Working with the license helper

What is it?

In rare cases of licensing conflicts or problems, investigating and solving them can be difficult. The license helper can force a reset or a change of the current license when other methods have failed or are currently not available. For example, when a network license management server you previously used has become unavailable and an alternative license or license server must be used.

Where do I find it?

When a license is in use, open License Helper by choosing Settings > License helper.

When a license is not in use, open the Let's get started dialog by clicking the blue Upgrade to Standard/Premium/Ultimate button.

When a license is in use

When a license is still in use, meaning, when the Netfabb window title does not contain (unlicensed), and this includes a running Trial, the License Helper can force three changes:

• Reset LGS: Resets the Let's get started dialog. In essence, this drops any current licensing information. The next time you launch Netfabb, you will be asked to provide new licensing information, be it a serial number ("Single User") or connection to a licensing server ("Multi-user").
  Important: This does not clear your Autodesk account sign-in. If your license runs via Autodesk ID (your Autodesk account login), the LGS dialog is skipped and the license stored online under your Autodesk ID is loaded automatically. To prevent this, sign out manually from Netfabb and possibly other applications currently holding that sign-in.
• Change network license endpoint: When you need to change to a different network license management server, possibly while currently using a standalone license, this clears the record of the previous or current one. Otherwise, licensing would try to continue using the stored record.

  Use Change network license endpoint first, then use Reset LGS, then restart Netfabb to return to the licensing dialog.

  Important: This function requires that Netfabb is launched with administrative Windows® user privileges. The license helper contains a status indicator that shows whether that is currently the case.
• Switch license type: Switches licensing to the selected method, network or standalone.

All changes require a restart of Netfabb to take effect. Be careful of any open windows as they might cover licensing dialogs.

When no license is in use

Running Netfabb without license switches it to a reduced (but still powerful) set of functionality. In this state, depending on the installer you used, Netfabb displays a blue Upgrade to Standard/Premium/Ultimate button. This button leads to the Let's get started dialog, allowing you to choose your license type and enter the required information.

Alternatives to the license helper

Should problems still persist, or if you are using an earlier Netfabb version than 2021, try https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/learn-explore/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/Use-Installer-Helper.html or contact support at https://knowledge.autodesk.com/contact-support/.