IMAGINiT Technologies Support Blog

Batch Printing Issues Related to Recent Windows Security Updates

Recent windows security updates (8/10/16) have caused issues with the ability to batch print.

The security updates below that apply to your operating system will need to be uninstalled to resolve this issue.

o Security Update for Windows 10 Version 1511 for x64-based Systems (KB3172729)
    o The article below describes this KB as well as KB3176493(Windows 10).
    o http://www.infoworld.com/article/3107306/microsoft-windows/microsoft-admits-to-distributing-windows-printing-bugs-in-kb-3177725-and-kb-3176493.html
o Security Update for Windows 7 and 8.1 for x64-based Systems (KB3177725)

TO UNINSTALL THE UPDATES

Go to control panel > programs and features.
Click on View installed updates and uninstall the security update(s) listed above for you operating system.

The image below is from a Windows 7 machine.

 

How to clean up the Autodesk ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE setting in the Windows Registry

WARNING:

This blog is intended for System Administrators or super users that are familiar with the Windows Registry only!  If you incorrectly edit the registry you may inadvertently disable the machine entirely.  

 

Why would you want to clean up the registry?  Well, because sometimes it prevents us from obtaining a network license.  Sometimes it makes the program open more slowly.

This one can be a bit tricky.  I've seen a variety of entries in the registry but not all of them would apply for network licensing.

 What we want to see is something like what we put in the Windows Environment variable where the value = 2080@servername

 So let's search!

1. Open the Registry Editor.  If you don't know how to do that, then please see the Warning above.
2. Select "Computer" and bring up the Find dialog
3. Enter ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE and hit enter.

The search takes a while.  You'll typically find 1 or maybe even 15 entries.  You can hit the function key F3 to go to the Next hit.

I've seen up to 6 or 7 valid entries, some are fine some are incorrect or hold additional information that will slow things down.  If it is being slowed down enough, you won't obtain a network license.

I found one!

Once you can see the full name, ensure it stops at _FILE and does not have anything after FILE.

 

This one is correct.  Of course you need to replace the server name after the @ in each instance with your actual servers name.

  

Now hit F3 to go to the next one.  This one needs to be cleaned up.  I'd change it to 2080@Server1;2080@server2;@2080@server3

  

 

So does this one:

Again, I'd change it to be our servers:  2080@Server1;2080@server2;@2080@server3

Now, be careful because there are some that should not be touched.  Here are a few examples:

 

 

 And this one that I showed earlier:

 

 Warning!

Problems caused by improperly editing the Windows Registry could render your computer operating system unusable. Microsoft provides a wealth of critical information that you need to know about the Registry in theMicrosoft Knowledge Base . Use the Microsoft Registry Editor only at your own risk and only after backing up the Registry as outlined for your operating system in the Microsoft article How to back up and restore the Registry in Windows and in the related solution How to backup the system Registry . Additional information about the Registry is also contained in the Help topics in the Microsoft Registry Editor.

 

 

Contact us to learn more about Autodesk programs.

Training: http://www.imaginit.com/training/options/overview
Sales: http://www.imaginit.com/about/offices-training-centers
Technical Support: 888-528-4765 http://www.imaginit.com/support/overview

 

 

 

 

 

Optimizing Autodesk Network License Connectivity

I receive a lot of Autodesk network licensing calls.  Unable to obtain a network license type of errors.  Sometimes the problem is the license manager (ensure it's the right version and has licenses available).  Most of the time it is due to the client system (CAD machine) being unable to communicate properly with the license manager.  

So before optimizing the system I do the following:

1)  Is the flexlm the right version and does it have licenses available (check the server status enquiry),  if that is all right, then

2)  Check the ports (2080, 27000) using this Autodesk KB (https://knowledge.autodesk.com/search-result/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Using-Internet-Explorer-to-check-if-the-ports-used-for-licensing-are-open.html) and ensure the ports being used are open.  Check in the Debug Log for what ports are being used.

So, if licenses are available on the right version of the flexlm, if the ports are open, then what could be causing the problem?  

Well, most of the time it's something to do with the pointer to the server. The pointer may be found in 3 different places and there is an order of precedence.

Location and order of precedence of the pointer:

1)  The Windows Environment Variable. See our blog on the ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE  As an example I'd set the value to 2080@server1 (assuming server1 is the server name.)  Note:  this location is not set by default unless you are using Distributed or Redundant servers, but you can set it to help optimize the client machine.

2)  The Windows Registry:  I've seen the setting in the registry up to 6 different locations and just 1 incorrect value can make it so we cannot obtain a license.  In the Registry search for and fix the "value" for all instances of ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE.  Note:  if the variable name has something after the word "FILE" I do not modify it, the name must match exactly ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE.  

3)  The Licpath.lic.  

Optimizing!

