ZBrushCentral

Zbrush refuses to activate, no matter what.

ZBrush Usage Questions
#1

Hi.

I just purchased a copy of Zbrush 3.5R2. The problem is that it simply refuses to activate. I click the web activation icon, enter the serial number, receive the activation code which I then enter to the activation field and am instantly thrown back to the first menu with the message “activation failed”.

I have tried turning off the antivirus programs and DEP and even upgraded the Javascript, but nothing seems to work.

Anyone know how to fix this?

#2

Which operating system are you running?

If it’s Vista or Win 7, when you set to “Run as Administrator” did you also turn on one of the compatibility modes such Windows XP? If so, that would cause this to happen.

#3

Hi aurick. Thanks for the quick reply.

I’m using Windows XP. Someone suggested me your method earlier, but I have absolutely no clue that at which point am I supposed to turn on the compatibility modes. To my recollection, Zbrush hasn’t asked me anything like that.

#4

You do NOT turn on the compatiblity modes. But that doesn’t even apply with XP.

Honestly, I have no clue at this point what would be preventing you from activating successfully. You’re sure that it’s R2? Does the name in the title bar of the ZBrush interface actually say 3.5R2?

Also, when you start the web activation, what is the code at the end of the web page’s URL? It should be five groups of four digits each. Is it actually only two groups?

#5

I checked it, and yes, it is 3.5R2. And the code at the end of the URL is like you described, five groups of four digits.

And the errormessage is quite weird, it’s not the usual windows-orchestrahit-everythinghasfailed-message, but merely a text at the bottom of ZBrush’s opening menu.

All I can do at this point is either try and fail at re-entering the activation code or hit exit.

Attachments

Theproblem.jpg

#6

The window you’re seeing is what you should get with a failed activation. But based on everything you’ve said there is no logical reason why you should be unsuccessful.

Here’s what I would like you to try:


  1. Open your ZBrush 3.5R2 folder and delete the file called ZActivation.zsc
  2. Launch ZBrush and choose Web activation
  3. Fill in the web form and submit it
  4. You should get a message that ZBrush has already been activated on this computer. Click the button to have the code resent to you.
  5. On the following page, copy the activation code that you’ll be given
  6. Switch back to ZBrush and click “Enter Code”. Paste the activation code that you just copied, then submit.
With luck, this will complete the activation for you.

#7

That’s exactly what I’ve been doing these past few days. I am completely clueless what could cause this. And having just spent over 500 euros on a software I can’t use is a little frustrating. But asking for a refund is not an option because I need this program more than I need the money.

Anyways, I sent a ticket to the Pixologic support and hope they can get me out of this pickle.

#8

“That’s exactly what I’ve been doing these past few days. I am completely clueless what could cause this. And having just spent over 500 euros on a software I can’t use is a little frustrating. But asking for a refund is not an option because I need this program more than I need the money.”

I’m having the same situation… just purchased zBrush 3.5R2 and it just won’t activate or even let me by the activation window that pops up. I’ve tried everything and read most things in the forum, but still no luck. I REALLY want to use this program but i’m now wondering why I purchased such a confusing and unfriend program to get installed and usable. I’ve tried installing and validating it on a new Windows 7 machine and an XP machine. Both fail. My patience is wearing thin but i need this program. So… I’ll continue to pound my head on the keyboard and try again. :frowning:

#9

Right-click on the ZBrush.exe and choose Properties. Go to the Compatiblity tab. Check to ensure that the ONLY thing active on that tab is for Run as Administrator.

ZBrush 3.5 will NOT activate successfully if any of the compatibility modes are active for earlier versions of Windows.

#10

Thanks aurick for giving me more things to try. I looked at the ZBrush.exe properties, the Compatibility tab, and the only thing checked is Run this program as an administrator. So, doesn’t look like that’s the issue.

This is the system I have, so maybe there is something here?
Windows 7 Professional
Processor: Intel Core i7CPU
Mem: 6 GB
64 bit operating system (but zBrush is running in the x86 program files folder)
8 core
2 TerraByte drives, 1 is a mirror of the other (don’t know if this is raid)

Also wondering if there’s something wrong with the the 3 numbers I received, the serial number, activiation key, and a number of 4 groups of 4 characters (not the serial number). And I receive an initial ZActiviation.zsc file, then when it wouldn’t continue, I clicked on the Web Activation again and got an email called Copy of Activiation key for ZBrush 3.5 Windows. Is that really a copy or a different activiation key? Right now when i use either file, it fails in the initial window to enter your key.

Sorry this is so long… just really want to use my new program…:cry:

#11

I’m starting to wonder if you’re not creating piggy-backed activation requests.

These are the numbers that matter:


  1. Your 3.5 serial number, which never changes. (Don’t try to use your 3.1 serial number, though. Some people do, which is why I mention it.)
  2. Your activation code, which is single use and only works on the computer used to create it.
To activate, you do the following:


  1. Click Web Activation
  2. Fill out the form that will come up in your web browser
  3. After submitting the form and confirming, you’ll be given an activation code. Copy that code.
  4. Return to ZBrush, click Enter Code, and paste the activation code where requested. This completes the activation.
  5. You will receive an email with your activation code as an attached file, but can delete this. It’s only necessary for people who didn’t copy the code from the web page.
I have a system that is nearly identical to yours. Same processor, RAM, Windows version, etc. I’ve never had any trouble with the activation system on this computer. The issue that you’re encountering is either user error of some sort, a bad install, or is being caused by something that’s unique to your computer.

#12

Activating ZBrush 3.5 R3 is impossible.
Each time I enter for a Web Activation I got a windows where I can read : This page is for activating ZBrush etc etc and … NOTHING ! No activation number !

I’m on Macintosh but please I’d like to use it under Parallels before the Mac Release. Just to at least be able to play with it.

#13

Right+click on the ZBrush application in your ZBrush 3.5 R3 folder and choose Properties. Go to the Compatibility tab. I suspect that at the top of that tab you have the check box enabled to run ZBrush in a compatibility mode for an earlier version of Windows. The ONLY thing that should be active on that tab is the “Run as administrator” option at the bottom.

#14

Sorry, if this has been answered before elsewhere.

I purchased ZBrush 3.12 for the Mac yesterday and also can’t activate it on my Mac Pro. This “Mac Pro” however is basically a general PC using a Retail Installation from Mac OS X 10.6.2.
Other software which also needs an online activation such as VUE 8 from e-on software has been activated without a hitch though.

I don’t get five groups of four digits which I guess is the problem here, because I could successfully activate ZBrush on my MacBook. But here on this machine I am only getting two groups like this: EBAB-BRRU

Well, after submitting the form it says:
This page is only for users who would like to activate the Mac version of ZBrush 3.12.

Shall I use E-mail Activation instead?

But doing so I only get this as a subject:
ZBrush 3.12 OSX Activate Request EBAB-BTRU

…similar to the Web Activation method this means three groups of four digits are left out, right?

#15

Please register and then submit a ticket at http://support.pixologic.com This is not something that can be handled in the forum.

#16

This has probly been resolved already but I had a similar issue that Z3.5r3 wouldnt activate. It turns out that my clock was lagging behind a few days and that was causing something not to sync up. Check that to make sure that isnt the case and then try activating again.