FAQ - Cad data exchange Frequently Asked Questions

Datakit company

  • What are Datakit identification references?

    SIRET: 408 478 733 00038
    SIREN: 408 478 733 RCS
    NAF: 6201Z
    Intracommunity VAT: FR00408478733

  • How can I contact you?

    Here are Datakit's contact details :

    Headquarters &
    R&D Agency :

    90, avenue Félix Faure
    F-69003 Lyon

    Tel +33 478 396 369

    Email : Contact-us.    		 Administration & Sales :

    12, rue du château
    F-11800 Floure

    Tel +33 468 790 767

    Email : Contact-us.

User Accounts

  • Why create an account?

    A Datakit user account enables you to access all features offered by Datakit.

    Register as end-user to:
    • Select the contact you prefer (either Datakit or one of our partner reseller)
    • Request a trial 3D PDF licence
    • Request a quote for a specific licence
    • Next time you order a converter, you will be able to get information regarding the current version, detailed information to install it and to download next available versions during the following period (while system maintenance is performed).

  • Which account should be used?

    In the register form, we ask you to select an account type.

    • Choose "End user" if you want to use Datakit's converters for you or for your company.
    • Choose "Reseller" if you are a software reseller and wish to sell Datakit products to your customers.
    • Choose "OEM" if your are a software publisher and you want to integrate Datakit's technology in your Software.

  • How do I create an account?

    • Click on "Account" in the top right-hand corner and then on "Register right now".
      Register Datakit
    • Fill in the register form and validate.
      Register form Datakit
    • Click on the confirmation link in the e-mail you received:
      « Compulsory : Click here to activate your account.
      https://www.datakit.com/en/register_activate.php?activate=6690&code=bf300ff9b527fb0c592d8f0539 »
    • Continue the registration process to the end, filling in all the required fields.
    • Once your account has been created, you can request a test licence, access your account and view your details.

    Convertor management

  • Why can I not login to my account?

    There can be various reasons for this problem:

    • You don't have a Datakit account ? Register.
    • You have just created an account ?
      Make sure that you have clicked on the confirmation link you received by e-mail. If you don't see the confirmation email in your mailbox, please verify that it is not in your SPAM folder. Otherwise, feel free to leave a short message via our contact page.
    • Your password is not correct ? Click here to receive it by email.

Products

  • CrossManager, CrossCAD/Plug-in, CrossCAD/Ware. What does that mean?

    Datakit develops and proposes 3 ranges of technical data exchange solutions.
    If you work for or within a design office, or as a software resseller, visit our CrossManager solutions or our plug-ins: You may explore the different solutions regarding the native or neutral input or output formats expected.
    If you look for a SDK to embed in your own software solutions, please discover the different solutions Datakit may propose, as well as the input and output solutions and combinaisons:
    If you want to know more about our different SDK solutions, please email sdk@datakit.com

  • How do I install a product?


    Log on to the web site
    Account connexion
    Look for the product you want :
    https://www.datakit.com/en/product_search.php
    Click on « download » and save the installation file.
     
    Open the executable file to launch the installation.
     
    Follow the instructions


  • Where could I get the list of all formats supported by your data exchange solutions?

    The list of the native and neutral input or output formats as well as all possible combinations are available on this page

  • What is a stand-alone convertor and how does CrossManager work?

    CrossManager is a stand alone software developed by Datakit to exchange technical data.  It allow companies to automatically convert file, of native or neutral formats, to another format. It does not require a third party CAD licence. 
    The list of the input and output formats supported is available on the CrossManager's page.
    You only need to select the file to input and the output format.

    Use « add files » button or use « drag and drop » mode to add files.


    Convert CAD data

  • What is a plug-in (PLG) and how do they work?

    Datakit develops and proposes technical data exchanges apps dedicated to SolidWorks and Rhino. They are embedded inside SolidWorks or Rhino. That means apps and SolidWorks or Rhino have to be installed on the same computer as the plug-in.

  • How do CrossManager licenses work?

    CrossManager licenses are linked to the read/write formats you have purchased. For your reminder, each license is linked to the Host-ID of your computer (or server).

Guarantee - Maintenance

  • Do your products come with a warranty period?

    Yes, all our converters come with a free three-month guarantee.
    During this period and until its expiry, you will be able to download new versions of the product(s) you have purchased.
    Help from our technical support team is also included.
    After this period, we advise you to take out a maintenance contract.

  • Do you propose a maintenance contract and how does that work?

