Frequently Asked Questions

Is there any risk in paying on Internet with Paypal?

Paypal is the world's biggest secure web site for online payment, with more than 85 millions of user accounts. The site offers secure payments and support several currencies. There is no risk in providing your credit card number, because the transaction is crypted between your PC and the server (as shown by the small padlock on the bottom right of the window). Using Paypal is the more secure and fastest way to get your Shadows Expert or Shadows Pro license.

I cannot pay with a credit card; Can I pay with another payment solution?

You can send cash money (only Euros) by regular mail, or you can use Western Union services.
More about payment solutions...

How is Shadows delivered?

The program can be downloaded freely on Download page. When you buy a Shadows Expert or Shadows Pro license, you receive by e-mail a license file ("licence.txt") which contains the codes that will activate the advanced functions of the program. You just need to install the license file in the folder where the program is installed, and that's all. There is no delivery by regular mail. The complete process is done using Internet, in order to reduce risks and costs of international shipping.

Can I obtain the program on a CDROM?

You can get the program and the license on CDROM by sending to the author a writable CD and a stamped envelope for the return shipment. Be sure to stamp correctly according to the distance and weight.

I have ordered my license several days ago but I didn't receive anything yet?

The license is sent by e-mail, if you didn't receive it, it may be caused by one of the following reasons:
- your e-mail address was maybe erroneous
- your mailbox was maybe full and has rejected the message
- the author is sometimes unable to access to Internet during few days
Do not hesitate to contact the author to ask again for the license message.

During the installation, a message ask me for the file GdiPlus.dll. Where can I find it?

If you install Shadows on Windows 9x or Windows ME, you will need to install first gdiplus.dll on your system. Just download the file gdiplus.zip, then unzip it and copy it in the c:\windows folder. Then you'll be able to install Shadows. This DLL is not needed on Windows XP and Windows 2000.

Can I install Shadows on a Macintosh or under Linux?

Shadows is developed for Windows. However, there exist emulator programs that allow Windows programs to run under other operating systems such as MacOS or Linux. Several Shadows users are using this solution, but no guaranty is provided by the author that it will work.

Can Shadows run under Windows 95 or 98?

Shadows is developed primarily for recent Windows platforms such as Windows 8, Windows 7 and Windows Vista. However, Shadows will run on older versions, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 95, 98 or Millenium, without guaranty; you may encounter graphical problems on these platforms, or sometimes crashes.

I have received a message announcing the license but I can't find the file. What can I do?

Some mailing programs (like Outlook Express) mask the attached files on received messages. You just need to go in the Options, in the Security tab, and to uncheck the related option. Once the file is saved, you can set back the option as it was before.
Sometimes, firewall or anti-virus programs eliminate attached files or even the message itself. Consult the documentation of the program to know how to allow attachments, at least temporarily, or allow the sender of the message.

How to install the license file?

You just need to save it into the folder where Shadows is installed (usually c:\program files\shadows 2.2\). In order to save a file with Outlook Express, select Save the attachment in the File menu.

I have installed the license file but Shadows says it is corrupted. What can I do?

The file has probably been damaged during the transfer or when it was saved. Contact the author to receive again the message.

I have installed the license file but it is not recognised by Shadows. What can I do?

The license file must be named licence.txt or licence.dat and must be saved in the folder where Shadows is installed. If another name is used, it won't be recognised. Especially, check if the file extensions are displayed by Windows and that the file does not have the extension twice (licence.txt.txt)

I installed the new version but I can't access to the advanced functions! Why?

The license file is installed in the Shadows folder. When a new version is released, the folder name may change (it is the case between versions v2.1.2 and v2.2.0). You just need to copy the license file into the new folder, and the program will unlock the advanced functions.

I installed my license file but some functions are still locked with a red key!

Shadows exists in three levels: Shadows, is a freeware and does not need any license file, Shadows Expert and Shadows Pro, each requiring a license file. The Shadows Expert license will unlock functions marked with a yellow key, you will still see the red keys in this case. Shadows Pro will unlock the complete program.

Shadows tells me that a new version is available on line. Can I download it?

Of course! Should you use the freeware version of Shadows or the advanced version Shadows Expert or Shadows Pro, you can freely download any new version. New versions bring improvements and new features. It is always recommended to upgrade to the latest version.

I use version 2.0.0, can I upgrade directly to version 2.2.5?

You can upgrade from any version 1.x or 2.x to the latest version, freely. The latest version includes all the new features and improvements introduced by intermediate versions.

My computer crashed and I lost the Shadows license file. What can I do to get it back?

Send an Email to the author and ask him to resend the license file.

I will need to change my PC; what do I need to do to transfer the Shadows Pro license?

You'll need to back up the license file "licence.txt" or "licence.dat" from the installation folder, or from the Email you received. On the new PC, download the latest version on this web site, then install it. Then copy the license file into the new installation folder.

How can I include the longitude correction in the sundial with the new version of Shadows?

In the version 1.x, the longitude correction was checked during the sundial creation and it was not possible to change this setting after the creation. In the version 2, the sundial is created, then you can go to Information given by the sundial to change the kind of time displayed by the sundial.

How to display the sundial name and location?

You just need to insert a text frame (menu Frames | Insert a test frame and choose in the dialog insert the location name or insert the type of sundial then select the text style. The frame can be moved at any position on the sundial, contrary to earlier program versions where the name and location were displayed on top of the sundial.

How can I search the help files for a keyword?

The Search function is not located in the help files but in Shadows, in the Help menu. A result page is generated with links to relevant pages.

When I call the on-line help, Windows XP says he has blocked the active content! What is the problem?

With Windows XP Service Pack 2, security options are enforced. By default, Internet Explorer stops the execution of Javascript code because it may contain threats. In the Shadows on-line help, Javascript code is used to display the frame and title of the page, as well as to select styles. There is no security risk in this case and you can click on the message on the top of the page to allow the active content and therefore allow the page to display itself correctly. This problem is found the first time Internet Explorer opens a help page. Other Windows versions are not concerned by this problem.

A good way to solve this problem is to use an alternative Web browser, such as Firefox. It is a free browser that offers a lot of advantages compared to Internet Explorer, in particular it does not block the Shadows help (though it contains a ad pop-up blocker).

My firewall program has detected that Shadows tries to connect to Internet! Does it contain a virus or a spyware?

Shadows periodically checks if a new version is available on the web site www.shadowspro.com. To do so, the program detects if an Internet connection is active and consults a file containing the available version. So it is normal that Shadows establishes a connection. There is no risk for your computer, Shadows does not contain any virus and does not try to send personal information on the Internet. Normally the verification is a transparent mechanism for the user, even if no connection is there. But if your computer is protected by a firewall, the connection will be detected and you will be notified. It is therefore recommended to configure your firewall and authorize Shadows to use Internet.
You can also disable the automatic mechanism in the General Preferences