FireCAD Licensing - Activate and Manage Licenses

Commands

Command	Description
ATLICENSE	Open the License Activation dialog
ATCHECK_LICENSE	Check license status against the remote server
ATCHECK_LOCAL_LICENSE	Check license status using local cache (no internet required)

Overview

FireCAD requires a valid license to operate. When you run any FireCAD command, the system checks your license status. If no valid license is found, the License Activation dialog opens automatically.

FireCAD supports several license types:

• Perpetual — No expiration, permanent use
• Subscription — Time-limited, renews periodically
• Trial — Time-limited evaluation license
• Floating — Shared license that is checked out when AutoCAD starts and released when it closes
• Consumption — Usage-based licensing

License Activation Dialog

Access the dialog by typing ATLICENSE in the AutoCAD command line, or it will appear automatically when a valid license is not detected.

Dialog Layout

The License Activation dialog displays:

• Licensed To — The name, company, and email associated with the license
• License Status — Current license state and details:
  • License type (Perpetual, Subscription, Trial, etc.)
  • Validity status
  • Days remaining (for time-limited licenses)
  • Maintenance period expiration date
  • Licensed features list

Activating a License (Online)

1. Type ATLICENSE in the command line (or wait for the automatic prompt)
2. Enter your license key in the format XXXX-XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
   • A green checkmark appears when the key format is valid
   • A red X appears if the format is incorrect
3. Click Activate/Renew License
4. The system contacts the license server and activates your license
5. The status display updates to show your license details

Deactivating a License

Use deactivation when transferring your license to a different machine:

1. Open the License Activation dialog (ATLICENSE)
2. Click Deactivate
3. Confirm the deactivation

Offline Activation

For machines without internet access:

Step 1: Generate an Activation Request

1. Open the License Activation dialog (ATLICENSE)
2. Click Activate/Deactivate Offline
3. Save the generated .req (request) file to a removable drive

Step 2: Process the Request Online

1. On a computer with internet access, go to: https://offline.licensespring.com
2. Upload the .req file
3. Download the resulting .lic (license) file

Step 3: Apply the License File

1. Transfer the .lic file back to the offline machine
2. Open the License Activation dialog (ATLICENSE)
3. Click Apply Offline License File
4. Browse to and select the .lic file
5. The license is activated

Offline deactivation follows the same process — generate a deactivation request, process it online, and the license is released.

Checking License Status

ATCHECK_LICENSE — Remote Check

Command: ATCHECK_LICENSE

Contacts the license server to validate your current license. This performs a comprehensive check including:

• License validity and expiration
• Feature availability
• Consumption tracking
• Maintenance period status

Requires an active internet connection.

Use this command when:

• You've renewed your subscription and want to confirm
• You suspect your license status is out of sync
• You need to verify feature availability

ATCHECK_LOCAL_LICENSE — Local Check

Command: ATCHECK_LOCAL_LICENSE

Validates your license using locally cached data. This is the same check that runs automatically before every FireCAD command.

Does not require an internet connection.

Use this command when:

• You want to verify your license is working without contacting the server
• You're working offline and want to confirm license status
• Quick verification that doesn't need server-side data

How License Checking Works

Automatic Checking

Every time you run a FireCAD command, the system performs a local license check before executing. If the check fails:

1. The License Activation dialog appears
2. You can activate or troubleshoot your license
3. If you cancel without a valid license, the command is aborted
4. A message appears: "The FireCAD application is not licensed. FireCAD menu commands will not function until a license is available."

Startup Check

When FireCAD loads (on AutoCAD startup or via NETLOAD), it performs a local license check. If the license is invalid, the activation dialog appears before any commands become available.

Troubleshooting

"License not valid" after renewal

• Run ATCHECK_LICENSE to sync with the server
• This updates your local cache with the latest license data

Floating license not releasing

• Ensure AutoCAD is fully closed (check Task Manager)
• Floating licenses release automatically when the application closes
• If the session didn't close cleanly, the license may take a few minutes to time out on the server

Offline machine — license expired

• Generate a new offline activation request and process it online
• Apply the new .lic file to refresh the license

Multiple machines

• Deactivate the license on the old machine before activating on a new one
• Floating licenses don't require manual deactivation — they auto-release

Related Articles

• Installation & Loading the Plugin
• Options & Configuration

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