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View Full Version : Floating Seat Question

bhealy27
11-14-2005, 01:36 PM
I've been thinking about adding XSI to my arsenal of 3D packages but had a couple of questions. I sent emails twice to Softimages' sales email address but never got a response maybe someone here can help.

I thought about buying the Foundation package for $495 but acording to the model comparison sheet it says that you only get a floating license starting at the Essentials level ($1,995) which I think is more than I really want to spend at the moment.

I presume the lack of a "floating license" means that if I buy the Foundation model I can install it on only one machine but if I buy the Essentials model I can instalol it on both my laptop and desktop computers and then either have a transferrable software key (similar to 3d Studio Max) or a hardware dongle similar to Lightwave and Form Z. Is this correct am I limited to only one machine with Foundation? What if I buy a new computer, am I allowed a certain number of reinstalls or is there a charge for each installation or worse yet am I totally out of luck?

In the case of Maya you can buy a dongle for another $150 allowing you to install on more than one machine (in addition to their $1,995 price).

Also does anyone know that if you are stuck on one machine at $495 and you decide to upgrade to the $1,995 package later do you just have to pay the difference of $1,500 or do you get penalized for having not bought the more expensive packagbe to begin with?

Thanks,

Brian
-wT-
11-14-2005, 04:08 PM
The Foundation licensing system relies completely on a email-password combo, and is surprisingly "unsecure" compared to the quite standardized dongle approach (Ofcourse password instead of a dongle for the cost, but still)

When you purchase foundation, you'll receive a registration code with it. You'll then register a profile at softimage.com and request and license code which will then be tied to the email you enter into the profile.
This email and license code will then be asked when starting Foundation, and there isn't any additional online checks or verifications.

So the program won't be tied to the computer it's installed in any way, you could in practice have it installed both to your laptop and main 'puter, ofcourse it's not quite legal or ethical, but I'm just saying that the program doesn't check for anything but the email and license -combo :)

On the other hand, it's a blessing it's that easy and you don't have the hassle with dongle or anything like that, but on the other it is a bit weird'ish solution when looking at any other major 3D app and their licensing schemes...


I hope this clears atleast something up :)
bhealy27
11-15-2005, 01:24 PM
-wT-

Thank you, that was very helpful. My intent is not to abuse the system but I don't want to buy something that is going to limit me to stricly working on a single computer since sometimes I like the variety of being able to pick up my laptop and work in a different part of the house or while I'm watching TV. I also update my system every couple of years and don't want to be in a position that I can't use software that I paid for.

Thanks again,

Brian
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