1st:  I check the Windows Environment variable and verify it's setup like the blog shows or I change it and include the 2080 in front of the @.

2nd:  I search the entire registry for the ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE and paste in the same value as what's listed in the Environment variable.  See our blog at:  http://blogs.rand.com/support/2016/08/how-to-clean-up-the-autodesk-adskflex_license_file-setting-in-the-windows-registry.html

Then I test it.  Most of the time this process gets us past the licensing problems and sometimes makes obtaining a license so quick you don't need to use the FLEXLM_TIMEOUT Windows Environment variable.

3rd:  if things are still not quite right, I'll adjust all the Licpath.lic files.  Open each licpath.lic and ensure it shows the correct server name.  There are many locations for the licpath.lic depending on what program and even what version of that program you have installed.  The location for AutoCAD 2004's licpath is different than the one for 2014.  Some get crazy and the location for the 2017 products is in an entirely new path structure.

Edit the licpath.lic in Notepad and ensure it shows something like the following 2 lines:

SERVER SERVER1 000000000000

USE_SERVER

Note:  replace server1 with your servers name where the license manager resides.  The 12 zeros (no more, no less) are a necessary placeholder for the License Managers MAC. 

 

Contact us to learn more about Autodesk programs.

Training: http://www.imaginit.com/training/options/overview
Sales: http://www.imaginit.com/about/offices-training-centers
Technical Support: 888-528-4765 http://www.imaginit.com/support/overview

The First Look: Autodesk Industry Collections - Q&A Session

On August 24 we hosted a webcast on the new Autodesk Industry Collections. In this webcast IMAGINiT experts outlines the new Autodesk Industry Collections and then answered questions around these new collections.

Here are some of the most asked questions from the webcast.

Q: Will we be required to switch our existing suites to collections?
            A: You will have the option to switch if you like, but you will not be required to.

Q: If we have the occasional need for Inventor, can we subscribe on a per week or per month basis along with the architecture Design Suite?
            A: You can subscribe to programs monthly, quarterly, or on a 1, 2 or 3 year term. Weekly is not available as a subscription option.

Q: I have 50 subscribed suites, will I will have to switch to an industry collection before my subscription expires in Nov 2017?
            A: No, you can keep what you have on an active maintenance plan to receive updates.

Q: Is it still current version plus 3 versions back for the previous use allowance?
            A: Yes, there are no changes to the previous use program.

Q: What do I need to do if my industry spans multiple collections?
            A: You may need to purchase a combination of industry collections and/or individual products in order to get the combination of software products for your needs.

Q: Can I pick and choose what I would want in my collections?
            A: The collections are set programs, you can choose to install the software that fits your needs. Or you may subscribe to the individual products you need.

Q: If we have several licenses spread across several contracts, can we consolidate those licenses under one contract when we switch to an industry collection?
            A: That depends on the renewal dates, please work with an IMAGINiT representative to review your options.

Q: If you switch from a perpetual maintenance suite to a collection and then drop the subscription later, will you still be able to use the software perpetually as you would with the previous maintenance plan?
            A: Perpetual licenses are not able to move to industry collections.

Q: We have some seats of perpetual licenses on maintenance, what happens to these?
            A: You can keep them maintained as long as you want to keep getting updates.

Q: Will there be a "Deployment" method for mass user installation where we can dictate different applications for different design groups?
            A: Yes, please speak with an IMAGINiT representative for more information on mass installations.

Q: Will the network license manager application change or will it remain the same FlexLM application with expanded license files for collections.
            A: At this point, it is the same as FlexLM.

Q: Do you need to reinstall from suites to collections or can you just simply change the SN and product key? For Multi-users.
            A: For 2017, you can simply change the licensing in the program now.

Q: Is a multi-user collection licensing controlled by the web only or can the collection licenses be added to an existing flexLM license manager?
            A: It can be controlled by a local FlexLM license manager.

Q: Does a multiuser license work across a Wide Area Network?
            A: Yes.

Q: What application (or web service) will be used to track product usage (by username) since we currently do not have this capability with FlexLM.
            A: There is not one, it is named user and assigned in the accounts website.

Q: What happens with a non-connected use, would we have to 'check out' a license before disconnecting from the server?
            A: Yes, you borrow a license for a set time you will be out.

Q: What are the implications of using a WAN for international offices? Can this be done without any additional fees?
            A: No, you will need to get the ETR or GETR license type.

Q: In a multi user environment where are the licenses held?
            A: The licenses are held on your server, it was previously called network licenses.

Q: Is there a limit to the number of users on the multi-user license?
            A: At any time, the number of purchased licenses count will be able to use the software.

Q: Is the complimentary 25GB of cloud storage available for each user?
            A: Yes, each user is given 25GB of cloud based storage.

