Itasca software is secured by licenses, which are found on physical keys or within a user’s web license account. There are three fundamental points to keep in mind about the software security.
A license is ilocated on a key or in a user’s web license account.
A license is iclaimed (used) only at certain times; claims on licenses are released if they are not in use.
The software automatically finds and claims licenses as needed; the user does not “specify” a license to use.[1]
All management of licenses is handled by the iItasca Software License Manager. This utility is accessed using the Help -> Licenses… menu command.
Locations
Web License
A user’s web license account stores all licenses that have been made available to the user by the software owner. License-owner organizations control user access to the license and perform other administrative tasks from Itasca’s web license administration web site. A license permits two instances of the software to run on the same computer, per seat. Internet access is required to make a license claim.
Local Key
A local key is a USB device used on the same computer where the software is installed and run. A license on a local key will allow up to two instances of the program to be cycled simultaneously. The key may be moved from one computer to another as needed.
Figure 1: For SuperPro keys, a network key is red, a local key is blue.
Figure 2: For Sentinel HL keys, both local and network keys are green. They are supplied with a tag indicating license and key type information.
Network Key
A network key is a USB device that provides a license that may be accessed across a network. The license on the key provides access to n program instances, where n is the number of seats purchased for the license. In this configuration, the key and the server software needed by the key are installed on one computer (the server). The program is then installed on computers (the clients) that will access the license seats available from the server. Any client computer is configured to use the network key via Itasca Software License Manager (see Settings Tab below).
The program may be installed on as many client computers as needed. When there are less than n licenses in use, a client that starts the program will start normally and will acquire its license from the server. If n licenses are already in use, a client starting the program will receive a Hardware Lock Not Detected! warning.
Claims
The software only uses the license at specific times, generally when performing an operation that changes the state of the current model (and when the model size is above the idemonstration mode limit). When such an operation occurs, the software automatically claims a license if possible — or supplies a warning/error message if not.
If no such operation has occurred for a period (a minimum of 60 seconds), the license claim is released. The software can be started and operated indefinitely without a claimed license as long as the operations performed do not require one. Generally,[2]
A license is required for any operation that will change the current model, but is not required for most post-processing operations.
Demonstration Mode
The program may be operated without a license and will not attempt to claim one if the current model size is below certain size limits. Operated this way, the program is deemed to be running in demonstration mode. This mode is fully functional in every respect. The precise model size limits for each software product are enumerated on the Itasca web site.
Because license claims do not occur at program startup, when operating without an available license a warning or error does not occur in the program until an operation occurs that exceeds the demonstration mode limits. At that time the :ref:/License Issue <license-issue-dialog>/ dialog is displayed to indicate the issue (see below for further description).
Itasca Software License Manager
All management of licenses associated with keys and web licenses is performed using the Itasca Software License Manager. Within the software, this utility is accessed using the Help -> Licenses… menu command.
These tabs are the access point for all license-management functions, including diagnostics, upgrading licenses, specifying access to specific licenses, and more.
Licenses Tab
Figure 3: The “Licenses” tab.
The Itasca Software License Manager always opens to this tab. On opening, the utility automatically scans for all available licenses and reports the results here. Depending on the number of possible locations to check for licenses (see Settings next for more on this), this initial check can take a few moments.
Available Licenses
Based on current settings, this is the list of all accessible licenses by code name, key serial number, number of seats, and key type.
Tip
Use the mouse or Ctrl+A to select from “Information”. Use the mouse or Ctrl+C to copy selected information.
Information
Details for each license found, as well as basic system information for the local computer and the results of an initial diagnostics test, are reported here.
This information is quite helpful in troubleshooting issues relating to keys/licenses, and users seeking help may be directed by technical support staff at Itasca to supply the information found here.
Settings Tab
Figure 4: The Settings tab. In the image, the key types “Web License” and “Local Key” are set to be searched for licenses. With no “Server Location” information supplied, “Network Key” types will not be searched for licenses.
Key Types
Putting information in each of the three key types (“Web License”, “Network Key”, or “Local Key”) sets both this utility and the program to find and claim licenses of the specified type.
Warning
If information for a given key type is not supplied, even if one is present the code will not find or claim licenses on that key type.
Web License
Include username (email address) and password for the user account. Visit https://itascalicenses.com to manage web license user accounts.
Network Key
For “Server location,” enter an IP address or a network name for the server computer. If running locally (the network key is attached to the machine where the software is run), enter “localhost” (no quotes) or the IP address/network name.[3]
Local Key
Check the box if local keys are to be included.
Advanced
Figure 5: Open the “Test” section and press the Test… button to start a key test.
Figure 6: Basic functionality for each key type specified in “Settings” is tested.
The “Test” function in this area will provide a basic diagnostic test for each key type that has been specified under “Key Types”.
Leaving a given Key Type unspecified (empty/unchecked) is certainly correct and acceptable if the user does not have keys of that type. Doing so may speed up operation of the License Manager.
Claims Tab
Figure 7: The claims tab. Here the dialog indicates that no license is currently claimed.
This tab is useful for obtaining information about license claims (as described above).
Current Claim
If a license is currently claimed, the serial number will be reported here. The message “No current claim. More information…” is shown if a license is not currently claimed.
