IMAGINiT Technologies Support Blog

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Our team enjoys providing tips and tricks, beyond what you read here on the blog. Check out our new home on the IMAGINiT Technologies Resource Center.

There you'll find many of our older posts, as well as on-demand webcasts, video tips, ideas for future improvement, and more. 

Content from our amazing technical team will continue! We hope you’ll join us: https://resources.imaginit.com/support-blog.

Effects of Single User Autodesk Products and your IMAGINiT Utilities

By: Jeff Arbogast , CSV | Solution Center Team Lead

Issue:
You want to know if there are any issues using your IMAGINiT Utilities when you switch to Autodesk Single User Licenses.

Causes:
Autodesk is using a new Single User Licensing model.

Solution:
There is really no effect with our Utilities and the new License model from Autodesk. The Network and Standalone licenses would work the same way.

The Network version would use the Reprise License Manager. When the User launches the Utilities the software would reach out to the server (That has the License Manager on it) and request the license. Once the system knows you have a license available it would start working and take a license from the network while the user was using the license.

The Standalone license, would be activated on the local system and would not need to reach out to a server to function.

One consideration although not an issue is that since the Autodesk licenses are mobile having the Utilities as Standalone would allow the end user to not have to be connected to the Server to use them.

Use the adskflex_license_file system variable to point to a license server

By: Ken Williams | Tech Support Specialist

Issue:
When you keep getting the License Finder Dialog instead of obtaining a network license or you have created a new Autodesk license server and need to point your users to the new server(s) (multiple single servers or distributed servers).

Solution:

1. In the Windows 10, type environment variable in the “Type here to search” in the lower left.

2. Start to type Environment Variable and then click on “Edit the system environment variable”

3. Click “Environment Variables…”

4. Click New… under “System variables”

5. Type ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE for “Variable name:” and type 2080@ServerName (ServerName = your license server) for “Variable value:”
    Note: When adding multiple servers use a ; (semicolon) between them.

6. Click "Ok", Verify that it is set it in the window and now it's set!

7. Click "Ok" once more to close the environment variable window and start the program.

How to Switch Currently Installed Autodesk Multi-User Seats to Single-User Seats

By: Jeff Lotan | Sr. Tech Support Specialist

Purpose: Switch your currently installed Autodesk Software over from a Multi-User (a.k.a. Network) installation to a Single-User (a.k.a. Named User) license installation.

There are a few steps to this process, and each one must be done to ensure a smooth transition on the user’s machines:

1. You need to add Users and assign software licenses to each user in the Autodesk account/manage website so they can obtain a license and use the software.

Single-User licensing is much different than even the old Standalone licensing. The Contract Manager, Software Coordinator, Primary Admin or Secondary Admin must add the users into the Autodesk Management portal and then assign the product(s) to the user.

Contract Managers (and Primary/Secondary Admins)
Add users into the User Management section and assign users a license. See the Additional Links section at the end on how to change admin roles. This link will provide detailed instructions on how to invite users and assign users under User Management. https://blogs.rand.com/support/2020/06/assign-single-user-products-in-autodesk-account.html

Important Note: All Named-user licenses are activated and tied to the user’s Autodesk Account, which is tied to the user's email address and the password they have selected. You cannot use the same email address for multiple users, so each user must have a unique email address.

2. Users must then verify the product(s) assigned to them are visible in “All Products and Services."

Once the User is assigned, have the user go to https://manage.autodesk.com and log in with their email address and use their existing password. Normally, the user will get an email from Autodesk (if it's a new account), and they will need to complete the account creation steps in the link that Autodesk sends. Once in their account, have them verify they can see the assigned software before trying to run and “sign in”.

