Install
One executable, no account, no background service. The installer can put the program and the data directory in different places, and the application can also run from a build folder without installation.
Requirements
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10 or newer |
| Architecture | x86 is the primary build; an x64 configuration exists in the project but is not part of the standard solution |
| Runtime | Microsoft Visual C++ 2015–2022 Redistributable (x86) |
| CAN | J2534 Pass-Thru adapter and its vendor driver |
| DoIP | Ethernet adapter reachable by the vehicle, with correct IP and port settings |
| Disk | A writable workspace directory |
Building from source additionally needs Visual Studio with toolset v145, C++20 and MSBuild.
Install
- The installer is not published yet. When it is, download
bmsetup.exefrom the release page. - Run the installer. The default program directory is
Program Files\BlackMagic; the installer also offers a data directory. - If Windows asks for the Visual C++ redistributable, install the x86 package and run the installer again.
- Start BlackMagic from the Start menu.
The installer never overwrites existing user data; it only adds missing files during an upgrade. By default, uninstalling keeps the data folder and the global settings.
Silent install
bmsetup.exe /VERYSILENT /DIR="C:\Program Files\BlackMagic" /DATAPATH="D:\BM\data"An invalid /DATAPATH aborts with a non-zero exit code and no blocking dialog, which makes the command safe for scripts.
Run without installation
BlackMagic.exe can be started directly from a build folder. Working files and logs are created in the selected workspace; global settings still go to %APPDATA%\BlackMagic.
Settings
View → Settings (Alt+,) has three groups:
- PassThru Interface — J2534 driver; switching it reconnects the application.
- User preferences — load last project at startup, FPS limit, colour scheme (Light / Dark / Classic), font scale, drag speed, undo depth (0–100) and an external editor for values.
- Automation — allow AI/MCP to modify the project, allow live ECU writes, and ask before write DID, routine start, IO control, memory write and raw UDS. Dangerous operations require confirmation by default.
Unsigned build
Current builds are not code-signed. Windows SmartScreen may show a warning on first run; use More info → Run anyway only if the file came from the official download page.
First launch
The application asks for a workspace directory. A workspace is a normal folder, so it can live on any drive with write access. See Workspace for the layout.
Update and uninstall
- Updating: run a newer installer; the data directory is preserved.
- Uninstalling interactively asks whether to keep the data folder and
%APPDATA%\BlackMagic\config_global.json. Answering No removes the config and removes the data folder only when it carries the installer's marker file. - Silent uninstall always preserves the data folder and the global config.