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Alias
Alias was a software company producing high-end 3D graphics software, initially for SGI Irix.
Licensing
Alias used a homegrown licensing system from at least version 3.1 (1991) until version 6.0 (1995). Version 7 used a combination of the old licensing and FLEXlm, and by version 7.5 the conversion to FlexLM seems complete, just as SGI was integrating FlexLM with Irix 6.2. While cracks and key generators became available for FlexLM licensed Alias products, very little was known about the old licensing until recently.
License encoding, checksum and version character
An example of the old style licensing keys is provided in the Alias 6 manual (not an actual working license, however checksum valid): Axyz987uvw987tuvbcd456abc. The key consists of a version check character (here "A"), the actual encrypted data ("xyz987uvw987tuvbcd456ab") encoded by a algorith similar to Base58 and finally a checksum character ("c"). The encoding uses a specific character set (23456789ABCDEFGHIJKLMNPQRSTUVWXYZabcdefghijkmnopqrstuvwxyz), which removes certain characters which can be confused on entry (0, O, l). A Base58 encoder/decoder can easily be modified to produce "Alias encoding".
To calculate the checksum, the first character in the character set is assigned a value, starting with 2 = 0, 3 = 1, ... A = 9 up to z = 57 - this "table" is used for the odd numbered characters in the license string (first, third, fifth etc.). Every even numbered character in the license string uses the same character set, but a different "table". The character set is table consists first of even numbers from "2" (assigned value 0) to and including "V" (assigned value 38), and the odd numbers from "W" (assigned value 1) to and including "z" (assigned value 39). Every character is counted, including the first version check character and final checksum character. The sum of all the character values has to be divisible with 58 to pass the checksum check. To achieve this, the final "checksum character" can be manipulated freely to make the sum divisible by 58. As mentioned, the final character is not part of the encrypted data.
Around Alias PA 4/3.2.2 a first version character was set to indicate version, and is checked by the software, possibly for troubleshooting. The version number is not part of the encrypted data, and each Alias version seems to change the encryption keys, so that you cannot in any case use a key for a previous version with newer software. E.g. you can manipulate the version character ("A") to later version and update the checksum character accordingly (change the final "c"), however the decrypted license will still contain garbage, as the decryption keys are wrong for other versions - even if the version check is passed. In Alias 3.1, there is no version character, so you only get an error regarding invalid license. Alias 6 licenses start with "I", Alias 5 licenses start with "G" and Alias PA 4/3.2.2 licenses start with "E". Letters inbetween seem to have been used for beta versions, e.g. a license starting with "H" would be for Alias 6 beta, "F" for Alias 5 beta etc. The last character (here "c") is a checksum character, and not part of the encrypted string.
License encryption
The data is encrypted/decrypted using what seems to be standard DES-encryption in 1-bit mode.
Raw license data
The raw decrypted license data in binary from v 3.1.1 (04/92) onwards is as follows:
Binary | Explanation |
---|---|
1 | start of license |
0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 | 32 bits sysid, e.g. 69 12 34 56. Set to 00 00 00 00 means sysid=ANY (up to v 4.1 at least FF FF FF FF is used instead), but this only works if this is a network license provided by "skd" (Security Key Daemon) |
0 | FLK - floating key field (also called PSK field), should only be "1" if license is provided by "skd", the security key daemon, with a dongle attached. This flag must be 1 if hostid=ANY, see above. However, if the flag is set to 1 without SKD being contacted, you will get an error |
0000 0000 000 | Expiry time, 11 bits, if zeroed out = permanent license |
1111 1111 | Font key 8 bits |
1111 ... | Software features - the number of bits depend on the version of the software |
Version 3.1 (07/91) has a slightly different license data format:
Binary | Explanation |
---|---|
1 | start of license |
0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 0000 | 48 bits sysid, e.g. 08 00 69 12 34 56. Set to FF FF FF FF FF FF means sysid=ANY, but this only works if this is a network license provided by "skd" (Security Key Daemon) |
0 | FLK - floating key field (also called PSK field), should only be "1" if license is provided by "skd", the security key daemon, with a dongle attached. This flag must be 1 if hostid=ANY, see above. However, if the flag is set to 1 without SKD being contacted, you will get an error |
0000 0000 000 | Expiry time, 32 bits. Only checked if network license provided by skd, it seems. Otherwise these bits should not be included in the license, as they are not expected and will be misinterpreted (unlike v 3.1.1 and later). |
1111 1111 1111 1 | Font key 13 bits |
1111 ... | Software features - the number of bits depend on the version of the software |
Regarding features, v 3.1, 3.1.1, 3.2.2 and 4.0 check for "host class" features, i.e. hardware features, including license features for system type, CPU type and graphics type. The licensed and actual hardware needs to match 100%. For example if you have other or more hardware features in your license than needed for your system, you will get a license failure. You can see the host class features required for your system by running "getid -i".
