There are three versions of the Exoswitch Constraint:
Trail
The Trial version is a full version of the constraint that is limited to 30 days from the date of first usage. The trial version is offered at no cost for testing purposes.
Playback
The Playback version is a complete version of the constraint with the exception that constraints cannot be created, they need to be loaded from a file. The Playback version gets offered at a reduced price and it is ideal for Technical Directors and Animators that do not need authoring capabilities. This version of the constraint has Floating License capabilities.
Full
This is the complete version of the constraint. It can use a license server to support Floating Licenses.
None of the versions of the constraint require a license to run in Batch, Batch Render or from a Python external interpreter (mayapy).
Trail
The Trial version is a full version of the constraint that is limited to 30 days from the date of first usage. The trial version is offered at no cost for testing purposes.
Playback
The Playback version is a complete version of the constraint with the exception that constraints cannot be created, they need to be loaded from a file. The Playback version gets offered at a reduced price and it is ideal for Technical Directors and Animators that do not need authoring capabilities. This version of the constraint has Floating License capabilities.
Full
This is the complete version of the constraint. It can use a license server to support Floating Licenses.
None of the versions of the constraint require a license to run in Batch, Batch Render or from a Python external interpreter (mayapy).
A license is necessary to load the plugin in a Maya session but it’s not necessary to batch process scenes like when a file is sent to a render farm. These chapters describe the commands and procedures necessary to request and manage licenses for the exoSwitch Constraint.
Obtaining A License
Licensing For Linux
Licensing For Windows
Licensing For MacOS
Licensing Commands
License Server Troubleshooting
The process of licensing for ExoTools follows these steps.
- A code generator tools (exocode) need to be run.
- The code generated is emailed to EXOTOOLS that send a license file (exolic.txt) back.
- The license file needs to be placed in the directory specified by the EXOTOOLSLICENSE environment variable.
- In case of a network license the licensing software and the license file needs to live in a directory where the machines using the license and the license server can access to it. In other words exoserv, exoadm and exolic.txt need to be located where the license server and user nodes can find them.
The plug-in will look at this license to allow you to use the tool. HOWEVER; you need to setup the environment variable EXOTOOLSLICENSE to point at the directory where the license file lives. There is nothing keeping you from moving the license file to another directory as long as the environment variable reflects that new location.
To set the environment variable you can modify your .cshrc or .tcshrc files and use setenv. If your shell is bash you can set the variable in your .bashrc using export.
setenv EXOTOOLSLICENSE=/path/where/you/copied/the/license/file
or
export EXOTOOLSLICENSE=/path/where/you/copied/the/license/file
The following link has some great resource on adding/editing environment variables for Maya:
environment variable
Obtain and Install a Node-Lock license
This is how a node-lock license can be obtained.
Navigate to the <installation path of the exoTools product>/syLicense/Linux
execute ./exocode
you'll get something like:
To get your license key
send this code to license@exotools.net
code = 0001-001c-42dc-2878 computer.domain
Email that file to license@exotools.net . You will get back a file called exolic.txt.
Copy that file in location specified by the EXOTOOLSLICENSE environment variable.
Obtain and Install a Floating license
Navigate to the <installation path of the exoTools product>/syLicense/Linux
execute ./exocode
you'll get something like:
To get your license key
send this code to license@exotools.net
code = 0001-001c-42dc-2878 computer.domain
You will get back a file called exolic.txt.
Copy that file in the location where the rest of the licensing tools are. Ex /your/installation/path/syLicense/Linux/.
Make sure all the clients accessing the plugin have an environment variable called EXOTOOLSLICENSE pointing to the directory where the exolic.txt file has been copied.
Running the license Server
To run the license server navigate in the location where you have decided to install the licensing tool.
For instance: /your/installation/path/syLicense/Linux/
Start the license server administrator tool with:.
./exoadm
then type the command:
start
You will see a new file called log_exoserv.txt. It represents the server log. You'll also see that the server has started.
