Flow Charting 6 FAQ's

1. Installation Errors

• I installed Flow6 on my Vista/Windows 7 computer and got the following statement - Why can't I get Help from this program?   

  • The Help for this program was created in Windows Help format, which was used in previous versions of Windows and it is not supported in Windows Vista or 7.  Vista/7 customers are missing the WinHlp32.exe application that was included in every previous 32 bit version of Windows.  Microsoft has decided that WinHlp32.exe no longer meets their standards without a complete rewrite, which apparently isn't going to happen.  However, WinHelp.exe (the older 16 bit version of this program) apparently meets their standards and is still automatically included in Vista/7. Microsoft says a version of WinHlp32.exe can be downloaded and installed by Vista/7 users.

• I put the Flow6 CD in my drive but the CD doesn't start. How do I begin the installation?

  • You may have the auto-run CD feature disabled. Refer to Windows Help (and/or the History below) to enable auto-run. To get Flow6 installed now, browse to the CD-ROM drive with Windows Explorer and double-click on the 'Autorun.exe' file.

• Just as the installation starts, the screen goes blank and the installation is halted / interrupted. What should I do?

  • You are probably running an application that is protecting files that need to be used to perform the installation. This is most commonly caused by antivirus software and other TSR's (terminate stay resident). Close all applications (including antivirus) and TSR's and restart the installation.

• I get a 'Higher Authority Level Required' warning during installation. What should I do?

  • You should cancel the installation; close all open applications, and log on to Windows using a password that has Administrator or Power-User authority rights.

• I get 'File In-Use' error(s) during installation. Should I ignore the error or cancel the installation?

  • You should cancel the installation, close all open applications (including antivirus software), and then restart the Flow6 installation. If you can't, or won't close all running applications, choose the ignore option. Flow6 should operate properly since the applicable file does exist on your system.

Back to Top

2. Startup Errors

• At startup, I get a 'Spell Checker Did Not Initialize Properly' error message or the spell checker dictionaries cannot be found during operation. How do I correct this?

  • You are missing files needed to initialize the spell checker or the registry settings have been damaged. Run the Fc6ResetSpell.exe program located in the Flow6 folder.

Back to Top

3. File Open/Convert/Save

• How do I convert old Flow Charting file types into the Flow6 format?

  • FlowPdq files (.pdq) Flow4 files (.gfc) and Flow5 files (.fc5) can be converted with the 'FcxFileConverter.exe' program (installed with Flow6). It will quickly convert all your files (or your selected files) in one session. If this program isn't in your Flow6 folder, download and run the latest update patch. You can also open these files with Flow6 and convert them one-at-a-time as follows:

    • FlowPdq files (.pdq): Flow6 automatically reads and converts "Flow Charting Pdq" charts. Files are saved with a '.fcx' extension.

    • Flow4 files (.gfc): Flow6 automatically reads and converts "Flow Charting 4" charts. Files are saved with a '.fcx' extension.

    • Flow3 files (.fcd): Flow6 automatically reads, and upon user confirmation, converts "Flow Charting 3" charts. Files are saved with a '.fcx' extension.

    • Flow Charting I/II/II+ (.cht): These files must be converted to the Flow3 format and then opened by Flow6 for the final conversion. Use the Cht2fcd.exe program in the Flow6 Folder along with the Cht2fcd.txt instructions to perform these conversions.

• I get error message(s) or nothing happens when trying to open Flow3 files, what is wrong?

  • The conversion utility Cvert.exe (a DOS based program) does not recognize your Windows path - please move your Flow3 files to a short file name folder (less than eight characters and no spaces) on a local drive (like C:\Flow3). If the loading or converting operation fails, your system configuration may not support DOS applications.  If that is the case, reconfigure your system to support running DOS applications.

• When I use Flow Charting 6 to open Flow Charting 3 or Flow Charting 4 files, I only see Flow Charting 6 f iles in the File-Open dialog window. How do I view other or all file types?

  • While the File-Open dialog is displayed, change the 'File of type:' option to 'All files (*.*)' or to the type of your choice.

• When I use Flow6 to open Flow Charting 6 images (.fci) files, I only see Flow Charting 6 document (.fcx) files in the File-Open dialog window. How do I open the image files?

  • Flow6 image files are saved with the Export (F12) command and opened with the Import (F11) command. The Import command invokes a unique File-Open dialog window that displays only image files.

   

  Back to Top

4. Program Operation - Editing

• I'm having trouble inserting shapes.  How is the "Command Bar" used in Flow Charting?

