to open a blank canvas. You can also use File > New Project from the menu bar at any time.

Before drawing, it is worth configuring two things from the status bar at the bottom of the window:

  • Units — PlanCAD works in millimetres by default but also supports centimetres and metres. For venue plans, metres is the most practical choice.
  • Active layer — The active layer controls which layer new entities are drawn on. Rename or add layers via the Layers panel on the right.

A Typical Starting Workflow ​

  1. Create layers for the main elements of your plan: for example, Walls, Stands, Circulation, Text.
  2. Draw the venue perimeter using the Polyline tool (shortcut P). Close the polyline by pressing Enter.
  3. Add interior walls, booths, and furniture using Rectangle (R), Line (L), and Block Insert tools.
  4. Annotate with Dimension (D) and Text (T) tools.
  5. Save the project with Ctrl+S.

Opening and Saving Files ​

Native Format (.plancad) ​

PlanCAD saves projects in its own .plancad format. This is a JSON file containing all entities, layer definitions, block definitions, and drawing settings. It is the only format that preserves the full fidelity of your drawing, including custom properties such as stand numbers.

  • Save — Ctrl+S or File > Save. If the project has not been saved before, this behaves like Save As.
  • Save As — Ctrl+Shift+S or File > Save As.... Choose a filename and location.
  • Open — Ctrl+O or File > Open.... Browse to a .plancad file.

Files are saved to whatever location you choose. PlanCAD does not impose a specific project folder.

Importing and Exporting Other Formats ​

PlanCAD can also open DXF and DWG files and export to DXF and PDF. See File Formats and PDF Export for details.

Auto-Save ​

PlanCAD does not currently implement automatic background saving on a timer. To protect your work, save frequently with Ctrl+S. A good habit is to save after completing each significant section of the plan.

If the application closes unexpectedly, your most recently saved version is intact in the .plancad file on disk.

Automatic Updates ​

PlanCAD checks for updates when you use Help > Check for Updates.... The check contacts GitHub to compare the currently installed version against the latest published release.

If an update is available on the desktop (Tauri) version:

  1. A dialog appears showing the new version number.
  2. Click Install to download and apply the update automatically.
  3. PlanCAD restarts when the installation is complete.

If you decline the update, you can install it manually at any time by downloading the new installer from the releases page and running it over the existing installation.

On the Free tier, updates are always available and free of charge.