You can use the command ?, stop, etc. to perform other operations. Now, with the license server running make sure the clients have an environment variable called EXOTOOLSLICENSE pointing to the location where the exolic.txt file is. Once that in place you are now ready to load the plugin.
To set the environment variable you can modify your .cshrc or .tcshrc files and use setenv. If your shell is bash you can set the variable in your .bashrc using export.
setenv EXOTOOLSLICENSE=/path/where/you/copied/the/license/file
or
export EXOTOOLSLICENSE=/path/where/you/copied/the/license/file
The following link has some great resource on adding/editing environment variables for Maya:
environment variable
Obtain and Install a Node-Lock license
This is how a node-lock license can be obtained.
Navigate to the <installation path of the exoTools product>/syLicense/Linux
execute ./exocode
you'll get something like:
To get your license key
send this code to license@exotools.net
code = 0001-001c-42dc-2878 computer.domain
Email that file to license@exotools.net . You will get back a file called exolic.txt.
Copy that file in location specified by the EXOTOOLSLICENSE environment variable.
Obtain and Install a Floating license
Navigate to the <installation path of the exoTools product>/syLicense/Linux
execute ./exocode
you'll get something like:
To get your license key
send this code to license@exotools.net
code = 0001-001c-42dc-2878 computer.domain
You will get back a file called exolic.txt.
Copy that file in the location where the rest of the licensing tools are. Ex /your/installation/path/syLicense/Linux/.
Make sure all the clients accessing the plugin have an environment variable called EXOTOOLSLICENSE pointing to the directory where the exolic.txt file has been copied.
Running the license Server
To run the license server navigate in the location where you have decided to install the licensing tool.
For instance: /your/installation/path/syLicense/Linux/
Start the license server administrator tool with:.
./exoadm
then type the command:
start
You will see a new file called log_exoserv.txt. It represents the server log. You'll also see that the server has started.
You can use the command ?, stop, etc. to perform other operations. Now, with the license server running make sure the clients have an environment variable called EXOTOOLSLICENSE pointing to the location where the exolic.txt file is. Once that in place you are now ready to load the plugin.
The plug-in will look at the license to allow you to use the tool .HOWEVER, you need to setup the environment variable EXOTOOLSLICENSE to point at the directory where the license file lives. There is nothing keeping you from moving the license file to another directory as long as the environment variable reflects that new location.
To set the environment variable open the System Properties window. Go in the Advanced tab and click Environment Variables. Under system variables click New. Enter EXOTOOLSLICENSE under Variable name and the path where the exolic.txt file under Variables value.
To set the environment variable open the System Properties window. Go in the Advanced tab and click Environment Variables. Under system variables click New. Enter EXOTOOLSLICENSE under Variable name and the path where the exolic.txt file under Variables value.
The following link has some a great resource on adding/editing environment variables for Maya:
environment variable
Obtain and Install a Node-Lock license
This is how a node-lock license can be obtained.
Navigate to the <installation path of the exoTools product>/syLicense/Windows
Run exocode.exe
You’ll get a window that displays a string similar to this one:
0001-001c-1084-0407 mypc
environment variable
Obtain and Install a Node-Lock license
This is how a node-lock license can be obtained.
Navigate to the <installation path of the exoTools product>/syLicense/Windows
Run exocode.exe
You’ll get a window that displays a string similar to this one:
0001-001c-1084-0407 mypc
Email that file to license@exotools.net You will get back a file called exolic.txt.
Copy that file in location specified by the EXOTOOLSLICENSE environment variable.
Obtain a Floating licenseRun getcode.exe
You’ll get a window that displays a string similar to this one:
0001-001c-1084-0407 mypc
Email that string to license@exotools.net . You will get back a file called exolic.txt.
Copy that file in the location where the rest of the licensing tools are.
Make sure all the clients accessing the plugin have an environment variable called EXOTOOLSLICENSE pointing to the directory where the exolic.txt file has been copied.
Running the license ServerNavigate in the location where you have decided to install the licensing tool.
