License Manager Tool

User Guide
 GRAPHISOFT®
Visit the GRAPHISOFT website at www.graphisoft.com for local distributor and product availability
information.

License Manager Tool User Guide

Copyright © 2016 by GRAPHISOFT, all rights reserved. Reproduction, paraphrasing or translation
without express prior written permission is strictly prohibited.

Trademarks
ARCHICAD® is a registered trademark of GRAPHISOFT.
All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.
 Contents

Contents
Getting Started with License Manager ___________________________________ 5
License Manager Overview ____________________________________________ 6
If You Have a New Hardware Key ______________________________________ 11
If You Have a New Software Key _______________________________________ 12
Update your License(s) _______________________________________________ 15
Download Software Key ______________________________________________ 17
Upload Software Key ________________________________________________ 18
Key Replacement ___________________________________________________ 19
Sign in to License Manager ____________________________________________ 22
FAQ’s about License Manager _________________________________________ 23
Managing the Company License Pool ___________________________________ 28
Use Cases for License Management _____________________________________ 33

License Manager Tool User Guide 3

Contents

4 License Manager Tool User Guide

 Getting Started with License Manager

Getting Started with License Manager

Hardware/Software Requirements
Hardware/Software requirements for the License Manager Tool are updated from time to time. For
up to date information, please consult the following link:
http://www.graphisoft.com/downloads/licensing/help/INT/system_requirements.html

Install and Start License Manager Tool

1. Download and install the License Manager Tool from
http://www.graphisoft.com/downloads/licensing.
2. Start the License Manager Tool by clicking the program icon.
3. The License Manager Welcome screen appears.

License Manager Tool User Guide 5

License Manager Overview

License Manager Overview

As the user of ARCHICAD or other GRAPHISOFT products, you must have one or more protection
keys, containing the appropriate license(s), in order to run the program.
The License Manager Tool can be used to manage the protection keys you have purchased, whether
hard or soft.

Definitions
• A Hardware-Based Protection Key (Hardware Key) is a physical keyplug: either WIBU or
CodeMeter.
• A Software-Based Protection Key (Software Key) is a software-based license key.
• GRAPHISOFT ID (GSID): GRAPHISOFT ID is an identification system for GRAPHISOFT websites.
Some License Manager functions require that you sign in, using your GRAPHISOFT ID. If you
don’t have one yet, sign up at https://graphisoftid.graphisoft.com/#/login.
• The Company License Pool is an online repository where all your purchased licenses are stored.
• Authentication Key - This is a unique, company-specific code used to identify your company for
license management functions. To obtain one for your company, contact your GRAPHISOFT
distributor.

Functions of the License Manager Tool

Use the License Manager Tool to manage all your protection keys, using the following functions:
• Update the licenses on your protection keys
• Download a Software Key from the Company License Pool
• Upload a Software Key from your computer to the Company License Pool
• Replace one type of protection key with another (e.g. from hardware to software, or from WIBU
to CodeMeter)
Notes:
• To use the License Manager Tool, you must be connected to the internet.
• Some functions of the License Manager Tool also require you to sign in with your
GRAPHISOFT ID.
• Replacement and update must be set up in advance with your distributor.
• A separate web interface is available for corporate-level license management functions.
See Managing the Company License Pool.

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 License Manager Overview

License Manager Tool Interface

The License Manager shows all of your protection keys and details on their licenses.

The top section (Available Protection Keys) lists each key that is plugged in to your computer or
otherwise available to you.
The icon next to each key indicates the type of key:

This is a CodeMeter (Hardware-Based) Protection Key.

This is a WIBU (Hardware-Based) Protection Key.

This is a Software Key that has been downloaded to your computer.

This Software Key is located in the Company License Pool.

Note: In order to see the protection keys located in the Company License Pool, you must be
signed in with your GRAPHISOFT ID.

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License Manager Overview

For each key selected in the list, the current license status is indicated:

The Refresh button ensures that the list of available protection keys, and their status, are up to
date.

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 License Manager Overview

The Content of Selected Key section shows you which licenses (if any) are on this key.

If the license requires an update (as shown below), then the Licenses After Update field tells you
which licenses will be on the key after the update is finished.

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License Manager Overview

Depending on the selected key and the current license status, the License Manager automatically
offers the needed function, e.g.:

• Update licenses on protection keys

• Download Software Key to Computer
• Upload Software Key to Company License Pool

10 License Manager Tool User Guide

 If You Have a New Hardware Key

If You Have a New Hardware Key

1. Start the License Manager Tool on your computer. If you have not installed it yet, you can
download it from the following link: http://www.graphisoft.com/downloads/licensing.
2. Plug the Hardware Key into your computer.
3. In the License Manager Tool, select your Hardware Key from the list.
4. If an update is available, the Update button is shown.
For more information, see Update your License(s).

