Table of Contents

Manage PDMShell add-in licenses

PDMShell add-in licenses can be managed from the SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration Tool. Use this page when the add-in is installed in a vault and you need to choose how the vault consumes PDMShell licenses.

Open the Administration Tool, expand the vault, open the add-ins list, locate the PDMShell add-in, right-click it, and select Manage PDMShell Licenses.

PDMShell add-in menu in the SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration Tool with Manage PDMShell Licenses and PDMShell Download Center commands

The PDMShell Licenses window opens for the selected vault. Use this window to add license keys, activate pooled keys, generate offline activation files, choose the license mode, and review active pool borrows.

PDMShell Licenses window in the SOLIDWORKS PDM Administration Tool

Note

Restricted or air-gapped vaults that only allow Microsoft-hosted downloads can use the add-in menu command PDMShell Download Center... to open the SharePoint folder that contains PDMShell .cex files. Use this license manager window for activation; use the Download Center for add-in installer files.

License mode

The top of the window controls how the vault uses PDMShell licenses.

  • Use license pool lets the vault borrow from activated license keys stored in the vault.
  • Use this machine's license uses the local PDMShell license already installed on the current workstation.

For help choosing a mode, see License Pool and Machine License.

Add license keys

Paste one or more PDMShell license keys in the License key box. You can separate keys with new lines, commas, or semicolons.

Select Add to add the keys to the vault license list.

Offline activation

Use the Offline activation section when the vault cannot reach the Blue Byte Systems license service directly.

  1. Select the license row that needs an offline activation or deactivation.
  2. Select Generate activation request or Generate deactivation request.
  3. Email the generated request file to info@bluebyte.biz with a clear subject such as PDMShell offline activation request.
  4. When support returns the response file, select Import response on the same vault.

Offline request and response files are tied to the selected license and the current vault node. Import the response on the vault where the request was generated.

If you do not receive an activation response, contact info@bluebyte.biz for help. This address only replies to activation issues.

License list

The license list shows the keys available to the vault.

Column Meaning
Enabled Controls whether the key can be used by the add-in.
License Shows the stored license key.
Status Shows whether the key is activated and ready to use.
Activated node Shows the node or machine that activated the license.
Expires Shows the license expiration date.
Action Lets an administrator activate a license key online when activation is required.

Active borrows

The Active borrows list shows pool seats currently borrowed from the vault. It includes the vault, machine, user, and borrowed time in UTC.

Use this area to understand who is currently consuming pool seats.

Window controls

Use the buttons at the bottom of the window to finish or discard changes.

Button Meaning
Delete Removes the selected license key from the vault license list.
Cancel Closes the window without saving pending changes.
OK Saves the selected license mode, enabled license keys, added keys, removed keys, and other pending license changes.

Use the Activate button in the license list when a license key is present but not activated.

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