How to up the Network License Manager for Arnold on macOS

Autodesk Support

Oct 8, 2023

Products and versions covered

Issue:

How to to install the Autodesk Network License Manager (NLM) for Arnold on macOS.
 

Solution:

To install Network License Manager (NLM), follow the steps outlined below. 


Step 1: Set up the NLM on macOS

Use the following guide: 

Step 2: Set up an environmental variable for Arnold

Create an ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE system environment variable to access Arnold. The environment variable is stored in the home folder, in the flexlmrc file.
  1. Start Terminal and enter the following commands:
    1. cd
    2. ls
    3. ls -la
    4. cat .flexlmrc
Note: If the flexlmrc file doesn’t exist, enter this command: touch .flexlmrc
  1. ​​open -e .flexlmrc
Note: This command opens the file in TextEdit.
  1. In the TextEdit file, enter the following:

    ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE=@{the IP address of the license server}
Example: ADSKFLEX_LICENSE_FILE=@192.0.0.1
​​
  1. If the TextEdit file is an RTF file, convert it to a simple text file:
    1. Open in TextEdit.
    2. Select: Format > Make Plain Text.
  2. Save and close the file.
  3. Start Terminal and remove the .txt extension from the filename by entering: 
    • mv.flexlmrc.txt .flexlmrc

Step 3: Test Arnold

Using the associated Autodesk software, render a file using Arnold.

If a watermark appears on the render, use the following process to resolve the issue:
  1. Download this arnold.ass test file.
    • Note: Ignore messages saying that the preview didn't load.
  2. Start Terminal and navigate to the BIN folder in the Arnold plug-in folder.
  3. Enter the following command to verify that a license is active: 

    ./kick -db -v 4 arnold.ass
    ​​
  4. A window should now appear without a watermark.
If the watermark persists, use the following guide to continue troubleshooting:

Batch Rendering with Arnold in Maya produces a watermark

Attachments:

Arnold_Test_File.null;

Products:

Arnold;

Versions:

2017; 2019; 2020; 2018;

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