DeckTools® Deck Sales and Design Software

Follow these steps:

1. Close DeckTools on Computer A (old computer)
2. Open the Documents folder (Computer A) where you will find a folder called “DeckTools Data.” Copy this folder to a USB drive
3. Go to Computer B (new computer) and delete the DeckTools Data folder.
4. Next, copy the DeckTools Data folder from the USB drive and paste it in the Documents folder on your computer.
5. Start DeckTools on Computer B and items will be available
6. To Transfer Designs/Projects, simply copy and paste to a USB drive

Since we are no longer selling or updating this tool we do NOT recommend purchasing a new computer or graphics card for the purpose of running DeckTools software; however, if you are wanting to transfer your license to an existing computer and want to confirm whether the software will run, you can use the requirements listed below:

Computer Requirements

• Microsoft Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista, or Windows XP
• Intel i5 Processor - 2.5 GHz or greater
• 4 GB RAM or greater
• 2 GB of available hard disk space
• Keyboard and mouse with scroll wheel (scroll wheel used to zoom view in and out)
• Monitor capable of displaying XGA (1024 x 786 x 24-bit color or higher resolution
• Microsoft Office with Excel and Word

Graphics Requirements

• Minimum: 3D Game Quality Cards: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 560 or better (Windows 8-GeForce GTX 660 or better).
• Ideal: 3D CAD-Quality Cards: NVIDIA Quadro K4000 or better (not Quadro NVS, which is 2D)
• Not Supported: Intel Graphics Family
• 1 GB of Graphic RAM (2 GB or greater is ideal)

BEFORE taking the steps below, make sure you have your license/serial number available. You would have received this number when you purchased the software. If you do not have it, contact customer service.

1. Go to the C:drive on your the computer
2. In the list of folders open the Program Data* folder
3. Open the SST folder
4. Right-click on the Run-Time Date folder and select the delete option
5. Close everything and get back to the desktop
6. Open DeckTools and enter your serial number XXXXXX
   7. *If you do not see the Program Data folder go to the Control Panel>Appearances and Personalization> folder options
   8. Click on the View tab
   9. Click on the Show hidden files and folders button
   10. Click OK and then go back to C:drive and follow steps above

This is likely caused by upgrading to Windows 10. See Windows 10 support below and follow the steps. If you have not upgraded to Windows 10, it’s possible you just need to manage your 3D Settings. Start at Step 2 under the Windows 10 error directions.

First, you need to determine which graphics card you have. You can do this by following these steps: If using Windows 8 or 10, right click on the Windows START button 10 and select Device Manager. If using Windows 7, left click on start and then click on Control Panel

1. Open Device Manager
2. Open Display adapters and it will show you the graphics card
3. Double click on this and a new window opens
4. Click Driver tab and choose to update
5. Download driver and install. Just follow the on screen directions. Use the defaults.
6. Screen will change a lot, this is normal
7. Some cases might ask you to restart the computer

WARNING: Proceed at your own risk. Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. (“SST”) does not support DeckTools and damage may result if you attempt to proceed by following the instructions below . You agree that, to the fullest extent permissible under applicable law: SST makes and you receive no representations, warranties or conditions, express, implied, statutory or otherwise, with respect the following the instructions below or your installation or use of DeckTools; and in no event will SST or its employees, agents or representatives be liable for any damages, including, without limitation, property damage, loss of data or information, lost profits, interruption of business, computer failure or malfunction, or any other special, incidental, consequential, direct or indirect damages arising out of or relating to following instructions below or your installation or use of DeckTools software, however caused, and on any theory of liability (whether in contract, tort—including negligence), strict liability or indemnity or otherwise

NOTE: If you were previously running the software with just an Intel card (which does not meet the DeckTools requirements) the only fix is to revert back to the previous version of Windows (7 or 8). You can also try jumping to STEP 4. If you have an AMD card, you can try updating it through the AMD website; however, there is no guarantee for this. Finally, if you are using a GeForce/Nvidia graphics card, you should proceed with the following steps:

1. Go to http://www.nvidia.com
   1. Go to the Drivers tab (top left) and select Geforce or ALL Nvidia drivers based off which graphics card you have
   2. Choose the Manual Driver Search and complete the each dropdown (be sure to choose the correct version of Windows) select Start Search
   3. Results will appear and you will want to select the most recent date and “Install and Update.”
   4. This will take a moment to run. Follow the default and let it run. It will let you know once it’s been completed.
2. Manage 3D settings
   1. Open the Nvidia Control panel (usually found in the control panel under “Appearances and Personalization”)
   2. Select Manage 3D Settings
   3. Select Program Settings
      • Use the drop down to select DeckTools. If you do not see DeckTools select the “ADD button” and then select it from the list. Be sure to hit “apply.”
      • If given the option to “auto select” set the processor to the High-Performance Nvidia Processor and then click Apply in the lower right corner
3. Set PhysX configuration
   1. Auto select, choose which card you have and hit “apply”
4. Finally, go to Hardware and Sounds in the Control Panel and select Power Options select the option to “Show Additional Plans” then select “HIGH PERFORMANCE”