Online Technical Support
Page last updated: 12/19/00
Please review these technical FAQs to see
if your question is answered on this page. If your question is not addressed
here, please go to the last question to find out how to contact our Technical
Support department.
- How do I install PhotoActive FX and the Demo Effects onto my local hard drive?
- How does the Demo differ from the purchased software?
- I bought the Full set of effects. How do I install them?
- How do I uninstall PhotoActive FX from my computer?
- How do I download PhotoActive FX?
- What do I do with the demo effects once I purchase the full version of PhotoActive FX?
- Will PhotoActive FX work with PowerPlugs: Transitions?
- Do I need any special hardware to use PhotoActive FX?
- Is there an international language version of PhotoActive FX?
- What should I do if PhotoActive FX appears to install correctly, but the commands "Still Photo Effects" and "Animated Photo Effects" do nothing?
- Sometimes when I click on an effect from the Effects Gallery it does not preview. Is it broken?
- The Floating Toolbar is missing. How do I fix it?
- How much additional hard drive space do I need to install Volume II ?
- Most of the photos printed from Adobe PDF files have horizontal streaks through them. Is there a correlation between the effects and the PDF file or is the problem with the printer?
- I applied a Transition In effect to a picture. When the Transition In effect finished, the Transition In effect reverted to its first frame. What I wanted was to end with my photo showing. Please tell me how to fix this.
- Is the word "PhotoActive FX" branded into every effect in the full version?
- The Demo software only has 40 effects to try. How can I see the other 100+ effects so I can best make my purchase decision?
- Why does the animation sometimes play on the slide after the one it is supposed to?
- How can I use more than one picture in an effect?
- How can I use WordArt with PhotoActive FX?
- Can
I add PhotoActive FX to charts and graphs in my presentation?
- What should I do when I receive an error message trying to download the paid version of PowerPlugs: PhotoActive FX
Additional Support
- How do I install PhotoActive FX and
the Demo Effects onto my local hard drive?
Follow these simple steps.
- Download the FREE Trial software (Click here): (The Demo Effects are included with the software.)
- Choose a volume
of effects from the home page to try.
- pfx1demo.exe [ 6.4 MB file] or
- pfx2demo.exe [7.2 MB file]
- Make sure NO OTHER applications are running at the time of installation.
- Double click
on the file called pfx1demo.exe or pfx2demo.exe (This
will automatically begin the Installation Wizard.)
- Follow the installation Wizard instructions until complete.
- *Note: It is recommended that you allow the application to install itself to the default folder: C:\Program Files\PowerPlugs\PhotoActive FX.
- Wait for the
"Setup is complete" message box to appear.
- * Note: Please be patient while the software interface is added to PowerPoint. You may experience a short delay during this last phase of the installation process, especially if you are using a slow processor.
- Take the time to register your software to finish the installation.
- You have finished
the installation. Start using PowerPoint!
- How does
the Demo differ from the purchased software?
From a software perspective, there is no difference between the Demo and Purchased "Full Version". Both applications are fully functional and FREE. What you are buying is the complete, totally useable volume of effects. The Demo only contains a handful of sample effects to experiment with, but they will be displayed with a watermark when placed onto a PowerPoint slide. When you purchase the full set of effects there will be no such markings.
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We recommend that you keep the software installed on your computer if you intend to buy the full set of effects and discard the demo set of effects.
-
I bought the Full set of effects. How do I install them?
Follow these simple steps.
The CD ROM version of the software is a snap to install.
- Insert the CD into your computer.
- When the AutoRun interface appears, click on the 'Install Software' button.
- Follow the installation Wizard instructions until finished.
If you purchased the Download ONLY versions...
NOTE: You MUST have your own modem connection to be able to successfully download the secured [non-demo] FTP software. You will NOT be able to properly download this software if you are connected to the Internet via a network [T1, firewalls, proxy servers etc.]. You MUST order the CD ROM version of the software. Contact our Sales Department.- Download the software installer [pfx1reg.exe, pfx2reg.exe or pfx12reg.exe] from the secured purchase page. The link would have been sent to you via email.
- Make sure no other application is running
on your computer when you start the installation.
- Double-click on the appropriate installer file [pfx1reg.exe, pfx2reg.exe or pfx12reg.exe ].
- Follow the
installation Wizard instructions until complete.
- *Note: It is recommended that you allow the application to install itself to the default folder: C:\Program Files\PowerPlugs\PhotoActive FX.
- Wait for the
"Setup is complete" message box to appear.
- * Note: Please be patient while the software interface is added to PowerPoint. You may experience a short delay during this last phase of the installation process, especially if you are using a slow processor.
