Licensing - Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where are the local license files stored?

When the application launches, it searches for local license (.lic) files in the following directories: Product ID is typically the Windows executable's filename (without the extension) or the application name on macOS.
You can find the Product ID in the license request text template (the "Product ID: ..." line).

2. I have received a license file (.lic). How do I add it to the application?

  1. Place the received .lic file in either the application directory (next to the executable file) or the local license storage (see Question 1).
  2. Restart the application.
Upon restart, the application will automatically copy the .lic file from the application directory to the local license storage.
After restarting, the license information will be displayed in the application window's footer and in the Help > License window.

3. How does the application check for a valid license on startup?

  1. The application first searches for a local license file (see Question 1).
    If a valid license file is found (see Question 4), the application launches and continues operation.
  2. If no valid local license file is found, the application connects to the license server and requests an existing license that is valid for this specific application and computer.
    If the connection is successful and the server returns a valid existing license, the application launches and continues operation.
    Furthermore, if this license is not a trial one (see Question 5), the application saves the license information as a .lic file in the local license storage (see Question 1). This file will be used for all subsequent application launches.
  3. If neither step is successful, the application displays a dialog box stating that no license was found.
    The dialog offers licensing choices, including requesting a trial.

4. I have a local license file in the application's local license storage, is it valid?

When the application reads a local license file, it performs the following validity checks. All conditions must be true for the license to be accepted:
  1. Correct Filename: The file must be named either license_PRODUCT_ID.lic or license_PRODUCT_ID_COMPUTER_ID.lic.
  2. Decryption: The file must be successfully decrypted.
  3. Content Match: The decrypted license information must be valid for this specific application (PRODUCT_ID) and computer (COMPUTER_ID).
  4. Expiration Status: The license must not be expired. A license expires if it has a set expiration date that is earlier than the current date.

5. What is a 'Trial license'?

A trial license is valid for one month.

To obtain one:

  1. In the dialog box that appears when no license is found, click the "Trial License" button.
  2. Enter your email address to receive an activation link.
  3. Click the activation link in the email sent from license@am-sim.com.
    Your browser will display a confirmation message that your trial license has been successfully activated.
  4. Back in the application's "No License Found" dialog, click "Retry" – the application will then launch.
    If you have already closed this dialog, simply restart the application.

Trial licenses are stored exclusively on the license server; no local .lic files are created for them.
Therefore, on every launch, when the application finds no local license file, it connects to the license server to verify the existence of a valid (non-expired) license—in this case, the trial.

Once the trial license expires, the application will display a dialog with information on the next steps.

A trial license for an application can only be requested once per device. If the server already has an expired trial license for this specific application and computer, a new trial license will not be issued.