Below are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about ESRD Software installation, licensing, features, usage and more.
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ESRD Software Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Often Do ESRD Software Products Check Licensing?
StressCheck Core License
The StressCheck Core license remains checked out while StressCheck is open. Once StressCheck is closed, the license will be released back to the server after a few minutes.
StressCheck Solver Licenses
Typically, a solver license is released “in session”, meaning users should not have to close down StressCheck to release this license once the solver completes or fails.
Once the solver completes or fails, the solver license will be released back to the server after a few minutes.
How Do I Replace ESRD Software Licenses On A FLEXnet License Server?
In order to replace an ESRD software license file currently in use on a FLEXnet license server, for example if expired or upgraded, the following steps are recommended:
- Rename the new license file to the SAME name as the current license file in use on the FLEXnet license server
- Replace the current license file with the new license file
- Ensure the license server name on the SERVER line of the new license file matches the name of the FLEXnet license server machine
- Start LMTools, navigate to the “Start/Stop/Reread” tab, and click “ReRead License File”
The new license file FEATURES should now be seen by the FLEXnet license manager.
On Which Operating Systems are ESRD Software Products Supported?
StressCheck Professional and StressCheck-Powered Apps are designed and certified by ESRD to install and run on Windows 7 and Windows 8 64-bit.
StressCheck Professional and StressCheck-Powered Apps are compatible with, but not certified on, Windows 10.
Minimum hardware and software configuration requirements can be found here.
What CAD Formats And Versions Are Supported in StressCheck Professional?
StressCheck Professional can natively import Parasolid files of versions ranging 10.0 to 26.0.151. Other CAD formats require licensed translators.
The following CAD formats and versions are supported in StressCheck Professional’s 3D Interop R25 translators:
| Formats | File Formats | Product Structure | Graphical | Geometry | Semantic PMI |
| 3DXML | .3dxml | v4.3 | v4.3 | ||
| ACIS | .sat, .sab, .asat, .asab | R1 – R24 | R1 – R24 (Generated from Geometry) | R1 – R24 | N/A |
| CATIA V4 | .model, .exp, .session | 4.1.9 – 4.2.4 | 4.1.9 – 4.2.4 (Generated from Geometry) | 4.1.9 – 4.2.4 | N/A |
| CATIA V5 | .CATPart, .CATProduct, .CGR | R8 – R24 (V5–6R2014) | R8 – R24 (V5–6R2014) | R8 – R24 (V5–6R2014) | R8 – R24 (V5–6R2014) |
| CATIA V6 | .CATPart, .CATProduct, .CGR | V6R2014x | V6R2014x | V6R2014x | V6R2014x |
| DXF/DWG | .dxf, .dwg | 2.5 – 2014 | 2.5 – 2014 (Generated from Geometry) | 2.5 – 2014 | N/A |
| IGES | .igs, .iges | Up to 5.3 | Up to 5.3 (Generated from Geometry) | Up to 5.3 | N/A |
| Inventor | .ipt (V6 – V2015) .iam (V11 – V2015) |
V11 – 2015 | V7 – 2015 V6 (Generated from Geometry) |
V6 – V2015 | N/A |
| NX | .prt | 11 – NX 9 | NX 6 – NX 9 11 – NX 5 (Generated from Geometry) |
11 – NX 9 | 11 – NX 9 |
| NX Direct | .prt | NX 1 – NX 9 | NX 6 – NX 9 NX 1 – NX 5 (Generated from Geometry) |
NX 1 – NX 9 | NX 1 – NX 9 |
| Parasolid | .x_t, .xmt_txt, .x_b, .xmt_bin | 10.0 – 26.0.151 | 10.0 – 26.0.151 (Generated from Geometry) | 10.0 – 26.0.151 | N/A |
| Parasolid Direct | .x_t, .xmt_txt, .x_b, .xmt_bin | 10.0 – 26.01.211 | 10.0 – 26.01.211 (Generated from Geometry) | 10.0 – 26.01.211 | N/A |
| Pro/E / Creo | .prt, .prt.*, .asm, .asm.* | 16 – Creo 2.0 | WF3 – Creo 2.0 16 – WF2 (Generated from Geometry) |
16 – Creo 2.0 | 16 – Creo 2.0 |
| Solid Edge | .par, .asm, .psm | V18 – ST6 | ST– ST6 V18 – V20 (Generated from Geometry) |
