FAQ

License: How to install the network license ?

Introduction

The LinkCAD network license consists of two components:

A shared network folder on a shared server computer
A network license file "lclic.net" on each client computer running LinkCAD

When LinkCAD runs, and finds a network license file, it checks for the existence of the shared network folder. It then creates a runtime license in this folder, which will be removed when LinkCAD terminates.

Preparation

Create a shared network folder on your central server (e.g. "\\CENTRAL-SERVER\LINKCAD").
Give the shared folder the following permissions: Full Control (READ, WRITE, CREATE and DELETE) for all users running LinkCAD.
To verify the file permissions, log onto a client computer on which LinkCAD will be run, using a normal (not Administrator) user account. Create a file on the shared network folder, and then delete it.
Send an email with the full share path (e.g. \\CENTRAL-SERVER\LINKCAD) to [email protected].

Installation

Once we receive your email, we will send you the network license file "lclic.net".
If you haven't done so, download and install LinkCAD on all your client computers. You may download the latest version of LinkCAD from our web site.
After you have installed LinkCAD, copy the network license file to the LinkCAD program folder on each client computer (e.g. "C:\Program Files\LinkCAD 9\").
To verify the network license, start LinkCAD on a client computer. Then open the Help > About LinkCAD... dialog. The licensed options should show the status "NET" next to them.

License: Can the floating network license be accessed by remote clients ?

LinkCAD's floating network license allows up to 3 (network lite license) or 30 (full network license) users to run LinkCAD simultaneously.

All computers (clients) need to be on the same network. If a remote client is connected to the licensed network through a virtual private network (VPN) connection, and the shared network folder is reachable, it will be able to run LinkCAD.

License: How do I transfer the single user license to another computer ?

Install LinkCAD on the other (target) computer. You should install roughly the
same version as on your current computer.
Start LinkCAD on the target computer, select "About LinkCAD..." from the Help
menu and write down the serial number.
Start LinkCAD on your current computer, and paste the above serial number into the
"Transfer License" field in the "About LinkCAD..." dialog, then click on "Transfer" and
use the displayed registration code to register LinkCAD on your target computer.

Conversion: Why is the converted file too large or too small ?

If the converted file is too small or too large, and you are either converting from or to DXF, then the DXF units in the DXF Import/Export Options dialog are probably wrong.

DXF files, unlike Gerber or GDS-II, are unitless: a distance of e.g. 10 units may correspond to 10 microns, 10 inches, or even 10 meters. It is therefore very important that you specify the meaning of the DXF units in the DXF Import/Export Options dialogs in LinkCAD.

For instance, select microns if you want a distance of 1 to represent 1 micron in the DXF file.

This does not limit your drawing's resolution to one micron because DXF supports fractional units.

Conversion: How LinkCAD locates fonts

LinkCAD supports the SHX font format, which is also used by AutoCAD. TrueType fonts are not supported, because these are not optimized for CAD applications.

SHX fonts are located as follows:

In LinkCAD's Program Folder
In the folders listed under Tools > Options... > Fonts
In the font folders of AutoCAD / VoloView if installed

If not found, it defaults to the font listed under Tools > Options... > Fonts, and as a last resort it uses the built-in TXT font.

LinkCAD also supports a font map file: this file must be named "lcad.fmp" and it must be in LinkCAD's Program Folder. The file has the following format:

    fontname;mapped name

If, for instance, the map file contains the entry:

    Helvetica;Arial.SHX

and LinkCAD encounters are request for the font "Arial", it will map it to "Arial.shx" and then look for this SHX font. The mapped font can also be scaled by appending a scaling factor, eg:

    Helvetica;Arial.SHX;0.5

How to create filled areas

Unlike AutoCAD, where you need to hatch areas to created filled surfaces, LinkCAD always fills all closed polygons.

If your areas are enclosed by a series of separate line segments, instead of a single polyline, you first need to connect these lines and close the polyline. LinkCAD can do that for you automatically: when you open such a file, a dialog "Repair Open Polygons" will appear. The first repair option joins such separate lines into a single closed polyline.