> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.optitrack.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.optitrack.com/motive/installation-and-activation.md). # Installation and License Activation A comprehensive guide to installing and licensing Motive. ## Installation ### Host PC Requirements Required PC specifications can vary depending on the size of the camera system. Generally, a system with more than 24 cameras will require the recommended specs to run properly.
RecommendedMinimum
  • OS: Windows (64-bit) any version currently supported by Microsoft
  • CPU: Intel i7 or better, running at 3 GHz or greater
  • RAM: 16GB of memory
  • GPU: GTX 1050 or better with the latest drivers and support for OpenGL 3.2+
  • USB C port to connect the Security Key or USB A port to connect the Hardware Key
  • OS: Windows (64-bit) any version currently supported by Microsoft
  • CPU: Intel i7, 3 GHz
  • RAM: 4GB of memory
  • GPU that supports OpenGL 3.2+
  • USB C port or an adapter for USB A to USB C to connect the Security Key, or a USB A port to connect the Hardware Key
### Download Motive Download the Motive installer from the [OptiTrack Support](https://optitrack.com/support/) website. Click [Downloads > Motive](https://optitrack.com/support/downloads/motive.html) to find the latest version of Motive, or previous releases, if needed. Both Motive: Body and Motive: Tracker use the same software installer. ### Installation Steps #### **Run the Installer** When the download is complete, run the installer to begin the installation. #### **Install the USB Driver and Dependencies** When you install Motive for the first time, the installer prompts you to install the OptiTrack USB Driver. This driver is required for all OptiTrack USB devices, including the license keys. You might also be prompted to install other dependencies such as the C++ redistributable, which is included in the Motive installer. After all dependencies have been installed, Motive resumes its installation. #### **Install Motive** Follow the installation prompts and install Motive in your desired file directory. We recommend installing the software in the default directory, `C:\Program File\OptiTrack\Motive`. ![Installer Wizard for Motive](https://content.gitbook.com/content/WkNF2QVM5V7MzRdzoXmL/blobs/WFxVesyvyV0SwKoDT7mD/image.png) #### **OptiTrack Peripheral Module** At the Custom Setup section of the installation process, you're prompted to choose whether to install the Peripheral Devices along with Motive. If you plan to use force plate, NI-DAQ, or EMG devices along with the motion capture system, the Peripheral Devices must be installed. If you don't intend to use these devices, you can skip to the next step. {% hint style="info" %} **Peripheral Module NI-DAQ** After selecting to install the Peripheral Devices, you will be prompted to install the OptiTrack Peripherals Module along with the NI-DAQmx driver at the end of the Motive installation. Select *Yes* to install the plugins and the NI-DAQmx driver. This may take a few minutes to install and only needs to be done one time. {% endhint %} ![Peripheral module installation](https://content.gitbook.com/content/WkNF2QVM5V7MzRdzoXmL/blobs/yeN5ngd4LrHZhmMgcLS3/image.png) ![NI-DAQmx driver installation](https://content.gitbook.com/content/WkNF2QVM5V7MzRdzoXmL/blobs/EABov9KtNycIIe6KlyVO/375px-DAQmxInstall.gif) #### **Finish Installation** Once all the steps above are completed, Motive is installed. If you want to use additional plugins, visit the [downloads](http://optitrack.com/downloads/plugins.html) page. ### Host PC Setup The following settings are sufficient for most mocap applications. The page [Windows 11 Optimization for Realtime Applications](/general-troubleshooting/windows-11-optimization-for-realtime-applications.md) has our recommended configuration for more demanding uses. #### **Firewall / Antivirus** We recommend isolating the camera network and the host PC so that firewall and antivirus protection are not required. That's not possible when the host PC is connected to a corporate or institutional network. In that case: * Make sure all antivirus software installed on the Host PC allows Motive traffic. * For Ethernet cameras, make sure the Windows firewall is configured so the camera network is recognized. Potential issues that can occur if antivirus software is installed: * Some programs (such as BitDefender and McAfee) might block Motive from downloading. The Motive software downloaded directly from [OptiTrack.com/downloads](https://optitrack.com/support/downloads/) is safe for use and will not harm your computer. * If you're unable to view cameras in the [Devices pane](/motive-ui-panes/devices-pane.md), or you see frame/data drops, verify that the antivirus or firewall settings allow all traffic from your camera network to Motive and vice versa. * You might need to completely uninstall antivirus software if it continues to interfere with camera communication. #### **High Performance** Windows power saving mode limits CPU usage, which can affect Motive performance. To best utilize Motive, set the Power Plan to High Performance. Go to Control Panel → Hardware and Sound → Power Options as shown in the image below. ![Notification to enable the high performance mode.](https://content.gitbook.com/content/WkNF2QVM5V7MzRdzoXmL/blobs/UOu5112xQL2OrNMxGYD4/image.png) ![Enabling the high performance mode. Click image to enlarge.](https://content.gitbook.com/content/WkNF2QVM5V7MzRdzoXmL/blobs/Kk2m8r1XogRazEhC1Wgx/image.png) #### **Graphics Card Settings** **This is required only for computers with integrated graphics.** Computers that have integrated graphics on the motherboard in addition to a dedicated graphics card might switch to the integrated graphics when the computer goes to sleep mode. This can cause the Viewport to become unresponsive when the PC exits sleep mode. To prevent this, set Motive to use high performance graphics only. * Type Graphics in the Windows Search bar to find and open the Graphics settings, located at System > Display > Graphics.

