Cataloguer-Help - CMLSoftdev


	Cataloguer - General Help & FAQ's -

Help topics here cover the Cataloguer Software product only and are updated regularly as and when required. Each of the Software has its own Help & FAQ's table, so if you are looking for any of the other products, use the Menu above.

Guide: Clicking the (answer) text link for each question below, shows the respective answer.
If the Help files do not help you with your questions, contact us.

Questions and Answers Panel

How Big is the Software ? (Answer)
The Cataloguer is ± 16MB including the framework Hotfix KB82509 deployment issued by Microsoft®.

What are the system Requirements ? (Answer)
For those users with Windows® 98/98SE/ME/2000/NT/Server 2000/Server 2003 and XP - Make sure you have the NET Framework® installed, download the Cataloguer® software that includes the Hotfix KB 825709 (±16MB) from the Software's own page or the 'Buy Softdev Software' page. The other requirements are also listed in the software's own page (Pentium 90MHZ, 32MB Ram. In both cases, higher specs is obviously better).

What is the PC Code ? (Answer)
The PC Code is a string of characters which we need to be able to generate your unlocking key for the Software. When you install the Software in your PC, produces that string. The string is found in the 'Help' menu of the Software or if you use the Splash screen that always appears when you start the Software, click 'register the cataloguer' this opens a screen and in that screen clearly shown is the PC Code.
This PC Code must be sent to us via E-Mail or you can use the Step 2 Form you find in the 'Buy Softdev Software'. Step 2 Form must be filled even for the Free Lite versions as these also require unlocking Keys.
For all the other CML Softdev software: Note that all our software has a PC Code that must be submitted to us to enable generating your unblocking key. Each software has a different generating procedure. So one key from one does not work on the other. All software has a 'register' action from the toolbars, normally under 'help' and a clickable automated way to submit the PC Code to us via e-mail.

I have Downloaded the Software but it won't Start ! (Answer)
Ensure that you have the NET Framework® (should give you an error popup if you try and use the software without it). You can download an installation guide to familiarize yourself with the downloading procedure, here.

I cannot Create Categories and Sub-Categories ! (Answer)
That's because you need the Hotfix KB 825709 which is deployed with the Software installation. Download/re-install the correct version (±16MB) only from our site or official affiliate Website (any of the logos in the awards page).

What is the .NET Framework ? (Answer)
The NET Framework is the new way Windows operating systems work, and enables a more uniform way for developers to write programs as well as for a more stable and advanced user interaction. Future releases of Windows operating systems rely heavily if not solely on the Framework. All new programs will be written using the Framework, if to be used in Windows platforms.
The Framework is being added on constantly, with new content, and this content is downloaded by all users when they do the regular Windows updates. The Framework started with version 1.0 and as new additional KB 'Hotfixes' are added (the updates one downloads) versions assume a higher deployment number (e.g. Framework 2.0), where the latter will contain the former version plus latest updates. You can download the latest NET Framework directly at Microsoft® here.
Go to the Microsoft® website to download and read more information about the Framework.
NOTE- This explanation applies to all CML Software.

What is the Hotfix KB 825709 ? (Answer)
The Hotfix KB825709 is an update for the NET Framework released after the Version 1.0 of the Framework was introduced. This Update was only meant to appear in a later version of the Framework but was released as a separate deployment to Developers writing programs that would require this protocol, so that developers could bundle it with their software releases and not wait until the later Framework version containing it appeared. When the update of this later version of the Framework containing KB825709 appears, once deployed by windows users via the 'Windows or Microsoft updates' the installation will overwrite the KB installed previously. This is how all updates are done and deployed for Windows operating systems.
Go to the Microsoft Website to read about it. Here's a Link to the page.

How does the Registration Procedure go ? (Answer)
You install the Software, test it thoroughly until satisfied, then you buy the License though our page 'Buy Softdev Software' in the Menu (this process is also called 'registering'). Once you have paid the License fee, you will receive an E-mail from us immediately (it may take up to two days time depending on your bank clearing funds with our bank) or at maximum, the next day. This e-mail contains your Key license generated uniquely for You/Your PC. The E-mail also contains instructions on how to complete the registration to unblock the software out of trial.