- Take the time to register your software to finish the installation.
- You have finished
the installation. Start using PowerPoint!
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- How do I
UNINSTALL PhotoActive FX from my computer?
Follow these simple steps.
- Exit PowerPoint.
- Click on the Windows Start menu and go to the Programs submenu and select the PowerPlugs/PhotoActive FX folder.
- Click on the "Uninstall" shortcut. This will remove the application from your computer.
- Using the Windows Explorer, manually delete
the PhotoActive FX directory folder and library files from the "Program
Files" directory.
- How do I download PhotoActive FX
and the Demo effects?
Click here to choose a volume of effects from the PhotoActive FX home page to try.
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- What do I
do with the demo effects once I purchase the full version(s) of PhotoActive
FX?
There is no need to keep the Demo Library of effects once you buy the full version(s) of the PhotoActive FX software, however it will not harm anything if you do not delete them as long as you do not combine them with the purchased effects.
- Locate the PhotoActive FX folder in the "Program Files/PowerPlugs/" directory.
- Open the PhotoActive FX folder and locate the Still FX Library and the Animation FX Library folders.
- Open each of the Library files, locate the folder called "Volume 1 Demo" and "Volume 2 Demo".
- Highlight the Demo folders and delete
them.
- Will PhotoActive
FX works with PowerPlugs: Transitions and PowerPlugs: SuperShapes?
Yes, PhotoActive FX, PowerPlugs: Transitions, and PowerPlugs: SuperShapes can all be used within the same presentation without conflict.
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- Do I need
any special hardware to use PhotoActive FX?
No, extra hardware is not required. If PowerPoint 97 or PowerPoint 2000 is currently running on your machine, so will PowerPlugs: PhotoActive FX. No graphic acceleration hardware is necessary. You should be fine as long as your computer meets the minimum system requirements described on the product description page.
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MINIMUM - Pentium 166 - 120 MB available disk space - 32 MB RAM
As a general rule of thumb, however, graphic and animation software can be resource intensive. There are noticeable performance improvements when fast processors and large amounts of RAM are available.
- Is there
an International language version of PhotoActive FX?
No. At this time PhotoActive FX is only available in an English translation.
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The current version will still function properly within non-English PowerPoint 97 and 2000 software, however.
If you experience any difficulties please notify us immediately so that we can resolve the issue.
We do anticipate developing Internationalized versions of the software in the future.
- What should
I do if PhotoActive FX appears to install correctly, but the commands
"Still Photo Effects" and "Animated Photo Effects" do nothing?
First verify that you have a presentation open and that you have an image selected on your current slide. If the commands still are not doing anything, chances are that the PhotoActive FX interface did not install properly onto your machine. To verify this, go to the "Tools Menu" and choose "Add-ins…". You should see PhotoActive FX listed in the "Available Add-Ins:" Window with an "X" to the left of the text. If you do not see the "X" the software did not install properly.
To fix this:- Click on the Windows Start menu and go to the Programs submenu and select the PowerPlugs\PhotoActive FX folder.
- Click on the "Reconfigure" shortcut.
- Click on the "Remove from PowerPoint" button and wait for the Interface to be removed.
- Click on the "Add to PowerPoint" button and wait until the Interface is added again.
- Click on the "OK" button and go back to PowerPoint
and try again.
- Sometimes
when I click on an effect from the Effects Gallery it does not preview.
Is it broken?
No. This was a bug in the 1.0 software but has been corrected. Update your software to version 1.3; it's FREE.
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Description of Bug:
This is not a regular experience and may only occur when using the Still Effects. Chances are you are running the Windows 95 operating system on a Pentium 1 processor and your computer processing speed is below 200Mhz. Chances are also that this experience is only noticeable in the beginning of your session with the software.
This phenomenon is annoying but the effect you are trying to use is not broken. It will appear that the effect is not available. When you select another effect it too may appear unavailable. You are witnessing a delay in the importation of the effect to the degree that it appears the effect is being skipped by the program altogether.
The solution is a little patience or a faster processor. Click and wait to see if an effect will preview. If nothing, click on another effect and pause again. Repeat this process until an effect finally displays itself in the Preview Window. Depending on the complexity of the effect category this could require clicking on 3-5 other effects before they start previewing without "skips". Once the effects get stored in your computer's cache file (from usage during the session) this problem will go away.
- The Floating Toolbar
is missing. How do I fix it?
Sounds like you are using an international (non-English) version of PowerPoint and an older version of PhotoActive FX 1.1 software. The problem has since been fixed.
