AutoCAD Tip: License Transfers in Release 2010 and upwards

The License Transfer Utility is used if you have a standalone installation of AutoCAD and you need to change machines at any time. It also applies to the multi-seat standalone licenses

In R2009 and before, there was a PLU program that you ran from the start menu (under the AutoCAD 2009 section).

I’ve now found out all the grimy details about the new AutoCAD 2010 license transfer utility - it works very differently from the old PLU.

If you want to waste 15 minutes you can watch all about it from Autodesk on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGoslbHh9n8 but otherwise here’s an executive summary:

R2010 license agreement means you should be able to activate TWO copies of the software (e.g. for your desktop and notebook) under the one purchase. This means you would activate each program after you install each one.

If that works, you can forget all about silly license transfer utilities and you won’t have to read any of the items 1-9 below!

1.   R2010 uses an Online license transfer 

2.   It’s called LTU instead of PLU and you still run it from the start menu after closing down your AutoCAD

3.   You have to have an internet connection to do it. It transfers the license up to the Autodesk servers, where they will apparently stay for an unlimited time. Then you can go to another machine and import the license back into the second AutoCAD.

4.   You must go between the exact same product (e.g. AutoCAD 2010) and the same serial number.

5.   You don’t have to remember any silly long machine numbers like before

6.   The LTU asks you to log in to Autodesk so you need to get an Autodesk login and remember it

7.   There is a Public and Private option, just go with the default. Private just means you have to use the same Autodesk login to import it back in. Both options still mean the same product & serial number has to be on both machines.

8.   If you choose private, it will only stay private on the Autodesk servers for 14 days, then it will switch to Public.

9.  If you want to block the option of transferring licenses (for example in a corporate site) then you can uncheck the options for installing the LTU on the initial installation, or later when you modify the installation in the Control Panel under Add/Remove programs for AutoCAD

That’s pretty much it!

Jacqui

(c)2010 CAD Source International