V18 – ST6 | N/A |
| Solid Edge Direct | .par, .asm, .psm | V18 – ST6 | ST– ST6 V18 – V20 (Generated from Geometry) |
V18 – ST6 | N/A |
| SolidWorks | .sldprt, .sldasm | 98 – 2014 | 98 – 2014 | 98 – 2014 | N/A |
| SolidWorks Direct | .sldprt, .sldasm | 2003 – 2014 | 2003 – 2014 | 2003 – 2014 | N/A |
| STEP | .stp, .step | 203, 214 | 203, 214 (Generated from Geometry) | 203, 214 | N/A |
| STL | .stl | N/A | All | N/A | N/A |
| VDA-FS | .vda | 1.0 – 2.0 | N/A | 1.0 – 2.0 | N/A |
| XCGM | R2012 – R2014x | R2012 – R2014x | R2012 – R2014x | R2012 – R2014x |
Note: CATPart files created in V5R1 that have been opened and re-saved in a later version of CATIA V5 are not supported for 3D InterOp Graphical and 3D InterOp CGM.
Note: CATIA V6 users should export their database objects as CATIA V5 CATParts, CATProducts, XCGM, or as 3D XML, which can then be imported into applications using InterOp.
How Do I Set Up A FLEXnet License Server for ESRD Software Products?
StressCheck uses the FLEXnet license manager from Acresso. If you are already using FLEXnet to manage licenses for other applications, you may simply append the license keys provided by ESRD, into your standard FLEXnet license file (usually license.dat). Alternatively, you may maintain separate license files for each application.
For additional details concerning FLEXnet license serving options, consult Tip #3 on our Installation and Licensing page.
What Does StressCheck Professional Use As Its CAD Kernel?
StressCheck uses Parasolid as its native CAD kernel. The native format is .x_t, or the Parasolid Transmit format. StressCheck integrates multiple CAD translator options to convert from IGES, CATIA, Pro/E and others to Parasolid format. These modules are sold separately.
Can I Run My FLEXnet License Server From My Desktop Machine?
There is nothing preventing you from installing and running both ESRD software products and FLEXnet License Manager on the same computer. You should, however, run the FLEXnet License Manager on a computer that is not shutdown or rebooted often so that the floating license keys are accessible to all users when the user requests them. The FLEXnet License Manager requires very little computer resources but the Service needs to be on a computer that remains running when users expect to use ESRD software products.
Are All ESRD Software Products Certified on Windows 7 and 8?
Yes, all ESRD software products are certified on Windows 7 and 8, including StressCheck Professional and StressCheck-Powered Apps.
How Do I Install ESRD Software Products On A Desktop Machine?
Installing ESRD software products is as simple as double-clicking the MSI and following the instructions. Read Tip #1 on our Installation and Licensing page for more information.
How Do I Specify My ESRD Software Product License File Or License Server
If running StressCheck Professional or another ESRD software product for the first time (or after having removed all ESRD software product licensing references), you will be prompted with the ‘Specify StressCheck License Path’ dialogue. Here you can specify a local license file or point to a license server. Read Tip #4 on our Installation and Licensing page for more information.
How Do I Remove References To ESRD Software License Pointers?
To change the references to ESRD software product license points, you must change the registry. The registry keys which control where the license points are as follows:
- “LicenseFile” from HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ESRD\StressCheck\01000
- “ESRD2_LICENSE_FILE” from HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\FLEXlm License Manager
It is best to delete these registry values, and then start StressCheck. When the license finder appears, simply point to the server.
