Support — Frequently Asked Questions
The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) contains the answers to some of the most commonly asked questions. If you cannot find your question, please try our Knowledge Base.
What is Sketcher?
What are the software requirements of Sketcher?
Where can I try a demo of Sketcher?
Can I get my own Sketcher room?
How much does Sketcher cost?
What is the digital signature dialog?
I see a blank window with an error message in it when I attempt to open Sketcher.
Sketcher is connected, but the canvas does not load.
I have installed JTablet but it is not being detected.
Why is nothing labeled?
I am drawing with a mouse. Do you have any advice?
How can I draw smooth curves?
How can I draw fine details?
How can I re-color my line art?
Can other people see it if I add or remove layers?
Q: What is Sketcher?
A: Sketcher is collaborative art software. It allows multiple users to draw on the same canvas at the same time. If you have ever used a live chat room before, you will feel right at home in Sketcher. Imagine a whole group of artists painting on a big wall. Now make this wall a computer screen and place it on the Internet. Add a chat room for communication, and you have Sketcher!
Q: What are the software requirements of Sketcher?
A: You need the latest Java plugin from Oracle. If you own a tablet such as the Wacom Intuos, you might also install the JTablet Plugin for Java, which gives you pressure sensitivity.
Q: Where can I try a demo of Sketcher?
A: You can try a demo of the production release of Sketcher here, or you can go to ArtGrounds.com and try it there.
Q: Can I get my own Sketcher room?
A: Yes! Sketcher can easily be integrated into your web site, or you can access it from our site. Please visit our Sketcher product page and sign-up. Be sure to check out our discounts!
Q: How much does Sketcher cost?
A: We offer affordable pricing scemes based upon how many rooms you need, the level of support desired, etc. You can get discounts if you sign up for more than 1 room. Additionally, you can get discounts for subscribing for 3, 6 or 12 months at a time.
Q: What is the digital signature dialog?
A: Digital signatures identify persons or organizations on the Internet. Verified digital signatures are issued and backed by certificate authorities such as VeriSign or Thawte in return for money. Sketcher is signed with an verified digital signature. Unsigned Java applets are severely limited, for security reasons, while signed Java applets are allowed to access files, and perform other actions that could potentially be harmful in the hands of a malicious programmer. Accepting a digital signature thus means that you trust the signer. Sketcher uses these extra privileges to save images when the user requests it and does not depend on a signature.
Q: I see a blank window with an error message in it when I attempt to open Sketcher.
A: This error message appears when a Java applet fails to open. Sketcher is a Java 5 compliant applet and the computer you are using must have Java 5.0, or preferably, a newer version, installed on it. Check the version number if you are using Sketcher on a particular computer for the first time. Sometimes the problem is resolved on a second attempt. A less likely cause is that there is an issue with Sketcher itself, and you may want to send us a bug report. Please click the blank window to bring up the details dialog, and then click the Details button to bring up the Java Console. Click the Copy button, and paste the text into an email. Send this to thor@jotuntech.com and we will investigate your issue.
Q: Sketcher is connected, but the canvas does not load.
A: The most common cause of this problem is that Java is not offering enough memory to the applet.
With large canvases, memory requirements are somewhat higher.
We solve this for Java 6 and newer by passing a
Q: I have installed JTablet but it is not being detected.
A: Be sure to restart your browser after installing JTablet, and always connect the tablet before opening Sketcher. We recommend that you use JTablet's official test page to check if JTablet is working properly. If the page reports any problems, or you simply cannot draw there with pressure sensitivity, the issue is with JTablet itself, and Cellosoft should be contacted at marcello@cellosoft.com. Java often performs upgrades and installs itself to different folders on your hard drive. Unfortunately, it does not take JTablet along for the ride. You will therefore have to reinstall JTablet each time Java is upgraded.
Q: Why is nothing labeled?
A: Everything is labeled. Hold your mouse pointer still over a component, and a descriptive text should appear.
Q: I am drawing with a mouse. Do you have any advice?
A: Tablets are the best input devices for Sketcher. There are, however, measures you can take to make mouse drawing easier. Computer mice are actually sensitive and accurate motion detectors, but are usually not configured this way. On Windows systems, a checkbox named Enable pointer precision under Control Panel > Mouse > Pointer Options can be unchecked to improve pointer precision. Yes, you read that right. Uncheck it! Your mouse pointer will now move with steady speed. Pointer speed can be adjusted as well, but do not increase it, as lower settings are better. These settings are good for drawing only, and you should change them back after closing Sketcher. See also the next question. Other operating systems: Ubuntu users can set their Acceleration slider to slow under System > Preferences > Mouse. Mac OS X users need to install a tool such as USB Overdrive to disable pointer acceleration.
Q: How can I draw smooth curves?
A: Open the Input panel and pull the Cursor Trailing slider to the right.
Q: How can I draw fine details?
A: Open the Input panel and pull the Cursor Trailing slider to the left.
Q: How can I re-color my line art?
A: Open the Brush settings panel and click the Lock Transparency checkbox to the right of the top slider. Transparency locking is useful whenever you want to avoid coloring outside the lines.
Q: Can other people see it if I add or remove layers?
A: Yes! You should add layers sparingly and generally avoid removing them.