What Labels can I use with the Cataloguer? (Answer)
We have entered into an agreement with AVERY-DENNISON®, The top manufacturer of Labels worldwide. You can print: 'Address Labels' ( Code J8159), '35mm Slide Labels' (J8657), 'CD Tray inserts' (J8432), 'CD Cover inserts' (J8431), 'CD/DVD round labels' (J8676), Lever Arch file Labels (J8171) and 'T-shirt Transparencies' (C9405) using AVERY® Template Labels widely obtainable at Stationery Stores Worldwide. In South Africa, you can Phone your local Stationery Supplier and pre-order Avery Labels. The Labels allow for either Text or Images and in some cases both, as follows:
Address Labels - Text Only and a maximum of 5 fields
35mm Slide Labels - Text only and maximum of 2 fields
Lever Arch Labels - Text Only and maximum of 6 fields
CD Case Cover/Tray/Round Labels - Text (5 fields) and Image
Transparency - Image only.

Finally, beware if you're using a scrolling mouse as if you have the cursor inside the labels screen and suddenly scroll your mouse, the labels in the drop list will load - this is a shortcut but can result in loading of images unnecessarily and time wasting. Also HANDLE IMAGE LABELS SINGLY OR IN PAIRS because if it happens that you have a large catalogue and accidentally load the catalogue and prompt for the labels, all these labels of the catalogue will display and that can take a long time (remember, size of images plus lots of them = long time). Zooming in in on the Labels is only for viewing benefit in the screen, does not make the labels print any bigger.
Check AVERY-DENNISON® Website for references on their Labels. Use the drop list at the Software's Label screen to view the code for each of the Labels used and refer to the Tutorials to see if any of our users gives hints on how to do it also.

10.

When I want to Print a Report or Labels, I get an error 'unhandled exception Error' ! (Answer)
This is because you tried to do a Report or Labels print-out without setting your parameters correctly, or else you haven't told the Software what fields to include in the Report/Labels.
Unhandled Exception Errors are generated when one wants to do something and there is no data set to include in that something. The Error popup has three buttons, the 'Details' is the core of the line of code where the error generates (this would be what you send us if it was a genuine 'bug' so we could fix it with a patch or update placed for download at our Website. The second button is the 'Continue' button, this when clicked carries forth the task even if not correctly set up. So, it would attempt to create a blank page where a user forgot to include data parameters to print, and it would result in... you've guessed it!, a blank page, The third Button 'Quit' is to close the Software.
Suggestion: You have to ensure that the parameters are correctly allocated (IE. is there data to print or is it a Blank page you're attempting to print). Set the data to include in the Report/Labels, making sure you save these at creation, and also ensure that the Properties for the Catalogue are set to 'Report' (tick the Checkboxes you want to include data for in the parameters). Then try again.

11.

Why do I get a 'This is not a Win32 application' Error when I try to install the Software? (Answer)
If you get this error when trying to install (clicking the application icon) or when trying to unzip the downloaded Software, it means you haven't fully downloaded the Application.
Suggestion: Re-download the Application from OUR link only. Go to the 'Buy Softdev Software' page and download from the links found there.

12.

When opening a catalogue, sometimes my images disappear and are replaced by a cataloguer ball icon slashed in half by a thick line! (Answer)
This is a Placeholder (View picture here) for the Images of your Catalogue. This means that the images you are looking for and included in that catalogue, are not at the original path anymore. They could be in a removable media disc or somewhere else on your PC. When you create the catalogue and load the images, The Cataloguer memorizes the original path where these images came from (such as when you load images from a CD-Rom disc). Later if you want to view these images and open the Catalogue but forget to place the CD-Rom disc in the disc tray, the images will be replaced by this placeholder image. To reload the images for that Catalogue, you would have to load the CD-Rom in the PC disc tray and click the tree area of the catalogue to 'refresh' it.
Suggestion: We suggest users keep a field always designated to 'Disc No. X' and archive these discs, properly labeled, where they can't be easily forgotten. Remember that the path of the images is stored in memory by the Cataloguer.

13.

When I add an image to an existing catalogue with two catalogues open, where does it go? (Answer)
If you have two or more catalogues open and decide to add an image to one of them, the Catalogue that has focus is the first one opened. So when you add an image there are no conflicts with the 'properties' for the different catalogues.
Suggestion: Ideally, you should work with one catalogue at a time as the properties for each are different. You can View multiple catalogues at will, and if you find that you need to amend data in one, close the others first.

14.