3. Change the client machines existing software over from Multi-User/Network to Single-User licenses.

There are two possible Multi-User license workflows on the client machines that need their
licensing changed:

a. You downloaded the individual software components and installed each software package separately. This will be the easiest to change over.

i. Launch each Autodesk program installed that needs to be changed to a Single-User license.

ii. In the upper right corner click the dropdown and select “Manage License”.

iii. Then Click on “Change License Type” (in blue)

 

iiii. Once clicked you should be presented with one of the following screens. Select “Sign In” or Single User to launch the licensing sign in and have them enter their email address and Autodesk Password to re-activate the software as a Named User. Depending on the version you are changing the dialogs may be different, just follow the prompts.

or

b. You installed your software from a Suite download (i.e. Building Design Suite Premium).
You have two options:

i. Uninstall, reboot, and install from a non-suite download. On each machine with the older Suites, you will need to uninstall each base product that is being replaced. Review this blog and look at the bonus section at the end.
ii. Get one machine up and running using uninstall/reinstall and then use our blog to reinstall the products taken off, and reactivate using the sign in process outlined above. This step is REQUIRED since the product keys for the software are fixed in the ProductInformation.pit file and cannot be changed after activation. You must uninstall the products, so you can go back through the activation and put in the correct product key when re-activating, or see next step.

If you do not want to uninstall and reinstall everything on each machine, there is another option.

If you feel the need to update your current installs to the new Subscription, here is the process to follow:

1. Install the Collection Software on a machine that does not have the Suite already installed. Generally, Install the same products you have installed already as part of the Suite.
   a. You MUST install and activate each product and product year you are replacing in the Suite
   b. If you do not install and activate all products and all years, then you will have to uninstall and
   re-install the products you missed
       i. For example, if you miss AutoCAD 2017, and try to run it after you replace the ProductInformation.pit file, it will fail to run and give you an error.
2. Activate the Software with the License from the Collection on that machine
3. Look for ProductInformation.pit file that is created in this folder: C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\AdLM.
4. Make a copy the ProductInformation.pit file and save it to a location you can access later
   (USB stick or Network Drive)
5. Go to a machine that currently has the old Suite installed and navigate to the folder:
   C:\ProgramData\Autodesk\AdLM
6. Rename Old License Machine ProductInformation.pit file (so you have it available to restore easily
   in case new .pit file does not work).
7. Copy the saved ProductInformation.pit file from Step 4 into this directory
8. Open Autodesk Product and follow the activation screen and input the new Serial number
   and Product Key

Please note: the process below will only work for 2018 and newer Suites, any 2016 and older suites will have to be uninstalled and reinstalled, due to the fact that Licensing information was encrypted and stored on the machine at the time of installation. If the suite product key was used to install the applications, the stored key would not allow for a Collections activation. The only solution is to uninstall and reinstall the products.

Get an Autodesk License File

Issue:
Getting a network license file from manage.autodesk.com.

Solution:
1. Log into https://manage.autodesk.com as Contract Manger or Software Coordinator and go to “All Product and Services”.

2. Choose a product and down at the bottom left you will see “Quick Links” choose “Quick Links”.

3. Choose Generate network license file.

4. Choose Single server (if you have 1 server) and then click select.

5. Put in the server name and the MAC address of the license server. Select products you would like the license file for. The recommended option here is to choose all the products. Select Get License File.

6. You can download the license and email the file. I recommend doing both, download the license file and email the license file.

 

 

Download and Install Autodesk Network License Manager (LMTools or FlexLM)

1. To download for the Windows OS, click this URL:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/search-result/caas/downloads/content/autodesk-network-license-manager-for-windows.html

2. Click this URL to download the MacOS, or Linux OS version:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/customer-service/network-license-administration/get-ready-network-license/download-the-network-license-manager

3. The Autodesk Network License Manager can be installed on the following Windows operating systems:

• Microsoft® Windows® Server 2019 64-bit
• Microsoft Windows Server 2016 64-bit
• Microsoft Windows Server 2012 64-bit
• Microsoft Windows Server 2012 R2 64-bit
• Microsoft Windows Server 2008 R2 64-bit
• Windows 10 (32-bit and 64-bit)
• Windows 8 / 8.1 (32-bit and 64-bit)
• Windows 7 (32-bit and 64-bit)

4. Please download the correct 32-bit or 64-bit Autodesk License manager that pertains to your Windows Server OS. If you need help finding out if you’re running 32-bit or 64-bit, go here: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/help/13443/windows-which-version-am-i-running

5. If you are updating the Autodesk License Manager, go to Control Panel > Programs and Features and uninstall the old Autodesk License Manager first.

