2026 Timeline (Week-by-Week)

Last Updated: February 17, 2026 - Win10 x64 COM fix COMPLETE; both x32 and x64 crash-free; bug fixing & quality validation active; WiX development ACTIVE

Note: This plan is a working draft. Some technical details (exact file provenance, build parity, vendor timelines, pricing, and Autodesk product capabilities) may need verification as we inventory the full legacy tree and validate behavior in modern environments.

Schedule philosophy

We run a weekly cadence with:

  • 1 weekly update

  • 1 build artifact whenever meaningful progress lands

  • explicit phase gates (P1→P2→P3→P4)

  • Q4 dedicated to stabilization + partner demo readiness

This timeline is written as a plan, not a promise. The biggest schedule swing factor is P2 parity closure.

Budget Milestones (January 27, 2026)

When

Item

Cost

Notes

Q1 2026

WiX Toolset 4.x

$0

FREE - selected over $500-2000 alternatives

Q2 2026

Code Signing (OV)

$200/yr

Sectigo - needed before GA release

Jun 2026

AutoCAD 2026 License

$1,865

Required for P3 testing

Sep 2026

Autodesk Dev Network

$500/yr

App Store access

Nov 2026

Code Signing (EV)

$400/yr

Optional upgrade for instant trust

See: installer-modernization-decision.md for detailed cost analysis. (archived)

Macro timeline (quarters)

Q1 2026 (Jan–Mar): P1 execution + WiX development 🔧

  • ✅ Build artifacts archived (Completed 2026-01-16)

  • ✅ Installer analysis complete, WiX decision documented (Completed 2026-01-20)

  • ✅ isDcc decompilation of v3.60 InstallShield → setup.rul (4,163 lines)

  • ✅ Cost analysis complete - WiX (FREE) selected over $500-2000 alternatives 💰

  • ✅ Proxmox VM infrastructure - Tower converted, Tailscale + LegacyUpdate.net (Jan 27) 🖥️

  • ✅ Multi-OS testing COMPLETE (Feb 10) - XP/Vista/Win7 all passed, 9 bugs documented

  • ✅ Win10 testing COMPLETE (Feb 13-17) - Win10x32 fully working, Win10x64 fully working (after Wow6432Node COM fix Feb 17)

  • ✅ Total Uninstall inventory validated - 152 files, 5.5 MB as WiX payload source

  • ✅ Auto-config script created - Configure-ConstructiVision.ps1 handles AutoCAD integration

  • ⏹️ P1 InstallShield Sprint ABORTED (Feb 13) - Low ROI, proceeding directly to WiX

  • Active Feb 13 - Mar 31: WiX Installer Development (7 weeks) 🔧

    • Week 9 (Feb 13-20): WiX foundation + import 152-file inventory

    • Week 10 (Feb 20-27): Core functionality, auto-config integration

    • Week 11 (Feb 27-Mar 6): Uninstall, code signing, polish

    • Week 12 (Mar 6-13): 64-bit AutoCAD purchase and testing

    • Week 13 (Mar 13-20): Alpha/beta testing

    • Week 14 (Mar 20-31): Polish, documentation, GA release

  • Target Mar 31: WiX installer GA release - replaces legacy InstallShield installer

Q2 2026 (Apr—Jun): P2 parity closure + P3 setup

  • Patch or recreate to match newest build outputs

  • Lock “2026 baseline”

  • Acquire AutoCAD 2026 and prep packaging changes

Q3 2026 (Jul—Sep): P3 modern AutoCAD compatibility + ADN prep 🆕

  • Run cleanly on AutoCAD 2026

  • Modern packaging (.bundle format) + UI adjustments 🆕

  • Regression suite runs on target

  • Join ADN Developer tier (~$500/year for technical support) 🆕

  • Prepare Autodesk App Store submission (screenshots, docs, EULA) 🆕

  • Request early AutoCAD 2027 access 🆕

  • Sunset VM-based distribution model (replace with direct install) 🆕

Q4 2026 (Oct—Dec): P4 hybrid cloud + dual distribution + demo hardening 🆕

  • Subscription foundations + artifact pipeline

  • Autodesk App Store submission & review (Nov 1, allow 2 cycles = 4 weeks) 🆕

  • Dual distribution channels live: 🆕

    • Direct download (WiX MSI installer) - primary

    • Autodesk App Store - secondary

  • Stabilization, performance, “demo polish”