Help on Printing Transparency Labels (Answer)
When you Print Transparency Labels (the template to use is the AVERY C9405) remember to ensure that the bottom of the image is narrower than the top (Portrait image) or else you'll get a small image result. To bypass this you can use your Printer properties to shift the image to a landscape mode and this way inverting the axis resulting in a large original image size as desired. Images are best scanned at a 800x600 or 600x800 pixels resolution but larger are also accommodated as the transparency mode printing in the Cataloguer is automatically adjusted to fit an A4 template. HINT - if you want to add text to your image, do so in a separate Editing Software, then bring it into the Cataloguer and do the transparency.
Suggestion: Scan images at a reasonable size, (if the image is too big the labels screen can minimize when you actuate this facility, the image is still there and you can print it of course). Use your printer properties to test in Portrait and Landscape formats before printing.

15.

Help on Printing 35mm Labels (Answer)
Use Avery 35mm labels code J8657. These labels are set in the centre of the A4 page but the top and bottom margins ARE NOT THE SAME therefore make sure you print with the section margin of 54mm up as if the 63mm margin is used the printing will be over the labels edge. 35mm Labels allow for one or two fields of text data to be used. Use the properties to designate which fields to use. Remember that if you want to print another Label/Main Report in the same session, you have to go back to the properties and tweak the fields again for the new printing session.
Suggestion: Use the correct Avery Label and also ensure that the correct Top margin is fed first in the Printer (54mm space between the edge and the first labels row).

16.

Help on CD Cover/Tray and Round Labels (Answer)
Use Avery Labels (Cover -Code J8431, Tray - J8432 and Round Label J8676). The cover is slightly smaller than the Tray and prints the Image to the edges. The Tray image allows for the spine edges to be blank so you can type anything you want there (the Cataloguer does not do this typing), so the image only fits in the inside of the spine edges area. The round labels get an image imprint which is square, therefore you'll lose the four corners when you peel the round format label. The text in the Cover, Tray and Round Label are positioned different and printed in black default font (so, it suits light coloured images only). HINT - if you want White text to appear in these labels, manipulate the image in a software editor package inserting the light colour font in the images in the correct place desired (remember that the round label has a hole in the centre) and then bring into the Cataloguer. There you can go to properties and UNCHECK the properties meaning it won't print any text and only the label's image will be printed. the recommended size for these labels is 500x355 pixels or bigger.

17.

Help on printing Main Report (Answer)
The Main report is only printed in portrait format. Even if you try to tweak the report to a landscape format, you'll find that the break point horizontal lines of the portrait Report do not appear in the landscape Report. The reason for this is that this report is actually hard coded to print and refers to the database entirely to produce the report, whereas the other reports (labels) are designed with a component. The thing to look for here is how many fields one wants displayed in the Report, and account for the 'portrait only' handicap, if it is a wide report as the margins have a limitation obviously (so use the portrait format print to report on the whole catalogue but with a maximum of certain fields quantities left to right). Likewise, if printing a landscape report, it is the depth or top to bottom that limits it (so use this for category and subcategory reporting - if not too long). Zooming in the Main Report is only for viewing benefit in the screen, does not make the Report print any bigger.
Suggestion: Print the Report in portrait format but be careful how many field headings you account for. Portrait can be as long as you want (top to bottom). The landscape report is limited to the top to bottom maximum of a A4 page (in landscape shape) so it is good for small Category and Subcategory printing only).

18.

Why does it take long sometimes to load certain functions (such as loading labels screen) (Answer)
The Cataloguer is a hard coded Database Software so it enables full control of its elements at any given time. It's difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons for all 'delays' but it goes more or less like this: Where images are involved, it is obviously dependent on the size of the image or images (if you're handling a folder with many). This behaviour is obvious in any software naturally. In terms of the data, the Cataloguer is pretty fast considering that at all times it loads the entire database in case you need whatever (we don't know so it has to be there ready for the use). In order to make the Software faster in some regards, certain components are 'archived' for a moment where they are not being prompted and 'wake up' when they are prompted. So in the case of Labels for instance, the function (click of the icon) awakes the necessary component and recalls the necessary data to the screen. This is the delay.
Suggestion: Meet a compromise between Image size and data intake. Use removable media to store the Images and recall them (see also 17) when needed by refreshing the catalogue. Otherwise handle just the data (Much quicker as Data stays in your hard drive at all times) if looking up information.

19.

How can I check the size of the images in the catalogue using the Cataloguer to do this (Answer)
There are two ways to do this: Load the image in the catalogue (right-click and choose Details) or if it is already IN the Cataloguer, then load the catalogue and the image into the image area, right-click it, and chose 'details' from there, or chose to 'View image' and when it opens right-click and see the image properties.
Suggestion: It's best to get into the habit of standardizing you pictures in set sizes, so that you know all results on all functions, from the start. Neater appearance on all aspects is also attained this way.

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