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Installation
- SOLIDWORKS and SW PDM System Requirements
- Preparing for Installation
- How to Download SOLIDWORKS
- SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager (.exe)
- How to Request a Manual Download for SOLIDWORKS
- How To Order A SOLIDWORKS Media Kit
- Installing – A Complete Overview to Managing a CAD Environment
- SOLIDWORKS Hardware Guide
- Troubleshooting SOLIDWORKS Installation Issues
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- SOLIDWORKS Individual Installation
- How to Modify Your SOLIDWORKS Installation
- How to Repair Your SOLIDWORKS Installation
- Performing a Clean Uninstall
- How to Quickly Update SOLIDWORKS to a Newer Service Pack
- How to Transfer a Standalone License
- Install Multiple Versions
- SOLIDWORKS Activation Wizard: How to Transfer SOLIDWORKS License
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- SOLIDWORKS Network Licensing
- How to Upgrade SolidNetWork License Manager
- Moving from SOLIDWORKS Standalone to Network Licenses
- Adding License to an Existing SolidNetwork License Manager
- Use Options File to Reserve Licenses for Specific Users
- SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Order Guide
- How to Reactivate SOLIDWORKS Network Licenses
- How to Move the SOLIDWORKS SolidNetWork License Manager to a New Server
- SOLIDWORKS SolidNetwork License Manager Overview
- How to Install the SolidNetwork License Manager
- Reserve Licenses with Options File
- How to add or remove network serial numbers
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SOLIDWORKS Portal
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SOLIDWORKS
- SOLIDWORKS Keyboard Shortcuts
- SOLIDWORKS Copy Settings Wizard
- Accessing Xpress Tools
- How To Tell Who Has a SOLIDWORKS File Open
- How to Use SOLIDWORKS Pack and Go
- SOLIDWORKS Administration Overview
- Rebuild Types and How They Work
- Understanding SOLIDWORKS Settings and Templates
- How to create SOLIDWORKS Part, Assembly, and Drawing Templates
- Utilizing Cloud Storage with SOLIDWORKS
- Automate File Exports with Task Scheduler
- Troubleshooting Weldment Cut List Consolidation
- SOLIDWORKS Multi-sheet Custom Properties Source
- How to Use Save As with References
- How to Troubleshoot Graphical Issues
- How to Enable or Disable SOLIDWORKS Add-ins
- PDM Branch and Merge Overview
- Copy and Paste as Reference in PDM
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PDM
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- PDM How to Work in Off-line Mode
- How to Use PDM Move Tree
- How to Use PDM Copy Tree
- PDM - What are Private State Files?
- PDM Search Operators
- How to Set PDM to Details View in Windows File Explorer
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Search Results – Which Configuration’s Variables are Displayed?
- PDM Automatic Login Options
- Preview Tab Options
- How To Overwrite Latest PDM Version
- Difference Between Versions and Revisions
- How to export search results from PDM
- Selecting Child References Automatically in SOLIDWORKS PDM 1/3
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- PDM Administrators: Roles and Responsibilities
- PDM License Type Matrix
- PDM Server Recommendations
- PDM Backup Procedures
- How to Reset Your SOLIDWORKS PDM Admin Password
- How to Control Get Version Commands
- Adding a PDM Vault View with a Windows Azure Active Directory Account
- PDM Major Minor Revisions
- How to Set Revision Manually in PDM
- How to Set Up Revision Tables
- PDM - What are Version Free Variables?
- PDM How to Rollback a File to a Previous Version
- PDM Setting Cache Options Automatically
- How to Change PDM Date Formatting
- How to Delete a PDM User Completely
- How to Reset Web2 Authentication in IIS
- SOLIDWORKS PDM Connectivity Test Tool
- How to Configure the Local HOSTS file to Resolve Server Name
- Create Local Vault View Shortcut
- How to Configure a Computer to be a PDM Task Host
- How to Setup a Dedicated Unattended Task Host
- How to use PDM Database Upgrade Tool
- Collect Support Information for PDM
- Update Credentials for PDM Archive Server
- Update Credentials for PDM Database Server
- Creating and Using PDM Labels
- Troubleshooting PDM Notifications
- PDM Cold Storage and How To Use It
- How to set the PDM Preview Tab Viewer
- How to reset the SQL password for the PDM Vault SQL Server
- SOLIDWORKS Strategies for Using the File Version Upgrade Tool (FVUT)
- How To Relocate An Existing SOLIDWORKS Vault View To Another Drive
- How to manually remove a disconnected PDM Vault View
- How To Relocate Vault Archive Folders To Another Drive
- How to Setup Toolbox in PDM - SOLIDWORKS
- How to Resolve “Workflow States Exceeds Permissible Limit” - SOLIDWORKS
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- Create Local Vault View
- How to Delete or Recreate a Local Vault View
- Create Local PDM Vault View Using .cvs File
- How to Change PDM Client License Type after Installation