  • White Cap demo readiness (target)

  • World of Concrete readiness by end of 2026 (stable, rehearsed, packaged)

Suggested 2026 week plan (high-level)

Weeks 1–4 (Jan, Target 2026-01-31): P1 foundation + installer rebuild sprint start 🔧

  • ✅ Build artifacts (v3.60 + v11) archived and documented (Completed 2026-01-16)

  • ✅ Installer analysis complete, WiX decision documented (Completed 2026-01-20) 🔧

  • ✅ isDcc decompilation produced setup.rul (4,163 lines of InstallScript)

  • ✅ Proxmox VM migration complete (2026-01-27) 🖥️

    • Tower computer converted to Proxmox VM (only running legacy copy)

    • Tailscale VPN + LegacyUpdate.net configured

    • Greater Seattle Concrete remote access in progress

    • Replaces VirtualBox on dev laptop (limited resources, no backup)

  • Week 4 (Jan 21-27): v3.60 installer rebuild from setup.rul 🔧

    • InstallShield 5.x environment setup in XP VM

    • RUL import, compilation, first test run

    • Pre/post install diff with WinDiff

    • Bug fixes (registry profile detection, AutoCAD running check)

  • Target 2026-01-27: v3.60 installer compiles and runs in XP VM ✅

  • Target 2026-02-14: Greater Seattle Concrete remote access validated

  • Target 2026-03-31: UI screenshot capture and menu tree building

Weeks 5–8 (Feb, Target 2026-02-28): Installer sprint continuation + compatibility testing 🔧

  • Week 5 (Jan 27 - Feb 3): v7.0 installer reverse engineering 🔧

    • Inspect existing v7.0/v11 desktop installation

    • Compare v3.60 vs v7.0 files, registry, paths

    • Document target state specification

    • Draft v7.0 installer script (may not compile)

  • Week 6 (Feb 3-10): Nero Analysis (Lessons Learned) 🔍

    • Analyzed Nero 1.0 installer to validate isDcc workflow

    • Critical Discovery: isDcc bytecode (10,031 lines) won’t compile

    • Solution Found: InstallShield wizard approach generates clean 606-line .rul

    • Documented lesson: Decompiler useful for understanding, not rebuilding

    • Schedule Impact: VLX recompilation deferred; multi-OS testing delayed 2 weeks

  • Week 7 (Feb 10-16): Multi-OS Testing ✅ MAJOR SUCCESS

    • ✅ CV3.60 + AC2000 installed on XP, Vista, AND Win7 — no UAC issues as Administrator

    • ✅ 8 installer bugs cataloged with root cause analysis (profile detection = #1 bug)

    • ✅ 9 monitoring files captured (Total Uninstall + Inctrl5 + Regshot × 3 VMs)

    • ✅ Complete v11 installer specification (41 files, exact registry entries, 6 “do NOT” rules)

    • ✅ Bug 2 (UAC) downgraded to Low — works fine as Administrator

    • See: CV360-Installation-Analysis.md (archived)

  • Week 8 (Feb 10-13): Win10 Testing + P1 Sprint Decision ✅ COMPLETE

    • ✅ Win10 32-bit: Full stack working (AutoCAD 2000 + CV + auto-config script)

    • ✅ Win10 64-bit: Tested via Total Uninstall restore — COM automation fails with AC2000

    • ✅ Auto-configuration script created: scripts/Configure-ConstructiVision.ps1

    • ✅ P1 InstallShield Sprint ABORTED — Low ROI on .rul recompilation

    • ✅ Legacy installer validated through Win10x32 — no rebuild needed

    • ✅ Total Uninstall restore validated as deployment method

    • 🚧 Decision: Proceed directly to WiX using validated components

    • Next: 64-bit AutoCAD purchase (Mar 2026) to enable Win10x64 support

  • Target 2026-02-10: ✅ Multi-OS compatibility validated (XP/Vista/Win7) — AHEAD OF SCHEDULE

  • Target 2026-02-17: Win10 32-bit eval VM operational

  • Target 2026-02-24: v11 bridge installer prototype; comprehensive menu testing

Weeks 9–13 (Feb 13 - Mar, Target 2026-03-31): WiX installer development + 64-bit AutoCAD + Alpha/Beta 🔧