One can always define the Environment Variable “ESRD2_LICENSE_FILE” and provide the path to the appropriate license file.
Note: An option for floating licenses is to unplug your Ethernet cable, and start StressCheck. This will also cause the license finder to appear.
How Do I Find My HOST ID For ESRD Software Product Licensing?
There are several ways to obtain this information, described in Tip #2 on our Installation and Licensing page.
However, if requesting a Trial Evaluation of ESRD software products for a desktop machine, it is best to open a command line, type “vol” and hit Enter. Copy the 8-digit alphanumeric Disk Volume Serial Number into the “Message” field of Request ESRD Support, fill out the rest of the form and Submit.
How Do I Install ESRD Software Licenses On An Existing FLEXnet License Server?
Note: you must have Administrative privileges in order to properly install FLEXnet.
1) Download the FLEXnet 11 License Manager package from the ESRD Resource Library.
2) Unzip the package, and navigate to the \FLEXnet_11\FLEXnet folder. Right-click on setup.exe, and click “Run as administrator”.
3) Follow the instructions to install FLEXnet 11 on your server machine.
Note: if you have already sent your FLEXnet server’s HOST ID to ESRD Support, you may skip steps 4-5.
4) After installation, run the FLEX LMtools utility (lmtools.exe).
5) Follow Tip #2 in our Installation and Licensing page to obtain the FLEXnet server’s HOST ID and send to ESRD Support.
6) Save a backup copy of your current FLEXnet license file that is serving other applications.
7) Append the content of the new license file sent to you from your ESRD Support representative to the end of your current license file. Remove the “SERVER” lines from the newly copied information so that you do not have these duplicated within the license file, leaving the original “SERVER” lines at the top of the resulting license file.
8) Run the FLEX LMtools utility (lmtools.exe), and go to the “Start/Stop/Reread” tab.
9) DO NOT stop the license server. Click “ReRead License File”.
10) Verify that the ESRD software licenses are available by selecting the Server Status tab and selecting the “Perform Status Enquiry” button. The status report should display the same license keys that are contained in the license file including those for the ESRD software that you just appended.
How Do I Install A New FLEXnet License Server Dedicated To Providing ESRD Software Licensing?
Note: you must have Administrative privileges in order to properly install FLEXnet.
1) Download the FLEXnet 11 License Manager package from the ESRD Resource Library.
2) Unzip the package, and navigate to the \FLEXnet_11\FLEXnet folder. Right-click on setup.exe, and click “Run as administrator”.
3) Follow the instructions to install FLEXnet 11 on your server machine.
Note: if you have already sent your FLEXnet server’s HOST ID to ESRD Support, you may skip steps 4-5.
4) After installation, run the FLEX LMtools utility (lmtools.exe).
5) Follow Tip #2 in our Installation and Licensing page to obtain the FLEXnet server’s HOST ID and send to ESRD Support.
6) When you receive your license file, copy it to your FLEXnet folder (usually \Program Files (x86)\FLEXnet\ on Windows 7 64-bit) and rename it “license.dat”. Make certain that the true file extension is not hidden from view by Windows Explorer.
7) If the ESRD software is the only application on your network being served license from FLEXnet, and you have purchased a floating license(s), you may need to review the settings in the FLEXnet LMtools utility. Select Start>Programs>FLEXnet 11.5>LMTools to start the LMTools utility (lmtools.exe).
8) Select the Configuration using Services bubble in the Service/License File tab.
9) Select the Start/Stop/Reread tab and click Stop Server.
10) Select the Config Services tab. If the paths shown for “lmgrd.exe”, “License File”, and “Debug Log File” are not correct, use the corresponding “Browse” buttons to correct each path as necessary.
11) Activate the switches for “Use NT Services” and “Start Server at Power-Up”. Click Save Service.
12) Select the Start/Stop/Reread tab and select Start Server.
13) The FLEXnet license server is configured and running. You should be able to access this license server and run the ESRD software on any computer within your company local area network. Exit lmtools.exe.