The "host class" check seems to have been removed from v 4.1 onwards. This is not surprising, as previously any hardware change may have required a completely new license from Alias, including support calls etc.
Release history
PowerAnimator/Maya/StudioTools
Version | Hardware | O/S | Release date | Price | Significant changes (selected) | ||
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StudioTools 13 | Studio, AutoStudio, SurfaceStudio, DesignStudio, EvalViewer, Renderers | IRIX 6.5.24 | November 2005 | ||||
Maya 6.5 | January 2005 | ||||||
StudioTools 12 | October 2004 | ||||||
Maya 6 | April 2004 | ||||||
StudioTools 11 | December 2003 | ||||||
Maya 5.0.1 | October 2003 | ||||||
Maya 4.5 | July 2002 | ||||||
StudioTools 10 | June 2002 | ||||||
Maya 4.0.2 | January 2002 | ||||||
Maya 4.0 | June 2001 | ||||||
StudioTools 9.7 (Studio, AutoStudio, SurfaceStudio, DesignStudio, EvalViewer, Renderers) | IRIX 6.5.8-6.5.12 | 29/05/2001 |
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StudioTools 9.6 | December 2000 | ||||||
StudioTools 9.5.2 | June 2000 | ||||||
Maya 2.5.2 | March 2000 | ||||||
Maya 3.0 | February 2000 | ||||||
StudioTools 9.5 (DesignStudio, Studio, AutoStudio and SurfaceStudioTM) | Announced February 2000, released March 2000 |
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Maya 2.5 | November 1999 | ||||||
Maya 2.0 | June 1999 | ||||||
Alias 9.0 (DesignStudio, Studio, SurfaceStudio, AutoStudio, PowerAnimator, EvalViewer, Renderers) | IRIX 6.2 and higher | November 1998 | |||||
Maya 1.5 | October 1998 | ||||||
Alias 8.5 (Studio, Designer, PowerAnimator, Animator, Autostudio, Render S/W) | IRIX 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5 | January 1998 |
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Maya 1.0 | January 1998 | ||||||
Alias 8.1
(Studio, Designer, PowerAnimator, Animator, Web|Animator, AutoStudio, Render Software) |
IRIX 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 | April 1997 |
Composer/Vizpaint on separate CD The V8.1 release is fully qualified and supported only under IRIX 6.2 and some higher OS/Hardware configurations. Eight-bit graphics configurations are not supported. | ||||
Alias 8.0 (Studio/Designer/PowerAnimator/WebAnimator/Animator/AutoStudio/Renderer) | IRIX 6.2 and IRIX 6.3 | January 1997 | Designer $7,495, Studio $24,995 and AutoStudio $74,995 |
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Alias 7.5.2 | November 1996 |
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Alias 7.5.1 | October 1996 |
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Alias 7.5 | IRIX 6.2 | September 1996 | PowerAnimator starting at $9,995 |
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Alias 7.0.1/7.0.1a | Last version for Personal Iris (4D/20, 4D/25, 4D/30, 4D/35), Power Series (4D/100, 4D/200, 4D/300, 4D/400) and Indigo (R3000). Last version for any hardware with 8-bit graphics. | IRIX 5.3 | March 1996 | ||||
Alias 7.0 (Studio/Designer/PowerAnimator/Animator/AutoStudio/Renderer) |
Qualified hardware: Indigo2 incl. High Impact (not R10000), Crimson, Power Series, Onyx, Challenge, Personal Iris, Indy, Indigo, Power Indigo2 R8000 |
IRIX 5.3, IRIX 6.0.1 | November 1995 |
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Alias 6.0b | Last version for IP17 Crimson with VGX or VGXT graphics. | IRIX 5.3 | September 1995 | ||||
Alias 6.0a | April 1995 | ||||||
Alias 6.0 | January 1995 | ||||||
