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vTool Licensing#

The Workbench includes a number of free vTools. However, most vTools require a license.

This topic explains which license types are available and how to obtain a license.

License Types#

Demo License#

Demo licenses are pure software licenses that don't require a dongle. They allow you to use all licensable vTools in your current pylon installation for a period of 80 days after activation. Once a demo license has expired, it can't be renewed. Also, the following restrictions apply:

  • Each vTool can only be run for five (5) consecutive minutes. You can restart it once execution has stopped.
  • vTools can only be used in the pylon Viewer, not in the API.
  • Recipes you create can't be imported into your application code.
  • The license is tied to the pylon major version for which it was activated. Therefore, if you install a new pylon version, you have to request a new demo license.

Requesting a Demo License#

  1. In the vTools pane of the pylon Viewer, click the free demo license link.
  2. You will be asked to enter your e-mail address.
    You will receive an e-mail with a link for activating the license.
  3. Click the link. On the page that opens, click the activation button.
    The license will now be active for 80 days.

Evaluation License#

Evaluation licenses are pure software licenses that don't require a dongle. They allow you to use all licensable vTools for a period of 180 days after activation. Once an evaluation license has expired, it can't be renewed. The difference to the demo license is that you can import recipes created with an evaluation license into your application code and that you can work with them via the API. An evaluation license supersedes a demo license, i.e., after its activation you will immediately benefit from the increased scope even if your demo license is still valid. The following restriction applies:

  • Each vTool can only be run for five (5) consecutive minutes. You can restart it once execution has stopped.

Requesting an Evaluation License#

  1. Send a sales inquiry to Basler Sales asking for a vTool Evaluation License.
    Basler Sales will get in touch with you for all further information.

Runtime License#

Runtime licenses give you unlimited use of the vTools you've purchased. You can buy runtime licenses for individual vTools or for vTool bundles. You will also need to buy a dongle. You can load several licenses onto one dongle.

Purchasing a Runtime License#

  1. Visit the Basler vTools product page.
    There, you will find an overview of all the available vTools and vTool bundles.
  2. Decide which vTools or bundles you want to buy and note their order numbers.
  3. Send a sales inquiry to Basler Sales including the names and order numbers of the desired vTools or bundles.

CodeMeter Runtime#

The CodeMeter Runtime must be installed in order to use vTools.

Under Windows, the CodeMeter Runtime is installed automatically when using the pylon installer and selecting the Developer profile.

Under Linux, you have to manually install the CodeMeter Runtime. You can find Debian and RPM packages under \share\pylon.

In the CodeMeter Control Center, you can check your available vTool licenses and their validity. You can open it via the Windows Start menu.

License Validity#

If you install a new major version release of the pylon Software Suite, current demo licenses become invalid even if their usage period hasn't elapsed yet. In that case, you can request another demo license for the new pylon version. Evaluation licenses aren't tied to a specific pylon version and remain valid until their 180-day license period has elapsed. Runtime licenses remain valid indefinitely.

To check the time left until expiry of a demo or evaluation license:

  1. In the Workbench or Help menu, click vTool Licensing.
    The vTool Licensing tab of the Welcome to pylon dialog opens.
  2. On the My Licenses card, you will find an overview of all active licenses and the corresponding expiry dates.

General Restrictions#

  • vTools can't be used on virtual machines.
  • Demo licenses are tied to the pylon major version for which they were activated.