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Support > Setup tips

What is needed to install DeskProto (Setup tips)

Which hardware/software is needed to run DeskProto

DeskProto Version 8 is available for Microsoft Windows and for Apple MacOS.

For MS Windows DeskProto V8 needs Win10, Win11 or newer. DeskProto is a 64 bits application. Special builds for Win 7 and for WinXP (SP3, 32 bits) are available on request.
Minimum required hardware is a Pentium PC with 1 GB RAM and 100 GB of free disk space (the Setup only installs ca 130 MB of data, however you will need much more for your STL files and NC files). In order to minimize waiting times a fast machine with more memory is recommended.

For MacOS DeskProto V8 needs Catalina (10.15) or newer. For MacOS as well it is a 64 bits application. Here as well minimum hardware requirement is 1 GB RAM and 100 GB free disk space: faster/more is better. The MacOS version does not include the "Custom Wizards" nor the option "Send Toolpaths directly to machine" (each of these a rarely used feature). As Apple's implementation of OpenGL is incomplete the commands "Print Image" (File menu) and "Generate Contour" (in the dialog to graphically set the Operation Area) do not work in the MacOS version, see faq.php#graphics8.

For Linux DeskProto V8 has been developed and tested using Ubuntu 20.04 (64 bits), still it should also work on most other popular Linux distributions. Only 64 bits versions are supported. Here as well minimum hardware requirement is 1 GB RAM and 100 GB free disk space: faster/more is better. The Linux version does not include the "Custom Wizards" nor the option "Send Toolpaths directly to machine" (each of these a rarely used feature).
The 3D graphics card in your PC needs to support OpenGL (Version 2.1 or higher): OpenGL logo
In many cases graphics problems can be solved by downloading and installing a more recent display driver. A powerful graphics card is recommended as that will speed up drawing.
The screen resolution of the computer needs to be at least 1024x768 pixels.

DeskProto (V7 or newer) supports the 3Dconnexion SpaceMouse series of products (also called 3D Mouse and SpaceNavigator), see the DeskProto Help file for more information.

How to install the DeskProto CAM software

Windows: just as all Windows applications DeskProto can be installed by running the DeskProto Setup program. You can download this Setup program (DeskProto80.exe) from the download page (on the CD this program is called Setup.exe). All you need to do is start this program.

The DeskProto Setup program will now automatically install DeskProto onto your hard disk. You will be prompted to enter the file locations: default a folder "C:\Program Files\DeskProto 8.0" will be created for the program, and a folder "C:\ProgramData\DeskProto 8.0" for the samples and the cutter/machine/postprocessor definitions (Note that \ProgramData by default is a hidden folder). Using two separate folders is needed as otherwise each user would need administrative privileges. sorry about that.

After installation a new Program Group will have been added to the Start menu, and an icon called "Deskproto 8.0" will have been added to your desktop. Start DeskProto by double clicking the DeskProto icon on your desktop.

MacOS: DeskProto for MacOS is delivered to you as an DMG (Apple Disk Image) file. You can download this file (DeskProto80.dmg) from the download page. Mount this DMG by double-clicking it. After agreeing with the license it will show the DeskProto80Installer dialog. Installing DeskProto can be done by simply dragging the DeskProto icon into your Applications folder.

Linux: DeskProto for Linux is delivered to you as an AppImage (Application Image) file: a format meant to easily install an application on various Linux distributions. You can download this file (DeskProto80.AppImage) from the download page.
Next you need to open the Properties of the AppImage file and check the option "Allow executing the file as a program", then you can start the program by double-clicking it.
For some Linux distributions (for instance Ubuntu 21) one more setting needs to be changed: Right-click on your desktop > Click on Settings > Set "Action to do when launching a program from the desktop" to "Launch the file".

When starting DeskProto for the first time it will ask you which machine you are using. This 'Initial personal settings' dialog also asks about the units and your preferred type of project. You can use the Help button for help. More information about which machine to select can be found on page Which CNC machine to select in DeskProto.

How to un-install the DeskProto CAM software

Windows: uninstalling DeskProto is easy:
- click the Windows Start button, select 'All Programs', open the folder 'DeskProto 8.0' and click 'DeskProto 8.0 uninstall'.
In case this does not work you can also uninstall as follows:
- click the Windows Start button, select 'Control Panel', 'Programs', 'Uninstall a program'. Now click on line 'DeskProto 8.0' and then press button Uninstall.

MacOS: uninstalling DeskProto is easy:
Drag the DeskProto app from the Applications folder to the Trash (at the end of the Dock).

Linux: uninstalling DeskProto is easy:
Simply delete the AppImage file.