For instance: /your/installation/path/syLicense/Windows/
Start the license server administrator tool with:
./exoadm.exe
then type the command
start
You will see a new file called log_exoserv.txt. It represents the server log. You'll also see that the server has started
You can use the command ?, or stop, etc. With the license server running make sure the clients have an environment variable called EXOTOOLSLICENSE pointing to the location where the exolic.txt file is. Once that in place you are now ready to load the plugin.
Copy that file in location specified by the EXOTOOLSLICENSE environment variable.
Obtain a Floating licenseRun getcode.exe
You’ll get a window that displays a string similar to this one:
0001-001c-1084-0407 mypc
Email that string to license@exotools.net . You will get back a file called exolic.txt.
Copy that file in the location where the rest of the licensing tools are.
Make sure all the clients accessing the plugin have an environment variable called EXOTOOLSLICENSE pointing to the directory where the exolic.txt file has been copied.
Running the license ServerNavigate in the location where you have decided to install the licensing tool.
For instance: /your/installation/path/syLicense/Windows/
Start the license server administrator tool with:
./exoadm.exe
then type the command
start
You will see a new file called log_exoserv.txt. It represents the server log. You'll also see that the server has started
You can use the command ?, or stop, etc. With the license server running make sure the clients have an environment variable called EXOTOOLSLICENSE pointing to the location where the exolic.txt file is. Once that in place you are now ready to load the plugin.
The plug-in will look at this license to allow you to use the tool. HOWEVER, you need to setup the environment variable EXOTOOLSLICENSE to point at the directory where the license file lives. There is nothing keeping you from moving the license file to another directory as long as the environment variable reflects that new location.
To set the environment variable edit your Maya.env or .bashrc files and add this line:
export EXOTOOLSLICENSE=/Users/Shared/Autodesk/maya/<VERSION>/
The following link has some great resource on adding/editing environment variables for Maya:
environment variable
Obtain and Install a Node-Lock licenseThis is how a node-lock license can be obtained.
Navigate to the <installation path of the exoTools product>/syLicense/OSX
Run exocode.app
You’ll get a window that displays a string similar to this one:
0001-001c-42dc-2878 computer.domain
Email that file to license@exotools.net . You will get back a file called exolic.txt.
Copy that file in location specified by the EXOTOOLSLICENSE environment variable.
Obtain a Floating licenseNavigate to the <installation path of the exoTools product>/syLicense/OSX
execute ./exocode
you'll get a window that display a string similar to this one:
0001-001c-42dc-2878 computer.domain
Email that file to license@exotools.net . You will get back a file called exolic.txt.
Make sure all the clients accessing the plugin have an environment variable called EXOTOOLSLICENSE pointing to the directory where the exolic.txt file has been copied.
Copy that file in the location where the rest of the licensing tools are. Ex: /your/installation/path/syLicense/OSX/
Running the license ServerTo run the license server navigate in the location where you have decided to install the licensing tool.
For instance: /your/installation/path/syLicense/OSX/
Start the license server administrator tool with:.
./exoadm
then type the command
start
You will see a new file called log_exoserv.txt. It represents the server log. You'll also see that the server has started
You can use the command ?, stop, etc. to perform other operations. Now, with the license server running make sure the clients have an environment variable called EXOTOOLSLICENSE pointing to the location where the exolic.txt file is. Once that in place you are now ready to load the plugin.
To set the environment variable edit your Maya.env or .bashrc files and add this line:
export EXOTOOLSLICENSE=/Users/Shared/Autodesk/maya/<VERSION>/
The following link has some great resource on adding/editing environment variables for Maya:
environment variable
Obtain and Install a Node-Lock licenseThis is how a node-lock license can be obtained.
Navigate to the <installation path of the exoTools product>/syLicense/OSX
Run exocode.app
You’ll get a window that displays a string similar to this one:
0001-001c-42dc-2878 computer.domain
Email that file to license@exotools.net . You will get back a file called exolic.txt.
Copy that file in location specified by the EXOTOOLSLICENSE environment variable.