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If You Have a New Software Key

If You Have a New Software Key

1. Start the License Manager Tool on your computer. If you have not installed it yet, you can
download it from the following link: http://www.graphisoft.com/downloads/licensing.
2. Sign in to the License Manager Tool to access your new Software Key from the Company License
Pool.

• If you have a GRAPHISOFT ID, use it to sign in.

• If you don’t, click Sign Up to generate one.

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 If You Have a New Software Key

3. You will be prompted to provide your Authentication Key provided by your distributor.
Note: If you have already used a BIMx product requiring authentication, you will not have to
authenticate yourself again for the License Manager Tool, provided you are using the same
GRAPHISOFT ID.

If you are the first one to use the Authentication Key, the Create Company Account dialog box
appears.

Enter or verify your company name.

Click Accept to become your company’s Admin, who will manage the company account. The Admin
will be notified via email if one of your co-workers wishes to join the company account as a
Member.
If the Join Company Account dialog box appears when you enter the Authentication Key, this
means your Company Account has already been created.
Click Join Account. Your Company Admin will be automatically notified of your action.

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If You Have a New Software Key

4. Once you are approved, sign in to the License Manager Tool. Here, you can download the
Software Keys to which the Admin has given you access.
See Download Software Key.

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 Update your License(s)

Update your License(s)

Unless you automatically qualify for upgrades, license updates must be set up in advance with your
distributor.
The License Manager Tool will inform you if:
• an update is available for the existing license on your key, or
• your key is empty, but one key with one update is available for it
If you have just one key plugged into (Hardware Key) or downloaded (Software Key) to your
computer, this is what you see:

Click Update.
If you have several protection keys plugged into (Hardware Keys) or downloaded (Software Keys) to
your computer, or if you click the Detailed view arrow from the single-key view shown above, then
License Manager lists each protection key with its status (“need update”), plus the current licenses
on each.

License Manager Tool User Guide 15

Update your License(s)

The Licenses After Update field shows you which licenses will be on the key after the update:

Click Update Licenses. You are notified once the update is complete:

16 License Manager Tool User Guide

 Download Software Key

Download Software Key

1. Sign in to the License Manager Tool with your GRAPHISOFT ID. (If you are not signed in, the
Software Keys located in the Company License Pool will not be listed.)
For more information, see Sign in to License Manager.
2. In the Available Protection Keys list, select the key (with a cloud icon) that you need.
3. Click Download.

Note: Some Software Keys - depending on the product and/or license type - cannot be
downloaded to a Virtual Machine. In this case, a Warning appears and the Download button is
disabled.
4. You are notified once the download is complete. Note that you must wait a few minutes before
you can upload or update this key.

License Manager Tool User Guide 17

Upload Software Key

Upload Software Key

1. In the Available Protection Keys list of the License Manager, locate the Software Key (on your
local computer, identified with this icon ) that you want to upload to the Company License
Pool.

2. Click Upload. You are notified once the upload is complete. Note that you must wait a few
minutes before the key is available for download.

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 Key Replacement

Key Replacement
Replace Hardware Key with a Software Key
This process must be set up in advance with your distributor. Once you have done so, you can carry
out key replacement via the License Manager Tool.
Note: The Key Replacement function is not available for Virtual Machines.
1. In License Manager Tool, you must sign in using your GRAPHISOFT ID, if you have not already
done so.
2. From the list at the top of the License Manager, select the Hardware Key to be replaced. The
contents of the selected key are listed below.

3. Click Start Key Replacement.

4. The Key Replacement dialog box appears, listing the Source key (the Hardware Key) and the
Target key (the new Software Key, located in the Company License Pool, which will replace it).
• A “Source Key” is a protection key whose entire content will be moved to a Target key.
• A “Target Key” is a protection key onto which the content will be placed.

5. Click Start Replacement.

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Key Replacement

6. Licenses on the Hardware Key are moved to the new Software Key, located in the Company
License Pool. The Hardware Key is now invalid and can be removed.

To download the new Software Key to your computer, follow the steps at: Download Software Key.

Replace Hardware Key (WIBU) with Another Hardware Key (CodeMeter)

This process must be set up in advance with your distributor. Once you have done so, you can carry
out key replacement via the License Manager Tool.
Make sure you have both Hardware Keys available.
1. Plug both Hardware Keys into your computer.
2. From the list at the top of the License Manager, select the WIBU key you will replace.

3. The contents (if any) of the selected key are listed under Content of Selected Key.
4. Click Start Key Replacement.

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 Key Replacement

5. The Key Replacement dialog box appears, listing the Source key (the WIBU key) and the Target
key (the CodeMeter key).

You are prompted to insert the Hardware Keys if you have not yet done so. The status of each
listed key (e.g. “Not Available, Please Insert”) is refreshed automatically during the replacement
process.
6. Click Start Replacement to carry out the key replacement.
7. When the process is complete, click Done.