- PDM File Version Upgrade Tool
- PDM Upgrade Checklist
- How to Upgrade SOLIDWORKS PDM Add-ins
- SOLIDWORKS PDM: Moving Server Components - Checklist
- How to Install SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard
- SOLIDWORKS PDM / Manage Installation Guide (PDF)
- Install Microsoft SQL 2019 for PDM Professional
- How to Install PDM Client Software
- Change SQL Server License
- How to Upgrade SOLIDWORKS Toolbox in PDM - AUTOMATICALLY
- How to Upgrade SOLIDWORKS Toolbox in PDM - MANUALLY
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Known Solutions
- Windows Firewall Exceptions for SOLIDWORKS Network Based Products
- Why Users Need Local Admin Rights to Install SOLIDWORKS
- How to Run SOLIDWORKS with Administrator Permissions
- Blank SOLIDWORKS Installation Manager - Resolution
- SOLIDWORKS RX - The Ultimate CAD Diagnostic Tool
- SOLIDWORKS Safe Modes
- How to Force SOLIDWORKS to Use Your Graphics Card
- How to Ensure that You are Running a SOLIDWORKS Certified Graphics Card Driver
- Troubleshooting SOLIDWORKS Installation Issues
- Resolution to Common File Location Errors
- Non-Matching Internal ID
- Could not obtain a license for SOLIDWORKS CAM. Invalid (inconsistent) license key
- “The Source Folder Is Not Versioned Properly…” Error when Modifying Serial Number
- “A Newer Version of This Product is Already Installed” Error when Installing SOLIDWORKS
- "Error obtaining License (-85, 147, 0)"
- SOLIDWORKS Search Routine Order
- How to Restore Dismissed SOLIDWORKS Messages
- Viewing SOLIDWORKS Configurations in eDrawings
- How to Modify the Reference/Update Dialog Dismissal Time
- SOLIDWORKS Educational Resources
- How to Change the SOLIDWORKS Language
- Restore Your File Associations
- How To Reset SOLIDWORKS Registry
- Resolve "Sheet Format Could Not Be Located"
- How To Correct The "Default Templates Are Not Valid" Error
- Correcting foreign language characters in the FeatureManager Tree
- How to Collect CXPAs
- Show all articles ( 12 ) Collapse Articles
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Simulation
- Simulation Meshing Guide
- How to Duplicate and Reuse Simulation Study Data
- Setting Up Default Options for SOLIDWORKS Simulation
- Which Type of Elements Should I Use?
- Is SOLIDWORKS Simulation Accurate?
- Getting Started with Simulation
- The Basics of Setting Up a Study in Simulation
- Do I Need Non-linear Simulation?
- Submodeling Studies – The What, Why, & How of Using Them in SOLIDWORKS Simulation
- What To Do When you get the “Excessive Displacement” Warning in SOLIDWORKS Simulation
- How to Create Temperature Dependent Custom Materials in SOLIDWORKS Simulation
- How to Export Flow Simulation Results to Import into FEA
- How to Add a Hydrostatic Load
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3DEXPERIENCE
- How to Create a 3DEXPERIENCE ID
- 3DEXPERIENCE Cloud Eligibility Tool
- Cloud Services Activation
- Invite Users & Assign Roles
- How to Install Collaborative Designer for SOLIDWORKS
- Install the 3DEXPERIENCE Add-in for SOLIDWORKS
- How to Install 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Connected
- How to Update SOLIDWORKS Connected and other Apps
- Storing SOLIDWORKS Templates on 3DEXPERIENCE Platform
- Work Offline in 3DEXPERIENCE
- How to uninstall 3DEXPERIENCE SOLIDWORKS Connected
Reserve Licenses with Options File
How to Use an Options File to Reserve Network Licenses for Specific Users
SOLIDWORKS Network Licenses are hosted by a License Manager running on FlexLM technology. FlexLM is the industry standard for distributed industrial licensing and contains many options for modifying how pools of licenses are shared and distributed across multiple users and teams within a company. This article explains how to implement an Options File to manage licenses and provides helpful information and examples to get you started.
How to Create a New Options File
1 Open the License Manager
3 Enable Options File
Select the checkbox next to Options File: and copy the default path to the options file (this will be used to edit the options file)
Click Next to continue
4 Complete the Activation
Choose Select All and click Next. Completing the reactivation process is required for the changes to be applied.
When the activation process is complete, click Finish to close the activation window.
5 View Log
If you need to confirm that an options file is in use, or locate the path of the options file, click View Log to open the lmgrd.log file.
6 Server Log Details
The log file opens in Notepad by default. Towards the bottom of the log file there should be “Startup/Restart Info” with the options file listed
Formatting the Options File
Now that the options file has been setup you can add the appropriate options to it. Open the log file in Notepad to modify the commands and stop/start the server to apply changes.
NOTE: The options file must be formatted correctly and is case sensitive. Make edits carefully and always keep a backup copy when making changes.