Q: Are there more than 3 users that can be assigned to cloud credits with a single license?
            A: That is only available for multi-user license, the single user license is just 1 to 1.

Q: Can you track who used the cloud credits?
            A: From the shared cloud credits, yes.

Q: If the cloud credits are assigned per individual, what happens if that person leaves the company? Do the credits go with them?
            A: Yes, as the cloud credits are assigned to an individual not the company.

Q: Is there any change to how do the updates happen now?
            A: There is a desktop app that will notify you or your users of any updates required.

Where is the Licpath.lic located for Autodesk programs?

The licpath.lic is a text file that contains the name of the server that has the network license manager.  It points the Autodesk network program to obtain the license from that server/machine.

Historically, at least since AutoCAD 2002 the licpath.lic has been located in the programs folder, but with 2017 it has a new home.

Here are the locations of the licpath.lic:

2002-2016

It is in the programs folder, like c:\Program Files\AutoCAD 2004.  Sometimes a subfolder under that folder like the C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Inventor 2013\BIN folder. And if you were using something like Civil 3D 2016 it may even be in c:\Program Files\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2016\C3D folder.  That said, look under c:\Program Files and you can do a search to find all the different licpath.lic files.

2017:

The new location is based in part on the 2017 product key of the program(s) you have installed.  

 C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\CLM\LGS\<Product_Key>_2017.0.0.F

The product key for AutoCAD is 001i1, Architecture 185i1, Revit is 829i1, and Inventor is 208i1.

So for example:

• AutoCAD 2017  look in:  C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\CLM\LGS\001i1_2017.0.0F

Note: the 001i1 is the product key for AutoCAD.  So if you are using AutoCAD Architecture then use the product key 185i1 in place of 001i1.

• AutoCAD Architecture 2017 look in:  C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\CLM\LGS\185i1_2017.0.0.F
• Revit 2017 look in  C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\CLM\LGS\829i1_2017.0.0.F
• Inventor 2017 look in  C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\CLM\LGS\208i1_2017.0.0.F

 

Contact us to learn more about Autodesk programs.

Training: http://www.imaginit.com/training/options/overview
Sales: http://www.imaginit.com/about/offices-training-centers
Technical Support: 888-528-4765 http://www.imaginit.com/support/overview

 

AutoCAD 2017: New Text Edit Variable TEXTEDITMODE

TEXTEDITMODE is a new variable in AutoCAD that allows or disallows the TEXTEDIT command to edit more than one text line. In the past when you used TEXTEDIT and then completed the command you would have to select the command again to edit another TEXT line and continue using the command. This new setting allows you to turn this feature off so you would finish editing the 1st line and the command ends or you can turn it on and continue editing.

TEXTEDITMODE

= 1 This allows you to continue editing.

= 0 This ends the command when you select enter to exit the edit command on the 1st edit.

 

How to change this Variable to the way it worked in the past

1.) On the command line type TEXTEDITMODE and select the <Enter> Key on the Keyboard.

2.) Type 0 and select the <Enter> Key on the Keyboard.

 

How to change this Variable to the new way

1.) On the command line type TEXTEDITMODE and select the <Enter> Key on the Keyboard.

2.) Type 0 and select the <Enter> Key on the Keyboard.

 

Note:

• The Default is 0.
• There is also a sub-option in EDITTEXT called MODE to control this inside the command.

 

For more information about Autodesk products please visit

www.imaginit.com

AutoCAD 2017: Reinitiating the Secondary Installer for AutoCAD

This is one that has been around for a very long time and we have several posts on our site from the past. However I thought it would be good to create a new one that shows 2017. Although 2017 is really not different the numbers in the Registry etc. are different. So I thought I would share this again.

 

What is The secondary installer?

After installing AutoCAD. When you login and launch for the 1st time you will see a dialog that says gathering information before the program starts. this is the secondary installer. The first thing this does is create a Registry entry for this User so in the future AutoCAD knows it has been launched before and adds that user preferences so it knows these the next time AutoCAD is launched.

The second thing this does is copy User files such as CUIX, DLL, etc files to this Users Windows Profile. This way each user can have their own customization and not affect the other Users.

 

The files are held in

c:\Users\<Users Login name>\app data (this is a hidden folder)\Roaming\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2017\

and

cc:\Users\<Users Login name>\app data (this is a hidden folder)\local\Autodesk\AutoCAD 2017\

 

The Registry location is

Hkey_current_User\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R21.0 (each version has a different number this is for 2017)\

Then under the 21.0 you will have Keys for each product

Example AutoCAD is

ACAD-0001:409

So the entire path to AutoCAD in 2017 would be

Hkey_current_User\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R21.0\ACAD-0001:409\

 

Note:

- A handy trick if you are looking for a certain Product would be to highlight the number on the left such as "ACAD-0001:409" and then look to the right and look at the Paths this will tell you what product this is because you can see the product in the Folder Paths.

