⚠️ : A Legacy license will not work with an Ansys version of OpticStudio , and vice-versa. Before installing or troubleshooting, always verify which license type you possess.
Yes, perpetual licenses can open files created in newer subscription versions, but new features designed with newer software might be disabled. Can I upgrade a fixed license to a subscription?
A USB single-user license is the most straightforward "plug and play" option:
If the physical red/black/green USB key is lost or stolen, Ansys generally treats this as a lost asset. It is highly recommended to transfer legacy keys to softkeys if possible for easier management. Can I upgrade an old fixed license to a subscription?
In the context of Ansys Zemax OpticStudio, the term "fixed" typically refers to two distinct concepts that users often conflate:
This comprehensive guide covers the most common causes behind Zemax OpticStudio licensing failures and provides step-by-step troubleshooting workflows to restore your system. 1. Fast Diagnostics: Identifying Your License Type
These use Safenet/Thales Sentinel keys. They are identified by numbers starting with 22000 to 40000 for softkey licenses, or physical USB dongles. 2. Common OpticStudio License Errors and Their Meanings
In the box, type the static IP address or hostname of your corporate license server.
: This is the "fixed license" model. A single-user license is assigned to one end user for use on one computer at a time .
You cannot host a standard local softkey on a VM. You must request your IT administrator to migrate the license into an Ansys Network License pool or utilize an authorized physical USB dongle designated for virtual environments. 6. Best Practices to Keep Your License Fixed permanently
If you are facing licensing errors, activation failures, or connection drops, this comprehensive guide will help you understand the root causes and implement permanent fixes. 1. Understanding the Zemax Licensing Ecosystem
If the license is fixed but still broken, check Windows Firewall. ZLM uses port 27000-27009. Create an inbound rule allowing zemax.exe and lmgrd.exe .
The fixed license is the "survivalist" choice for optical engineering—boring, inflexible, but absolutely reliable when the internet isn't. The interesting piece? Many firms are now buying used perpetual fixed licenses on secondary markets for legacy support, because new sales no longer offer them.
Ansys (Zemax's owner) has been aggressively migrating users to subscription-based OpticStudio Professional, Premium, and Enterprise tiers. Under these new plans, even a "fixed" license often requires rehosting or renewal annually. However, organizations that retained legacy perpetual fixed licenses (e.g., OpticStudio 19.4, 20.1, 20.3) possess a strategic asset:
With these details, I can provide a step-by-step fix tailored to your system.
| Feature | Fixed (Node-Locked) | Floating (Network) | Subscription (Named-User) | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | | One specific computer only | Any computer on the network, up to concurrent user limit | One specific named user (human), any computer they log into | | Internet required? | No (after activation) | Yes (to check out license from server) | Intermittent (for validation) | | Best for | Dedicated test/workstations, air-gapped systems, long-term projects | Teams sharing licenses across shifts or part-time users | Short-term projects, temp staff, or keeping cash flow flexible | | Cost over 5 years | Lowest (perpetual license + annual maintenance) | Medium (perpetual + maintenance + server admin) | Highest (recurring annual payments never end) | | Transferability | Difficult (requires support ticket) | Easy (just log off/on) | Easy (user changes computer) |
Details of the resolution:
International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) often require that controlled technical data (your optical designs) never touch a server outside the secure facility. A fixed license ensures the software and license never leave the local SSD.
