AlarmCAD 2025 New Features

Preview all of the new features available in AlarmCAD 2025!

Text Update

Improved how text is displayed to eliminate discrepancies when swapping between the OpenGL and GLSL render methods and when using the Export to PDF option.

WARNING: Opening an AlarmCAD 2025 drawing file in any previous version of AlarmCAD (2023 and earlier) may result in unexpected changes to text properties. We recommend only using AlarmCAD 2025 to open files that have been saved in AlarmCAD 2025. Consider saving backups of 2023 and older .CAD files before saving over those files in AlarmCAD 2025, just in case you need to revert back to using a previous software version for any reason.

Standard Riser Improvements

The Standard Riser diagram, accessed from Reports > Riser Detail > Standard, has been improved to now display elements on different floor levels according to the System Level ID value that is specified within the element’s properties.

For more information on these changes, view the System Level Control section of the Standard Riser page.

Appliance Base Tool

Added a new Appliance Base tool, which can be found on the Alarm Tools Toolbar or Tools menu. This tool allows users to choose an appliance base and the appliance the base is attached to at the same time, so when the appliance is placed, the base is already installed.

For more information on this tool, view the Appliance Base page.

PDF Import Function

The ability to import PDFs into model space has been implemented under File > Import > PDF which allows designers to easily use PDFs as backgrounds for their alarm design.

Parts Profile Update

Updated the Parts Profile to now be split into two tabs: the Parts Profile Manager tab and the new Cable Profile Manager tab. The new Cable Profile Manager tab allows designers to easily manage which cables are available in their drawing, so that they only see relevant cable parts when configuring cables in the Design Standards > Circuits tab or through Wire Path properties. Additionally, the Parts Database > Database Utilities > Get New Cloud Parts function can now be accessed from the Parts Profile which allows for parts within the Profile to be updated automatically without needing to remove and re-add the updated parts to the active profile.

Report Table – Quick Update Function

Designers can now resize all Report Tables within the program, as well as quickly update tables by selecting the table, opening the right-click menu, then selecting the Update command.

Additional Updates

Additional quality-of-life updates have been implemented, such as:

• Users are now able to select and apply a Default Parts Profile within the Parts Profile Manager.
• The Distance and Dispersion fields in the Coverage Display dialog are now modifiable.
• Improved the Search function throughout AlarmCAD to display all parts that contain the characters inserted into Search fields, allowing users to more easily find parts without needing to know the exact part number.
• Implemented Up and Down buttons in the Layers pane, allowing users to quickly rearrange the order of the selected layer.
• Implemented the Appliance Base Column option for Symbol Legends tables, allowing users to view Appliance Base information within Symbol Legends.
• Implemented the ability to add Part Number and Model Number information to the Material Properties dialog for Trim Kits.
• Users can now pan the drawing while the Connect Appliances to Circuit > Reviewing Route dialog is open.
• Updated the order of Filter Appliance tables in the Choose an appliance base and attached appliance dialog.
• When creating Backbone Risers from the Riser Detail Options dialog, devices and text boxes associated with them now appear on the floor they’ve been assigned to.
• Updated the AlarmCAD right-click menu ordering to match AutoSPRINK.
• Updated the Tool > Circle tool to also include the ability to create perfect circles based on their diameter or radius.
• Implemented the ability to update the Job Number within the Settings > Job menu.