# Licensing

## Which should I choose?

* **Single‑User** if you’re a solo creator/artist/student.
* **Studio Tier 1 or 2** if you are a studio/office/institute.

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="133"></th><th></th><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>Feature</td><td><strong>Single‑User</strong></td><td><strong>Studio-Tier 1</strong></td><td><strong>Studio-Tier 2</strong></td></tr><tr><td>For</td><td>Individual artists, freelancers, students</td><td>Teams with up to <strong>9</strong> users</td><td>Teams with <strong>10+</strong> users</td></tr><tr><td>Maya versions</td><td><strong>2022 (Py3)+</strong></td><td><strong>2022 (Py3)+</strong></td><td><strong>2022 (Py3)+</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Seats</td><td><strong>Max 2 computers</strong> (e.g., desktop + laptop, given you are the sole license owner)</td><td>Shared central license </td><td>Shared central license </td></tr><tr><td>Seat resets</td><td><strong>Allowed</strong> with a <strong>14‑day cooldown</strong> between resets</td><td>Not applicable (shared central license)</td><td>Not applicable (shared central license)</td></tr><tr><td>Activation</td><td>In‑Maya; tied to your personal license</td><td><strong>IT activates once</strong> on a writable machine and can be used without internet within the max offline window</td><td>Same as Tier 1</td></tr><tr><td>Platforms</td><td><strong>Windows x86_64</strong></td><td><strong>Windows or Linux x86_64</strong>; </td><td>Same as Tier 1</td></tr><tr><td>Validation</td><td>Short Periodic <strong>in‑Maya</strong> online validation</td><td>Periodic re‑check by IT or a refresher machine (see <strong>Scheduled refresher</strong> below)</td><td>Same as Tier 1</td></tr><tr><td>Studio Refresher (XGT_Refresher)</td><td>N/A</td><td>Included</td><td>Included</td></tr><tr><td>Offline window</td><td>Allowed</td><td>Allowed</td><td>Allowed</td></tr></tbody></table>

## License details

### Single‑User License

* **Who it’s for:** Individual artists, freelancers, students.
* **Seats:** Use on **up to 2 computers** per license (e.g., desktop + laptop).
* **Seat resets:** Allowed with a **14‑day cooldown** between resets.
* **Maya versions:** 2022 (Python 3) and newer.
* **Platforms:** **Windows x86\_64**.
* **Licensing validation:** Requires periodic **in‑Maya** validation with internet (automatic if internet is always on).
* **Offline window:** Works offline for a limited period after each validation. Occasional online re-validation is required.

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### Studio License — Tier 1 / Tier 2

* **Who it’s for:** Teams who use a **shared tools folder** (central install).
* **Seats:**
  * **Tier 1:** Up to **9 users**.
  * **Tier 2:** **10+ users**.
* **Seat resets:** Not required.
* **Maya versions:** 2022 (Python 3) and newer.
* **Platforms:**
  * **Artists:** Windows or Linux x86\_64 (all artists can point to the same central license).
  * **Refresher/IT box:** Windows or Linux x86\_64. Python 3.7, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11
* **Activation:** IT activates **once** on a writable machine within Maya, which writes a signed `license.json` to a **central shared path**.
* **Artist usage:** Artists point their tools to that path -  **no per‑artist activation** required. Ideal for offline studios.
* **Offline window:** Works offline for an "extended" period of time. We recommend running an automatic **refresher** 1 \~2 times a week so license stays valid. Artists machines can remain offline between refreshes.&#x20;

**Scheduled refresher utility**

* By default, on re‑check days the current setup expects a **manual re-check validation** (launching Groomer's Tool in Maya on a machine that can write to the shared path).
* If your studio prefers a **Maya Independent refresh** via shell/terminal, see the **Studio Refresher** guide below.&#x20;

{% content-ref url="installation-studio-15.02/studio-refresher" %}
[studio-refresher](https://nobraintools.gitbook.io/maya-groomers-tool/getting-started/installation-studio-15.02/studio-refresher)
{% endcontent-ref %}

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