Activating Corona 8 or newer on farms and computers without host software GUI

Updated March 14, 2024 16:25

Note: this guide applies only in case of activating Corona 8 or newer on render farms and computers without host software GUI. A typical scenario is activating Corona on many computers (e.g. one workstation and 10 or more render nodes over LAN).

If you need help activating Corona Renderer 7 or older, see:

To automate Corona activation:

Windows:

On your Master PC (or any other machine where you have Corona installed), go to the following folder path:
```
C:\Program Files\Common Files\ChaosGroup\
```

Copy the file vrlclient.xml and paste it somewhere else (for example into a network folder that is accessible from any computer on your network).

3ds Max users: If there is no vrclient.xml file present, go to C:\Program Files\Corona\Corona Renderer for 3ds Max\20XX\Utils for your version of 3ds Max and run setvrlservice.exe. This will create the vrlclient.xml file with the setting specified.

Cinema 4D users: If there is no vrclient.xml file present, go to C:\Program Files\Maxon Cinema 4D RXX\plugins\corona\utils for your version of Cinema 4D and run the setvrlservice.exe. This will create the vrlclient.xml file with the setting specified.
Edit the copied file using any plain text editor like the Windows Notepad or Notepad++ to include the IP address of your PC that is running the Chaos License Server as follows:
Save the changes and proceed with the following on the computers where you wish to activate Corona:
Stop the Chaos License Server service using the Windows Start menu -> Chaos Group -> Stop Chaos License Server tool for this.
Copy the previously edited vrlclient.xml file to the same location (replace it if the file already exists):
```
C:\Program Files\Common Files\ChaosGroup\
```
Now restart the Chaos License Server, using the Windows Start menu -> Chaos Group -> Start Chaos License Server tool.

macOS:

On your Master computer (or any other machine where you have Corona installed), open a new Finder window, and then on the menu "Go" click on the "Go to Folder..." option.
When prompted, use the following folder path and click the "Go" button:
```
/Users/<USER_NAME>/.ChaosGroup/
```
Note: Replace the <USER_NAME> part with your current user name registered on your Mac.
Then, copy the file vrlclient.xml and paste it somewhere else (for example into a network folder that is accessible from any computer on your network).
Edit the copied file using any plain text editor like the TextEdit app (right-click on the file -> Open with -> TextEdit) to include the IP address of your computer that is running the Chaos License Server as follows:
Save the changes and proceed with the following on the computers where you wish to activate Corona:
Stop the Chaos License Server service by visiting your Applications folder and then navigate to the following path:
```
~/Applications/ChaosGroup/VRLService/OLS/startup
```
Then double click on the "unregisterLicenseServerAsService" file
A new window will be opened asking you for your user password (use the one that you use for your mac)
Additionally, you will be prompted for additional actions/permissions, simply type "Y" (without the quotes) and hit the Enter key on your keyboard.
Once the window displays the "Process completed" message, you can close that window.
Copy the previously edited vrlclient.xml file to the same location (replace it if the file already exists):
```
/Users/<USER_NAME>/.ChaosGroup/
```
Note: Replace the <USER_NAME> part with your current user name registered on your Mac.
Now restart the Chaos License Server, go to your Applications folder, and then navigate to the following path:
```
~/Applications/ChaosGroup/VRLService/OLS/startup
```
Then double click on the "registerLicenseServerAsService" file
A new window will be opened asking you for your user password (use the one that you use for your mac)
Additionally, you will be prompted for additional actions/permissions, simply type "Y" (without the quotes) and hit the Enter key on your keyboard.
Once the window displays the "Process completed" message, you can close that window.

Troubleshooting:

If you can't find the vrclient.xml file, please reinstall the Chaos License Server as instructed here: Corona and Chaos License Server Basic Troubleshooting Steps
Alternatively, you can add your credentials to the vrlclient.xml file as follows, but please note that in such case you are exposing your registered email address and password in the file!
If you are unable to activate your licenses or need some further help, please contact us.

Windows:

macOS:

Troubleshooting:

Articles in this section