  • You have to use the Command Bar - shown below - to insert all objects, including shapes.  The command bar contains 2 shape defaults.  To insert a shape, LEFT click on the Shape Insert tool then click anywhere on the chart.  By Factory Default the shape will be a rectangle - if you RIGHT click on the same tool the Factory Default shape will be a decision symbol (diamond shape).

    

• When a shape is selected - what is the function of the RED diamond in the center?



• We have a very special feature called 'QuickConnect' that lets you 'pull' a new shape or just a line out of the center diamond of a selected shape.  Make sure that you try this!  To pull a new shape with a line already attached - put the cursor on the RED center diamond of a selected shape.  Now, holding down the RIGHT mouse button, pull the diamond over to the right and release the mouse button. 

• To pull a line - put the cursor on the RED center diamond of a selected shape.  Now, holding down the LEFT mouse button, pull the diamond out of the shape and into another shape and release the mouse button.

• I'm having inserting text. How do I get it to go into word wrap?

  •  You can insert text and change it's font or font size.  You can operate on any selected text (a single word of all of the text on an entire chart).  To insert text LEFT click on the Text Insert tool, click on the chart (or inside a shape) and start typing.  If you RIGHT click on the Text Insert tool you will get the 2nd default text font and size (Text2 is set up for text size to be 14 pt Arial).

  • To get automatic word wrap - click on the text command and click on the chart and (still holding down the left mouse key) drag the cursor from your point of entry down and to the left (forming an imaginary rectangle) and release the mouse button.  The width of the imaginary rectangle is the limit of your word wrap.  You can always change the width of a text box by pulling or pushing on the sizing handles on the selected text box.

•  I saw the movement keys for text that showed jumping between shapes with the I, J, K and M keys.  What is the feature all about?

  • Try our very special feature that lets you jump from shape to shape with a [Ctrl] [i] or [j] [k] or [m] while in text mode.  This speeds up text insertion for flowcharting people.  With a flowchart on the screen - use one of the sample charts in the Samples directory - type a word in a shape and then (making sure that you do have a shape to your right) press [ctrl] + [j] and the program will jump to the very next shape or text frame to your immediate right. 

• How do you insert a line between two shapes, and how do you insert a line that's not connected between shapes?

  • To insert a line from shape to shape - click the Line Insert tool, click inside the first shape - and then click inside the second shape. To insert a line LEFT click the Line Insert tool then move to a place on the chart and while holding down the left mouse button, "pull" the line by moving the cursor.  If you want to terminate the line outside a shape - double click the mouse. 

• What are the program defaults for Shape, Lines, and Text?

  •  The Command Bar is armed at the factory to contain:

    • Two default shapes (called Shape1 and Shape2;  Shape1 is a Rectangle approximately 1" x 1";  Shape2 is a Decision or Diamond shape).

    • Two default line styles (Line1 and Line2; Line1 is a 0 weight line that automatically terminates with an arrowhead; Line2 is also 0 weight but with no end terminations).

    • Two text font/size defaults (Text1 and Text2; Text1 is Arial 10 pt.; Text2 is Arial 16 pt.).

•  How do I change the Factory Default of Shape1 from a rectangle?

  • There are three ways:

    • Without a Template visible - Left click on the Shape Tool;  Left click on the Shape Name Drop Down List and click on the name of a shape that you want to be your new default; and lastly Left click on the camera icon on the Manager Tool Bar.  Note:  If you use Right click in place of Left click it will change the default of Shape2.

    • With a Template visible - Click on any shape on the template and then Left click the camera icon to change the default of Shape1 or Left click the camera to change Shape2.

    • The third way lets you select a shape and its size from an open chart like selecting a pattern.  Select a shape that has the size that you want - Left click the camera for Shape1 or Left click the camera for Shape2.

• How do I get the Default Shapes back to factory settings?

  • First, remember that the point of these default settings is their mobility or changeability.  You can change them any time and change them again in ten minutes.  If you really want everything back to Factory Settings - the best way would be to reinstall Flow6 from the original setup disk or installation file you received.

• How do I change the Line1 default to a thicker line or with another arrowhead?

  • Left click on the Line Insert Command and that will display the Line Manager.  Make any changes using the Line Manager and then Left click the camera icon.

  • You can also select a line that has the attributes that you want that appears on an open chart - and then Left click the camera icon to set Line1 Defaults to these new attributes.

  • Line2 default can be reset using the above procedure but substituting Right for the word Left.

• How do I change the Text1 default to a different text font?

  • A.  Left click on the Text Insert Command which displays the Text manager.  Make all changes using the Text manager features and then Left click the camera icon.

  • You can select a piece of text on an open chart that has the attributes that you want - and then Left clicking the camera icon. You can also change the Text2 default in the same manner as above but using Right click instead of Left.

