EZCAD 2.14.11- Increased RAM, Offline Save

[Matt Schrum]

All,
You folks have been a huge help to me here and I wanted to share this file with you folks first. On one of my facebook groups a much nerdier nerd than myself went in and changed some aspects of the .exe file to let EZCAD know there's more RAM available that it can utilize. Previously it seemed to be limited to using 2GB, some folks have reported it utilizing up to 3.5GB now. That is, it should crash less on large files.

In addition, in the comments of that post I was pointed towards this lin (https://charliex2.wordpress.com/2020/01/31/fibre-laser-arrives-let-the-games-begin/?fbclid=IwAR1A7mJ6G8ZkXIXf1hi4BoDcNXRVUXilm6Pk_Syf _rcZKzINOg9MeJyX4A4)k in which a guy pointed out what bits to change so that you can save files offline (that is, without a dongle). So, to get the best of both worlds (more RAM utilization, save without a dongle) then took the .exe file from the first guy (more RAM) and went in and edited those bits with a Hex Editor to get the offline save. You can find that file attached (just unzip it). 446841

I have only been using this for an hour or two, so please treat this as experimental for the time being. This is for 2.14.11 only. make a copy of your current EZCAD folder with all of the supporting files, delete the main .exe file and drop mine from above in it's place. Do the same thing with the .dll file in the .zip folder (it's in the same folder on your PC as the EzCAD.exe file). That's all you need to do.

Some other notes to make life easier while I am at it (whether or not you use the new .exe file):
-in the EZCAD 2.14.11 --> res folder: use a text editor to change the license.txt file (this is the start up window where you hit Agree). I changed the text to tell me what lens I'm using (I have a separate copy of the EZCAD folder for each lens)
-Also in that folder, you can edit the Logo.bmp file to change the start up image. Again, I put a note on there about what lens I am using (the more warnings, the better)

I hope this of some help. I'm not fantastic at programming, so if some issues do crop up this may be all for naught-- but I'm hoping it is smooth sailing.

-Matt

[Julian Ashcroft]

This looks worth trying, is it available as an external download?

[Jeff Watkins]

Thanks Matt! I've been using the other guys file from the FB group with the memory fix. I had jokingly made the comment that if we could fix EzCad's 'Dog Not Found' error we'd be in business and here you are! Anyway, thanks it's working well. Did you have to HEX it or go the C++ route with program options? I had a F$L years ago and they capped their lasers at 10mAh, so a little HEX of the EXE fixed it.

Cheers
-Jeff

[Matt Schrum]

Julian,
Besides the link in my post, I'm not aware of another version out there. I've seen the increased memory one floating around in a couple of my facebook groups, but I have not seen one that also tackled the dongle/demo mode side of things.

Jeff,
I edited the file with a hex editor following the work of some other folks. It'll still yell at you that an LMC board is not connected, but it does not flip into demo mode and otherwise operates normally (besides the initial "No LMC board" pop up)

[Kev Williams]

So, will the memory help be of much use on 32bit computers?

(I only have version .10 anyway so won't matter) ;)

[Matt Schrum]

So, will the memory help be of much use on 32bit computers?

(I only have version .10 anyway so won't matter) ;)

Kev,
Honestly I'm not sure-- I hadn't run any large enough files previously to have any issues with EzCAD crashing on me. However, once I saw the blog about how to edit the program files to allow for offline saving, I figured I might as well take what was considered the latest and greatest version and make my edits to that. Anecdotally, folks have reported less crashing with the increased RAM version-- but I haven't noticed a difference with the type of work I am doing.

[Matt Schrum]

Kev,
I was thinking 2.10, not 2.14.10. If you're having crashes where more RAM might help, try the download at the link below. The guy on the forum that did 2.14.11 also did the same change on the .10 file (that's what the download link points to). He is hosting it on his own OneDrive, so I'd download it soon in case he removes the file in the future. Again, you just need to replace the .exe file in your folder (I renamed my old one so it's easy to revert back if I need to, then dropped this one in there)

https://1drv.ms/u/s!Atr1-Y6LAdaZmjgKL17Yl8yN67Tc?e=4Wjdft

[Kev Williams]

I'll have to play with it, thanks!