Solid Edge V20 uses SELicenseData to manage licensing information for seat-based (single-user) and networked installations. Here’s a concise overview and practical tips for users and IT admins.
selicense.datThe selicense.dat file is the critical component for validating the software installation. It is typically located in the Program Files\Solid Edge V20\Program or a specific license directory on the server.
If you are seeing SELicensedAt in logs and need to parse it:
grep "SELicensedAt" lmgrd.log to extract eventsIf you want, I can provide:
The file selicense.dat is the critical plain-text license file used to activate legacy versions of Solid Edge, such as V20. It contains encrypted feature strings that tell the software which modules (like Part, Assembly, or Draft) are authorized for use on your specific machine or network. Essential Information for V20 Licensing
Legacy Format: Solid Edge V20 (released around 2007) uses the older FLEXnet/FLEXlm licensing system.
Machine-Specific: The selicense.dat file is typically locked to a specific hardware ID, such as a MAC address (Ethernet ID) or a physical USB Dongle.
Placement: For a standalone (node-locked) installation, this file is generally placed in the \Program Files\Solid Edge V20\Program folder.
Version Compatibility: Licenses for modern versions (like Solid Edge 2020/2021) are not backward compatible with V20. You must have a specific V20 license file to run that version. Why You Might Need This "Piece" If you are trying to restore an old V20 installation:
Lost License: You will need to contact an authorized Siemens reseller or check the Siemens Support Center to see if your legacy records still exist.
Hardware Change: If you moved the software to a new computer, the old selicense.dat will no longer work because the hardware ID (CID) has changed.
Modern Alternative: Siemens highly recommends using current versions, such as the Solid Edge Community Edition, which is free for hobbyists and makers and much easier to license on modern Windows systems. Are you attempting to move a license to a new computer, or
Free CAD Software for Hobbyists and Makers - Solid Edge - Siemens solid edge v20 selicensedat
The file selicense.dat is the critical license file for Solid Edge V20 that contains your activation details, including license type, expiration date, and host ID. Key Functions of selicense.dat
Activation: It is a plain text file required to activate various license types, including "Home Use" and academic licenses.
Storage Location: In older versions like V20, it is typically located in the Program folder of your Solid Edge installation directory. In slightly newer versions (like ST series), it moved to the Preferences folder.
Content: You can open this file with a text editor like Notepad to verify your license info; a valid file should contain multiple lines of data, not just one. How to Manage Your License
Download: Log in to the Siemens Support Center with your WebKey. Under License Management, choose Passwords and License Files to download your specific file.
Activation Utility: To apply the license, use the License Utility (found via Start > All Programs > Solid Edge > Licensing). This tool helps you point the software to your .dat file or your license server.
Floating Licenses: For network setups, you may need to edit the file to include your server's name and ensure ports (like 27999) are open through your firewall.
Important Compatibility Note: Solid Edge V20 is an older version (released around 2007) and may face stability issues on modern operating systems like Windows 10 or 11.
For Solid Edge V20, the SELicense.dat file is the critical component that contains your license keys and configuration for the software to run. Key Locations for SELicense.dat
Default Path: Typically found in the \Program folder of your installation directory, such as C:\Program Files\Solid Edge V20\Program\.
Alternative Path: In some versions or configurations, it may be located in the Preferences folder. Setup and Configuration
To properly configure or update your license, follow these steps: Post: Solid Edge V20 SELicenseData — Quick Guide
Open the License Utility: Access this through Start > All Programs > Solid Edge V20 > Licensing > License Utility.
Point to Your File: Select the option "I have a license file" and browse to the location where you saved your SELicense.dat.
Automatic Copy: The utility will automatically copy the file to the necessary system folder (usually \Program) and rename it if needed. Floating vs. Node-Locked Licenses
SELicense.dat file is the critical license configuration file for Solid Edge V20
(and later versions), used to authorize the software on individual machines or across a network. www.engineering.it Core Function & Utility The utility of SELicense.dat depends on your specific license type: Node-locked (Standalone):
This file is unique to a specific computer's Composite ID (SE_CID). It must be placed in the ~\Solid Edge\Program directory to activate the software on that single machine. Floating (Network):
In a network environment, this file contains information for the FlexLM license server. It is copied from the server to each client machine and placed in the same
directory to allow the client to "check out" a license from the server. www.engineering.it Helpful "Review" & Best Practices
While not a "product" in the traditional sense, managing this file correctly is essential for maintaining a stable CAD environment: Stability:
Ensuring the file is correctly mapped prevents "License not found" errors during startup. Accessibility: For floating licenses, you must keep the LocalLicenseServer
running in the background. If the server is closed, the software may automatically shut down after a 3-minute warning period. Version Management:
Solid Edge V20 is a legacy version. Newer versions (like Solid Edge 2020+) have transitioned to more unified licensing schemes to align with other Siemens programs like NX, though they often still use file structures for certain configurations. Firewall Tips: License environment variables
If you encounter issues with a network license, it is often due to the Windows Firewall blocking the sedemon.exe processes on the server. SIEMENS Community Common Setup Steps Placement: Always place the SELicense.dat file in the C:\Program Files\Solid Edge V20\Program Activation: License Wizard
(included in the Solid Edge program group) to point the software toward the file if it doesn't detect it automatically. Network Config: For floating setups, ensure the server name inside the file matches your actual license server's hostname. troubleshooting steps for a specific license error you're seeing? Solid Edge Floating Licence set-up
However, Solid Edge v20 (released ~2007) is a legacy version from before Siemens moved to the current "Solid Edge 202X" naming. Licensing for v20 typically used:
license.dat)A typical Solid Edge v20 license file (license.dat) contains:
SERVER this_host 001122334455 27000
VENDOR ugslmd
USE_SERVER
FEATURE SolidEdge_Classic ugslmd 20.0 permanent 5 \
DUP_GROUP=UHOST SIGN=1234567890AB
Key details for v20:
License environment variables
SPLM_LICENSE_SERVER = 27000@server_hostnameUGS_LICENSE_BUNDLE to select specific feature codesCommon v20 feature codes (in license.dat):
SolidEdge_Classic (base modeling)SolidEdge_SheetMetalSolidEdge_WeldingSolidEdge_AssemblySolidEdge_DraftingSelicensedat? – If this appears as a string in your license file, it could be a corrupted hostname or a token from an older SEL (Siemens Electronic Licensing) system that predates FlexNet for some Siemens PLM products. Solid Edge v20 does not natively use "SEL" licensing; that's more common in NX or Teamcenter.
SELicensedAt is not needed for normal usage; only useful if running a license server auditThis report provides a technical analysis of the licensing mechanism used by Solid Edge V20, specifically focusing on the selicense.dat file. Solid Edge V20 is a legacy version of Siemens’ 3D CAD software, and understanding its licensing model is crucial for IT administrators maintaining legacy systems or migrating data to modern platforms.
Disclaimer: This report is for informational and system administration purposes only. It does not provide licenses, cracks, or methods to circumvent software copyright protection.
Solid Edge V20 – A version of Siemens’ 3D CAD software (Solid Edge).
SELicensedAt – Possibly a log field from FlexNet licensing logs (e.g., SELicensedAt=2026-04-21 14:32:10) indicating when a Solid Edge license was checked out.
Self-licensed seat – “selicensedat” might be a misspelling of “self-licensed seat” or “SE licensed at [datetime].”