    Yes, we propose a maintenance contract, but first of all, please remember that our products are delivered with a 3 months free warranty.
    To know more about it, read the FAQ “Do your products benefit from a guarantee ? ”.

    You can either purchase your maintenance contract when you order your product, or after the free of charge 3 months guarantee has come to an end.
    You can purchase a one year (or more) maintenance contract.
    In any case, you will still benefit from your 3 months free warranty.
    Maintenance includes technical support and updates.

Licenses

  • Where do I find my Host ID (Mac address)?

    The host ID is to be found on the machine where the Datakit convertor is set up.

    The following procedures allows to generate a text file that contains the HostID of your computer:
    • With CrossManager: go to Options > "Save Information"
    • With the plug-ins for SolidWorks: go to Tools > DATAKIT EXCHANGE > LICENCE MANAGER > Datakit Licenses Option, then hit "Save Info"
    • For every convertors (CrossManager, plugins for SolidWorks, plugins for Rhino) :
    Windows
    Run the cmd command prompt of Windows
    Host ID MAC
    Then type the following command: ipconfig /all and then press "Enter"
    ipconfig /all
    Your Host ID consists of 12 characters located on the line "Physical Address" (Without hyphens).
    Copy the address without the hyphens

    macOS
    Click on the terminal launcher
    The command prompt will open. Type "ifconfig -a". 
    Then press "Enter".
    Your Host ID is the 12 characters on the "ether" line.
    Copy the address without the colons.
    Host ID MAC

    Linux
    Click on the terminal launcher.
    The command prompt will open.
    Type "ifconfig -a". For most recent Linux versions, type "ip address".
    Then press "Enter".
    Your Host ID is the 12 characters on the "ether" line.
    Copy the address without the colons.
    Host Id Linux

  • How do I install my License?


    Windows

    All products/operations need to be run as Administrator.
    Copy your .lic file in a folder of your choice (e.g. C:\flexlm)
    • CrossManager : pick your license file using "Options->Browse/Install License" menu.
    • Plugins : use dedicated "DATAKIT Exchange" menus in SOLIDWORKS and Rhino.
    • Alternative Method :
      Create a System Variable : DATAKIT_LICENSE_FILE=C:\flexlm
      This can be done with a shell command : setx DATAKIT_LICENSE_FILE "C:\flexlm" /M
    Linux/macOS

    Rename your license file as "code.dtk".
    Copy your code.dtk file in the same folder as datakit executable.


  • How do I install a floating license?

    To install your floating licence, download the following file which contains the licence manager and instructions for installing it : lmtools.zip

  • What about my product license if I get a new computer?

    The licence depends on the MAC address (Host ID) of the user's computer (in the case of a nodelocked licence) or the licence server (in the case of a floating license).
    If you change your computer or licence server, we will provide you with a new license file for your new machine. Note that the expiry date will not be changed. This procedure is applied provided that you benefit from a uptodate maintenance contrat and that you certify that you will no longer be using our convertors on your former machine. The dedicated document is available here lien vers ce document.
    Download the license destruction agreement (for computer change)

  • Why is my licence not working?

    Here are different items to check out to identify the reason why your you meet difficulties:

    • Check your license version.
      Open your .lic file with a text editor. The version number is just after "DATAKIT". If it is older than your installed version, your license will not work. So you need to install an earlier version or subscribe for a maintenance agreement to always have a license for the latest version of the convertor.
    • Check that your license has not expired.
      Open your .lic file with a text editor. The expiration date is located just after the version number.
    • Check that your license matches the installed software and the formats you use.
      Each Datakit convertor and every input or output format request a specific license.
    • Make sure you have installed your license properly.
      Follow the instructions on this page.

    To know more, please read the additional detailed FAQs. If you need any additional information, please use our contact page.

  • How can I solve cases of license dysfunctions?

    In any case of dysfunction, the first step is to identify the error mentioned in the check log of your fixed CrossManager or Plugin license. If you have a floating license, you also need to know the check log for your license server.
    The following screenshot may ease your process.





    Once you have identified the error number, please refer to the corresponding response.

  • Licensing error codes - FlexLM

    -1 Cannot find license file is returned if if your license is not properly set up.
    In this case, we advise you to carry out the licence installation procedure available here and to follow the instructions carefully. If your license still does not work after checking these points, please send a message to solutions@datakit.com, clearly mentioning your name, the name of your company and the licence used (HostID).
    -5 No such feature exists whenever a format is not covered by your license.

