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Disguise User Guide

Designer Licenses and Activation Process

An activation process is required for Designer Pro, however it is not necessary for Designer Starter. Designer Pro requires a license to launch projects, whereas Designer Starter requires a Cloud log in to authenticate the user when using Designer.

Designer has two different installers and so it is important that you use the correct one, either Designer full installer, or the Designer Starter installer. The Designer full installer is the correct installer to use for Designer Pro and Disguise servers.

Designer Pro licenses have two license deployment mechanisms available: USB dongle-based license and software-based license. Each requires a slightly different activation process.

1. USB dongle-based licenses

The physical dongle is USB-based and can also host other supported licenses obtained from third parties such as Notch and TouchDesigner, as well as Designer. The USB Dongle can be purchased through the Disguise Store.

Using a dongle may be preferable if the license is to be shared in the same physical location.

USB Dongle
Disguise USB Dongle

2. Software-based licenses

The software-based option is tied to your physical machine. It can be moved between machines by following license transfer process. The software-based option is ideal for customers who do not often switch machines or are looking to share a license between geographically separate locations.

Software-based licenses (dongle-less) do not require a physical USB dongle and can be activated on a computer as soon as they are generated in Disguise Cloud. No purchase of the physical dongle is necessary.

Note that a license deployed to a USB dongle can later be converted into a software license and vice versa.

If you are unsure which license deployment method is best for you, the table below compares the two license deployment methods.

USB Dongle-based LicenseSoftware-based License
PortabilityYesYes
Notch pre-visualisationYesNo
Run Designer without a dongleNoYes

Once you have your license and have chosen your deployment method, you can proceed to activate your license. Follow the activation instructions below for each license deployment type.

Other types of Disguise Licenses

The Designer Pro license uses expiration time. This means that once the Designer Pro subscription is purchased, the license is valid for the duration purchased from the date of purchase. By contrast, RenderStream is a Usage Period license. This means that the duration of the license starts when the license is first used, regardless of the date of purchase. In addition, a RenderStream license cannot be moved to other machines once the license period has started. This is a technical limitation of the Usage Period mechanism.

Obtaining a Designer license

The Designer Pro license is available as a subscription from Disguise Cloud, and can be stored on your dongle or on your physical machine.

Sign up or sign in to Disguise Cloud to obtain your license here.

Once signed in, navigate to the Subscriptions tab for your Organisation. Here you can subscribe to Designer Pro.

Note that Designer Starter does not require a license, but does require you to have a Disguise Cloud account which you use to log into d3Manager in order to launch Designer Starter projects.

How to obtain a USB Dongle

If you wish to use a USB Dongle to host your license, it can either be purchased from the Disguise Store, or users can add the license to another CodeMeter dongle such as one for Notch, or TouchDesigner. The Designer license can then be activated on your dongle by following the steps below.

Activation

The activation method is very similar for each license type. However, the important difference is how the license binding is applied, whether you want your license in a dongle, or on one computer.

Selecting the binding type for your license Selecting the binding type for your license

1. Activating a license on a USB dongle

  1. Download and install the latest version of the Designer software. This is available in the Disguise Cloud Software tab of your profile. Sign in required.
  2. Ensure your USB dongle is plugged in.
  3. Go to Disguise Cloud and navigate to the Subscriptions tab for your Organization. Here you can manage and view your licenses.
  4. The ticket ID format will be XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX. Click Activate next to the license. This will bring you to a CodeMeter management page.
  5. Select the binding for your license. To bind it to a USB dongle, select “I want my licenses in a dongle”.
  6. Click Activate Selected Licenses to begin Online License Transfer.
  7. When your license transfer has been completed successfully click OK.
  8. Your license is now activated.

Your Designer license is now on the USB dongle.

2. Activating a license on your physical machine

  1. Download and install the latest version of the Designer software from Disguise Cloud. Sign in and navigate to the Software tab of your profile.
  2. Go to Disguise Cloud and navigate to the Subscriptions tab for your Organization. Here you can manage and view your licenses.
  3. The ticket ID format will be XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX. Click Activate next to the license. This will bring you to a CodeMeter management page.
  4. Select the binding for your license. To add it to your physical machine, select Physical Machine (CmAct).
  5. Click Activate Selected Licenses to begin Online License Transfer.
  6. When your license transfer has been completed successfully click OK.
  7. Your license is now activated.

⏱️ Your Designer license is now attached to your local machine.

Launching Designer

Once your license is activated, you can proceed to launch or create a project to load Designer.

Viewing your license information

License information is available in d3Manager by navigating to Help > d3 licenses.

Troubleshooting

Contact the Disguise Support Team team if you are experiencing any licensing issues.

Further information