How to display hidden file types

Often times when you use Windows Explorer to look for files, you will not see the extensions.

There is a setting in Windows called "Hide extensions for known file types".  When this is enabled, instead of seeing "MyDocument.pdf", you see the icon of your pdf program and "MyDocument".

Where this causes issues is when Support asks you to send them the ".vdf" file.  If you have the setting "Hide extensions for known file types" enabled, then you are not going to see the .vdf extension and you are going to send the .vdfk (because it looks close) and that is not going to help resolve your issue.

This setting is accessed in the same manner for Windows XP, 7, 8 (and for you geeks) server 2012.  (Of course, if you're a geek you should already know this.)

Launch the Control Panel.  Start, Control Panel works, as does the Windows key and "control".

Within the Control Panel is an icon or entry for Folder Options, click on that one to launch it.

This window will contain two or more tabs, choose the one labeled "View".

Towards the middle of the list of check boxed items, will be one called "Hide extensions for known file types".  If this checkbox is checked, then the extensions are hidden.  Uncheck this box and click the OK button to close the Folder Options window.

Now when you use Windows Explorer to look for files on your computer, you will see all the extensions.

As always, if there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

thanks,
chuck

PDF conversion gives "Out of contiguous memory" error

You may receive a message about contiguous memory when you are using the Visionary 8 Professional; File, Import, Image/Document Files (Advanced) option to add pdf files to your case.

The error message indicates that during the pdf conversion portion of the import process, Visionary 8 Professional asked the Operating System (O/S) for a specific amount of memory and the O/S failed to provide it.

Knowing that, the (possible) solution is clear, free up (contiguous) memory.

While there are several possible solutions, the simplest is to reboot the computer.  Once the computer has finished booting up, launching the various startup processes and has settled down; launch Visionary 8 Professional and start the import process.

Do not launch other programs.  Especially things like internet browsers (I'm looking at you Chrome - which is currently using nearly .6 GB), email programs (such as Outlook).

You can even go into the system tray and close down syncing/backup processes like DropBox, Cubbies, etc.

The more things that are NOT running before launching Visionary 8 Professional, the less chance you will have problems importing your files.

However, there may be situations that you simply cannot use the Visionary 8 Professional pdf import process without receiving the error message.  In that situation, you may have to resort to using a program like Adobe's Acrobat.

Another option is to send the the data to our Production department and have them handle the export.  Using that method will allow you to focus on other, more important issues, knowing that you will receive a high quality data product.

If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us via Live Chat, email (Support@ or Sales@), telephone or even snail mail.

thanks,
chuck

How to Transfer a Depo with a Presentation to Another Computer, Part Two

Now that you have exported your most awesome Viewer presentation for use on another computer; what is the best method for delivering the entire project to the end-user?

In the previous write-up, we saw how easy it was to export the deposition with the two clip lists.  Now we want to create a single deliverable for our end-user.

If you have the Auto-Syncer, you are in luck.

Ensure the .vig file (if there is one) and the exported .vdf file are in the same directory.  Then in the Auto-Syncer, set that directory as the Case Folder and open that depo.  Chose the Layout cd/dvd option, let it run to completion, burn to disk and you are all done.

If you only have the Viewer disk for this deposition, it is only slightly more complicated.

First, copy everything off the disk to a directory on your computer.  Then replace the .vdf file in the \Data directory with the earlier exported .vdf file.  Now burn to disk and you are all done.

There you have it; two short and simple methods to get a depo with clips to the end user.

If there are any questions, please feel free to contact us.

thanks,
chuck

How to Transfer a Depo with a Presentation to Another Computer, Part One

So you are working on a deposition in the Visionary Viewer and you have created a clip list that plays back the important parts.  Maybe you even have an exhibit or two being displayed.  Now you want to take this "project" and use it on another computer.  You know that the clip list is kept locally on the computer that was used to create the presentation.

(Obviously clip list items have to be saved locally on the computer that created them, as it is quite likely the deposition information is on a cd/dvd and we just cannot write random things to a finalized disk.  Also obviously, your objection list is saved to the local computer as well.)

You can use the Viewer's File, Export, Transcript process.  In the window that asks where to save the file, there is a drop down "Save as type" field that allows you to select "Visionary Deposition File (*.vdf)".  Choose where to save this file.  When the export process completes, the new .vdf file will have the clip list (and the objection list) embedded.

You can verify this by opening this new .vdf file on another computer and you will see the clip list, and your objection list will exist.

If you open this new .vdf file on the same computer, you will receive a message warning you that there is already a clip list and/or an objection list for this depo on your local computer.  You then get the option to use whichever list you prefer.

Here's a link to the latest version of the Visionary Viewer.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

thanks,
chuck

Drive Volume Labels; What are they and Why change them

Drive volume labels are used by various programs to track the location of data.  Visionary uses the drive volume label to allow the use of optical disks and external hard drives.  Because of that, the labels need to be unique on the computer.

An easy reason to understand why drive volume labels are needed is the use of an optical drive (cd/dvd).  The drive letter will always be d:\ (or whatever on your computer); but the disk in the drive can be changing regularly.  Visionary needs to know what disk is available; for instance for video playback.  (Whenever a cd/dvd is "burned" an optional electronic label is included.)

(As an aside, all network shared drives already have a drive volume label.  In the case of these shares, the actual share name is the label.)

Adding a drive volume label to a drive will not affect anything on the computer.  If the drive is not already labeled, adding a label cannot affect anything.  If it already has a label, there is no need to change it.  The addition of a drive volume label does not change the drive letter, that remains the same.

To check to see if your drives are already labeled, use Windows Explorer, My Computer or File Explorer (your available choices are dependent on the version of Windows that is being used.)

When your favorite file tool is open, right-click on your c:\ drive and choose Rename.  If it currently says "Local Drive", it means there is no drive volume label assigned.  In that case, give it a name.  We suggest something like "CDrive".  The name doesn't really matter except that it should not be a duplicate.  For instance, naming all your external drives "Data" and connecting them all at once is going to cause problems.

How to clear the "frame greater than video end" message

This issue may also be seen when you try to publish "The frame values of some sync points are greater than the end frame values of video files."

These messages indicate that the Auto-Syncer thinks one of the video files is (for instance) five minutes long, but you have a timestamp of (for instance) six minutes.  One of the checks in the Auto-Syncer is looking for logical consistency.  We know that having a timestamp that exceeds the length of the video file is not possible, and we pass along these messages.

The most common cause of this issue is replacing a video file with a re-rendered one that is shorter, after the syncing has been done.  A second cause is the value in the End Frame field has become incorrect.

To solve the first issue, simply re-sync the last portion of the video file in question.

To solve the second issue, choose the "Edit video file properties" for the file in question.  In this window you will see the End frame: field.  It is most likely incorrect.  Click on the Reset button to set it correctly.  If the Reset button is unable to set the correct value, use the Browse button (the one with the three dots) to reassociate the video file.  That process will cause the Auto-Syncer to ask the Operating System for the video file length and should cause the correct value to be used in the End frame: field.

Once the appropriate process has been completed, you should no longer receive the "end frame" message.

If neither process works, please contact Visionary support via email or our web site.

chuck