6. Go to the location on your computer where you downloaded the Autodesk License Manager and start the install.

7. Start the install of the Autodesk License Manager and follow the process below. The default install location is recommended.

The default location to install the Autodesk License Manager is recommended:

8. After the install of the Autodesk License Manager you should see the LMTOOLS Utility icon on the desktop. Click on the icon to open LMTools and start the setup.

9. After opening the LMTools Utility, click on the “Config Services” tab at the top

10. In the “Config Services” portion of LMTools you can either add your own “Service Name” at the top or leave the default “Flexlm Service 1”. This “Service Name” will be the name of the Windows Service that the License file will use in Windows to handout licenses.

11. Click “Browse” by the “Path to the lmgrd.exe file” to browse to the default location if used: C:\Autodesk\Network License Manager and click on lmgrd.exe

12. Click “Browse” by the “Path to the license file” to browse to the default location if used: C:\Autodesk\Network License Manager click on NameOfLicenseFile.lic

13. You can either leave the default location of the “Debug” log file or move it to C:\Autodesk\Network License Manager. If you leave the default location move on to #15.

14. If you would like to move the Debug log file to “C:\Autodesk\Network License Manager” to keep everything in one place, click “Browse” by the “Path to the debug log file” and create a Debug log file.

15. Check both boxes at the bottom by “Use Services” and by “Start Server at Power Up”. These do exactly what they say. We want to use a “Windows Service” for LMTools to give out licenses and we want the service to start when the server is powered up. Then click the “Save Service” button.

16. Go to the “Start/Stop/Reread” tab and click “Start Server”

17. After the server starts, it should say “Server successfully started” at the bottom, click the “Server Status” tab. Click on the “Perform Status Enquiry” button to see if the service started and licenses are available.

How to Obtain Reprise License Manager Diagnostic information

Issue

If you are having problems starting the Reprise License Manager (RLM) service to issue IMAGINiT Utilities licenses, here you can find some diagnostic (troubleshooting) information.

Solution

There are two ways to get to the RLM web-interface:

1. From within the SetupHelper, click “Website” 

2. Another method is from the server open a web browser and enter localhost:5054 in the address field and hit enter

• Next, click the Diagnostics button on the left sidebar
• Then click “Run Diagnostics”
• Then open up the text file in the C:\Program Files (x86)\IMAGINiT Technologies\Reprise License Manager folder.

 

Ways to Work from Home with Autodesk Products

Issue: Working from home with Autodesk products

Solution: There are many solutions available! You just need to pick the one most appropriate for you.

Single-User access licenses on subscription

1. Install your software on your home computer using your existing serial number and sign-in to your Autodesk Account using your work username and password

Standalone licenses on subscription or maintenance:

1. Request a license to use software at home.

Network Multi-user licenses on subscription or maintenance:

2. Request a license to install software at home.

OR

3. “Borrowing a License” from office server to work from home.

What is license borrowing? How does it work?

OR

4. “Borrowing a License” from office servers via your company VPN.

 

Common issues and additional information

Addressing common issues with a slow network or VPN connection

Options for doing remote work-sharing

 

Considerations for using Autodesk manufacturing products offsite:

Autodesk Vault requires that Vault Clients be able to access the server hosting Vault and possibly the licensing server as well.  There are multiple methods to access Vault available to you and you will need to choose the method that is most compatible with your environment.

• The default configuration uses Port 80If accessing the Vault via VPN
• For troubleshooting basic connection issues

If your Vault is already being hosted on a Cloud Server and is accessed by either VPN or is configured for SSL, no additional changes are needed.

If you have questions or need assistance, don’t hesitate to reach out to the IMAGINiT team for advice, assistance, and support.

