GstarADC

GstarADC 2027 · Activation and License Return Guide
GstarADC 2027 · Support Guide

Activation & License Return Guide

Everything you need to choose a license type, activate GstarBIM 2027 and GstarCAD 2027, and return a license before changing computers or hardware.

Licensing optionsActivationLicense returnGstarADC linking

Licensing Options

GstarBIM and GstarCAD offer flexible licensing. Both support Stand-alone and Network licenses, available as a license key or a USB dongle.

Per computer

Stand-alone license

The software is constrained to a certain host. A license is needed for each computer on which the software is installed.

Shared pool

Network license

A pool of licenses sits on the server for use on any computer on the network. You only need licenses for the maximum number of simultaneous users, not for every computer with the software installed.

Stand-aloneLicense key · Serial numberStand-aloneUSB key · DongleNetworkLicense key · Serial numberNetworkUSB key · Dongle
Perpetual license✓✓✓✓
Rental license✓✕✓✕
License borrowing✕✕✓✕
Connection to license server✕✕✓✓

License Key Activation

After installing GstarBIM 2027 and GstarCAD 2027, run either one to activate. This guide uses GstarBIM as the example.

GstarBIM 2027 start screen showing the 30-day trial countdown with Activate and Trial buttons
  • On launch, choose Activate or Trial.
  • Trial gives a 30-day trial. During the trial the product performs as fully activated.
  • With a valid license key, select Activate to open License Manager, or open it from Expandable menu → Add License (Registration).

License keys use two encryption methods, stand-alone and network. Stand-alone keys support online and manual activation. Network keys support those too, and can also be activated by borrowing a license from the server.

Online ActivationActivate license online
Manual ActivationActivate license manually
Network LicenseGet license from a network license server
Borrow LicenseBorrow license from a network license server

Standalone License Key

You need a valid standalone license key to activate GstarBIM or GstarCAD.

  1. Click Expandable menu → Add License (Registration) and License Manager opens.
    Expandable menu with Add License (Registration) highlightedLicense Manager showing license information panel
  2. Click License Key (L), then click the Online Activate (O) button.
    License Manager, License Key tab, Online Activation
  3. Input your License Key (serial number) and click Activate.
    License Manager with the license key field filled in
  4. After a few seconds a confirmation appears. Click OK to finish, then restart the software.
    Dialog: License has been activated. Please restart the software.

Windows Server: “Session does not exist”

If this message appears when activating or returning a standalone license online via License Manager:

  1. Open Internet Explorer (IE) → Internet Options → Security tab → Trusted sites.
  2. Add these two sites to the trusted sites:
    • https://support.gstarcad.net
    • https://support2.gstarcad.net
  3. Click OK to save. You can then activate or return online normally.
Internet Properties dialog, Trusted sites

No internet connection? Use an activation file (XML) to activate manually.

  1. Click Expandable menu → Add License (Registration).
    License Manager, Manual Activation tab
  2. Input your License Key (serial number) and click GENERATE to get the request file. Save it.
    Manual Activation with license key entered and Generate buttonSave dialog for the request file
  3. Send the request file to get a license file (see the two options below).
  4. Back in License Manager, click LOAD, select the license file you downloaded, then click Activate.
    License Manager loading the response file
  5. When the confirmation appears, click OK and restart your software.
    Dialog: License has been activated

Option 1 · E-mail

Send the request file, from any computer with internet access, to the local GstarCAD distributor or reseller you purchased from to receive the license file.

Option 2 · Online service

Use the GstarCAD online service center from any internet-connected computer:

  1. Go to license.gstarcad.net and log in with your license key.
  2. In the Activation tab, click Activate.
  3. Click Choose File, select your request file and click Submit.
  4. Click Download and save the license file (Response XML). Storing it on a USB flash drive is recommended.

Online service center screens

GstarCAD online service center login
Service center login
Online service center, Activation tab
Uploading the request file
Downloading the response XML file

Standalone License Key Return

When changing computers or upgrading your system, return the license before you change the system, hard disk or main board, so you can use the software again afterwards.

  1. Click Expandable menu → Add License (Registration) and License Manager opens.
    Expandable menu with Add License (Registration) highlightedLicense Manager license information
  2. Click Online Return (O), select the license to return and click Return.
    Online Return tab with the license selected
  3. After a few seconds the “Return license successful” window opens. Click OK; the returned license disappears from License Information.
    Dialog: Return license successful

No internet connection needed to return a license manually.

  1. Click Manual Return (M) and select the license to return.
    Manual Return tab with license selected
  2. Click GENERATE to create the request file and save it with the extension -return.
    Save dialog for the -return request file
  3. Click OK once saved, then obtain the return file using either option below.
  4. Back in License Manager, click LOAD, load the -resp-return.xml file and click Return.
    License Manager loading the -resp-return.xml file
  5. The license key disappears from the License Information list.
    Dialog: Return license successful

Option 1 · E-mail

Send the return request file, from any internet-connected computer, to your local distributor or reseller to get the return file.

Option 2 · Online service

  1. Open license.gstarcad.net and log in with your license key.
  2. In the License Management tab, click Return License.
  3. Choose the request XML file you saved and click Submit.
  4. Download the Response XML from the License Management tab.

Online service center screens

GstarCAD online service center login
Online service center, License Management tab
Uploading the return request XML file
Downloading the response XML from License Management

GstarBIM and GstarCAD are linked in GstarADC

  • If GstarBIM is activated, GstarCAD activates automatically; no second activation is needed.
  • If the GstarBIM authorization is returned, the GstarCAD authorization is returned automatically too.
  • If a non-GstarADC version of GstarCAD is installed, activate it separately in GstarCAD once so the authorization is linked.
  • In GstarCAD 2027, go to Help menu → Register to activate and return your license if necessary.

Need a hand with your license?

Contact the GstarCAD distributor or reseller you purchased from. They can issue license and return files for your request.