How is GeoTools licensing done?

GeoTools licensing is done on a per-computer basis for a fixed-number-of-seats purchase and on a per-computer or AutoCAD serial numbers for un-limited seats license.

How does this work for me? What do I have to do?

After purchasing and installing GeoTools, send us your computer application keys (obtained by typing ‘GT_AppKey’ on the AutoCAD or BricsCAD command line).

We will use this information to prepare a license file for you to enable you to use GeoTools. Before you send us your application keys, please decide on the computer where you will be using GeoToolsr. The license is not transferrable from one computer to another, except under certain circumstances (see below).

If you have purchased an un-limited seats site license, you can send us your AutoCAD serial number(s) instead of individual application keys of your computers.

By definition, the GeoTools license is not transferable. However, if there has been a computer system crash, or a hardware upgrade or a genuine re-configuration of your hardware resources requiring you to move your software to a new hardware, you can send us a request explaining your circumstances and we will be able to provide you with a replacement key.

New license keys as well a replacement key are delivered within 1 or 2 working days.

If you buy GeoTools V14 today, all minor updates of GeoTools V14 are absolutely free and downloadable from our web-site. You need to pay for an upgrade only when the next numbered upgrade, i.e V15 is released.

The currency (or life) of a numbered version of GeoTools is about 12 months. We release a new numbered upgrade in the month of April or May every year. The timing is normally set to coincide with the new release of AutoCAD from Autodesk. However, this may not always be true or guaranteed.

The new version of GeoTools will be compatible with the latest release of AutoCAD and a few earlier versions of AutoCAD. Click here for supported versions.

The cost of an upgrade is approximately 35%-40% of the cost of a full license.

An upgrade is allowed only between the current version and one version behind the current version. GeoTools V14 is the current version today and only GeoTools V13 users qualify to purchase an upgrade.

GeoTools users who are two or more versions behind the current version will have to purchase a full and fresh license.

Staying current with GeoTools allows you access to new features, enhancements, bug fixes and support by way of FREE downloadable updates. Your own wish-lists, suggestions and feedback can get incorporated in GeoTools that will be yours to download as soon as ready. All these fixes happen only on the current release and will not be available on earlier releases. Only a current version user of GeoTools can benefit from these.

On the other hand, if you upgrade after skipping a version of GeoTools altogether, you pay the full price for the license again (which would actually work out 20% more than two upgrade costs)  and end up not being able to use all the new, cool and exciting features of GeoTools for one FULL year. The benefits are obvious.

If you do not upgrade your GeoTools license, you can still continue to use GeoTools on the AutoCAD versions that it supports. The newer version of GeoTools is often required to run on the latest release of AutoCAD. This will not be possible if you are still on an older version of GeoTools. Additionally, you will not have access to new features, enhancements, bug fixes and support as explained elsewhere in this section.

Yes, each numbered version of GeoTools uses its own license file and you cannot use them inter-changeably. If you copy the license file of GeoTools V13 into the folder where you have installed GeoTools V14, it will not work and the software will continue to run in un-registered evaluation mode.

Please do not attempt to edit the license file. It is an encrypted binary format and editing it may cause the license to mal-function.

Yes, GeoTools can be run using a floating license on a Local Area Network. The price of a floating license is 40% higher than the standalone licenses. At any time, only the permitted number of computers can log in and use GeoTools simultaneously.

In a floating license mechanism, the license file is placed in a pre-specified location on the network which must be a folder which is visible (with read, write, create and delete permissions) to all GeoTools users on the network. The master license file stores encrypted information about the number of users that can use the software simultaneously. It also stores the location on the network where the file must be placed.

Yes, you will be given license file replacement support until two versions prior to the current version of GeoTools. There will be no license file replacement support available for clients who are MORE THAN 2 versions BEHIND the current version of GeoTools.

CADPower is a low-cost software. Our upgrade policies are consistent with the practices followed by major software vendors of similar software.

Our policy is lenient and to the advantage of the user and protects the interests of both the vendor and the end-user.

A new numbered upgrade of GeoTools is released in April or May each year. Users who have purchased GeoTools on or after January 1st of that calendar year are eligible to get a FREE upgrade to the next numbered upgrade.

This concession is granted during the window period from January to May so that your investment in GeoTools made in this period is protected for atleast 12 months before you would be required to purchase an upgrade.

GeoTools is available as single user, 2-user, 4-user, 10-user, 20-user and an un-limited user site license configuration.

The GeoTools license file 'GeoToolsUser14_??_??.rgs' is emailed to the client as a Zip file. You must unzip this file and copy 'GeoToolsUser.rgs' file to the same folder where you have installed GeoTools. Copying it in any other location will cause GeoTools to continue to run in evaluation (un-licensed) mode.

The GeoTools license file has a name which looks like 'GeoToolsUser14_<lang>_<platform>.rgs' .

<lang> specifies the language for which the license is valid. It can either be EN (English), ES (Spanish) or DE (German).

<platform> specifies the CAD platform for which the license is valid. It can either be AC (AutoCAD) or BC (BricsCAD).

Example: A GeoTools V14 English license for AutoCAD will be named as GeoToolsUser14_EN_AC.rgs.

Yes, GeoTools can be installed on any computer on the local area network. Just like in the case of a local install, you will have to ensure that the correct network path to the computer, drive and folder name at the server (or remote computer) location are entered on your computer. This is done under the Options command -> Files Tab -> Support file search path as explained in the GeoTools readme file.

Please ensure that all necessary network permissions are available for the computers to access each other.

Yes, GeoTools installation and AutoCAD installation are completely independent of each other. Often, system administrators might install AutoCAD locally to minimize network traffic and load. You may want to do the same with GeoTools as well and install it locally but it is not mandatory. Additionally, GeoTools is a much lighter program compared to AutoCAD and there is no major network traffic due to GeoTools. So, you can install it only in one location on the network.