NOTE: Additional information on the commands available in the Options file can be found in the License Administration Guide found in the “\Docs\flexuser” folder of the SolidNetWork License Manager installation folder. Default installation path is C:\Program Files (x86)\SOLIDWORKS Corp\SolidNetWork License Manager\
In order to reserve licenses you must define groups and then reserve, include or exclude products for those groups.
- Define a group using the GROUP keyword:
- GROUP <Group_Name> <user> <user> . . .
- <Group_Name> is the name of the group
- <user> is the name of a user (do not include the “…” at the end). Note that usernames are case sensitive and cannot contain spaces.
- Reserve licenses to a group or user using the RESERVE keyword:
- RESERVE <number_of_licenses> <feature> <type> <name>
- <number_of_licenses> is the number of licenses to reserve to the group or user
- <feature> is the SOLIDWORKS Product feature name (see table below)
- <type> is the type of identifier used (GROUP or USER)
- <name> is the name of the or user
- Include or Exclude products to a group or user using the INCLUDE or EXCLUDE keywords:
- INCLUDE[EXCLUDE] <feature> <type> <name>
- <feature> is the SOLIDWORKS Product feature name (see table below)
- <type> is the type of identifier used (GROUP or USER)
- <name> is the name of the or user
Example 1 – Company X wants to reserve 1 license of SOLIDWORKS Premium for group1 (consisting of user1, user2 & user3), 1 license for group2 (consisting of user3 and user4). The options file should look like this:
GROUP group1 user1 user2 user3
GROUP group2 user3 user4
RESERVE 1 swofficepremium_GROUP group1
RESERVE 1 swofficepremium_GROUP group2
Example 2 – Company Y wants to make SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional CAD Editor available for engineering (consisting of user1, user2 & user3) and restrict manufacturing (consisting of user4 and user5) to using SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Viewer. The options file should look like this:
GROUP engineering user1 user2 user3
GROUP manufacturing user4 user5
INCLUDE swepdm_cadeditor GROUP engineering
EXCLUDE swepdm_cadeditor GROUP manufacturing
INCLUDE swepdm_viewer GROUP manufacturing
Below is a list of SOLIDWORKS products along with the feature names that are used in the options file:
3D CAD | |
SOLIDWORKS Standard | solidworks |
SOLIDWORKS Office | swoffice |
SOLIDWORKS Professional | swofficepro |
SOLIDWORKS Premium | swofficepremium |
SOLIDWORKS Premium with Simulation Professional | swofficepremium_cwpro |
SOLIDWORKS Premium with Simulation Premium | swofficepremium_cwadvpro |
eDrawings Professional | edrw |
PDM | |
SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional CAD Editor | swepdm_cadeditor |
SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional CAD Editor and Web | swepdm_cadeditorandweb |
SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Contributor | swepdm_contributor |
SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Contributor and Web | swepdm_contributorandweb |
SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Processor License | swepdm_processor |
SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Viewer | swepdm_viewer |
SOLIDWORKS PDM Professional Web | swepdm_web |
SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard CAD Editor | swpdmstd_cadeditor |
SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard Contributor | swpdmstd_contributor |
SOLIDWORKS PDM Standard Viewer | swpdmstd_viewer |
Simulation | |
SOLIDWORKS Simulation Standard | cae_cwstd |
SOLIDWORKS Simulation Professional | cae_cwpro |
SOLIDWORKS Simulation Premium | cae_cwadvpro |
SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation | cae_cosmosfloworkspe |
SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation HVAC Module | cae_cosmosfloworks_hvac |
SOLIDWORKS Flow Simulation Electronic Cooling Module | cae_cosmosfloworks_elec |
SOLIDWORKS Sustainability | swsustainability |
SOLIDWORKS Plastics Standard | plastics_professional |
SOLIDWORKS Plastics Professional | plastics_premium |
SOLIDWORKS Plastics Premium | plastics_advanced |
Electrical | |
CircuitWorks | circuitworks |
SOLIDWORKS Electrical 2D | elec2d |
SOLIDWORKS Electrical 3D | elec3d |
SOLIDWORKS Electrical Professional | elecpro |
Technical Communication | |
SOLIDWORKS Composer | swcomposer |
SOLIDWORKS Composer Check | swcomposer_check |
SOLIDWORKS Composer Path Planning | swcomposer_pathplanning |
SOLIDWORKS Composer Player Pro | swcomposer_playerpro |
SOLIDWORKS Composer Sync | swcomposer_sync |
SOLIDWORKS Composer Enterprise Sync | swcomposer_syncenterprise |
SOLIDWORKS Inspection Professional | swinspection_pro |
SOLIDWORKS Inspection Standard | swinspection_std |
SOLIDWORKS MBD | swmbd_std |
2D CAD | |
DraftSight Enterprise | draftsightpremium |
Technical Support
If you have any questions or experience unexpected behavior, feel free to reach out to MLC CAD Systems technical support.