FLEX Tokens Usage

[AJBuckers]

Hi All,

We've just purchased some Flex tokens for our team to use Vehicle tracking alongside their existing Civil 3D subsciptions.
As the vehicle tracking is a bolt on to the main software, at what point does the software use up the 4 tokens required to use it? We have it installed and the tab is visable on the ribbon, if the technician activates a command on that tab does it then activate and authorise the software and use the 4 tokens?

The other question we had was that if we open a file that has tracking elements in it, done by another user, will that then activate our software and charge us 4 tokens?

Hope I've explained that well enough, TIA for any help, couldn't really find any help on the autodesk website about this.

Adam.

[DarrenP]

This is all I can find

What if I use a plugin for a product? How are Flex tokens charged for plugins?

Some product plugins incur a daily token charge when accessed (while some plugins do not.) For those that do incur a daily charge, if the plugin was configured to start when the host product starts, the daily token rate will be charged for both. To avoid inadvertent charges for plugins, don’t configure your plugin to load when the host product starts. See the Flex rate sheet.

[Darin.Green · Accepted solution]

@AJBuckers Vehicle Tracking consume tokens or licensing "when an Autodesk Vehicle Tracking command is used, or when an Autodesk Vehicle Tracking object is selected, and the grips are shown."

When the user is done with the commands, they can also release the license by using the Release License from the help panel on the Vehicle Tracking tab in the ribbon.

Reference: Autodesk Vehicle Tracking license consumption

[DarrenP]

I think those articles are for network licenses not for flex tokens

[Darin.Green]

True, but calls for when licensing is required doesn't change.

[AJBuckers]

Hi @Darin.Green thanks for your reply. That's very useful, and it's the assumption we came to in the end. 

One more question if you don't mind?

If we don't use the "release license" function by the end of the 24hr period, will it relinquish the license automatically? Or will it roll on and charge us another 4 Flex tokens?

Thanks.

[Darin.Green · Accepted solution]

If you leave the software running, yes, it will roll on for the additional days the software is running.  I recommend telling users to close the software every evening.  In some cases, it's best to configure Windows Task Scheduler to automatically shut down the application every evening if it's still running.

In a simple batch file, write

taskkill /f /im acad.exe

For help with setting up a Task see this article: How to schedule a Batch File to run automatically on Windows 11/10 (thewindowsclub.com)

[robby.saavedra]

I opened two versions of Civil 3D today and believe I was charged twice. However, there is no way to confirm since Autodesk does not provide daily usage, only periods of several days at a time. Interesting how they can charge per 24 hour period but don't give you this level of insight... Give me a thumbs up if you are also waiting / praying for an alternative that can at least provide live person support.