    As a reminder, for any input (read) or output (write) format, a dedicated license is required.
    To contact our sales department, please send a message to solutions@datakit.com , clearly mentioning your name, the name of your company and the licence used (HostID).
    -9 Invalid host when the license does not match with the computer. This is particularly the situation if your computer or licence server changed.

    In this case, we will provide you for free with a new licence file for use on your new machine with an unchanged expiry date, provided that you have an up-to-date maintenance contract and that you certify that you will no longer be using our software on your former computer. The form to be used is available here.

    If you do not have a maintenance contract, the cost of this service will be €350.
    To contact our sales department, please send a message to solutions@datakit.com, clearly mentioning your name, the name of your company and the licence used (HostID).
    -10 Feature has expired is returned if your convertor license has expired. This is mainly the case at the end of a test period.

    To check the expiry date, open your *.lic file with a text editor. The expiry date can be found just after the version number (example: FEATURE CatiaV5_3dIn_cm DATAKIT 26.4 3-sep-2025).

    To contact our sales department, please send a message to solutions@datakit.com, clearly mentioning your name, the name of your company and the licence used (HostID).
    -15 Cannot connect to license server system may appear when your license server or the client workstation environment variable is not properly set up.
    You can check the setting of Imtools on the license server and of the environment variable / registry key on the client workstation.
    We can help you via a webmeeting to request by email at solutions@datakit.com, clearly mentioning your name, the name of your company and the licence used (HostID).
    -21 License doesn’t support this version is returned if the version indicated in the license file is older than the version of the Datakit product being used.

    For example :

    • If your license is the following one : FEATURE CatiaV5_3dIn_cm DATAKIT 22.4, that means that the license authorises use of version 22.4 of the convertor and all earlier versions
    • And if the convertor currently installed is version 25.3, the license will not be able to support it.

    If you have any doubts, you can also open your *.lic file with a text editor. The version number can be found just after "DATAKIT".

    To update your license, you can subscribe to our maintenance contract by sending a message to order@datakit.com, mentioning your name, the name of your company and the license used (HostID).
    -103 Terminal Server remote client not allowed if you wish to use your convertors in “remote” operating mode.
    We can modify the license free of charge to enable you to work that way.
    In this particular case, please send a message to solutions@datakit.com, clearly mentioning your name, the name of your company and the licence used (HostID).

Technical topics

  • Why the content of the documentation (.chm file) is not displayed?

    If you can't see the content of a CHM file, please check that the file is stored locally on your computer (not on a network location) and that it is not in a zip (if it is the case, unzip it).

    If it doesn't solve the problem, please follow one of these methods :

    Method 1:
    -Double-click the .chm file.
    -In the "Open File-Security Warning" dialog box, click to clear the "Always ask before opening this file" check box.
    -Click Open.

    Method 2:
    -Right-click the CHM file, and then click "Properties".
    -Click "Unblock".
    -Double-click the .chm file to open the file.

  • Common datakit Error/Status Codes

    Here are common error/status codes returned by datakit products,
    or printed into conversion log files :

    -1010 dtkWarningInvalidArgument File extension and file format do not match. Verify that the selected output format matches the file extension.
    -1001 dtkErrorUnspecified Unspecified error occurred during conversion.
    -1000 dtkErrorTypeNotSupported File format invalid or not supported.
    -32 dtkWarningNoEntitiesWritten No entities were written to the output file.
    -28 dtkErrorFileNotExist Input file does not exist.
    -27 dtkErrorVersionNotSupported File version not supported.
    -23 dtkErrorOpenOutputFile Cannot open output file : Check write permissions or file path.
    -22 dtkErrorOpenInputFile Cannot open input file : The file might be locked, missing, or inaccessible.
    -15 dtkErrorSchemaNotFound Missing Schema file : Ensure the correct schema directory is defined.
    -13 dtkErrorOpenConfigFile Cannot open configuration file. Check the configuration file path and access rights.
    -6 dtkErrorOutputFile Output file error : Verify the disk space and write permissions.
    -5 dtkErrorInputFile Input file error : The input file may be corrupted or incomplete.
    -4,-44 dtkErrorLicence License error : Check that your license is valid and properly installed.
    -2 dtkErrorOpenFiles Cannot open one or more files. Verify input/output paths and permissions.
    -1 dtkErrorAllocation Memory allocation error. The system ran out of memory during conversion.