Agilis Print Compiler
Frequently Asked Questions

Software
Browser
Customizing a Layout
Downloading
Emailing your layout

Q. What do I need to run run Agilis Media Producer's Print Toolkit?
A. Hardware requirements:

• A Pentium-grade PC or any Macintosh that can run a browser

Memory

• At least 128 MB RAM

Software:

• Version 4.5 or higher of either Netscape Navigator OR Microsoft Internet Explorer
  
• WinZip™ or Stuffit™ Expander (to open downloaded files)
  
• Adobe™ Acrobat Reader 4.0 or higher (to open PDF files)

Q. What if I don't have one of these applications?
A. You can check for these applications on your computer by going to "Check My System." If you are missing any of these components, simply download them from the "Get Software" section of the "Check My System" page.

Q. Is the Compiler easy to use?
A. If you can open an Internet browser and point and click, you can use this tool. If you need assistance, click on the "Help" button inside the Compiler window.

Q. Can I use the Compiler with my AOL browser?
A. For the best performance, use only version 4.5 or above of IE or Netscape. AOL and other browsers are neither recommended nor supported.

Q. How can I find out what version of Micrososft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator I have?
A. Go to the "Check My System" page and look under "Browser Compatibility". This page will run a system check on your browser and tell you what version you have. You can also determine version by opening your browser, clicking on the "Help" menu at the top and selecting "About Explorer" or "About Communicator." A window will appear telling you which version you are running.

Q. Is the Compiler available on disk?
A. By distributing content via the Internet, the Compiler provides the latest, up-to-date, pre-approved material. You can access these marketing materials 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Additionally, the Compiler's web interface allows anyone familiar with point-and-click functionality to produce professional quality, print-ready marketing material in just minutes.

Q. Can I edit sections I've already filled in?
A. Simply click the button in the left navigation that corresponds to the region you wish to change and re-type the text or re-select an image. The check mark that appears beside region buttons you've already visited does not restrict you from returning to that region to edit its contents.

Q. How do I choose the size (dimensions) of my layout?
A. Layout dimensions are set by your administrator. Often, administrators wil provide varying sizes of layouts with the same or similar content. If so, choose the size by selecting the desired size link from the web page. You cannot resize an ad after you've created it.

Q. Can I save layouts and return to finish them later?
A. You can view previously downloaded files by clicking the "Archive" button. Saving layouts to come back to them is not allowed for several reasons: 1) Layouts can be created and downloaded in only minutes, eliminating the need to save and come back later and 2) Since the pre-approved material in the marketing pieces can fluctuate at any time, saving a layout and returning to it later may mean that you are using outdated material.

Q. When I click on an image to place in my layout it does not fill in the region with my selection.
A. There may be a couple of reasons for this:

1. Your redraw option has been turned off. Click the Options button on the lower left side of the Compiler window, and make sure the box beside "Redraw preview after each selection" is checked.
   
2. You may have an incompatible Internet browser or a version below 4.5. This is most likely the case if the window containing the selection you have chosen has not disappeared and a hourglass or clock symbol is showing up on your cursor. You can solve this problem by going to the bottom of your screen and locating the tabs on the start bar that indicate all open windows on your desktop. Click through all of these tabs and look for a small browser window asking you to click "OK." Once you have closed that small window, you will be able to make your selection. It is highly recommended that you then update your browser to a compatible version to avoid similar problems.

Q. My computer keeps freezing up . . . even my cursor won't move. What now?
A. Restart the computer and try again. If the problem persists you may have a shortage of memory on your machine. Make sure your machine meets the specifications listed above.

Q. I get Java errors when I try to customize a layout. What's the problem?
A. Most likely, the problem is you're using an old version of a browser or using the AOL browser (both not recommended). It is recommended you use only Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator, versions 4.5 or better.

Q. How can I resize the layout to fit my window?
A. Click on "Preferences" button in the lower left of the screen and you'll be able zoom in or out on the layout.

Q. My username and/or password are not working. What should I do?
A. Passwords are case sensitive so make sure you're using caps where they are appropriate - make sure you don't accidentally have your caps-lock on. If this problem persists, contact your marketing representative and have them either confirm your username and password or create a new one for you.

Q. Is there a way to speed up the process of customizing my layout?
A. There are a couple of things you can do. First, click on the "Options" button on the lower left of the screen and click the box beside the "Redraw preview after each selection" so that there is no checkmark in it. This will stop the layout from being redrawn every time you fill in a region, subsequently speeding up the process. You can also choose in that same Options menu to have your preview images be displayed at a lower resolution, making your preview loading time slightly faster but not affecting the resolution quality of your downloaded layout (this only affects the preview image). When you are ready to see the completed layout, click the "Preview" or "Options" button. If you're working with the Compiler on a dialup modem connection, you should still be able to use the tool without experiencing lulls or lengthy time outs.

Q. Can I print from my screen without downloading?
A. The file that you are creating when you click "download" is a high resolution, print-ready file. While you are building your ad using your web browser, you are seeing preview images - low-resolution images that load quickly on your screen but are not the high-resolution quality desired for most print jobs . When you click the download button, the system takes your preview images and builds a high-resolution version of your layout, zips it and puts it on your computer. This high quality version is the one you'll want for printing purposes.

Q. What format should I save my finished layout as - a PDF, an EPS or a TIFF?
A. The default download format is PDF, which is typically the most desirable. PDF compression of files is optimal, meaning shorter download times to your computer. PDF is a standard format recognized by most all printers and newspapers. Check with your printer or newspaper to find out their preferred format. If it is EPS or TIFF, simply choose one of those formats in the file format pull-down menu of the download window.

Q. What if I've downloaded my file but I can't find it on my computer?
A. If you are on a PC/Windows-based machine, your file is probably in one of two places: on your desktop or in a folder called "My Documents." If not, try performing a search on your system for the document. The Macintosh default is to saves files to the desktop, but if the preferences pertaining to file saving have been altered from the default, the file could be anywhere on your computer. In that case, the best way to find out where you saved your file is to press "Download" again and pay specific attention to the dialogue box that appears, asking you where on your computer you want to save the file.

Q. How long should it take to download the completed layout to my computer?
A. It depends on the size of the file and the speed of your internet connection. High resolution downloads (PDF, EPS and TIFF) on a T1 connection seldom take more than 30 seconds. They can take up to 15-20 minutes on a slow dial-up modem connection (28.8). If you have a reliable internet connection, you should not experience lengthy timeouts in downloading your file.

Q. How do I email a finished layout to someone?
A. Email programs have different methods of allowing you to attach a document to an email, but probably the most universal method is to open a new message, then press CONTROL (or APPLE on a Macintosh) and "H" at the same time (this may not work with all email programs). Outlook users may click on the paper clip icon to attach files to an email. This should bring up a screen asking you to locate the file you wish to send. Find the file on your computer, click on it and it will be attached to the email you want to send.


Q. What do I need to do to my file to get it ready to go to my printer?
A. Nothing. The file is ready to go as is - simply send the zipped file to your printer by email or disk, or print the file yourself.

Q. Will my publisher accept the file that I send them from the Compiler?
A. PDF, EPS and TIFF are the most common, standard formats for high-resolution files and almost all publishers will accept them. If yours does not, contact your marketing representative and they will be able to assist you.

Q. I print out my document and the text is missing.
A. If you've saved your document as a PDF, this may be because you are using an older version of Adobe Acrobat Reader (version 3.0 or lower). Upgrading to version 4.0 should solve this problem. If not, contact your marketing representative.