ArchVision Content Manager
ArchVision Content Manager
The ArchVision Content Manager (ACM) is used for managing content path and license information. RPC Plug-ins connect to this tool to check-out licenses and find where content is located. The ACM is also important because ArchVision Dashboard obtains it's download path from it.
The ACM is installed from www.archvision.com by clicking on Start a Free Trial. This installer includes both the ACM and ArchVision Dashboard.
The first time that the ACM is run users are prompted for the location of the content. This path can later be modified. This should be configured to the location where the content resides.
The first time that the ACM is run users are prompted for the location of the content. This path can later be modified. This should be configured to the location where the content resides.
If multiple network adapters are detected the ACM prompts users to select the preferred network adapter. Please select an adapter that is always enabled (preferably a wired adapter).
The ACM can access content on network locations, however the ACM must be running as a user that has access to the network directory. By default the ACM runs as a user called system users. Local system users have very little access to network resources. It may be necessary to configure the ACM to run as a different user. This can be done by right clicking on computer and then selecting manager. Under the Services list users can right click on the Service named ArchVision Content Manager and then change the user under the logon information.
Now that the ACM has been configured it is ready to serve content to any RPC Plug-in on the network. This is easily done from inside the 3D application. You can view detailed configuration instructions in the Getting Started documentation for ACM enabled applications.
Some 3D Software and Content requires a license to be present in the ACM or it will render with a watermark. Licenses are purchased at http://www.archvision.com or http://commerce.vismasters.com. When purchasing a licensed item, users are prompted for their ACM ID. This unique number is located on the licenses tab of the ACM and will look something like this: 15-0B0P-9JG9-85N2-RN0U-1KHH-2222. When the ACM performs an import it connects to ArchVision's servers to check and see what licenses should be assigned to the ACM.
The license resides on the ACM. Licenses are floating and assigned to users first come first serve. The license acquisition differs by application. In 3ds Max the license is accessed when the RPC dialog is accessed and returned to the pool when the user exits 3ds Max. In Revit the license is accessed when Revit Initializes and not returned to the pool until Revit is exited. If a license is in use a message stating this will be displayed. The status of the license can be viewed on the license in use button on the licenses tab of the ACM.
Licenses can easily be moved from one ACM to another following these steps:
Step 1: Locate the ACM ID of the computer that the license will be moved to.
Step 2: Copy the ID to a text file and move it to the computer that currently has the license.
Step 3: On the licenses tab of the ACM, where the license resides, click on Export.
Step 4: Paste the ACM ID obtained from the destination ACM into the Export field.
Step 5: Move desired licenses into the export list and click on Export.
Step 6: Go to the destination ACM and click on Direct Connect-> Import to retrieve the license.
A useful feature of the ACM is that it can download many products purchased at ArchVision or VisMasters. Simply choose an ACM ID when placing the order and a download queue will be sent to the ACM ID selected. To begin downloading simply click on direct connect-->import to retrieve the download queue. The download will then begin and content will be saved to the destination directory specified on the download tab of the ACM.
This houses features for ArchVision Customer Service primarily. Here the location of the ArchVision Servers can be modified. It is also possible to disable communications between the ACM and ArchVision's Server, but doing so will disable functionality. It is recommended that these options not be modified.
The most common issue with the ACM is that firewalls and Internet Security products can cause it to malfunction. Nearly all of these issues can be resolved by making sure that communications are allowed on the following ports:
acm.archvision.com – 72.250.166.232
ftp2.archvision.com – 72.250.166.229
license.archvision.com - 72.250.166.227
commerce.visamsters.com - 72.250.166.236
http://s3.amazonaws.com - (IP varies)
There are two parts to the ACM, the ACM Gui (rpcacmgui.exe) and ACM application (rpcacmapp.exe). If either of these are not running you may not be able to see the ACM. Open Task Manager to verify that both are running if you do not see the ACM. If you only see one of these .exes present try ending the process and restarting the ACM from the start menu.
Should you encounter any difficulty at all please click on contact Archvision at the bottom of this page and accessing ArchVision Customer Service.