Top of pageIdentify the situation:Step #1:
Verify that the software installed properly and make sure all the files are present.
Using your Windows Explorer locate the directory: C:\\Program Files\PowerPlugs\PhotoActive FX
Inventory for downloaded software:
- 9 Sub-directory Folders
- 3 Executables
- 1 DLL Extension
- 1 PPA Extension
- 1 ISU Extension
- 2 Text Files
- 2 Help Files
- 10 Web Shortcuts
Step #2:
Verify that the software installed itself into PowerPoint:
- Go to the "Tools Menu" and choose "Add-ins…".
- You should see PhotoActive FX listed in the "Available Add-Ins:" Window with an "X" to the left of the text.
- If you do not see the "X" the software did not install properly.
- (Go to
Question
#10 for further instructions)
Step #3:
If you verified that steps 1 & 2 are OK, then most likely:
- You are using an international (non-English) version of PowerPoint
- And using
PhotoActive FX trial software downloaded prior to May 21st,
1999.
Solution:- OPTION #1: Download the current FREE software trial
- OPTION #2: Download and install only the patch file ( PFXPatch.exe)
- How much additional hard
drive space do I need to install Volume II?
The Volume II effect libraries require an additional 30 MB of available hard drive storage space. Be sure to give yourself plenty of available usage space, however.
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- Most of the photos printed
from Adobe PDF files have horizontal streaks through them. Is there
a correlation between the effects and the PDF file or is the problem
with the printer?
This is a bug in Adobe Acrobat Distiller 3.0. If the Word document contains a picture with transparency, Acrobat Distiller 3.0 cannot convert it to a PDF correctly. Also if the Word document contains any WordArt, it too cannot be converted properly.
Problem Description:
Inserted photos into PowerPoint and added still effects. Then copied them to the clipboard and pasted them into Word documents. Then generated EPS files using the Tektronix Phaser 550 driver, and generated PDF files using Adobe Acrobat Distiller 3.0. The original application files look fine. The majority of the PDF files also looked fine. Saved the files to a ZIP disk and sent it out for digital printing. Most of the photos printed from the PDF files have horizontal streaks through them.
Suggested Solution:
Many photoactive pictures use transparency. To avoid this PDF conversion and printing problem, turn off the transparency before copying the picture to the clipboard from PowerPoint or after pasting it into Word. To turn off the transparency, select the picture and then click "Set Transparency Color" from the Picture Command Bar in PowerPoint or Word. Then click the handle (white square) located to the bottom right of the selected picture. This will turn off the transparency. You should now be able to create a clean PDF file.
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- I applied a Transition
In effect to a picture. When the Transition In effect finished, the
Transition In effect reverted to its first frame. What I wanted was
to end with my photo showing. Please tell me how to fix this.
Viewing Animation Effects:
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In order to answer this question you need to check which PowerPoint layout mode you are viewing the animation from. You are most likely previewing from PowerPoint's "slide layout mode" rather than the "show preview mode". PowerPoint automatically resets all animations previewed in the layout mode back to their first keyframe.
To prove/test this fact,
Test 1) Apply the "Rising Curtain" animation and go into PhotoActive FX's Advanced Mode to view the effect's preset keyframes. You will notice that the last keyframe displays the curtain in its raised position, as you desire.
Test 2) You can also view a preview of your PowerPoint Slide Show. You should find that your animation plays as it was intended.
- Is the word "PhotoActive
FX" branded into every effect in the full version?
The "PhotoActive FX branding text" is what is referred to as a 'Watermark'. It is used to prevent unauthorized commercial usage of our Trial/Demo software effects.
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The demo is intended to allow prospective users the ability to "test-drive" the PhotoActive software and see some sample effect output quality. The demo set of effects was never intended to serve for any individual presentation productivity.
Alternative:
We have a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee on all the CD-ROM products purchased directly from our company (Download software excluded).
Contact our Sales Department at: 1-800-394-0700 or email them at: cgisales@crystalgraphics.com
- The Demo software only
has 40 effects to try. How can I see the other 100+ effects so I can
best make my purchase decision?
We have made the remaining effects for Volumes I and II available for your previewing. Since it would make the initial download file size even bigger and not everyone needs to see the whole collection to make a purchasing decision, we have made the extra effect libraries available under separate download files called MORPFXV1.EXE and MORPFXV2.EXE.
These files can be found along with the Trial Software Download. Look for the link that reads: "Download the Rest-of-the-Effects to Sample Here: ".
They can also be found on the "Get the latest version" Web page. Simply use the Web link within your PhotoActive FX software, located within the "Useful Links" submenu of the "Help" menu.