14) Place a copy of the license file named “license.dat” (unedited and including the “SERVER” line(s)) into the top-level ESRD software installation directory on each desktop computer that you have installed the ESRD software.
If the system administrator prefers to have the client provide a port number and server name, instead of using a copy of the license.dat, this is also supported.
What If ESRD Products Fail To Open With A Valid Node-Locked License?
Terminal services (TS_OK) is not in the node-locked license file and the user is accessing via remote desktop. Contact ESRD Support about adding “TS_OK” to the license file.
What If My Desktop Machine Gets “Cannot Connect To License Server System” Error?
When attempting to obtain a license from a license server, StressCheck does not appear to be able to communicate with the license server even though the client machine is on the network. Checking LMTools server status returns error message “lmgrd is not running: Cannot connect to license server system. The license server manager (lmgrd) has not been started yet, the wrong port@host or license file is being used, or the port or hostname in the license file has been changed.”
The firewall on the server machine is blocking incoming requests or the license server has been stopped. Disable the firewall, make sure the license server is running and try again.
To diagnose on the server machine, ensure that lmgrd.exe can run from a command line on the server machine.
How Do I Perform A Silent Installation Of ESRD Software Products?
Windows does support a silent installation option for all .msi files. Msiexec is the program that “interprets packages and installs products” (see links below) and can be run from the command line. Please note that any command line installation must occur from a command line being run as an administrator.
To run command line as administrator: Click on the start menu. In the search box, type cmd. Wait while Windows searches. In the list of found programs, right click on cmd (or cmd.exe) and choose “Run as administrator.”
Some condensed notes about installation options:
- To specify the .msi package to be installed, use: /i [path to the .msi file]
- To specify the silent installation option, use: /q
- Note that using a completely silent option will not provide any feedback about the success, failure, or completion of the installer. To determine that the process has completed, it is possible to look in the Windows Task Manager Processes tab and watch “msiexec.exe” in the process list. When msiexec disappears from the list, the installer has finished; however, success or failure of a silent installation will not be reported. Alternatively, several other “quiet” options are available. For example, to specify no feedback should occur until the installation ends, at which time a modal dialog box should appear to report the status, use: /qn+
- To specify a property value, use the syntax: PROPERTY=VALUE
- For StressCheck 10.1 and higher, the property INSTALLLEVEL can be set to 5 to indicate all features should be installed (a “Complete” installation). If INSTALLLEVEL is not specified, StressCheck will default to a “Typical” installation.
The following example, when executed from an administrative command line, will perform a silent installation of all features (“Complete” option in the GUI) in the StressCheck 10.1 installation package located on user Kristen’s desktop:
msiexec /i “C:\Users\Kristen\Desktop\StressCheckPE_10.1_x64.msi” /q INSTALLLEVEL=5
More information about msiexec command-line options:
Is There A License-Free Version Of StressCheck I Can Install?
ESRD has created a Student version of StressCheck v9.2 that you are free to download and use, with no expiration date. It is a great way to learn the basics of StressCheck. On this section of the ESRD website you will find some documentation (Getting Started Guide), and a couple short Tutorial Videos available as well. The student version StressCheck has the following features and limitation:
- StressCheck Student Edition supports 2D analyses for planar, plate bending, and axisymmetric models.
- Elasticity and Heat Transfer theories are supported.
- Linear & Modal analysis types are supported.
- Fracture Mechanics extractions are supported.
- The maximum model size is limited to 15,000 degrees of freedom.
- Advanced meshing tools, StressCheck Composites module, and CAD translators are not available.
- Full HTML and PDF documentation is included.
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“We used StressCheck on two projects last year, and we were very happy with it. I thank your engineers who provided their insights and suggestions for us during these projects. We really appreciate your team’s contributions this year to the Navy P-8 project. We look forward to working with ESRD again during next year on other Navy projects.”
Dr. Nagaraja Iyyer
Director of Engineering, Technical Data Analysis, Inc.