Most Recent Claim
The last successfully claimed license is listed here. Within a given session, where license claims are made and released, this is likely to be the same license number as the “Current Claim” when the system is operating normally.
Perform key diagnostic tests. This function is the same as the one found on the in Settings tab and will test key types as specified there.
Upgrade Tab
Figure 8: The Upgrade tab.
This tab is used to manage various operations related to the license(s) on existing keys.
Upgrade License
To upgrade a license on an existing local or network key using an update file provided by Itasca, press Apply license update… and navigate in the resulting dialog to the location of the update file.
Request Quote
If interested in obtaining a quote for a new license or for upgrade details for an existing license, use the a new quote link to go to the Quotes page on Itasca’s web site.
Request a License Change
To make a request to change an existing license, select the license of interest from the list and press Request a License Change ….
In the resulting dialog, the information for the selected license may either be saved to a file (press Save a file…) or sent to Itasca via email (press Send an email…). If the latter is chosen, a further dialog is opened. It contains form data, some of which is automatically filled in (the upper portion of the dialog. Users may fill out the form fields (yellow indicates required information) and send the license change request directly to Itasca. maybe an image of the dialog would be useful
Advanced
Node Locked License
Figure 9: Open the “Advance” area and press Generate fingerprint… to create the required fingerprint file.
To generate or update a node-locked license, press Generate fingerprint… to create a node-fingerprint file. This must be done on the machine to which the license will be bound. Once generated, the fingerprint should be sent to Itasca for license generation.
Troubleshooting
License Issue dialog
If the program attempts to claim a license but finds none available, this dialog is shown.
Figure 10: The License Issue dialog provides an alert to the user that no license is found and/or available, with options for troubleshooting the issue.
When opened, the dialog initiates a wait-and-retry period for a valid license while the user weighs options. When the wait is complete, the retry is performed. If no license is found, a new wait-and-retry period begins, with a longer timespan. This process will continue indefinitely — with ever-lengthening wait periods — until the dialog is dismissed.
Options for resolving the issue include:
Use “Specify License Location…” to open the iItasca Software License Manager to determine what licenses are available and access them if possible. On leaving that dialog, users should use the Retry Now button to see if the adjustments resolve the issue.
The Diagnose… button can be used to show the “Security Diagnostics” dialog (which contains the same information as the “Information” section on the Licenses Tabi in Itasca Software License Manager). In some cases this is sufficient to indicate where the trouble arises. Information there may also be copied for transmission to Itasca for technical support.
If there is no discernible path to connecting to a key with a valid license, it is advisable to use the Abort option to cancel out of the operation that is initiating the claim attempt. Users should review the next two sections below for further troubleshooting options.
Hardware (USB) Key Issues
In the event that user actions in the iLicense Issue dialog are insufficient to resolve license issues where hardware keys (USB devices for either local or network keys) are involved, users are directed to the FAQ on the Itasca web site that provides step-by-step solution procedures for fixing hardware key issues.
Web License Key Issues
In the event of issues with a web license, users are directed to perform three checks immediately:
verify the computer’s connection to the internet is working,
If these are not the source of the problem, users should contact Itasca for support.
Advanced Topics
Limiting Claims by License Number
Figure 11: The “Limit Claim” field appears in the “Advanced” area of the Claims tab.
To restrict the program to claim only specific licenses, provide the five numbers appearing in the serial number’s fourth grouping (these numbers are variously reported in four or five hyphen-delimited groups (e.g., 213-455-0274-12254 or 213-455-0274-12254-0W44; the fourth group in either of the preceding is 12254).
Multiple five digit numbers may be provided for restricting license claiming, provided they are separated by a semicolon (;); space before or after the semicolon is optional.
Limiting claims is useful in multi-user multiple-license contexts — which implies either network keys or web licenses are in use — where the applied limit ensures other users have access to the right licenses that they will need for their projects.
Node-Locked License
Node-locked licenses are bound to a specific computer and cannot be operated in any other context. Licenses of this type are only available by special arrangement with Itasca. Contact software@itascacg.com for information regarding obtaining and configuring a node locked license.
Terms of Use
End User License Agreement
The second screen of the program installation presents the “End User License Agreement” (EULA). Installation cannot proceed until it is accepted. Installation of the software, therefore, constitutes acceptance of the terms and conditions of the agreement. The current version of the EULA is available on the Itasca web site. Please see:
The license number is a unique identifier that is bound to (located on/in) the hardware key or web license account. The license number is held by the purchasing organization’s account, and is necessary for:
requests for technical support,
upgrading the software, and
identifying past purchasing history when making new purchases.
Finding the License Number
The software provides multiple methods for finding the license number. There are variances between FLAC2D, FLAC3D, 3DEC, and PFC, so not every method listed below will work in every case.
use the command listsecurity (reported as “Serial Number: “)
use the command listkeyinfo (reported as “Serial Number: ” for physical keys only)
use Help -> Request Technical Support (see License: field at top)
Responses When No License is Found
If a license cannot be located using one of the methods above, various possible outputs may occur:
a message indicating “no key found”
a message indicating the code is operating in demonstration mode
an error message in a dialog box
a “key not found” warning message
If using a physical key, in the event that the information cannot be obtained using any of the techniques above, the license number is also printed on the tag attached to the USB security key.
