License Dongle

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Regular size - includes confirmation LED
Micro size - same width as a USB port

TouchDesigner on the Go[edit]

If you want to take TouchDesigner anywhere you go, a dongle license option is available for the ultimate in mobility and convenience. Purchasing a dongle will let you put one of the licenses in your account onto a secure USB licensing dongle. The key installed on the dongle will automatically key TouchDesigner on any computer that the dongle is plugged into (assuming the CodeMeter Runtime is installed on the computer).

Educational, Commercial, or Pro licences for TouchDesigner or TouchPlayer can be transferred onto a dongle.

Purchasing a Dongle[edit]

  • Purchase a License Dongle from the Store.
  • Derivative will contact you to select a license from your account to be transferred to the dongle. Can be used with existing or new licenses.
  • Derivative will confirm shipping address and send the dongle via International Priority and provide a tracking number.

Loading your License on a Dongle[edit]

New dongle purchases and Codemeter Dongle Setups will automatically receive an Activation Link from the licensing team. There is no need to contact derivative or send a Context File.

Updating an Existing Dongle[edit]

If you have applied updates or have other changes you would like to make to your dongle, simply email your dongle number or license ID to licensing@derivative.ca to request an Activation Link. Dongles do not 'call home' and require a manual activation in order for updates to take effect.

(Office Hours are Monday to Friday, 10:00 am - 6:00 pm EST, and you can expect to receive the link in approximately 24 hours.)

Installing Required Dongle Software[edit]

NOTE: Please update to CodeMeter Runtime 7.60. Older versions of CodeMeter Runtime may have trouble running both TouchDesigner 2022 and older builds at the same time.

Windows CodeMeter Install[edit]

  • When installing TouchDesigner, the first dialog of the installer will have an option for "Install Runtime for Dongle Licensing", make sure this is checked on. Proceed with the installation. You can alternatively download the dongle runtime from here CodeMeter Download. We suggest you turn off the 'Automatic server search' option in the CodeMeter installer options, to allow for quicker startup on networks with many machines with CodeMeter installed.

InstallOptions.png

macOS CodeMeter Install[edit]

  • Download and install the CodeMeter Control Center from here:

CodeMeter Download

If the software or service fails to start, you may need to enable it in your System's Security Preferences.

Using the Dongle[edit]

  • Plug the dongle into a USB port on the computer.
  • TouchDesigner will now use whatever license type is installed on the dongle (ie Commercial or Pro etc).

NOTE: If there were other keys previously installed on the computer through the Key Manager, TouchDesigner will use the highest available key type from either the installed keys or the dongle. You can disable all the installed keys using the Key Manager if they are no longer needed when using a dongle.

Sharing Licenses Over a Network[edit]

Multiple licenses can be loaded onto a dongle and then distributed to other computers on the network when TouchDesigner is launched. The server computer will have the dongle plugged in, the client computers will then receive a license from the dongle server when requested. Both server and all client computers require the CodeMeter Runtime software to be installed (see above). Note that this is not for Cloud licenses, which are setup differently. This is only to share a physical dongle's license(s) over a local area network.

Limitations[edit]

  • All licenses loaded on the dongle must be for the same product ie. TouchDesigner or TouchPlayer
  • All licenses loaded on the dongle must be the same license type ie. Educational or Commercial or Pro

Server Setup[edit]

Follow these steps to setup the computer that will act as the license server.

  • Plug the license dongle into the server computer.
  • Open the CodeMeter Control Center, click on the WebAdmin button in the lower-right of the panel.
  • Check the dongle under the Container tab. This will let you inspect the licenses that have been loaded onto the dongle.

CodeMeterWebAdmin.png


  • Go to Configuration > Server > Server Access, then 'Enable' Network Sever. Click 'Apply'.

CodeMeterEnableNetworkServer.png


  • Go to Configuration > Server> License Access Permissions.
    • Under Basic Mode Configuration add the IP address of the client computers that you want to have access to the license server. For example, IP address 192.168.1.2. Click 'Apply'.

CodeMeterLicenseAccessPermissions.png


  • Restart the CodeMeter service from the Process menu in the CodeMeter Control Center.

CodeMeterRestartService.png

Client Setup[edit]

Before beginning, confirm that the client computer can communicate with the license server computer over the network. In many (but not all) network environments this can be confirmed by pinging the server computer's IP address.

  • Go to Configuration > Basic > Server Search List
    • Under Server Search List add the IP address of the license server computer. For example, IP address 192.168.1.15. Click 'Apply'.

CodeMeterServerSearchList.png


  • Restart the CodeMeter service from the Process menu in the CodeMeter Control Center.

CodeMeterRestartService.png


  • In the WebAdmin window, confirm connection to the license server is working by clicking on the orange-arrow icon at the bottom of the window. You should see the IP address of the license server computer displayed in the list.

CodeMeterServerList.png

Troubleshooting Connection[edit]

If you are having issues obtaining a license on a client machine. You can look at the 'Events' tab in the CodeMeter Control Panel to get information on what is occuring. A likely issue is that the firewall on the server machine is blocking the connection. Make sure the CodeMeter.exe application is allowed through the firewall. This .exe is usually located in C:\Program Files (x86)\CodeMeter\Runtime\bin\CodeMeter.exe

Administrative Tools[edit]

From the license server computer you can inspect the distribution of licenses from the dongle and the active licenses in use on the network.

  • Go to License Monitoring > All Licenses to get a summary of licenses in use and available.

CodeMeterLicenseMonitoring.png


  • Go to License Monitoring > Sessions to get a list of each client computer currently using a license. Clicking on an entry in this list displays the license access times and gives the option to end the session on the client computer.

CodeMeterSessions.png

Additional Information[edit]

Important Considerations[edit]

  • Dongles will only work for the TouchDesigner version equal to the license that was loaded onto the dongle. To upgrade TouchDesigner versions on your dongle, please contact us.
  • Dongles will only work for builds compiled before the Update Date of the license loaded onto the dongle. When you purchase "1 Year of Updates" to extend your license to get newer builds, please contact us to update your dongle.
  • Licenses on dongles that are lost or stolen can not be recovered. You will need to purchase a new license to replace the lost one.
  • Licenses transferred to a dongle are no longer available for use through Derivative's online key management system. If you decide you no longer want to use the dongle, you can contact us to remove license from the dongle and it will become active again in your Derivative account online.

Advantages of Using a Dongle[edit]

  • Take your TouchDesigner key with you wherever you go, plug it into any computer running TouchDesigner and be instantly keyed.
  • If a machine is licensed with a Player license, plugging in a Designer dongle will enable network editor without needing to shutdown/restart the file. When the dongle is unplugged the machine will return back to being licensed as a Player.
  • Save time in a multi-computer environment or studio. Simplify the process of moving around to other computers.
  • Useful in situations with no internet access. Creating/Moving keys via the Key Manager requires an online connection which very often is not guaranteed during installations and working in the field. Using a licensing dongle you don't have to worry about it.
  • Convenience when delivering finished systems to clients. The license required to run TouchDesigner for client projects can be included on a dongle. This will make it easier for the client to keep the license, and they won't need their own Derivative account. Additionally, they will not need to re-key if they change hardware making it a better turnkey solution.
  • Easier when the time comes to repair or replace hardware, creating new keys is not required when using a dongle.

Technical Notes[edit]

Derivative uses WIBU-Systems CodeMeter technology for licensing dongles.

See Also: Floating Cloud Licenses