How to Use the BricsCAD Start Page

Quick answer: The Start page opens automatically at the beginning of a BricsCAD session and has six tabs: Log In, Start, Cloud, Learn, Apps, and Insights. The Start tab is where most day-to-day actions live, opening drawings, picking templates, and managing your licence, while the others cover collaboration, learning resources, third-party apps, and personal usage stats.

When the Start Page Appears

It opens automatically after the BricsCAD Launcher, whenever the GETSTARTED variable is on, or at the start of a session, on by default. You can also reach it any time via the Start tab in Document Tabs at the top of the drawing area (Document Tabs need SHOWDOCTABS on, also the default).

If you close the Start tab by accident, bring it back with Ctrl+Home or the GOTOSTART command.

Log In Tab

Log in to your Bricsys account from here. Once logged in, click your avatar for a quick menu:

• My account, your account information
• My licenses, your licences
• My support, your support requests
• Log out

Start Tab

This is where most day-to-day actions live:

• Workspace: switch workspace from a dropdown.
• Start from template: shows your most recently used templates. Click More… to browse the full template list or a custom one. Each workspace ships with its own predefined templates.
• New drawing: creates a drawing from your current template. In the BIM workspace specifically, you can choose between a new project or a new drawing. The right-side arrow also gives you Create new sheet set and Start new wizard.
• Open files: browse for an existing drawing. The right-side arrow adds Open files (read-only), Open a sheet set, and Recover.
• Get to know BricsCAD: guided, step-by-step tutorials for your current workspace.
• Experimental new features: Discover or Manage buttons open the Experimental Features dialog. Once enabled, a feedback button also appears.
• Recent files: thumbnails of recently opened files, switchable between grid and table view, with search. How many appear is controlled by the RECENTFILES system variable.

A separate panel on the right side covers:

• License: your current licence level, with buttons to manage your licence or upgrade. Trial users see options to enter a serial number or buy BricsCAD instead.
• Tip: command tips, with a Read more link to the relevant help article.
• Update status: tells you whether you’re up to date, whether an update is available (with a direct download link), or whether you’re offline and can’t check.
• Become a beta user: sign up for the Beta Tester Program.
• Learn more: a link to the Help Centre.
• Need help?: a direct link to file a support request.
• Show launcher at startup: a checkbox controlling whether the Launcher dialog reappears next session.

Cloud Tab

Collaboration and document management tools for CAD teams.

Learn Tab

Free video lessons and sample drawings for learning BricsCAD.

Apps Tab

Browse the Application Catalog, currently around 400 partner applications covering specialised industry workflows. Clicking a category filters the catalogue to match; Explore the Application Catalog opens the full list.

Insights Tab

Usage statistics based on data you’ve shared with Octave, available once you’ve joined the BricsCAD Analytics Program. It shows your most-used commands (with last-used date and count), command suggestions based on similar users, and achievements, shown in blue once completed and grey while still outstanding. Data here isn’t live; it updates a few times a day.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get the Start page back if I’ve accidentally closed it? Ctrl+Home, or run the GOTOSTART command.

Do I need to be logged in to use the Start page? No, but logging in via the Log In tab unlocks account, licence, and support information from within BricsCAD itself, rather than needing to visit the website separately.

Why don’t I see live updates on the Insights tab? It only updates a few times a day from the cloud side, not in real time, and you need to have joined the BricsCAD Analytics Program first.

Can I stop the Launcher dialog appearing every time I start BricsCAD? Yes, untick “Show launcher at startup” in the Start tab’s right-side panel.