PhotoFramer FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is "PhotoFramer?"

2. Who should use PhotoFramer?

3. What is your upgrade policy?

4. What are the computer requirements for running PhotoFramer?

5. I'm having problems installing PhotoFramer, what should I do?

6. Is there a Macintosh version of PhotoFramer?

7. Ever since I installed PhotoFramer Windows has asked me to log in when I start my computer, or after stopping the screen saver.  Why?

8. When I try to run the application I get a dialog box that says "Unable to Locate DLL" and "The dynamic link library mscoree.dll could not be found in the specified path..."

9. How do I remove PhotoFramer from my computer?

What is "PhotoFramer?"

PhotoFramer from Pixlabs is unique program that can render beautiful, photorealistic, double matted frames around your digital pictures.  The colors and shapes around an image can greatly affect how an image is perceived, and digital images are no different.  Often the cacophony of desktop clutter can detract from images that are viewed onscreen.  By placing a simulated mat and frame around a picture, you can give the eye a little breathing room between your image and the rest of the onscreen confusion.  By carefully choosing colors, you can use this space to draw attention to the important details of the image. 

With PhotoFramer choosing from a wide variety of frame styles and color schemes is as easy as point and click.  PhotoFramer makes it easy to make your images look their best.

PhotoFramer integrates with your existing email program (IMAP compatible) to make sending pictures quick and easy.

The framed images are great for web pages and other on screen applications.  PhotoFramer can generate framed images and thumbnails to make your website into a photo gallery.

PhotoFramer can also be used to help you choose mat and frame colors and styles that best suit your image before you head to the frame store.  PhotoFramer can even help you to print a mat with your picture to help you eliminate the need for a separate mat altogether.  The possibilities are limitless.

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Who should use PhotoFramer?

PhotoFramer is for anyone with digital images.  Whether you email pictures to friends, have a website or print your images to hang up in your home or office, PhotoFramer can help you get the most of your digital pictures.

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What is your upgrade policy?

It is the nature of software to evolve and change.  At Pixlabs, we feel that we provide a great value for your money, however, we like to reward our customers who have chosen to purchase our product.  We have created a very liberal upgrade policy.  All upgrades are FREE except for major revision changes (i.e. from version 1.X to version 2.X).  Existing customers can simply download and install the new version.  Their existing key will work.  The major upgrades will be offered to existing customers at a substantial discount.  In addition, even major upgrades will be made available free of charge to anyone who has purchased the product within 30 days of the major upgrade date.

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What are the requirements for running the PhotoFramer?

PhotoFramer Platform and Software Requirements

The PhotoFramer application is based on Microsoft's .NET framework.  See the Microsoft .NET FAQ for more information. Microsoft's .NET Framework must be installed for PhotoFramer to work properly.

To install PhotoFramer, you must have one of the following operating systems with Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 or later installed on your computer:

Minimum hardware requirements are a Pentium 90* MHz with 32 MB**, however we strongly recommend at least a Pentium 133* with 96MB** of memory.  A display size of 800x600 or greater is required.

* Or the minimum CPU required to run the operating system, whichever is higher.

** Or the minimum RAM required to run the operating system, whichever is higher.

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I'm having problems installing PhotoFramer, what should I do?

If your computer already has Microsoft .NET on it, installation should be very straight forward.  Please contact us at support@pixlabs.com for help.

Some rare installation issues:

PhotoFramer installer and NTFS formatted volumes

When installing the PhotoFramer onto a NTFS formatted drive partition (Windows NT, 2000, and XP only) the System user must have Full permissions to the target install folder (C:\Program Files by default). By default the System user has full permissions to all folders on an NTFS formatted drive partition. Also, if the PhotoFramer installer is stored on an NTFS formatted drive partition the System user must have Full permissions to all folders along the path to the folder where the PhotoFramer installer is stored.

Since, by default, the System user has the required file and folder permissions this should not be an issue. However, if you get the error, "The installer was interrupted before PhotoFramer could be installed. You need to restart the installer and try again.", while attempting to install PhotoFramer then NTFS file permissions may be the issue.

How to check file permissions on NTFS formatted drive partitions

1. To check NTFS file permissions on a drive partition first open Windows Explorer

Click the Start menu and select the Run menu item.

Type in explorer in the field labeled Open: and click the OK button.

2. From within Windows Explorer click on the plus sign (+) next to the drive letter you are attempting to install to, usually this is drive C. This will display a list of folders located in the drive partition. Continue to click the plus signs of those folders that form the path to the install destination folder.

3. Once you have reached the last folder in the path right click on that folder and select the Properties menu item. This opens the folder's properties dialog.

4. Click the Security tab.

5. The Properties dialog contains an upper and a lower section. In the upper section is a list of user and group names. In the lower section is a group of check boxes showing various permission levels. In the upper section look to see if the user System is in the list. If it is not in the list click the Add button and scroll the list of users and groups until you find it and add it to the user list. If the System user is already in the list of users or after you have added it to the list, single click on the System user to select it. Then look at the lower section and confirm that the allow box is checked for the Full Control permission. If it is not checked, you need to check it.

6. Click the OK button to close the dialog.

7. Repeat these steps for every folder in the path until you reach the top level, the drive letter.

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Is there a Macintosh version of PhotoFramer?

No there currently is no Macintosh version available.  We hope to have a version some day, however, our resources are limited.  If you would be interested in being notified when a Macintosh version becomes available, please request that on our feedback page.

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Ever since I installed PhotoFramer Windows has asked me to log in when I start my computer, or after stopping the screen saver.  Why?

Under some circumstances, computers that are configured to automatically login will present you with a login prompt after installing Microsoft .NET (a component required by PhotoFramer).  If you prefer to log in automatically, it is easy to reset this option by following these steps:

1. From the Start menu, select Run.  At a command prompt, type "control userpasswords2" and press Enter to open the User Accounts application.

2. In the list of users, make sure that your user name is selected.  On the Users tab, clear the Users Must Enter A User Name And Password To Use This Computer check box and then click OK.

3. In the Automatically Log On dialog box that appears, type the user name and password for the account you want to be logged on each time you start your computer.  If you do not use a password, leave the password blank.
 

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When I try to run the application I get a dialog box that says "Unable to Locate DLL" and "The dynamic link library mscoree.dll could not be found in the specified path..."

This message indicates that you have not yet installed the .NET framework.  See the Microsoft .NET FAQ for more information.

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I just upgraded to a new version of PhotoFramer, why am I now experiencing some strange behavior?

The Microsoft installer (which PhotoFramer uses) has a minor bug.  Under certain circumstances you may end up with two versions of the program installed at once.  To remedy this situation simply go to your Start Menu/Control Panel and choose "Add or Remove Programs."  Look in the list for two versions of PhotoFramer.  Select the older version and click on the "Remove" button.

For more information on this issue, see the Upgrade page.

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