Free version of BikeCAD and Java 1.8 Security

As of June 15, 2022, pretty much everything on this page is now outdated. Below, there is a discussion of the various ways you could run the Java plugin in different browsers. Unfortunately, to the best of my knowledge none of these browsers allow the Java plugin any longer. The last remaining hold out was the Internet Explorer browser, but that browser no longer works. If you attempt to launch it, you'll be redirected to the Edge browser. I will allow that there are still probably ways to run the Java plugin. However, I am no longer capable of doing it myself and therefore cannot offer any assistance to anyone trying to do it. You can still run the free version of BikeCAD in a web browser. Just don't check the box to use the Java plugin. Also, be prepared to wait a while for the app to launch but rest assured that it will launch.

A couple years ago, I posted a note about how web browsers were starting to impose restrictions affecting the deployment of Java applets. These changes have made it a bit more involved to run the free version of BikeCAD. That Forum thread has grown pretty long and much of the information there is now obsolete, so I thought I would start a new thread to explain the current state of things.

First of all, I am continuing to port my code to a new platform that will not require a plugin. I am very much looking forward to getting that done as it will eliminate all the hassles involved in launching the Java applet and will allow BikeCAD to run on smart phones and tablets.

In the meantime, there are two options for accessing BikeCAD. The first option is to purchase BikeCAD Pro which is a standalone Java application that does not require a browser plugin. BikeCAD Pro runs on Mac OS X, all Windows desktops and laptops as well as Linux. Owners of BikeCAD Pro receive all future updates at no extra charge so the cost of the program is truly a one time fee.

The second option is to run the free version of BikeCAD in a web browser that supports the Java plugin. Currently Chrome and Microsoft Edge do not support the Java plugin. Therefore, you will have to use either Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox or Safari.

To run the free version, you will need to add https://bikecad.ca and https://www.bikecad.ca to your Java Exception Site list. For more on this see: www.java.com/en/download/faq/exception_sitelist.xml. Note that it used to be that you had to add http://... but as of June 28, 2016, you'll need to use https://

An example of the Java control panel in Windows 10 is shown below. Note that you will need to use the "High" security level as the "Very high" level will not allow the applet to run. (These instructions only apply to the free version of BikeCAD).

Be aware that the free version may take a while to appear on the screen. If all you see is a blank white screen, be patient, the applet is probably just loading. In some extreme cases, I've heard of it taking up to 10 minutes to appear, though a few seconds is more typical.