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- Why does the animation sometimes
play on the slide after the one it is supposed to?
This is actually a PowerPoint Animation control settings issue, not PowerPlugs software problem.
Try the following to resolve the confusion:
1) Select the animation on your slide.
2) Right mouse-click and select the 'Custom Animation' option.
3) From the 'Multimedia Setting' tab choose "Pause Slide Show", "After current slide" and then check-off "Hide while not playing".
4) Go to the 'Order & Timing' tab
5) Select either 'Start animation' "On mouse click" or "Automatically".
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- Can I use
more than one picture in an effect?
Yes and No.
Yes: You can group pictures in PowerPoint before launching PhotoActive FX, which will make the assemblage act as one picture for PhotoActive FX' usage.
No: PhotoActive FX only uses one photo/image source at this time. So, if you were thinking about applying an animation effect that changes from one photo to another photo, you'll need to reconsider your design idea.
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- How can I use WordArt with PhotoActive
FX?
While PhotoActive FX was not designed to work with PowerPoint Text or Text PowerPoint Effects there is a work-around trick you can use.
* Please note from the start, that this trick will turn your PowerPoint Text/Text Effect into a graphic format and make the text unchangeable.
a) Create the PowerPoint Text/Text Effect you desire on a white slide background
b) Take a screenshot by pressing the 'Print Screen' on your keyboard
c) Paste the screenshot (press the 'Ctrl' & the 'V' key at the same time) on the PowerPoint slide
d) Select the screenshot image on your slide and choose PowerPoint's 'Crop' tool (located in the 'Picture Toolbar')
e) Crop the unwanted area around your PowerPoint Text/Text Effect
f) You should now be left with a picture version of the PowerPoint Text/Text Effect you wanted
g) Position the picture on your slide and proceed to use PhotoActive FX as normal.
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- Can I add PhotoActive FX to charts and graphs in my presentation?
Yes, but you will not be able to edit the graph/chart after the effect is added.
How to:
* Select the image from the PowerPoint slide layout just as you would any other image.
* Click the PhotoActive FX control of your choice 'Still Photo Effect' or 'Animated Photo effect'.
* Proceed as normal.
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-
What should I do when
I receive an error message trying to download the paid version of PowerPlugs:
PhotoActive FX?
If you are trying to download through a company network's Internet connection, you may receive errors or have problems downloading. Please be aware that many company network connections are protected by firewalls and proxy servers, and these firewalls and proxy servers can cause downloading problems. We recommend that you try downloading through a regular modem connection that does not go through a company network. If you are unable to download please try the troubleshooting tips below or contact our sales department to have them ship you the CD ROM version instead.
Please try this if you are behind a firewall:
- Close all browser windows
- Go to Start menu, Settings, Control Panel
- Click on Internet Options
- Select the Advanced Tab
- Check one or all of the following:
a) Use Web Based FTP
b) Use passive FTP for compatibility with some firewalls and DSL modems
c) Enable folder view for FTP sites (in this case you would uncheck this option)
- Click Apply
If you are able to view the file but prompted to enter a password after clicking on it:
a) Right-click on the files(s) and select Save Target As, Save Link As, or Copy To Folder depending on which browser you are using.
b) Type in the user name and password where "X" is your user name and "Y" is your password. ftp://XXXXXXXXXX:YYYYYYYYYY@www.crystalgraphics.com:2122/
c) Try using a different web browser to download the files.
Additional Support
1. How do I contact Technical Support?
PowerPlugs: PhotoActive FX users have unlimited access to Online Technical Support which lists the typical technical support problems that users encounter, along with our best information regarding their solutions. This service is available free of charge.
If you should need additional technical support service, CrystalGraphics provides three technical support purchase options:
- Option #1: You can buy technical support on a per incident basis. With the per incident option, you buy telephone-based technical support in 15 minute increments or per individual problem or incident when communicating electronically (i.e. fax and/or e-mail support) .
- Option #2: You can buy a block of technical support time (or number of incidences). The minimum block of time you can purchase is two hours (or the equivalent of 8 incidences if communicating via electronic mechanisms, i.e. fax or e-mail). Technical support purchased in time blocks costs less than technical support purchased on a per incident basis. However, the block of time purchased must be used within a 12 month period.
- Option #3: You can buy a 12-month technical support contract. The technical support contract provides you with unlimited telephone-based technical support or electronic incidences, and free software updates if any updates ship while your contract is active.
If you have read through the above questions and answers your issue was not addressed, and you have bought PowerPlugs: Transitions, you can contact technical support.