- Performing this operation will lose any custom settings.

- Make sure to read the warning at the bottom before proceeding.

 

So when you clear all of this the next time you launch you will get the secondary installer again and get new files created for that User. Which can correct issues in some cases.

 

How to reset the secondary installer for AutoCAD 2017

1.) Make sure you have all Autodesk products (Now may be a good time to create a restore point in Windows.

2.) Go to

c:\Users\<Users Login name>\app data (this is a hidden folder)\Roaming\Autodesk\

and

c:\Users\<Users Login name>\app data (this is a hidden folder)\local\Autodesk\

Delete the

AutoCAD 2017 Folder in both locations (not a bad idea to copy them to another folder for backup).

3.) Go to run and type in regedit and select OK and the Registry Editor will launch.

4.) Go to this path

Hkey_current_User\Software\Autodesk\AutoCAD\R21.0\

Right click on this Key and select export and export a backup.

ACAD-0001:409

5.) Right click on ACAD-0001:409 and Delete this Key.

6.) Exit the Registry Editor.

7.) Launch AutoCAD. You should see the secondary installer again and then AutoCAD will launch back to its defaults.

 

 How to Import/Export an AutoCAD Profile

 

Warning!

Problems caused by improperly editing the Windows Registry could render your computer operating system unusable. Microsoft provides a wealth of critical information that you need to know about the Registry in the Microsoft Knowledge Base . Use the Microsoft Registry Editor only at your own risk and only after backing up the Registry as outlined for your operating system in the Microsoft article How to back up and restore the Registry in Windows and in the related solution How to backup the system Registry . Additional information about the Registry is also contained in the Help topics in the Microsoft Registry Editor.

 

For more information about Autodesk products please visit

www.imaginit.com

Revit Error Due to Low Disk Space: Data in File is Corrupt

Sometimes in Revit when we see this error "Data in the file xxx.rvt is corrupt and needs to be manually recovered" it may not necessarily be related to the file actually being corrupt, but more an issue with not enough disk space.

If other users can open the file and work in it without issue then I would suggest that you try the following to see if this resolves the issue.

Check whether the computer has sufficient free space on the hard drive. At least 5 GB of free space is recommended. Without sufficient free space, Revit cannot expand the project into the Temp directory.

To locate the Temp directory

• Press Windows key+E.
  In the navigation bar, enter %TEMP%.
  If needed, delete files in the Temp directory to create free space

If the machine is a VM, consider expanding the hard drive allocation.

If this issue is occurring for everyone, then the file is likely corrupt, and for that error that is not something we can fix, you will need to find the most up to date working model (generally the most up to date working local file) and replace the central file.

I would still recommend that you perform maintenance on the file.

After the central file is replaced, please make sure that all users delete or archive their current local file and its associated backup folder prior to pulling a new local file. 

Revit Server File Maintenance

Revit File Based Maintenance

AutoCAD: How to set AutoCAD back to defaults

Issue:
You want to set AutoCAD back to its defaults. Setting AutoCAD back to its defaults can help in some cases with Errors or a malfunctioning Product.

The values in AutoCAD are held in the Registry and/or the User Profile in Windows. This means that each User in Windows that has launched AutoCAD has their own settings and thus each would need to be reset as needed and one reset will not affect the other. This does not include uninstalling, if you uninstall this effects all Users.

Note: This does not reset the secondary installer and so if you have something like a corrupted DLL file in the User Profile this will not help.

 

Solution:

Windows 7
Start menu > All Programs > Autodesk > AutoCAD 201x > Reset Settings To Default

Windows 8
1.) Click the Windows button to access the Start Screen.
2.) Right-click the bottom of the screen.
3.) Click the down arrow to access all the installed apps.
4.) In the AutoCAD section, click "Reset Settings to Default."

Windows 8.1
1.) Click the Windows button to access the Start Screen.
2.) Move your cursor down and click the down arrow to access all the installed apps.
3.) In the AutoCAD section, click "Reset Settings to Default."

Windows 10
Start menu > All Apps > Autodesk > AutoCAD 201x > Reset Settings To Default

 

If this does not work you may try the manual process of resetting the Secondary Installer.

For more information about Autodesk products please visit
www.imaginit.com

AutoCAD: Error: "Cannot find the resource string number 25900 in resource AecXDispalyPropsData70"

Issue:

When in AutoCAD you get an Error similar to the following.

Error: "Cannot find the resource string number 25900 in resource AecXDispalyPropsData70"

 

Resolution:

This is normally caused by a bad DLL file and can be resolved by either resetting AutoCAD to its defaults or a Clean Uninstall and Reinstall of the products.

 

For more information about Autodesk products please visit

www.imaginit.com