Alias 5.1.1 | Last version for IP17 Crimson with GT or GTX graphics | IRIX 5.3 | October 1994 | ||||
Alias 5.1 | July 1994 | ||||||
Alias 5.0 | March 1994 | ||||||
Alias PowerAnimator and Animator 4.1, Alias Studio and Designer 3.2.2 and Alias AutoStudio 1.0.1 | October 1993 | ||||||
Alias PowerAnimator and Animator 4.0, Alias Studio and Designer 3.2.1 and AutoStudio 1.0 | Requires IRIX 4.0.1 (or higher). IRIX 4.0.5 required for XS/XS24/XZ/Elan/Crimson | February 1993 | |||||
Alias PowerAnimator, Animator, Studio and Designer 3.2 | Requires IRIX 4.0.1 (or higher). IRIX 4.0.5a required for XS/XS24/Elan/Crimson | October 1992 | |||||
Alias PowerAnimator and Studio 3.1.1-b, Alias Animator and Designer 2.0-b | Requires IRIX 4.0.1. IRIX 4.0.4 required for XS/XS24/Elan/Crimson | April 1992 | |||||
Alias 3.1 | SGI Power Series 4D/*10, 4D/*20, 4D/*40, 4D/*80, SGI Personal Iris 4D/20,25 and 4D/30,35. IBM RS/6000 320, 520, 530, 540, 550, 730, 930 (hardware according to available license features) | Requires 4D1 3.3.2 | July 1991 |
StudioPaint
Version | Hardware | O/S | Release date | Price | Significant changes (selected) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
StudioPaint 9.1 | IRIX 6.5.4 |
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StudioPaint 9.0 | IRIX 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.5.1 |
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StudioPaint 4.0 | IRIX 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5.0 (on Octane and O2) |
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StudioPaint 3.3 | IRIX 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 |
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StudioPaint 3.2 | IRIX 6.2 |
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StudioPaint 3.1 | IRIX 5.3, 6.2 | May 1996 |
ALIAS_SP_EMULATE_LOWEND 1 GVERSION GL4DNP-6.2 USE_SOFT_TEXTURE 1 | ||
StudioPaint 3.0 |
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IRIX 5.3, IRIX 5.3 for Indigo2 IMPACT | November 1995 |
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StudioPaint 2.0 | January 1995 |
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StudioPaint 1.1 |
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IRIX 5.2 | July 1994 |
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StudioPaint 1.0.1 |
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IRIX 4.0.5A/H, IRIX 5.1.1.2 | March 1994 |
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StudioPaint 1.0 | January 1994 |
Composer
Version | Hardware | O/S | Release date | Price | Significant changes (selected) | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Composer 5.5 | IRIX 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5.4 | 1999 |
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Composer 5.0 | IRIX 6.2, 6.3, 6.4 and 6.5. | November 1998 |
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Composer 4.5 | May 1997 | $9,995 |
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Composer 4.0.3 | October 1996 | ||||||
Composer 4.0 | June 1996 | $7,995 |
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Composer 3.6 | November 1995 | Included with Wavefront 4.2 | |||||
Composer 3.5 | Demo version available on SGI Hot Mix 10 CD (April 1995) and Hot Mix 11 CD (July 1995) | ||||||
Composer 3.0 | June 1994 date in Hot Mix binary. | Demo version available on SGI Hot Mix 8 CD (June 1994) and Hot Mix 9 CD (October 1994) |