Here is a quick troubleshooting list when you can't seem to retreive a network license for your Autodesk product using FlexLM.

1. Make sure your license manager (LM) server is running.
   
   
   
   • Check to make sure the machine is on.
     
   • Check to make sure the network cable is plugged in.
     
   • Check to make sure the service is running.
     
   • Re-read the license if necessary.
     
   • Confirm the NAME of the LM (to be used later).
     
   
   
2. Make sure that your PC can access the LM.
   
   
   
   • Make sure you can ping the LM. Go to Start>Run, type in CMD. At the Command Prompt, type in PING MYLM (where MYLM is the name of your LM). You are looking for a response like this:
     Reply from 64.56.211.33: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
     Reply from 64.56.211.33: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
     Reply from 64.56.211.33: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
     Reply from 64.56.211.33: bytes=32 time<1ms TTL=128
     
   • If you get a response of Ping request could not find host... or Request timed out, then you may have connectivity problems not related the AutoCAD or the LM.
     
   • Next, open the Control Panel, then choose System. (You can quickly do this by pressing the Win key and the Pause/Break key). Then choose the Advanced tab, and then click on the Environment Variables button.
     
     
     
     • In the System Variables box, check to see if there is a variable named ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE.
       
       
     • If there is, make sure the value is set to the name of your LM. It should begin with an "@" sign. Example: @MYLM.
       
     • If you have more than one LM, separate the names with semicolons. Example: @MYLM;@MYLM2;@MYLM3
       
     • If this variable does not exist, create it using the NEW button and add the fields as mentioned above.
       
     
     
   
   

If you add this environment variable correctly, then there is no need to ever worry about a LICPATH.LIC file or any other method because the order of precedence always starts with the ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE environment variable.

If you done all the above and are still getting an error message, take a look at this list of FlexLM error codes and their meanings.

Reference Links from the Autodesk KB:
Use of licpath.lic file and ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE environment variable on same computer

Using ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE and LM_LICENSE_FILE variables on same computer

Labels: Networking

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PermaLink       Posted 12/29/2006 06:04:00 PM      Comments (1)

Here is one opinion on why Microsoft needs an "Autodesk like" Diana to help consumers decide on what OS to purchase. I didn't know anyone outside the AEC world even knew about Diana ...

Labels: Reference

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PermaLink       Posted 12/28/2006 08:38:00 PM      Comments (2)

Who REALLY won the AUGI Top DAUG contest held at Autodesk University 2006?

If someone told you that out of 9 contestants, only one person completed the final portion of the contest correctly, with no errors, you might think that person would be declared the winner, right?

This isn't how it works in this contest though...

The first place award was given to Lee Ambrosius, even though I was the only person to complete the drawing correctly with no errors. Of course, this little fact was quietly omitted from the AUGI web site and other announcements.

In case you are unfamiliar with the contest, here is how it works. Everyone at AU is invited to take a 45 question, multiple choice test, graded on speed and accuracy. The top 10 finishers are then invited back to compete in a live drawing test where you are given a paper drawing to duplicate in 10 minutes. The contest is again graded on time and accuracy.

Here is where these "mystery rules" surfaced. I was the only person to get the drawing 100% correct in the allotted time, and then I was told, "Sorry, you can't win again" (I won last year). Why? If you find out, let me know. I've asked the AUGI board members for a copy of the "Top DAUG" rules, but apparently none exist, so I have to assume the rules are just made up as they go along. Otherwise, why was I allowed to participate at all?

I guess we should tell the St. Louis Cardinals to not bother playing the 2007 baseball season since they won the 2006 World Series.

By the way, this is in no way a knock at Lee or any of the other contestants.

Lastly, I hope the digital camera works out better for Lee than the HP branded iPod I received last year worked out for me, which died after 5 months of use.

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PermaLink       Posted 12/18/2006 05:34:00 PM      Comments (6)

SP2a has been released for Land Desktop 2007 and Land Desktop 2007 Companion.

This service pack includes all the fixes from SP1 and SP2, and can be installed on top of an unpatched version or on top of SP1 or SP2.

Labels: Civil, Notices

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PermaLink       Posted 12/12/2006 07:48:00 AM      Comments (0)

In the 2007 version of the Deployment Wizard, there is a checkbox that says Group Policy Objects will be used to distribute the deployment. If this box is checked, then the contents of the service pack will be embedded into the deployment. If you leave this unchecked, then the service pack executable is simple added to the .INI file and is run separately after the deployment is installed.

The service pack must be embedded in the deployment when using GPO because only the MSI file is run in this case. Of course this also means you have to ensure that the other components normally installed by DEPLOY.EXE, such as Flash, DotNet, MDAC, and DirectX must to be installed PRIOR to pushing out AutoCAD via GPO.

Thanks to Nate Bartley for this information from his CM31-2 class at AU 2006.

Labels: Networking, Tips

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PermaLink       Posted 12/04/2006 08:33:00 PM      Comments (0)

If you want to create a raster image from your AutoCAD drawing, first you need to decide on what raster format to use.

First off, you may not need any 3rd party software. AutoCAD 2007 comes with two .PC3 files that allow you to create JPG or PNG files. For vector drawings (lines, arcs, text, etc.), PNG is the preferred choice. JPG is a lossy format and generally results in a poor representation of a drawing file. Unless your deliverable specifies this format, avoid it.

If you want to create something other than PNG or JPG, then you can also create a PC3 file that will allow you to plot to the following file formats:

• CALS
• BMP
• TIFF
• TGA
• PCX

To do this, run the PLOTTERMANAGER command. Then double click on the Add-A-Plotter Wizard. (If for some reason this shortcut doesn't exist, you can browse to the root AutoCAD directory and run the executable named addplwiz.exe)

The first screen you see is just an introduction screen, press Next.

On the next screen, choose My Computer because we are going to create a PC3 file based on a Heidi plotter driver, then press Next.

On the following dialog, choose Raster File Formats on the left pane, then choose the desired format in the right pane. After this is completed, press Next.

On the next two dialogs, just press Next. This will lead you to the dialog where you name the plotter (PC3 file).

Enter a name or leave the default, then press Next and you will get to the final dialog.

On this dialog, if you press the Edit Plotter Configuration button, then you can configure items such as custom sizes, the filtering of certain sizes, and other properties unique to the driver. Don't worry if you miss this step, you can always get there again by double clicking on the PC3 file itself.

Now when you go to plot, you will be able to choose the new PC3 file that you have created.

Note that there are limitations present. For example, the TIFF driver illustrated above will only create black and white TIFF files, no color. If you run into a situation where the built in drivers do not solve your problem, then you may have to look at a 3rd party solution such as this one

Labels: Raster Design

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PermaLink       Posted 12/02/2006 11:10:00 AM      Comments (0)