Installing MERLIC Under Windows

On Windows systems, MERLIC can be installed online via the MVTec Software Manager (SOM), an installation manager for software packages. It starts a local web server and provides access to a remote catalog of products, among others, the SOM package for MERLIC 26.03.0. Basically, you can start SOM, select the desired MERLIC version and components, and SOM takes over the installation process.

For more information on how to install the SOM package for MERLIC, see the documentation of the MVTec Software Manager: Installing MVTec products with the Software Manager.

For the installation of MERLIC 26.03.0, we recommend using the latest SOM version. If you are using an older SOM version, MERLIC 26.03.0 might not be available for installation, and you will not be able to use the latest features of SOM.

Keep in mind to activate your MERLIC license after the installation to use the full functionality of MERLIC without the restrictions of a trial version. For more information, see Activating a MERLIC License.

MERLIC SOM Packages

The following table gives an overview of the available MERLIC packages for the installation. When choosing the "Easy Installation", the MERLIC packages of the default set will be installed. If "Advanced Installation" is applied, you can select or deselect packages for the installation.

Package	Description	Default Set
Basic Fileset	Contains all example files, the help, and all auxiliary files required by other packages. This package is mandatory for each MERLIC installation. Therefore, it cannot be deselected during the installation.	✔
EULA	Contains the license agreement for MERLIC. This package is mandatory for each MERLIC installation. Therefore, it cannot be deselected during the installation.	✔
Frontend	Contains the MERLIC Frontend. This package can be installed separately.	✔
Runtime and Development	Contains the files required for MERLIC Creator including the Frontend Designer and the MERLIC Runtime Environment (MERLIC RTE). In addition, the files for collecting support information are contained. This package can be installed separately.	✔
Runtime Environment Setup	Contains the MERLIC Runtime Environment Setup (MERLIC RTE Setup). This package can be installed separately.	✔
TCP Socket Plug-in	Contains the communication plug-in for the communication via TCP sockets including the documentation of the plug-in. This package is not part of the default set but it can be installed in addition to the other packages.	✘

License-Free Components

The following MERLIC components require no MERLIC license. They can be used without activating a license.

MERLIC Frontend
MERLIC RTE Setup

Installation Directory of MERLIC

All files, including example applications and images, will be installed in the same installation directory. The default installation directory depends on whether you are installing MERLIC just for the current user or for all users.

Installation type	Default installation directory
Current user	%LOCALAPPDATA%\Programs\MVTec\MERLIC-26.03
All users	%PROGRAMFILES%\MVTec\MERLIC-26.03

If you want to install MERLIC in a different directory, you can change the installation directory in SOM.

For more information about the installed file structure of MERLIC, see Created and Installed File Structure.

Keep in mind that you require read and write permissions for the specified directory and make sure that you have started SOM in the mode (either user or system mode) in which you have the required rights for the directory.

Further Information on the Installation

Installation of the MVTec GigE Vision Streaming Filter

During the installation of MERLIC, the MVTec GigE Vision Streaming Filter will be automatically installed. The filter driver improves performance and robustness when using GigE Vision compliant cameras in MERLIC.

Environment Variables

When installing MERLIC via SOM, no environment variables will be set.

Multiple MERLIC Versions

If you install multiple versions of MERLIC, the newest version will be automatically activated. This means, MVApp files will be opened in the newest version when double-clicking on .mvapp files in the file explorer. If desired, you can activate an older MERLIC installation in SOM. Alternatively, you can first open the desired MERLIC version via the Windows start menu and then open the MVApp from the MERLIC Creator. The Windows start menu provides entries for all MERLIC versions that are installed.

Consequences of Installing MERLIC Without Administrator Rights

When installing MERLIC in SOM, you will be asked to provide administrator credentials. If you still proceed with the installation without administrator credentials, some MERLIC settings will not be set which may have some serious consequences.

Consequence	Problem	Possible solution
No firewall rules will be set.	Some configurations will not work, for example, configuration on remote systems.	You can manually enter your administrator credentials for the firewall rules when you are asked again while working with MERLIC. The respective firewall rule will be set for the respective MERLIC executable file, but only for the current port that is being used.
CodeMeter will not be installed.	CodeMeter is the required licensing software for MERLIC. If it is not installed, you cannot activate your MERLIC license. Therefore, MERLIC will not start because the licensing failed. Even the trial version cannot be started because it also requires CodeMeter to install the trial license on the system.	Install CodeMeter separately and then activate your license. However, it is still not possible to use the trial version of MERLIC. If CodeMeter is sill available on your system, for example, from a previous installation, you can activate your license and start MERLIC.

Consequence

Problem

Possible solution

No firewall rules will be set.

Some configurations will not work, for example, configuration on remote systems.

You can manually enter your administrator credentials for the firewall rules when you are asked again while working with MERLIC.

The respective firewall rule will be set for the respective MERLIC executable file, but only for the current port that is being used.

CodeMeter will not be installed.

CodeMeter is the required licensing software for MERLIC. If it is not installed, you cannot activate your MERLIC license.

Therefore, MERLIC will not start because the licensing failed. Even the trial version cannot be started because it also requires CodeMeter to install the trial license on the system.

Install CodeMeter separately and then activate your license. However, it is still not possible to use the trial version of MERLIC.

If CodeMeter is sill available on your system, for example, from a previous installation, you can activate your license and start MERLIC.

Alternatively, re-install MERLIC with administrator rights. Then, CodeMeter will be part of the MERLIC installation, all firewall rules will be set, and you can immediately activate your license and use MERLIC.