ExactCAD Licensing

1Introduction

ExactCAD Licensing is a small companion utility that activates the ExactCAD productivity tools on your computer. The ExactCAD add-ons for Siemens Xpedition are protected by a license that is tied to your Windows user account, your computer, or both. This utility is how that license is set up.

The tool does two separate jobs:

• It generates the identification codes that ExactCAD needs in order to issue a license to you. You copy the code it produces and send it to ExactCAD.
• It installs the license code that ExactCAD sends back to you, so that the ExactCAD tools will recognize you as licensed and run.

For a typical license you will use the utility twice: once before you have a license — to collect the code ExactCAD asks for — and once after ExactCAD returns your license code — to apply it.

2Requirements and Setup

• A Windows PC that has the ExactCAD tools installed.
• The utility runs as an ordinary Windows desktop program — simply open it when you need it.
• An internet connection is not required to run the utility itself, but you will need a way to send your identification code to ExactCAD (for example, email) and to receive your license code in return.

3The Main Window at a Glance

When you open ExactCAD Licensing, a single window appears. It has three areas, shown below.

• The large code area (top) — labeled Paste License Code. This is a multi-purpose box. It is where you paste a license code, and it is also where any code you generate is displayed so you can copy it.
• The row of action buttons (middle) — each small button has a label next to it describing what it does. These buttons generate codes, clear the box, apply a license, and close the program.
• The status line (bottom) — labeled Status. After you apply a license, this line confirms what happened and shows where the license file was saved.

4Generating Identification Codes

Before ExactCAD can issue your license, they need a code that identifies who or what the license is for. Generate the code you are asked for, then copy the result out of the large code area and send it to ExactCAD.

4.1 User Data Code for the Current User

The Get User Data Code button creates a unique code from the name of the Windows account you are currently signed in to. Press it, and the large area fills with a line reading “User Data Code for [your account] is:” followed by a long string of letters and numbers. Select that long string and copy it.

4.2 User Data Code for a Specific User

The Input Username to Get User Data Code button does the same thing, but lets you type in any account name instead of using the one you are signed in as. Press it, type the username when prompted, and the matching code appears in the large area.

This is useful when you need to prepare a code for a different person — for example, an administrator generating user data codes for several team members from one computer.

4.3 Machine Code

The Get Machine Code button creates a code that uniquely identifies this particular computer. Press it, and the large area shows “Machine Code for this computer is:” followed by the code. Copy it and send it to ExactCAD if a license locked to a specific machine is required.

5Applying a License Code

When ExactCAD sends back your license code, install it as follows:

1. Paste your license code into the large code area at the top (the heading above it reads Paste License Code).
2. Press the Apply License button.
3. Read the status line at the bottom. It confirms that the license file was written and shows the location it was saved to.

That is all that is required. The ExactCAD tools will read the saved license the next time they start.

6Clearing the Display and Exiting

• Clear — empties the large code area. Use it between operations: for example, after copying a code you have generated and before pasting in your license code.
• EXIT — closes the utility. Closing the program does not remove a license you have already applied.

7Where Your License Is Stored

When you apply a license, it is saved as a small text file inside your Windows user profile, in an ExactCAD folder within your Local Application Data. The ExactCAD tools look in this location when they start up to confirm that you are licensed.

Because this file lives in your personal profile, each Windows account is licensed separately, and the license travels with your account. You normally never need to open or edit this file yourself — the utility manages it for you.

8Typical Workflow

A complete licensing cycle, from start to finish:

1. Open ExactCAD Licensing.
2. Generate the code ExactCAD has asked you for — a user data code, a machine code, or both.
3. Copy the generated code from the large area and send it to ExactCAD.
4. Use Clear to empty the box while you wait for your license.
5. When ExactCAD returns your license code, paste it into the large code area.
6. Press Apply License.
7. Confirm the success message on the status line, then press EXIT.
8. Start your ExactCAD tools — they will now recognize the license.

9Tips & Troubleshooting

• “The license code field cannot be blank” appears: The code area is empty. Paste your license code into the large area before pressing Apply License.
• A code I generated has disappeared: Generating another code or applying a license replaces the contents of the large area. Copy each code as soon as it appears, before moving on.
• I’m not sure which code to send: Send whichever code ExactCAD requested — the user data code (tied to an account name) or the machine code (tied to the computer).
• My tools still report that they are unlicensed: Confirm the status line reported success, make sure you applied the license under the same Windows account you use to run the tools, and check that the license code was pasted in full with no missing characters.
• I need a code for another person: Use Input Username to Get User Data Code and type their exact Windows account name.