> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://wiki.inels.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://wiki.inels.com/inels-bus/inels-design-manager-idm3/installing-idm3-and-first-run.md). # Installing iDM3 and first run *Part 1 — Understand the system.* *** ## Before you install | Requirement | Detail | | -------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Operating system | Windows. iDM3 is a Windows desktop application — there is no macOS or Linux version. | | .NET Framework | 4.8 or later. Recent Windows versions already include it. | | Administrator rights | **Not required.** iDM3 installs into your own user profile. | | Disk space | Allow \~500 MB — the firmware packages for every supported unit ship with the program. | You do **not** need to be connected to a central unit to install iDM3 or to build a project. You only need the connection when you upload. *** ## Run the installer The installer is a single file named like this: ``` IDM3_3.5.3_Rev65_Setup.exe ``` The `Rev` number is the configuration revision — it changes far more often than the `3.5.3` version, because each revision brings new unit firmware and fixes. Always install the highest revision you have been given. 1. Double-click the installer. 2. Accept the licence when prompted. 3. Choose components. **iDM3** is required and cannot be deselected — it contains the application, configuration, firmware and documentation. **Desktop shortcut** is optional and off by default. 4. Confirm the install folder. The default is inside your user profile: ``` %USERPROFILE%\ELKO EP\iNELS BUS System\iNELS3 03.05.03 Designer & Manager for CU3-07M ``` You can change it, but there is rarely a reason to. 5. Let it finish. Tick **Launch iDM3** on the last page if you want to start straight away. ### What you get In your Start menu, under a folder named *iNELS3 03.05.03 Designer & Manager for CU3-07M*: | Shortcut | What it does | | -------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------- | | **iDM3 3.5.3 for CU3-07M** | Starts iDM3. This is the one you want. | | **iDM3 SuperUser** | Starts iDM3 in super-user mode — see the warning below. | | **Uninstall iDM3** | Removes the program. | > **Why does it say "for CU3-07M"?** Historical naming. The install folder and the shortcut still carry the name of the original central unit, but this version supports **CU3-08M, CU3-09M and CU3-10M** as well — and the CU3-07M itself is now obsolete. Ignore the name in the shortcut; use a **CU3-08M** or newer for anything you are building today. > **Do not use iDM3 SuperUser for normal work.** Super-user mode unlocks settings that are hidden from ordinary users because getting them wrong can break a working installation. Use it only when ELKO EP support asks you to. *** ## Installing over an existing version Installing a newer revision on top of an older one is the normal way to update, and it is safe: * **Your settings are kept.** `UserSett.hdb` is left alone if it already exists. * **Your work is kept.** The uninstaller and the installer both leave `Projects`, `funcBloks`, `gallery`, `web` and `_updater` untouched — so your projects and any function blocks you built survive. * Old Start-menu entries from previous releases are cleaned up automatically. > **Still take a backup.** Copy your `.elp` project files somewhere outside the install folder before any update. The installer is careful, but your projects are the one thing that cannot be re-downloaded. *** ## First run Start iDM3 from the Start-menu shortcut. Two things are worth doing immediately. ### Set your language 1. Open **Settings** from the main menu. 2. Under **Localization**, use **Select language**. 3. Confirm, and restart iDM3 if prompted. The interface ships in English, Czech, Slovak and Spanish. **This manual uses the English labels throughout.** If you work in another language, the meaning is the same but the wording on screen will differ from what is printed here. ### Registration You may be shown a **Registration dialog** asking for personal information — name, surname and contact details — and offering a **Registration key**. This registers your copy with ELKO EP and enables update checks. If the registration server cannot be reached you will see *"Registration server unavailable."* This does not stop you using iDM3. You can register later: the **About** dialog has **Registrate** and **Update registration info**, and **Settings** has a **Show registration** option that controls whether the dialog appears at startup. *** ## Where everything lives Everything iDM3 uses sits inside the install folder. You will rarely need to open it by hand, but knowing the layout helps enormously when troubleshooting. | Folder or file | What it holds | | ----------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------- | | `IDM3.exe` | The program itself | | `Projects\` | **Your project files (`.elp`).** The folder to back up. | | `funcBloks\` | Function-block templates (`.fncb`) you have created | | `Firmwares\` | Firmware packages for every supported unit — around 170 of them | | `Languages\` | Interface translations | | `Documentation\` | The installation manual, change log, and firmware history | | `Images\`, `gallery\` | Icons and floor-plan images | | `storage\`, `spool\`, `TMP\` | Working folders iDM3 manages itself — leave them alone | | `default.elp` | The factory default project | | `userDefault.elp` | Your own default project, if you saved one | | `UserSett.hdb` | Your personal settings. Survives reinstalls. | | `IDM.config` | Program configuration | | `IDM.log`, `comunication.log`, `monitoring.log` | Logs — the first place to look when something misbehaves | [Appendix F](/inels-bus/inels-design-manager-idm3/idm3-files-and-folders.md) describes each of these in full. *** ## Uninstalling Use **Uninstall iDM3** in the Start-menu folder, or Windows *Apps & features*. The uninstaller removes only what it installed. It deliberately leaves behind: * `Projects\` — your project files * `funcBloks\` — your function blocks * `gallery\`, `web\`, `_updater\` * `UserSett.hdb` — your settings, so a reinstall feels familiar If you want a genuinely clean removal, delete the install folder by hand afterwards — **but copy your projects out first.** *** ## If iDM3 will not start | Symptom | Try this | | ------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Nothing happens when you click the shortcut | Confirm .NET Framework 4.8 is installed. | | It starts, then closes immediately | Look for `Exception.excp` and `IDM.log` in the install folder — they record why. | | It opens with an error about the project | The last-opened project may be damaged. Use **New** from the main menu to start clean, then open your project again. | | Everything is in the wrong language | **Settings → Localization → Select language**. | More in [Chapter 30 — Troubleshooting](/inels-bus/inels-design-manager-idm3/troubleshooting-idm3.md). *** **Next:** [Chapter 4 — The main window](/inels-bus/inels-design-manager-idm3/the-idm3-main-window.md) — a map of the screen, so the tutorials make sense. *** ### Also on this wiki * [Software Download](/inels-bus/inels-design-manager-idm3/software-download.md)