Axialis Software - Technical Support

Home > Technical Support > Product FAQ

This FAQ covers common support and usage questions related to the products. Questions of a more technical nature are covered by the forum. If you have questions about your purchase, registration or customer account, please read the Customer FAQ.

Axialis IconWorkshop

What is IconWorkshop? Just another icon editor?

Not just another icon editor. Axialis IconWorkshop is the industry standard, the only application compatible with all icon formats. Using IconWorkshop you'll be able to create icons for Windows®, Macintosh® OS and Unix®. Additionally, this all-in-one application includes all the features you need to deal with icons: an editor to create from scratch or retouch icons; tools to create icons from images (PSD, BMP, PNG...) or create images from icons; a cross converter Windows-Macintosh; create icons using 10 ready-to-use Photoshop templates; use 2 plug-ins to transfer your artwork from Photoshop and Illustrator; use thousands of ready-to-use image objects that you can assemble together to create icons and more... This is why it's widely used by professionals icon authors and developpers.

Is IconWorkshop compatible with Windows Vista™?

Yes. IconWorkshop version 6.10 or more is fully compatible with Windows Vista™ (interface, features, UAC...).

Can I create and use Windows Vista™ icons with IconWorkshop?

Yes. Windows Vista™ introduced a new icon format: 256x256 PNG compressed (see this topic). Axialis IconWorkshop fully support this format. Also, It permits to use Windows Vista™ icons in your software projects now by compressing them directly in EXEs. Start to create and use Windows Vista™ icons today with IconWorkshop!

Can I create Macintosh® icons?

Yes. IconWorkshop supports reading and writing of all existing Macintosh icon formats including 256x256 format for OSX 10.4 (Tiger) and the latest 512x512 format for OSX 10.5 (Leopard). You can create them from scratch, using Photoshop® templates, image objects or convert existing Windows® icons to the Macintosh® format.

Is IconWorkshop a Windows or Macintosh application?

IconWorkshop is a Windows® application. It permits to create Macintosh® icons but it works under the Windows® only. Once an icon is created in Macintosh format (ICNS, RSC or MacBinary), simply transfer it to a Macintosh® computer. IconWorkshop works on all versions of Windows® from Windows 95 to Windows Vista™.

Can I create Windows® XP icons with IconWorkshop?

Yes. Axialis IconWorkshop supports Windows® XP icons with alpha channel since version 5.0. For more information on icons see this topic. To learn more on how to create Windows® XP compliant icons, see this topic.

Can I convert icons between Macintosh® and Windows®?

Yes. The conversion can be done in both ways. You can simply open an icon and save it for the other operating system. A professional feature permits to convert a set of icons in batch mode. Read this topic to learn more on Mac-to-Windows conversion.

I work with Adobe® Photoshop®. Can I use IconWorkshop efficiently with Photoshop®?

Yes. With IconWorkshop Corporate Edition you can install a plug-in that will permit you to transfert an image from Photoshop to IconWorkshop in memory directly without using a temporary file. Of course, the product supports also the reading of PSD files with layers. But we really recommend you the use of the plugin! Another great feature is the ability to use 10 ready-to-use templates. They permit to create icons in different formats using the professional tools of Photoshop, then export the whole icon in one step into IconWorkshop. You can even create your own templates.

I use to work with transparent PNG images. Can I create icons from PNG?

Yes. This was a widely requested feature, and we've implemented it with pleasure. You can open any transparenct PNG (and even PSD, BMP or GIF) in the product and create an icon with its different formats in one click! This is an awesome feature. See this topic to learn more. You can even create several icons from a set of images in one operation (learn more).

I'm not good at drawing, how can I create attractive icons?

Simply by using IconWorkshop! Using ready-to-use image objects, you can create attractive icons using a few drag & drops. Registered users can download thousands of objects from our website and create professional-looking icons in a few minutes. For example, the blue help icon at the top of the page has been created in seconds using image objects, then saved as GIF for web.

Can I distribute my icons?

Yes. The Corporate Edition permits you to compile an icon library (set of icons on one ICL file) and create a handy installation package. The user will easily install it on his computer. You can even create key-protected installations to sell your icon sets.

Should I buy the Personal or Corporate edition?

First of all, only the Corporate Edition has the full set of features, see comparison table. If you want to use your icons in a company or organisation you must purchase the Corporate Edition. If you want to sell your icons you must purchase the Corporate Edition.