Obtain a Floating licenseNavigate to the <installation path of the exoTools product>/syLicense/OSX
execute ./exocode
you'll get a window that display a string similar to this one:
0001-001c-42dc-2878 computer.domain
Email that file to license@exotools.net . You will get back a file called exolic.txt.
Make sure all the clients accessing the plugin have an environment variable called EXOTOOLSLICENSE pointing to the directory where the exolic.txt file has been copied.
Copy that file in the location where the rest of the licensing tools are. Ex: /your/installation/path/syLicense/OSX/
Running the license ServerTo run the license server navigate in the location where you have decided to install the licensing tool.
For instance: /your/installation/path/syLicense/OSX/
Start the license server administrator tool with:.
./exoadm
then type the command
start
You will see a new file called log_exoserv.txt. It represents the server log. You'll also see that the server has started
You can use the command ?, stop, etc. to perform other operations. Now, with the license server running make sure the clients have an environment variable called EXOTOOLSLICENSE pointing to the location where the exolic.txt file is. Once that in place you are now ready to load the plugin.
These are the commands that come as part of the ExoTools licensing suite.
exocode
This standalone program returns the code of the computer the user is running the software from or the computer acting as a license server. Run the application and email the code generated by the tool to: license@exotools.net. We will return you a license file.
exoserv
This is the license server program. You can just run it manually, or use exoadm.exe (see below) to run (and manage) it. Exoserv(.exe) logs messages in a text file located in the same directory, called log_exoserv.txt. This log file can be deleted at any time. It is useful for you (or the support team) to monitor the status of the server.
exoadm
This tool is used to interact with the license server exoserv(.exe).
These are the available commands:
start Start the server.
stop Stops the server.
? Check is the server is running.
who Gives you the list of users connected on the server, the machine name and the pid.
exocode
This standalone program returns the code of the computer the user is running the software from or the computer acting as a license server. Run the application and email the code generated by the tool to: license@exotools.net. We will return you a license file.
exoserv
This is the license server program. You can just run it manually, or use exoadm.exe (see below) to run (and manage) it. Exoserv(.exe) logs messages in a text file located in the same directory, called log_exoserv.txt. This log file can be deleted at any time. It is useful for you (or the support team) to monitor the status of the server.
exoadm
This tool is used to interact with the license server exoserv(.exe).
These are the available commands:
start Start the server.
stop Stops the server.
? Check is the server is running.
who Gives you the list of users connected on the server, the machine name and the pid.
The first thing to do in case of license problems is to make sure that the format of the license file (exolic.txt ) is correct.
Below is an example license file:
10ea10 500 0001-c83a-414c-bd4b abc123fe server
10ea10 = identifies as the server
500 = number of licenses served
0001-c83a-414c-bd4b = server MAC address for active NIC, preceded by 0001-
abc123fe = encryption key
server = server name
The client system must be able to see the machine via DNS. In the case of an OS X server, a hostname ending in .local may cause problems.
This is a list of common errors found in the license server log file (log_exoserv.txt):
error wrong_server
Sometimes happens after the server process is restarted.
Below is an example license file:
10ea10 500 0001-c83a-414c-bd4b abc123fe server
10ea10 = identifies as the server
500 = number of licenses served
0001-c83a-414c-bd4b = server MAC address for active NIC, preceded by 0001-
abc123fe = encryption key
server = server name
The client system must be able to see the machine via DNS. In the case of an OS X server, a hostname ending in .local may cause problems.
This is a list of common errors found in the license server log file (log_exoserv.txt):
error wrong_server
- Make sure that the MAC address of the active network connection is the MAC address submitted for license creation
- Make 100% sure that the MAC address matches the address in the exolic.txt
- e.g. MAC address c8:3a:41:4c:bd:4b would result in the following entry in exolic.txt: c83a-414c-bd4b
- Make sure that the machine name is the same name from the exolic.txt file
- To be 100% certain, on OS X, type scutil --get HostName
- The results must match the server name in the license file
- Unless specifically licensed, you can only run one server on your network at a time
Sometimes happens after the server process is restarted.