8. Licenses formerly on the WIBU key are now located on the CodeMeter key. The WIBU key is now
invalid and can be removed.

License Manager Tool User Guide 21

Sign in to License Manager

Sign in to License Manager

The following functions require that you sign in to the GRAPHISOFT ID (GSID) site using your
GRAPHISOFT ID:
• View Software Keys in the Company License Pool
• Upload or download Software Keys to and from Company License Pool
• Replace Software Key with Hardware Key, or vice versa
Click the Sign in arrow from the License Manager Tool.
You can also reach the GSID site at https://graphisoftid.graphisoft.com/#/login.

For more details on Sign in, see

http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/technotes/setup/graphisoft-id/

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 FAQ’s about License Manager

FAQ’s about License Manager

What is a Software Key?
What is a Hardware Key?
What is the Serial Number or ID of the protection key?
How do I know which keys are available to me?
I downloaded my Software Key, but the application isn’t working.
The License Manager Tool says “Cannot Access Server.”
I don’t see my Software Keys listed in the Company License Pool.
I just uploaded a Software Key to the License Pool, but it’s not listed there.
How can I check whether my licenses are up to date?
How do I move a Software Key from one computer to another?
I lost my Hardware Key.
I had a Software Key downloaded, but my hard drive just died.
Why can’t I see my borrowed license in the License Manager Tool?

What is a Software Key?

A Software Key is a Software-Based Protection Key. When you buy a Software Key, it becomes
available to you online, from your Company License Pool - a virtual repository where you can access
all your purchased Software Keys. You can upload and download these keys, via the Company
License Pool, to move them between different computers. Software Keys in the License Pool are
always in updated condition.

What is a Hardware Key?

A Hardware-Based Protection Key is a physical keyplug: either WIBU or CodeMeter.

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FAQ’s about License Manager

What is the Serial Number or ID of the protection key?

If you request a replacement or update of your key, then you must provide your distributor with the
Serial Number or ID of the keys involved.

For a Hardware Key (WIBU or CodeMeter):

You can find the key’s unique ID either listed in the License Manager Tool, or engraved on the
physical key itself (for a CodeMeter key) or on a sticker on the key (for a WIBU key).

For a Software Key:

Select the key in the License Manager Tool, and locate its unique ID in the left column. The ID has 12
characters, in the format SWxxxxxxxxxx.

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 FAQ’s about License Manager

This ID is also listed for each Software Key in the Company License Pool (in the Protection key ID
field).

How do I know which keys are available to me?

The License Manager Tool lists the keys that are available to you (either physically plugged in to your
computer, or accessible as Software Keys). You can tell which kind you have by the icon:

This is a CodeMeter (Hardware-Based) Protection Key.

This is a WIBU (Hardware-Based) Protection Key.

This is a Software Key that has been downloaded to your computer.

This Software Key is located in the Company License Pool.

I downloaded my Software Key, but the application isn’t working.

It may be that your software key is “broken” - that is, your computer’s software or hardware
configuration has changed, and the key no longer recognizes your computer. In this case, you need
to repair the software key.
1. Start the License Manager Tool.
2. Check the list of Available Protection Keys.
3. Check the status messages: You are alerted that a software key needs to be repaired.
4. Follow the directions to repair it.

The License Manager Tool says “Cannot Access Server.”

It may be that your network is protected by a firewall or proxy server which blocks the License
Manager Tool. For a list of services that must be accessible by License Manager Tool, see the Service
Connections section under System Requirements:

I don’t see my Software Keys listed in the Company License Pool.

The License Manager Tool only lists keys in the Pool if you have signed in with GRAPHISOFT ID.
See Sign in to License Manager.
Also, it is possible that you have not been assigned a Software Key. To check for keys and their
statuses, use your GRAPHISOFT ID to sign in to the Company License Pool.
See Managing the Company License Pool.

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FAQ’s about License Manager

I just uploaded a Software Key to the License Pool, but it’s not listed
there.
After the upload process, you must wait a few minutes before the Software Key is available. Click
Refresh on the License Manager Tool interface to see the list of available keys.

How can I check whether my licenses are up to date?

Start the License Manager Tool, and select the key from the list. Its status will indicate whether an
update is available. Keys in updated condition are marked with a green checkmark.
Notes:
• If you are checking the status of a Software Key, make sure it is downloaded onto the same
computer where the License Manager Tool is installed.
• Software Keys in the License Pool are always in updated condition.
• If you are checking the status of a Hardware Key, make sure it is plugged in to the same
computer where the License Manager Tool is installed.

How do I move a Software Key from one computer to another?

