{"id":2704,"date":"2016-03-30T07:00:07","date_gmt":"2016-03-30T14:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com/blogs\/autocad\/?p=2704"},"modified":"2020-04-07T14:51:47","modified_gmt":"2020-04-07T21:51:47","slug":"autocad-2017-software-license-manager","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.autodesk.com/blogs\/autocad\/autocad-2017-software-license-manager\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s New in AutoCAD 2017? License Manager"},"content":{"rendered":"

OK,\u00a0on to\u00a0my fourth post in the series. We’ve looked at the new AutoCAD 2017\u00a0PDF Import<\/a>, Autodesk Desktop App<\/a>, and\u00a0Migrate Custom Settings<\/a>\u00a0features. Now\u00a0let’s dig into the new AutoCAD License Manager, which\u00a0makes software license management\u2014yes!\u2014easier than ever. Read on to learn how your new software license management capabilities improve setting up and changing trial, stand-alone, and network licenses and more. It all starts when you first launch AutoCAD….\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

AutoCAD 2017 License Manager: Getting Started<\/span><\/h2>\n

Instead of<\/span>\u00a0choosing your license type or entering a serial number during the install process, our new AutoCAD License Manager allows you to choose either\u00a0a serial number (stand-alone) or\u00a0a network license\u2014or, if you don\u2019t yet own a license, you can start a 30-day trial\u2014right after launch.<\/p>\n

\"Selecting<\/a>

Select a license type<\/p><\/div>\n

Not sure\u00a0which option to choose? Consult the\u00a0links at the bottom of the page for licensing option information.<\/p>\n

\"Help<\/a>

Get help choosing a license type<\/p><\/div>\n

After you select your license type and specify the appropriate, required\u00a0information, AutoCAD will\u00a0launch\u00a0and, regardless of your current license type,\u00a0a new option in the Infocenter menu provides access to the License Manager.<\/p>\n

\"Infocenter<\/a>

Access the License Manager from the Infocenter<\/p><\/div>\n

You can also access the License Manager from the About box.<\/p>\n

\"About<\/a>

Access the License Manager from the About box<\/p><\/div>\n

The Autodesk License Manager\u00a0gives you\u00a0information about the software license as well as installed plug-ins, add-ons, and extensions that use Autodesk licensing. You can also change the type of license or, if you\u2019re running AutoCAD in trial mode, you can activate it.<\/p>\n

\"License<\/a>

License Manager for a trial license<\/p><\/div>\n

AutoCAD 2017 License Manager: Trial Licenses<\/h2>\n

When AutoCAD is running in trial mode, the Infocenter clearly indicates the number of trial days remaining. At any time you can choose Subscribe Now and\u00a0select from various AutoCAD subscription terms<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"Trial<\/a>

Trial days remaining<\/p><\/div>\n

Once\u00a0you\u2019ve purchased a license, choose Activate in the License Manager. If you don\u2019t yet have a license, choose Cancel to continue running AutoCAD in trial mode. Don\u2019t worry: You\u2019ll have the chance\u00a0to save your work and exit AutoCAD.<\/p>\n

\"Activate<\/a>

Activate a trial license<\/p><\/div>\n

The next time you launch AutoCAD, you\u2019re again given\u00a0the option to choose the license type you want to use.<\/p>\n

\"Selecting<\/a>

Selecting a license type<\/p><\/div>\n

AutoCAD 2017 License Manager:\u00a0Serial Numbers (Stand-alone Licenses)<\/h2>\n

If your AutoCAD license uses\u00a0a serial number, the License Manager displays the device name and serial number; it even allows you to enter a different serial number. You can also choose to change the license type.<\/p>\n

\"License<\/a>

License Manager for serial number license<\/p><\/div>\n

Whenever you change your license type, AutoCAD releases the license, and prompts you to save your work and quit.\u00a0If you choose to continue working, a six-minute timer starts counting down. The message is repeated\u00a0at the\u00a0four- and two-minute marks. Each time you choose to continue working, the clock continues its countdown until it closes automatically.<\/p>\n

If you choose to save drawings and quit, you\u2019re prompted only for unnamed open drawings.\u00a0 All other drawings are automatically saved.<\/p>\n

\"Product<\/a>

Product license is no longer available<\/p><\/div>\n

The next time you launch AutoCAD, you are once again presented with the option to choose your license type.<\/p>\n

AutoCAD 2017 License Manager:\u00a0Network Licenses<\/h2>\n

If you use a network license, the License Manager displays the name of the license server and ID plus\u00a0the device name and serial number.<\/p>\n

\"License<\/a>

License Manager for network license<\/p><\/div>\n

If you are using a network license and you lose your connection to the license server, you’ll get a message saying so. Just like when you change the license type, AutoCAD asks you\u00a0to save your work and, if you choose to keep\u00a0working, begins\u00a0a six-minute countdown. You’re also prompted to save your work\u00a0at the four- and two-minute marks.<\/p>\n

AutoCAD 2017: Borrowing a Network License<\/h3>\n

You can easily borrow a license for up to six\u00a0months\u2014or for the maximum period specified in the options file on the Network License Manager server, not to exceed six\u00a0months. This\u00a0enables you to use AutoCAD offline during that time without access to the license server. An icon on the status bar indicates the license is borrowed. Pass\u00a0your cursor over the icon to see\u00a0when the time period\u00a0expires.<\/p>\n

\"Borrowed<\/a>

Borrowed license information on the status bar<\/p><\/div>\n

You can right-click on the icon to return the license at any time.<\/p>\n

\"Returning<\/a>

Returning a license early<\/p><\/div>\n

AutoCAD 2017: Connecting to the License Server<\/h2>\n

Software licensing in AutoCAD 2017 is cloud-based and you must\u00a0connect to the network license server at least once every<\/strong>:<\/p>\n