Frequently Asked Question

The procedure to extend the expiry date of a CST files depends on its source.

CST files cannot be extended or refreshed by the user themselves, they can only be re-created using FactSage (see option 1. below) or extended by GTT or CRCT/ThermFact (see option 2. below).

1. The CST file was originally created by yourself or your colleagues:

We recommend you verify first whether the CST file in question has indeed expired already. This can be done with a utility program that is part of FactSage.

When creating a CST file using the Equilib module of FactSage, Equilib reminds you in the process that you should save the corresponding equi*.dat / *.equi file for future use.

With the most recent version of FactSage available to you, run the Equilib module and load the equi*.dat / *.equi file in question that was saved when the original version of the CST file was created, possibly with an older version of FactSage.

After loading the equi*.dat / *.equi file, check if the selection of phases and phases constituents still meets your expectation. If not, adjust it accordingly.

Re-create the CST file by selecting "File" -> "ChemSage file..." -> "Export as transparent *.cst"

Please note:

• The expiration date of this newly exported CST file is at most 2 years from the date you created it, and is based on the FactSage version used to create it.
• You will need valid licenses for the database from which you want to export data to the CST file. A data-file cannot be successfully re-created if your licenses to one or more of the databases that are necessary to recreate it have expired.
• Development work on new versions of the databases managed with FactSage might result in phases being renamed. In such cases the re-creation of the exact same data-file is not possible. In case you need help deciding how to best re-create a data-file that matches your previous one as closely as possible, please contact us by opening a ticket.
  

If you have any problems re-creating the CST file, or using the newly recreated CST file, please contact us by opening a ticket.

2. The CST file was created for you by GTT or CRCT/ThermFact

In this case, please contact GTT (by opening a ticket) or CRCT/ThermFact (by email), we will be happy to help.