Why am I told that I need a dongle when opening a model in ArtCAM 2017 or ArtCAM 2018?

Autodesk Support

Aug 22, 2016

Legacy ArtCAM product ranges utilize a USB security-protection dongle, and this is relied on during the model saving process. The ArtCAM 2017 and ArtCAM 2018 product ranges do not utilize a USB security-protection dongle.

When working in ArtCAM 2017 or ArtCAM 2018, opening an ArtCAM Model file (*.art) originating from any version of ArtCAM between 9 and 2013.SP1 can result in a warning message stating that a dongle is required, followed by a warning message stating that the file is invalid:

The methods for opening an ArtCAM Model file (*.art) in ArtCAM 2017 and ArtCAM 2018 include:

  • Clicking the Welcome page's Open button, then selecting an ArtCAM Model file (*.art);
  • Selecting the File > Open menu option, then selecting an ArtCAM Model file (*.art);
  • Pressing the Ctrl+O keys on your keyboard, then selecting an ArtCAM Model file (*.art); and
  • Clicking and dragging an ArtCAM Model file (*.art) into the view, then releasing the mouse button.

Where the ArtCAM Model file (*.art) was saved from any version of ArtCAM between 9 and 2013.SP1, you should open the file in any version of ArtCAM utilizing a USB security-protection dongle (commonly referred to as boxed) between 2013.SP2 and 2015 R2.SP3, and then re-save the model.

The methods for saving an ArtCAM Model file (*.art) include:

  • Selecting the File > Save menu option;
  • Selecting the File > Save As menu option;
  • Clicking the File toolbar's Save button; and
  • Pressing the Ctrl+S keys on your keyboard.

If you own a license for ArtCAM Insignia 2015 R2, ArtCAM Pro 2015 R2 or ArtCAM JewelSmith 2015 R2, follow these steps for batch converting legacy ArtCAM Model files (*.art) to ensure their compatibility with the Autodesk ArtCAM 2017 and Autodesk ArtCAM 2018 product ranges:

  1. Shut down all sessions of ArtCAM currently running on your computer.
  2. Download the File Convertor add-in installer from here. The associated ArtCAM 2015 R2 File Conversion Tool.exe file is 156 KB (159,744 bytes) in size on disk.
  3. Right-click the ArtCAM 2015 R2 File Conversion Tool.exe file, then select the Run as administrator context menu option.
  4. Click Next. The License Agreement page is displayed.
  5. Click I Agree. The Choose Components page is displayed.
  6. Make sure that the File Convertor check box is selected, then click Next.
  7. The Choose Install Location page is displayed. Make sure that the path shown in the Destination Folder box is where ArtCAM 2015 R2 is installed on your computer. For example, C:\Program Files\ArtCAM 2015 R2.
  8. Click Install. The File Convertor add-in is installed.
  9. Click Finish. The installer is closed.
  10. Start ArtCAM Insignia/Pro/JewelSmith 2015 R2.
  11. Click the Toolbox tab to display the Toolbox panel, then click the File Convertor icon. The File Convertor settings are displayed.
  12. Click Browse. The Browse For Folder dialog is displayed.
  13. From the Browse For Folder dialog's tree, select the folder on your computer containing the ArtCAM Model files (*.art) you want to convert.
  14. Click OK. The Browse For Folder dialog is closed.
  15. Click Convert Files. A message box is displayed warning that a backup copy of your files is not created; ensure that you have created a backup of your files.
  16. Click Yes to convert the files within the selected folder. A message box is displayed when the file conversion process is complete.

 


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