Moving From Perpetual to Subscription Licenses

With Autodesk’s recent changes in the way you purchase software and the move from maintenance to subscription, we’ve received a lot of questions when buying new subscription contracts – whether it’s single or multi-user, use of different versions and home use policy. We have put together this blog post to help guide you through the changes with some answers and tips.

MULTI-USER:
With multi-user licenses, almost no changes are required; all you need is a new license file. The license server will manage usage and compliance. Your Autodesk software should not require re-installation and previous versions should not be an issue.

SINGLE USER – 2017 and 2018 versions:
For single user on 2017 and 2018 software, users will need to be assigned a seat. This is required every time there is a new contract, or a change in product. On the client computer, the users can reset the LGS data file, which initiates the “Let’s Get Started” wizard. The user then enters the new information.

Please note this will not work if the software was installed via a deployment. In that situation, you will need to reinstall the software.

The instructions for resetting the LGS are available here.

Instructions on how to update the serial number within the application are available here.

SINGLE USER – 2016, 2015, or 2014 versions:
For 2014, 2015, or 2016 versions, if the single user is installed as subscription, the user will be prompted by the software to log in. If installed as perpetual, the product will need to be reinstalled.

Subscription is not available for 2013 or earlier versions.

HOME USE:
In the change from perpetual to subscription, Home Use has undergone a few minor changes.

Each seat of a subscription license includes two activations; one for office use, and another for outside the office. This can include laptops that are used for travel. The secondary installations function as single user.

For single-user, the individual simply activates the software that is installed on the home computer, or on the laptop.

For multi-user, you are required to request the additional seat via your Autodesk Account, as per the Autodesk KB:

1. Sign in to your Autodesk Account at https://manage.autodesk.com
2. Locate the product with maintenance plan and select Get home use license under More actions.
3. Click the Request a separate license link in the Multi-user column to open the request form.
4. Enter the requested information and click the Send Request button:
   1. Version: Enter the version year for the software.
   2. Quantity: Enter the number of licenses you need. Number cannot exceed the number of current version licenses you have available.
   3. Contact Information: Enter an email address and phone number so we can provide the license file and contact you if we need more information.

It is critical to note that simultaneous use of the software in this scenario is a license violation. In addition, it can cause significant issues with Revit. The login used to activate the software also controls the User Name, and if multiple computers use the same User Name in the same model simultaneously, it can damage the model (as the database won’t know which computer owns which elements).

Also, please note that not all products are eligible for Home Use. Autodesk maintains a list at the following location.

COLLECTIONS & SUITES
Please note that Autodesk has retired the Design and Creation Suites, and is now only offering industry collections to its users. For a more complete review of the differences between Collections and Suites, please review our blog on this topic.

If you have additional questions regarding this topic, please reach out to us at info@microsolresources.com.