Add an application for custom graphics settings.

* In the Add an app field, select Desktop app, then browse to the Motive executable: \ C:\Program Files\OptiTrack\Motive\Motive.exe. * Motive now appears in the list of customizable applications. * Click Motive to display, then click the Options button. * Set the Graphics preference to High performance and click Save.

Windows Graphics preference for an application.

## License Activation Once Motive is installed, activate your license by linking it to a USB license key. You need your license info card for the license serial and hash, and the serial number on the license key. Activating will generate a license file in the license folder on your computer. There are three types of license keys in circulation, but only the Security Key M is currently sold. You need to purchase the key separately from your license. (For more information, visit the following page: [https://optitrack.com/accessories/license-keys](https://optitrack.com/accessories/license-keys/).) Details on all three license keys are provided in the table below.
License Key NameImageConnection TypeCurrently SoldMotive Version Compatibility
Security Key MUSB-C
(can be used with an adaptor to USB-A)		YesAny version except Motive 3.0.x
Security KeyUSB-C
(can be used with an adaptor to USB-A)		NoMotive 3.0 and later
Hardware KeyUSB-A
(can be used with an adaptor to USB-C)		NoAny version except Motive 3.0.x
### Additional License Information * Connect only one key at a time. * After installing Motive, click About Me on the splash screen to see whether the license key is detected. Doing so also shows your license files and their info. * Plug the license key directly into a computer and not into a USB hub. * It is best practice to keep only the license file you are currently using in your computer's license folder, and not any previous versions. * After activation, your maintenance period begins. You can use the license tool again to regenerate the license file if you lose it. * Once activated, licenses are permanently tied to the license key. If you need to transfer a license to another key, please contact . If you need a new license key or license, please contact . ### License Types There are five types of Motive license: * Motive:Body-Unlimited * Motive:Body * Motive:Tracker * Motive:Edit-Unlimited * Motive:Edit Each license unlocks different features in the software depending on the use case that the license is intended to facilitate. * The Motive:Body and Motive:Body-Unlimited licenses are intended for either small (up to 3) or large-scale Skeleton tracking applications. * The Motive:Tracker license is intended for real-time Rigid Body tracking applications. * The Motive:Edit and Motive:Edit Unlimited licenses are intended for users modifying data after it has been captured (post production work). For more information on different Motive licenses, check the [software comparison table](https://www.optitrack.com/software/motive/pricing) on our website. An abbreviated version is available in the table below.
FeatureTrackerBodyBody UnlimitedEditEdit Unlimited
Live Rigid Bodies UnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedNoNo
Live Skeletons and Trained Markersets NoUp to 3UnlimitedNoNo
Edit Rigid Bodies and Non-Trained (Manually Labeled) MarkersetsUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimitedUnlimited
Edit Skeletons and Trained Markersets NoUp to 3UnlimitedUp to 3Unlimited
Duplex ModeNoLive Capture and Post

Live Capture

and Post

Post OnlyPost Only
### Activate the License Motive licenses are activated using the License Activation tool. This tool can be found: * On the OptiTrack Support page. * On the Host PC at C:\Program Files\OptiTrack\Motive\LicenseTool. * On the Motive splash screen, when an active license is not installed. #### License Activation Tool * Launch Motive. If the license has been activated, the splash screen appears momentarily before Motive loads. If it has not, the splash screen displays the License not found error and a menu.

Motive splash screen with the
License not found message.

