This page gives details on the License Setup for Chaos products.
Overview
The Chaos License Server is a secure, highly encrypted centralized system that lets you access your Chaos licenses. It is the bridge between the Chaos Product and the Chaos Account associated with a given license. You cannot use any Chaos product without a license.
Interface
The License Server Interface is 'the face' of the License Server. It is where you can check the status of your current license, borrow licenses for offline use, and more. See the Interface page.
Chaos License Server Interface
License Types
The Solo and Fixed Chaos plans are more suited for individual users, while the Premium and Floating plans can be used by both individuals and teams. The activation workflows vary depending on your subscription plan and role.
Please make sure to follow the instructions for your current Chaos License plan.
Solo and Fixed Licenses run locally on your device, and they can only be used by a single user with a user login. To activate a Solo or Fixed License, perform a default product installation and enter your Chaos account credentials when prompted. This installs the License Server for you and opens a prompt for your Chaos login. When you successfully log in, your license is active. For more details, see the Solo and Fixed Licenses page.
Premium and Floating Licenses expand on the Solo and Fixed Licenses - they can also be shared between multiple users and devices, not only used locally on the current machine. Sharing can be done in one of two ways:
- Remote Licensing: The administrator installs the License utility locally on their machine, and others in the same local network connect to it, without the need for them to install the License utility. This method is explained in this section.
- Cloud-Based Floating Licensing: The administrator shares a pool of Floating licenses with the Organization's Members and Guests, and when they connect their Chaos accounts, they can use the floating licenses through the cloud without the need to stay connected to the same network. This method does not require any further user actions. For more information, see the Cloud-Based Floating Licensing page.
The administrator can also assign floating licenses to individuals within the Organization. However, after that, the license is no longer available to be shared with others. For more information, see the User Management Actions page.
When doing a shared Remote setup for a Premium or Floating license, the license still needs to be installed locally on at least one machine in the network. This machine can use the license, but it also serves as a connection point for others to connect to the license. For details on installing the license utility locally, see the Solo and Fixed Licenses page. If you have a dedicated administrator, you might want to only install the license server application on a dedicated license holder machine. If you are installing the License Server on a license-holder machine, see the Administrator Workflow page.
To connect to a Premium or Floating License, as a remote user, you need to configure your Chaos product to connect to the License Server, which is deployed on the license-holder machine. This is done during the installation of your Chaos product. For more information, see the Premium and Floating Licenses page.
Licenses can be shared and managed through the my.chaos portal. If you are the account holder (i.e. Administrator), you can assign individual licenses to members of your network, which they need to install locally on their machines. This method allows the administrator to manage the licenses centrally - individuals in the network cannot edit the license allocation. For more information, see the Self-Service Portal Guide For Administrators.
Keep in mind that a single license can be used by a single user at a time. You need to add more licenses if you wish multiple users to work simultaneously.
Using a Premium or Floating license locally requires installing your Chaos product with the "Local License" setting in the installer and logging in with your Chaos account credentials when prompted.
- If you are the license holder, you need to install the license on your machine. Follow the Solo and Fixed Licenses workflow.
- If you are not the license holder, you need to ask the license holder to assign a license to you via the my.chaos portal. Then, you can install the license on your machine and use it locally. For more information, see the My Chaos Portal Guide.
Corona Activation
If you are activating a Chaos License for Corona, please see the Activating Corona for 3ds Max or Activating Corona for Cinema 4D pages, depending on your integration.
Enscape Activation
Enscape 4.1 uses the Chaos Licensing system. You can follow the instructions here, or if you want an Ensape-specific guide, see the Enscape First Steps article. If you are using Enscape 4.0 or older, see the Enscape License Activation article.