To move a Software Key from one computer to the other, use the Company License Pool. Follow
these two steps:
1. On Computer A, start the License Manager Tool and sign in. Upload the key from Computer A to
the Company License Pool.
2. On Computer B, start the License Manager Tool and sign in using the same GRAPHISOFT ID that
you used for the upload. Then download the same key to Computer B.
See Upload Software Key and Download Software Key.

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 FAQ’s about License Manager

I lost my Hardware Key.

Contact your distributor to obtain another Hardware Key or to replace the Hardware Key with a
Software Key. You must provide the serial number of the lost Hardware Key.

I had a Software Key downloaded, but my hard drive just died.

Contact your distributor to obtain another Software Key. You must provide the ID of the missing
Software Key (the one that was downloaded to the computer which is now wrecked). You can
obtain this information for any Software Key by checking the Company License Pool:
1. Sign in to the GSID site at https://graphisoftid.graphisoft.com/#/login.
2. Click on License Pool to see the Company License Pool.
3. In the Protection key ID column, find the ID number of the key you wish to replace.
4. Provide this ID information to your distributor.

Why can’t I see my borrowed license in the License Manager Tool?

The License Manager Tool does not manage borrowed licenses, and you will not see such licenses
listed. To see your borrowed license information, go to License Information in the ARCHICAD Help
menu.
For more information, see the Help Center at http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/.

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Managing the Company License Pool

Managing the Company License Pool

The Company License Pool lists the Hardware and Software Keys that belong to your company.
Depending on your permissions (Admin or Member), you can view these and/or assign Software
Keys to particular users in your company.
The Company License Pool is accessible from the GRAPHISOFT ID website, at:
http://graphisoftid.graphisoft.com.
For more information about GRAPHISOFT ID, see the Help Center at
http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/technotes/setup/graphisoft-id.
To use the Company License Pool, first sign in to the GRAPHISOFT ID Site.

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 Managing the Company License Pool

Then click on License Pool.

Your view of the Company License Pool and its available functions depend on whether you are an
Admin or a Member on the GRAPHISOFT ID site.

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Managing the Company License Pool

If You Are the Admin on GRAPHISOFT ID Site

What you see on the License Pool page:

Click Software Keys or Hardware Keys to see information on these types of keys owned by your
company.

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 Managing the Company License Pool

What you can do:

• View protection key content (for Hardware and Software Keys), download status and location
(Software Keys only), and user to whom it is assigned (Software Keys only)
• Assign a Software Key to a user

License Manager Tool User Guide 31

Managing the Company License Pool

If You Are a Member on the GRAPHISOFT ID Site

What you see on the License Pool page:

What you can do:

For any Software Key to which you have access:
• View license key content, download status and location, and user to whom it is assigned

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 Use Cases for License Management

Use Cases for License Management

One-man Office with Single Software Key
Recommendation: One person in charge of key management.
The user has a single GRAPHISOFT ID with Admin privileges. He/she uses this GRAPHISOFT ID to sign
in to the License Manager Tool. Then the user can download or upload the license keys to/from the
Company License Pool for the end user computer.

Small Company with Several Single Software Keys

Scenario 1
The company management and employees operate in an informal atmosphere in which all keys are
available to all employees.
Recommendation: All users take part in key management, using a single GRAPHISOFT ID with
Admin privileges.
All employees and managers use the same Admin GRAPHISOFT ID to sign in to the License Manager
Tool. Then the users can download or upload any Software Keys to/from the Company License Pool
for their computers. The Company License Pool shows the status of all of the Software Keys owned
by the company.

Scenario 2
The company management does not want all employees to take part in Software Key management.
Recommendation: Two levels of GRAPHISOFT ID access: Admin (for the managers) and Member
(each employee has his/her own GRAPHISOFT ID).
Using the Company License Pool, the Admin assigns these keys to particular users.
Employees use their GRAPHISOFT ID to sign in to the License Manager Tool. Then they can
download or upload the available Software Keys to/from the Company License Pool for their
computers.

Large Company with NET and Single Software Keys

In this scenario, the management does not want individual users to manage the NET key(s).
Recommendation: Two levels of GRAPHISOFT ID access: Admin (for the managers) and Member
(each employee has his/her own GRAPHISOFT ID).
Programming and management of the NET Software Keys is carried out by the Admin.
• In the Company License Pool, the NET key must be assigned to the Admin.
• On the key server computer, the Admin uses the License Manager Tool to download the NET key
from the License Pool.
Using the Company License Pool, the Admin assigns single Software Keys to particular users.
Employees use their GRAPHISOFT ID to sign in to the License Manager Tool. Then they can
download or upload the available Software Keys to/from the Company License Pool for their
computers.
License Manager Tool User Guide 33
Use Cases for License Management

34 License Manager Tool User Guide