How to Install DraftSight
DraftSight 2D and 3D CAD solutions are offered at various license levels. There are standalone licenses for installing individual seats onto single computers, and for companies with multiple users, DraftSight Enterprise provides network-based licensing for shared use. The installation process is nearly the same for each license type.
The installation process requires the following:
- DraftSight installation files
- Valid DraftSight serial number/license key
- Windows user account with administrative permissions
- Ensure your computer meets the DraftSight System Requirements to ensure you are always working with a DraftSight supported and optimized system.
Installing the SolidNetWork License manager (SNL) for DraftSight Enterprise
DraftSight Enterprise (network) licenses require the installation of a network manager to host the licenses. This guide will cover the use of SolidNetWork License manager (SNL) to host DraftSight Enterprise licenses. This guide will not cover the Dassault Systemes License Server (DSLS).
The guides linked below contain instructions to install a new SNL, add DraftSight serial numbers to an existing SNL, and an overview of the SNL application.
Installing DraftSight
- Navigate to the downloaded DraftSight installation manager and double-click exe (Windows) or DraftSight.pkg (Mac) to start the installation.
- In the DraftSight Installation wizard, select the license type for your product.
For DraftSight standalone (serial numbers beginning with 900), select the license type as Serial Number (Standard, Professional, Premium). Enter the serial number and click Next.
For DraftSight Enterprise (network serial numbers beginning with 901), select the SolidNetWork License (SNL) option and click Next. When prompted, enter the port and server name of your SolidNetWork License manager (SNL) and click Next again.
- On the Custom Setup screen, select CATIA Drawings Import options if you want to import CATIA Drawing files to DraftSight. Click Next and follow the instructions.
- When prompted, accept the Customer License and Online Services Agreement and click Install. If DraftSight is already installed and activated on the computer, a message reminds you about it. If you are upgrading the computer, you must first transfer the existing license. If you are updating DraftSight on this computer, you can disregard the warning and continue.
Once installed, click Finish to proceed.
- If upgrading DraftSight to a new version or if DraftSight was uninstalled without a clean uninstall to remove user settings, then the Migration Assistance dialog box appears with selection settings to migrate DraftSight settings from the previous DraftSight installation.
- Click OK to complete the installation.
Activation DraftSight Licenses
DraftSight Enterprise licenses are activated on the SolidNetWork License manager (SNL). There are no additional activation requirements for client installations.
If you have DraftSight standalone installed on your computer, you need to activate the license.
- The first time you launch DraftSight, you will be prompted for activation. Click Activate Now. Alternatively, from within DraftSight, you can click Help > Activate DraftSight.
- Select the activation method, enter the email address, and click Next.
- The activation wizard sends the information to the SOLIDWORKS Activation Server for validation. After validation, a message for successful validation appears.
- Click Finish and launch DraftSight.
Deactivating DraftSight Licenses
DraftSight Enterprise licenses are activated/deactivated on the SolidNetWork License manager (SNL). There are no additional activation/deactivation requirements for client installations.
To deactivate a DraftSight standalone license:
- Launch DraftSight.
- Click Help > Deactivate DraftSight. After you release the license on an existing computer, you can activate it on another computer.
Other Resources
Technical Support
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