• How can I reset preferences / options back to factory defaults?

  • There are several utilities to reset user-defined settings. (Utilities are located in the Flow6 Folder).

• How do I Add/Delete a Line Bypass?

  • IMPORTANT NOTE: Bypasses are for 'square path' line styles only, not diagonal or curved lines.

  • To Add a bypass: select the desired line, press the Add Bypass button on the Line Manager Toolbar to display the add bypass cursor, position the cursor arrow on the desired intersection and left-click to insert the bypass.

  • To Delete a bypass: select the desired line, press the Delete Bypass button on the Line Manager Toolbar to display the delete bypass cursor, position the cursor arrow on the desired bypass and left-click to delete the bypass.

  • To Delete ALL bypasses on a line: select the desired line, hold down the Ctrl key and click on Delete Bypass  button.

• When I type, the text appears to stack each new letter on top of the previous letter or there doesn't appear to be any text spacing. How do I correct this?

  • Flow6 uses the printer driver of your default printer to set up the page that you use for editing.  You do not have a default printer.  To correct this problem - contact a technical representative.

• When I try to start a new chart/file, the work window turns gray/dark and I am unable to edit. What should I do?

  • Change your current setup in either one of two ways. Either change your default paper size (in Flow6 Chart Setup) to match any paper size supported by your default printer, or change your default printer (in Windows Control Panel/Printers) to match your default paper size.  Click the "Save as Default" button to lock in these changes.

  • Flow6 creates new charts to your specified paper size in order to control pagination and display page breaks. If the Windows default printer only supports Letter size printing and you have specified new charts to be Ledger size, Flow6 cannot create a new page.

Back to Top

5. Printing

• When I print, dashed/dotted/dash-dotted lines in my chart are printed as solid lines. How do I correct this?

  • If the lines are curved-path, we have not been able to correct this for all printer drivers on all operating systems.  The problem is occurring due to the printer driver's high-resolution rasterization process, which we do not control.  This only occurs on some printer models when using their PCL6 driver for Windows 2000 or XP.  We can offer the following work-around options at this time.

    • Use a Dotted-Line (Line Style number 5), the output easily passes as a dashed line.

    • Print at 300dpi (if available for your printer model).

    • Use a PCL5e driver instead of a PCL6 driver (if available for your printer model).

    • Flow6 users have experienced some problems with various PCL6 printer drivers (mainly on HP printers) that do not properly support Microsoft's MFC42 protocol. If you encounter problems entering text, printing dashed lines, or cannot print at all: set the printer's resolution to 300dpi (normal quality) or use the PCL5e driver (HP) for your printer model.

• I want to create and print a chart on 14 7/8 X 11 paper (U.S. standard fan-fold) but Flow Charting 6 won't set up my screen for this size.

  • Flow Charting 6 uses the Windows DEFAULT printer to set up page sizes.  You must first install a printer that supports that paper size AND make that your default printer.

• What about printing on different type printers or different sizes of paper?

  • When you load any sample chart you can see what they look like in print.  Make sure that you try printing on different sizes of paper!  A process flowchart is awesome when it is done on wide carriage (14 7/8" x 11") fan fold and printed on a dot matrix printer.  The sample directory has samples of charts using cut sheet paper (8" x 11") in both Landscape and Portrait; Tabloid size paper (14" x 11") and we have included one sample done with 'Print to 1 Page' feature.  See the information below about paper sizes versus printers versus Flow Charting 6.

• Is there a process to go through when creating a new chart - like selecting paper size?

  • First you think about your chart and how big or little you want the print-out to be.

  •  Find a printer that supports that paper size.

  • Laser printers usually support 8 1/2 by 11 both portrait and landscape.
  • Some laser printers support special sizes like legal (8 1/2 x 13) or Tabloid (11 x 17)

  • Dot matrix printers now print laser quality printing on fan fold paper (wide or narrow carriage.

  • Make sure that your printer of choice is installed to your system.

    • Set that printer as your default printer.
    • Set Flow Charting 6 paper size to your choice

Back to Top

5. More Solutions

If your questions have not been answered, please seek solutions in the following order. Before contacting us, please record your Flow6 version and serial number.

• Flow Charting 6 User's Guide:

  • The User's Guide contains a list of commands with detailed instructions.

  • On-Line Help / Jump Start:

• Flow6's built-in help is context sensitive and easily accessible. It is thorough and it answers most basic questions. It contains an index with user defined search capabilities and a special section called 'Jump Start' for users that are new to Flow6. Jump Start guides you through the operation of basic commands and procedures to get your first flowchart published quickly.

Back to Top