To customize BikeCAD Pro, click on View >> Customize (or ALT-V, ALT-C). This will launch the Customization dialog box shown below:

BikeCAD customization screen

At the top of the dialog box is the Change language menu. Use this menu to select your preferred language. BikeCAD has been comprehensively translated into English, German, Italian and Portuguese. It has been partially translated into Arabic, Dutch, French, Japanese, Norwegian, Russian, Spanish and Swedish. If you'd like to help translate BikeCAD into your language, click here for details.

In the Startup tab there are a number of general options you can select to customize your BikeCAD Pro settings:

  • In the Font section, you can select the font for the on-screen dimensions and the font for the title block in the BikeCAD drawing.
  • Check the Save current bike as default template box to setup BikeCAD so that the next time you launch the program your preferred bicycle design will appear by default. Be sure to include your preferred paint scheme as well as the arrangement of dimensions that you would like to see displayed on the screen. Note that the Customization dialog box does not register changes you've made to the design after launching the Customize dialog box. The bike must appear as you desire before you open the Customize dialog box.
  • In the Program name field you can change the name of the program as it appears in the title bar.
    BikeCAD Pro label
    		 Joe's Custom Frame Shop label
  • In the Display dialog boxes on startup section choose which dialog boxes will automatically appear on startup.
  • Use the Builder info section to add your contact info. This information can be selected for display in the BikeCAD title block.
  • Use the Logo field to define a graphic image to appear in the title block. The graphic image file can be in GIF, JPG, PNG, or BMP format. The file should be placed in the configuration directory which can be found inside the BikeCAD Pro directory.
  • If you use a non-white background colour, checking the box Always print white background will ensure that your coloured background does not get printed when your design is sent to the printer.
  • Decal outline thickness defines the line weight associated with the outline of the decal. The number should be an integer.
  • There is a check box in BikeCAD's Paint tab that allows the decals to be stretched to the full diameter of the tube. When that box is not checked, the decals are set to a specific size defined in the Unstretched decal heights section.
  • On-screen dimensions can be displayed with an arrow tip on the end or with a dot on the end. The size of the arrows and dots is defined in the Dimensions section. Smaller dimensions are represented with the arrows pointing inward, larger dimensions are displayed with the arrows pointing outward. The point at which dimension arrows flip from inward to outward is defined in the Flip arrows at text box. When dimensions are offset from the entities being defined, extension lines are added. These extension lines will have dots on the ends if the Show dots on extension lines box is checked.
  • The Lugs section defines the geometry of the lugs used in the Lugs and the Lugs with Panel paint schemes. Note that Lug cut depth may not be quite what is expected. The side cuts in the lugs are conic curves. The depth is measured to the intersection of the asymptotes of the curve as shown:
  • Uncheck various boxes to remove menus and options from the BikeCAD interface. This functionality is partly meant to simplify the BikeCAD Pro interface by eliminating options that you know you will never use. However, it is more importantly meant to create a stripped down interface for customers to access through BikeCAD for the Web.

Be sure to hit the Save settings button. BikeCAD will need to be restarted for these changes to take effect.

For info on customizing the list of standard forks and wheels click here.

For info on customizing the Fit advisor settings click here.

BikeCAD Frequently Asked Questions