Category: TIPS

The Tipster: 12d Model New Projection Panel

Upgrading to 12d Model 15 brings an important change to how cartographic projections are managed.

In this video, we take a closer look at the new 12d Carto file and what this means for users working with their own projection files.

You’ll learn:

  • How to convert your existing .4d Carto file to the new 12d Carto format
  • How shipped projections are now carried through from the standard 12d Carto file
  • What you need to consider when selecting projections from the new file
  • How to add your own projections while avoiding unnecessary duplication
  • Why the new XML-based format makes it easier to introduce additional fields in future versions

While the change may require a little adjustment when upgrading, the new approach is designed to simplify future upgrades and make managing projections more efficient.

Watch the video to understand what’s changed in 12d Model 15 and how you can prepare your existing projection setup.

The tipster: Configuring Env_configs.4d – Dongles

As your 12d Model customisation grows, managing multiple licenses and environment configurations can become increasingly complex. In this video, we introduce a more efficient way to handle license selection by using the Dongle Configuration feature within the Environment Configurations file. Rather than maintaining separate dongles.4d files for each modelling purpose, you can store your license information directly within the configuration file, creating a cleaner and more streamlined setup.

Throughout the tutorial, you’ll learn how to create and manage dongle entries, understand the relationship between dongles and nodes files, and determine when a single environment configuration may be sufficient for your workflows. We also cover situations where separate environments and variable overrides may still be beneficial. Whether you’re setting up a new customisation framework or refining an existing one, this video provides practical guidance to help reduce administration, simplify maintenance, and make managing licenses in 12d Model more straightforward.

Watch the video here:

The Tipster: Setting Up Environment Configurations

Looking to better manage your company setup or work with multiple customisations in 12d Model? This webinar provides a helpful introduction to Environment Configurations and how they can support a more organised and efficient workflow.

In this session, you’ll learn more about:
• Environment variables and how to enable or disable them
• Setup files and search paths
• How 12d Model searches for setup files
• Managing customisations and configuration settings
• Helpful resources for setting up your 12d Model environment

We hope you find this session useful! Take a look at the video preview below, and explore the full webinar for a more detailed discussion on working with Environment Configurations in 12d Model.

The Tipster: Setting Up Nodes Files

Keeping your shared 12d license environment up to date is an important part of ensuring users can continue accessing the software without issues.

In this video, you’ll learn the different ways to update a nodes file, whether you’re working from a local machine or writing directly to a server. It also covers the recommended process for new server administrators who may not have the latest nodes file on their computer, helping you understand the safest and most efficient workflow for managing license updates.

Watch the video here:

The Tipster: Managing Licence Usage

In this short tutorial, we show you how to view and manage network licences using the CodeMeter WebAdmin service.

When multiple users access 12d Model through a shared network CodeMeter, it is useful to view which licences are currently being used and see the available licences across each licence container. CodeMeter WebAdmin provides an easy way to access this information, review active sessions, and manage user access when required.

This video also explores the Licence Monitoring tools to view licence summaries, check session details, and end a user’s access to a licence from the server. It also explains what happens in 12d Model when a user’s licence session is ended.

Watch the full tutorial to learn how to view licence usage and manage active network licence sessions in CodeMeter WebAdmin.

The Tipster: Certifying CodeMeters

In this video, we walk through how CodeMeter certification works, how to check a CodeMeter’s certification status, and the options available for both automatic and manual certification.

Keeping your 12d Model licenses certified is essential to ensuring uninterrupted access to your software, especially for users who regularly work in the field or in locations with limited internet connectivity.

Whether you’re managing a single dongle or multiple CodeMeters across your organisation, this guide will help you stay compliant and avoid unexpected licensing disruptions.

Watch the video here:

The Tipster: Referencing Specific Containers

In this short tutorial, we explore how to reference specific license containers in 12d Model when multiple CodeMeter dongles or license configurations are available.

Different 12d Model tasks often require different modules, from surveying and drainage analysis to more advanced modelling workflows. As organisations grow and licensing requirements become more complex, it is common to have multiple standalone or network licenses configured for different purposes.

This video explains how 12d Model identifies and accesses specific license containers, helping ensure you are using the correct modules for the work you need to perform.

Watch the full tutorial to learn how to manage multiple license configurations and streamline access to the tools your projects require.

The Tipster: CodeMeter WebAdmin

If your organisation uses a network CodeMeter dongle, proper server configuration is essential to ensure all 12d Model users can access their licences.

In this tutorial, we introduce CodeMeter WebAdmin, the management interface used to configure and monitor network licensing. You’ll learn how the CodeMeter server and client setup works, where to find your dongle’s unique CodeMeter number, and how to enable network server access so licences can be shared across your organisation.

Whether you’re setting up a new server or troubleshooting an existing one, this video provides a practical introduction to one of the key components of 12d Model network licensing.

Watch the full tutorial to learn how to configure CodeMeter WebAdmin and get your network licensing environment running smoothly.

The Tipster: Setting Up Dongles.4d File

In this short but important tutorial, we explain how 12d Model accesses licenses using CodeMeter dongles and how a simple configuration file can help the software locate a valid license.

Whether you’re using a standalone dongle connected directly to your workstation or a network dongle shared across multiple users, understanding how 12d Model searches for licenses can help prevent setup issues and save troubleshooting time.

You’ll also learn about the dongles.4D file, which controls where 12d Model looks for a license and in what order. While standalone users typically won’t need to modify this file, it plays an important role in networked environments.

Watch the full video for a clear walkthrough of dongle-based licensing and learn how to ensure your 12d Model installation is configured correctly from the start.

The Tipster: Installing Dongle Drivers 

Before installing 12d Model, it’s helpful to understand how its licensing system works. This video gives you a clear and simple explanation of the different dongle types you may receive after purchasing your license.

Upon purchasing a 12d Model licence or licences, you’ll usually receive: a standalone Codemeter or a network Codemeter dongle (or both).

Standalone dongles come in several forms such as an SSD card, a stubby USB, or a long USB drive. While they may look different, they all serve the same purpose. These are designed for individual users and allow access to multiple projects, with the option to be shared when needed.

For team environments, a network dongle is used instead. This is typically a heavier metallic USB device, where each licence allows one user to access a project at a time, making it suitable for shared organisational use.

By the end of this video, you’ll have a clear understanding of how each dongle type works and which one applies to your setup.

Watch the full video to get a simple, visual guide to 12d Model dongle types and licensing.