  • Week 9 (Feb 13 - Feb 20): WiX Foundation 🚧 STARTING

    • WiX project setup and initial MSI structure

    • Import file list from Total Uninstall inventory (152 files, 5.5 MB)

    • Basic installer UI and branding

    • Deliverable: WiX project builds and deploys files

  • Week 10 (Feb 20 - Feb 27): WiX Core Functionality 🔧

    • AutoCAD prerequisite detection

    • File deployment to Program Files

    • Post-install PowerShell script execution (auto-config)

    • Registry configuration via Configure-ConstructiVision.ps1

  • Week 11 (Feb 27 - Mar 6): WiX Advanced Features 🔧

    • Uninstall support with clean removal

    • Process detection with Windows Restart Manager

    • Code signing certificate integration

    • Error handling and rollback

  • Week 12 (Mar 6-13): Bug fixing + output quality validation (x32 & x64)

    • Validate calculation outputs on both architectures

    • Systematic menu testing across all commands

    • Fix bugs found during validation

    • 64-bit AutoCAD purchase DEFERRED — AC2000 works on x64

  • Week 13 (Mar 13 - Mar 20): Alpha/Beta Testing 🔧

    • Deploy WiX installer to internal resources

    • Document all bugs and issues found

    • Test on clean machines (no prior AutoCAD/CV)

    • Regression test all CV features

  • Week 14 (Mar 20 - Mar 31): WiX Polish & Release 🔧

    • Fix bugs found in alpha/beta testing

    • MSI validation tests

    • User documentation

    • IT deployment guide (Group Policy, SCCM)

    • Release candidate build

  • Target 2026-03-31: WiX installer GA release + both x32 and x64 validated 🔧

Weeks 14–17 (Apr, Target 2026-04-30): Integration & Bug Fixing 🆕 NEW PHASE

  • Week 14 (Apr 1-7): AutoCAD 2020+ Compatibility Testing

    • Test old ConstructiVision VLX with AutoCAD 2020, 2022, 2024

    • Document compatibility issues and breaking changes

    • Identify required code changes for modern AutoCAD API

    • Test WiX installer on modern AutoCAD versions

  • Week 15 (Apr 8-14): Functional Modernization (No UI Changes)

    • Update deprecated AutoCAD API calls

    • Fix compatibility issues from Week 14

    • Maintain existing UI/UX (defer visual changes to P2)

    • LSP code updates for modern AutoCAD

  • Week 16 (Apr 15-21): Bug Fixing Sprint

    • Address critical bugs found during multi-OS testing (Feb)

    • Fix hard errors from menu validation testing

    • Regression testing on XP/Vista/Win7/Win10

    • AutoCAD version-specific bug fixes

  • Week 17 (Apr 22-30): Stabilization & Testing

    • Integration testing with WiX installer

    • Performance testing and optimization

    • Documentation updates

    • Final regression testing across all supported platforms

  • Target 2026-04-30: Stable baseline for P2 Design phase

  • Decision Point Apr 30: Stable baseline achieved → proceed to P2 Design

Weeks 18–22 (May, Target 2026-05-31): P2 Design Improvement phase

  • UI documentation published (menu tree complete)

  • Newest build delta inventory

  • Decide patch vs recreate approach (P2 gate)

  • Build reproducibility documented (VLX compilation process)

  • Patch path (or recreate path) work begins

  • Regression suite grows each week

  • Lock “2026 baseline” when parity achieved

Weeks 23—30 (Jun—Jul): P3 Security & Testing start

  • AutoCAD 2026 packaging & compatibility

  • UI/menu adaptations

  • performance + reliability improvements

Weeks 31—38 (Aug—Sep): P3 exit + P4 foundations

  • P3 complete criteria met

  • P4 architecture and entitlement MVP begins

  • begin demo storyboard for partners

Weeks 39—46 (Oct—Nov): P4 build-out + demo hardening

  • artifact pipeline MVP

  • upgrade/update experience

  • White Cap demo rehearsal cycles

Weeks 47—52 (Dec): Freeze + polish + readiness

  • stability and bug fixes

  • demo scripts locked

  • release candidate build packaged

  • “ready by end of 2026” checkpoint

Date realism note (World of Concrete)

World of Concrete 2027 is scheduled for January 19—21, 2027 (Education: Jan 18—21). The intent is:

  • Demo freeze by December 15, 2026 to ensure stable, demo-ready product

  • Rehearsal cadence: monthly demos starting July 2026, weekly starting October 2026