Pro/M, no license, no support. =[

[MichailS]

Hi

I just upgraded from WF2 with Structural and Thermal Option, (the integrated Pro/M "light" plugin, worked fine) to WF3.

The CAD part works as it should, but when I attempt to use the Pro/M plugin it complaints about problems with the license server and that I need to speak to the administrator.

Thing is, this is my own personal license and when I bought it I opted not to buy the support package, as I was already straining my budget considerably.

At first I was sent WF2 despite that I ordered WF3, but I was promised WF3 as soon as it arrived. Then months passed when the vendor perpetually said they should ship me the CDs, the license file, etc but it was constantly delayed or I got the wrong CD. I got WF3 for Linux first - nice, but without T&S Option and a whole lot of OS problems on my part I wanted the Win32 version.

At long last I recieved the WF3 CD on monday and found that T&S Option would install but not work. I downloaded a new license file from my PTC account (there was a problem with that before) but no dice.

I am uncertain on what I can ask of from my vendor at this point, and I am hesitant to call them since I have already spent a lot of time bugging them about WF3.

Is it reasonable that they help me troubleshoot my license problem despite that I did not pay extra for 12 months of support? I mean, can I expect help to get my system up and running in occasions like this?

Or am I a sucker who bought a black box with theoretically unknown content and can only blame myself if I can't get it to work? So they can just shrug me off?

 

[looslib]

If you specifically ordered WF3 with Mechanica, then your vendor should at least work with you to get the licenses that you ordered, with or without a maintenance contract. If you only bought WF2 and the vendor upgraded you as a favor, then you may be out of luck.

 

[acook]

Hey MichailS,

What does it say (in the dashboard) when you load a part in Pro/Engineer then attempt to access Mechanica from Application->Mechanica? Does it say something like "Mechanica installation not found - FEM mode only available". This is not a license issue, it is an installation issue with an easy workaround.

Also, ensure that whatever license you are using (sounds to me like a node-locked license, although you do mention a license server) contains the MEC* license feature name (i.e. MECBASICUI). If there are no lines containing MEC*, thermal and structure simulation is not available to you (sometimes, however, vendors other than PTC change these names, there should be some meaningful license feature name describing Mechanica). Although having this license feature name present does not guarantee you have a valid license (license code), its a good start. Also, make sure that if you are using a node-locked license you specify that during installation.

Hope this helps.

 

[MichailS]

Hello again and thanks for taking the time to answer!

When I ordered Pro/E, it was specified to be WF3. But they sent me the WF2 disks first by mistake. So I ran WF2 anticipating WF3, which arrived many months late. =/

I got one WF2 license file first, and after a while the WF3 license file by mail, because they had erroneously listed me as a WF2 customer in the PTC database.

I can't really download anything from PTC except the licese files (which are correct now) because I did not pay for the maintenance contract. I presume.

When I try to run Pro/M it says "Unable to get required Mechanica license. Please contact your sales representative."

I'm not quite sure what the difference between a node-locked and a server license is, but I run the Flexnet thing on 7788@localhost and my license file contains:

#**************************************** Summary Table *******************************************************
#&nbsp ;&nbsp ;PTC Host ID nn-nn-nn-nn-nn-nn
#FeatureName Qty&nb sp; Product&nbsp ;&nbsp ; ReleaseTypeExpirat ionContract

#*********************************************************** ***************************************************
#127&n bsp;1& nbsp;MechanismDesign&nbs p;&nbs p;&nbs p;Wildfire 3.0 Extperm&nbsp ;nnnnnnnnn

#PROE_FoundationAdv1&nbs p;Pro/ENGINEER Foundation Advantage Wildfire 3.0 Flt Lic perm nnnnnnnnn
#MECBASICENG_License1&nb sp;Pro/ENGINEER Mechanica&nb sp;Wil dfire 3.0 Flt Lic perm nnnnnnnnn
#MECBASICUI_License1Pro/ENGINEER Mechanica&nb sp;Wil dfire 3.0 Flt Lic perm nnnnnnnnn

The difference is small between the old WF2 and the new WF3 license file. Same FeatureName, a bit different in the INCREMENT sections. The new file has more in the SIGN string.

I will contact my vendor and ask for aid.
Edited by: MichailS

 

[MichailS]

Crap! I can't get the "nbsp" and the extra spaces out of that post that the forum added. Just ignore them.

 

[acook]

Hey MichailS,

Is there a SERVER line in your license file???? Above all your licensed features there should be a line with the syntax:

SERVER <license server name> PTC_HOST_ID=XX-XX-XX-XX-XX <port number>

This is the correct syntax for WF 3.0 new flexnet license files. There should also be a DAEMON line pointing to the ptc_d.exe file.

Also, some license files allow Pro/Mechanica to be used in integrated mode only not independent mode. I am not sure but from what you posted it looks like integrated mode may only work for you, but I wouldn't know. What I do know if that you need to have that SERVER line to use the flexnet license server. If you do not have this line, it is either an error or you need to specifiy a node-locked license when you install Pro/Mechanica.

Hope this helps.

 

[Remmerv]

Your license content should be o.k. from the lines I see here. When going from Pro/E with an active part/assembly to applications MECHANICA you get this little window forcing you to choose beteen Stucture and Thermal. In this Window you see a small box for FEM mode: this should be not ticked. If there is a tick and you cannot remove it you forgot to identify the location for Pro/MECHANICA in the Pro/E setup. For this you have to re-run the Pro/E setup from harddisk and tick "other product interoperability" in one of the setup windows. This produces (one or two windows later) a window where you can specify the location of Pro/MECHANICA. After correcting this the FEM tick should be gone and you get the MECHANICA menu's.


For 90 % of our clients this isthe well know pittfall.....


Hope this is what you are looking for also.

 

[Remmerv]

By the Way: be sure to upgrade WF3.0 to datecode M030 when it comes out: there is a bug messing up postprocessing multiple loadcases in all earlier WF 3.0. PTC has publisched a TAN with the exact details on their webpage.

 

[MichailS]

Heya

The forum was b0rked the other day, I am now at another place and will travel over the weekend right away, so unfortunately I can't investigate your suggestions immediately.

But as I recall, Victor is probably spot on - I did not specify to Pro/E where Pro/M is since I installed M after E.

I also vaguely remember encountering this problem and solving it once many years ago, so it definetly rings a bell...

I do get the menu with FEM mode and the ticked box can't be unchecked, so it corroborates the abovementioned. =]

I do think that it was M030 I got if i recall correct, so come monday I might finally get a pristine workstation working! Oh joy, what more can an engineer wish for? ^_^

Many thanks, blessed people!
Edited by: MichailS

 

[MichailS]

Yay! It works!

It was like Victor most correctly thought - I ran the Setup for Pro/E again
and pointed to where Pro/M was, and all is well.

Happy ending! Thanks again!