 

Best place to download support versions of Autodesk software products to use from home:

Ava.autodesk.com

 

Installing software updates/patches on your software after installing:

How to install updates using the Autodesk Desktop App:

If the Desktop App doesn't appear to be working, then manually download and install using your Autodesk account:

 

General information on remote file storage options and cloud platforms:

1. BIM360 is a great platform to store and share information.

Additional Info:

Autodesk BIM360

2. Dropbox:

3. Google Drive:

4. pCloud:

5. OneDrive: (Microsoft office)

Please do not forget to run audits and purges on your files to keep them clean, and while you’re at it please don’t forget to wash your hands! This is the #1 way to avoid getting “cooties” from Karen in Accounting.

Change the Port to the Reprise License Managers’ Interface

Issue

If you have multiple Reprise License Managers (RLM) installed on a server, you may experience problems starting a service or viewing the service information. This could be due to a conflict of all RLMs trying to use the same port.

The default port is 5054.

Solution

Add a new switch in the registry, -ws port#, by following the steps below.

1. Run REGEDIT

2. Browse to: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\IMAGINiT Reprise License Manager.

3. Double click ImagePath under the Name column. 

• "C:\Program Files (x86)\IMAGINiT Technologies\Reprise License Manager\rlm.exe" "-dlog"
• "C:\ProgramData\IMAGINiT Technologies\Reprise License Manager\install.log" -service

4. Add “-ws 5056” after “–service” without the quotes. So that’s a dash (-) ws (I used lower case and it worked, however upper case may also work), then an unused port number. Hopefully Port 5056 is available, but if not, use another port that is not being used.

5. Stop/Start the service.

6. When you click the “Website” button, it will bring up the wrong interface in the browser, as it is hardcoded from that button.

7. Change the port in the browser to "localhost:5056" and hit enter.

You may want to save a bookmark/favorite to get to it easier next time.

 

License Checkout Time Out issues with 2020 and 2021 Products

Issue:
You open the product and get an error box stating the license checkout timeout occurred and have to close the product

Causes:
This problem is related to the Autodesk Desktop Licensing system

Solution:

This is a fairly common issue with the 2020 & 2021 software, and the fix is generally pretty painless.  See the link below for information on how to correct that issue:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Error-License-checkout-timed-out-What-do-you-want-to-do-in-AutoCAD-2020.html

Basically, first step is to install the licensing service update:

https://knowledge.autodesk.com/search-result/caas/downloads/content/march-2020-autodesk-licensing-service-update.html
 
If you run the March 2020 update, that specific service is updated, it generally fixes the issue you are experiencing.  If you are unsure that it's installed, go here: 
C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Autodesk Shared\AdskLicensing\ and confirm you see the 10.1.1.66 folder is there.
 
If that doesn't correct the issue then do the following:
Click on your start button and type in Services (then click on the Services with gears next to it) this should open the Windows Services on your PC.  Go down the list until you see Autodesk Desktop Licensing Service and see if it shows as Running.  If it's not running, right mouse click on Autodesk Desktop Licensing Service and select Start from that list.  If you can start it successfully, open AutoCAD.  If you get an error starting (generally you will get either 1053 or 1067 error if it will not start).

For a 1053 error (do options 2 & 3):
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/search-result/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Error-1053-Unable-to-start-Autodesk-Desktop-Licensing-service.html

For a 1067 error (do option 2):
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Error-1067-when-starting-Autodesk-Desktop-Licensing-Service-manually.html

Once you know the service is running, then we need to update the Autodesk Single Sign-on as well:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/simplecontent/content/autodesk-single-sign-component-update-for-2020-2021-product-versions.html

 

Finally, after updating the Licensing Service and the Autodesk Single Sign on, we need to ensure your software is fully updated:

If the Autodesk Desktop Licensing Service is running then, install any additional 2020 software updates using these methods:

 

How to install updates using the Autodesk Desktop App:
https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/desktop-app/learn-explore/caas/CloudHelp/cloudhelp/ENU/DesktopApp-Content/files/GUID-50441AA3-3F08-454E-8828-87206DB4019A-htm.html

 

If the Desktop App doesn't appear to be working, then manually download and install using your Autodesk account:
https://blogs.rand.com/support/2019/04/where-to-find-and-download-product-updates-from-your-autodesk-account.html