* Click License Tool to open the License Activation Tool.
* The License Serial Number and License Hash are provided on a printed card (enclosed in an envelope) when the license is purchased. If the card is missing, this information is also located on the order invoice. * The Security Key Serial Number is printed on the attached USB security or hardware key. * If you have already activated the license on another machine, make sure to enter the same name when activating it on the new PC. * Once you have entered all the information, click Activate. The license files are copied into the license folder: C:\ProgramData\OptiTrack\License. * Click Retry to finish loading Motive. {% hint style="warning" %} Only one license (initial or maintenance) can be activated at a time. If you purchased one or more years of maintenance licensing, wait until the initial license expires before activating the first maintenance license. Let the first maintenance license expire before activating the next, and so on. {% endhint %} #### **Online Activation Tool** The Online License Activation tool lets you activate licenses from the [OptiTrack Support page](https://optitrack.com/support/). This option requires more steps but is helpful if you are activating licenses for multiple systems or do not have access to the host PC to use the license tool from the splash screen. ![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/WkNF2QVM5V7MzRdzoXmL/blobs/TBD1bDmEqrXRPvW760tT/image.png) * Enter the email address to send the license file(s) to in the E-mail Address field. * The License Serial Number and License Hash are located on the order invoice. * The Device Serial Number is printed on the USB security key. * If you have already activated the license on another machine, make sure to enter the same name when activating it on the new PC. * Once you have entered all the information, click Activate. * The license file(s) arrive via email. Check your spam filter and junk mail if you don't see it in your inbox. * Download the license file(s) to the License Folder on the hard drive of the host PC: C:\ProgramData\OptiTrack\License. * Insert the USB security key, then launch Motive. {% hint style="info" %} **Notes on Connecting the Security or Hardware Key** * Connect the Security or Hardware Key to a USB port where the USB bus does not have a lot of traffic. This is especially important if you have other peripheral devices that connect to the computer via USB ports. If there is too much other data flowing through the USB bus used by the Security or Hardware Key, Motive might not be able to detect the key. * Make sure only one key is plugged in. If both a Hardware Key and a Security Key are connected to the same computer, Motive may not activate properly. {% endhint %} ### License Details #### Check My License The Check My License tool allows you to lookup license information to obtain the expiration date. ![](https://content.gitbook.com/content/WkNF2QVM5V7MzRdzoXmL/blobs/KdmtnTvLcpEMvlpZ0SPM/image.png) **About Motive Screen** About Motive includes information on the active license, which can be exported to a text file by clicking the Export... link at the bottom.

About Motive with an active license.

If Motive does not detect an active license, you can still open About Motive from the splash screen. However, the only information available is the Machine ID.

About Motive without an active license.

## Using Activated Software on a Different Computer You can install Motive on more than one computer with the same license and security key, but you cannot use it on multiple PCs simultaneously. Only the PC with the license key connected can run Motive. #### Use the License Activation Tool You can use the License Activation Tool to acquire the license files for the new host PC. This includes the initial license and any maintenance licenses that were purchased. * When run from the Motive splash screen, the tool will download the license files directly * When run from the OptiTrack Support website, the license files are sent via email. When using this method to transfer the license, enter the same contact information that was entered the first time the license was activated. We recommend exporting the license data to a text file from the original installation to use as a reference. If the original information is lost, please contact [OptiTrack Support](https://optitrack.com/support/) for assistance. #### Copy and Paste the License Files The license file(s) can also be copied from one computer to another. License files are located at c:\ProgramData\OptiTrack\License. Open the license folder from the Motive Help menu. If the files are copied from one PC to another, there is no need to rerun the License Activation Tool to begin using the currently active license. Simply install the version of Motive supported by the license and connect the license key. ## More Questions? For more information on licensing of Motive, refer to the Licensing FAQs from the OptiTrack website: * For common licensing issues and troubleshooting recommendations, please see the [Licensing Troubleshooting](https://docs.optitrack.com/general-troubleshooting/licensing-troubleshooting) page. For more questions, contact OptiTrack Support: * * Please attach the LicenseData.txt file exported from the About Motive panel as a reference. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the following URL with the `ask` and `goal` query parameters: ``` GET https://docs.optitrack.com/motive/installation-and-activation.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is what the user is ultimately trying to achieve, the reason they need the answer. Sharing it helps GitBook give you a better, more relevant answer. A goal is most helpful when it describes the outcome the user wants rather than restating the question. For example, with `ask=how do I create an API token`, a goal like `automate deployments from our CI pipeline` lets GitBook tailor the answer to that use case. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.