You can use the Personal Edition only if: (a) you use it for your personal usage; (b) distribute your icons for non-profit purpose only; (c) DO NOT use it in a company or organisation, even if the icons are not sold.

What about future versions? What's Axialis policy on upgrades?

Axialis IconWorkshop will evolve in the future. Periodically we release new versions. Axialis policy on upgrades is the clearest possible: FREE UPGRADES FOR LIFE. To get more information on Axialis Lifetime License read this.

I purchased AX-Icons years ago. Am I entitled for a free upgrade to IconWorkshop?

Sure, you still a customer for us. Just contact Axialis team to ask for a free upgrade (request a download link and product key). You'll be asked for your DigiBuy order# to authenticate your purchase.

Axialis Professional Screensaver Producer

What kinds of screensavers can I create with Professional Screen Saver Producer?

Almost all kind of screensavers can be created with Professional Screen Saver Producer. It creates screensavers based on sprites (small animated objects moving on screen), Flash® movies, slideshows and video clips (AVI, MPEG, QuickTime® and Real®).

Are my screensavers compatible with all Windows® versions?

Yes, they're compatible with the following versions of Windows®: 98, 98SE, ME, NT4, 2000 and XP. Additionally, tests under XP-SP2 and Longhorn® beta ran smoothly.

Can I distribute or sell the screensavers I've made?

Yes it has been designed to produce redistributable screensavers. With the Personal Edition you can create SCR files for your own use or for free redistribution (non-profit only). You'll be able to give them to your friends or members of your family.

To distribute screensavers, we strongly recommend you to use the Corporate Edition whiwh permits you to create easy-to-use installable package. Additionally, you can distribute them for any purpose (including profit purpose). You can even create shareware/demo versions (with unlock feature).

Is it easy for a user to install my screensavers?

Yes, if you purchase the Corporate Edition, you'll be able to create professional and easy-to-use installation packages for your screensavers. Many options are available to customize the installation package (color, illustration image, license agreement, un-installation...).

Can I create shareware (time limited) screensavers?

The Corporate Edition includes this feature. It will permit you to create installation package with time-limited features. The user will be able to test the screensaver for a limited period of time. If he's satisfied with it, he purchases a key to unlock the limitations. You can generate keys using a buit-in feature. Again, this is possible with the Corporate Edition only.

Can I create screensavers for Macintosh®?

No, sorry. The product permits to create screensavers for Windows® platforms only. Macintosh® developpement is not planned yet.

Should I buy the Personal or Corporate edition?

First of all, only the Corporate Edition has the full set of features, see comparison table. If you want to use your screensavers in a company or organisation you must purchase the Corporate Edition. If you want to sell your screensavers you must purchase the Corporate Edition.

You can use the Personal Edition only if: (a) you use it for your personal usage; (b) distribute your screensavers for non-profit purpose only; (c) DO NOT use it in a company or organisation, even if the screensavers are not sold.

Can I use the media files included in the product to create screensavers?

Yes, and no. Yes, if the media files have been created by Axialis. No, if the media files have been created by third-party authors. In such a case, you have to contact the authors directly to ask for a permission. To get author contact, select the file in the librarian, right-click on it and choose "properties".

What about future versions? What's Axialis policy on upgrades?

Axialis Professional Screen Saver Producer will evolve in the future. Periodically we release new versions. Axialis policy on upgrades is the clearest possible: FREE UPGRADES FOR LIFE. To get more information on Axialis Lifetime License read this.

Axialis AX Cursors

What kinds of cursors can I create with AX-Cursors?

You can create static (CUR) and animated (ANI) cursors for Windows®.

Is it possible to customize my Windows® cursors with this application?

Yes, a built-in feature permits you to customize the mouse pointers used by Windows. Several pointers (based on action context) can be customized: simple arrow, wait hourglass, move, resize... For each action, you can use a static or animated cursor.

The application seems a bit old. Is a new version planned soon?

Yes, the application has been created in 1998 and a new version is actually under developpement. It will be released soon with the name "CursorWorkshop". It will be the IconWorkshop's "twin application" for creating cursors.

If I purchase it now, Am I entitled for a free upgrade to the next version?

Yes, customers who purchased AX-Cursors will receive a free upgrade to CursorWorskshop.

I can't register with this version online. Is it a problem for future upgrades?

This is due to a bug in the old (email-based) registration system which prevent the user to send the form on some configuration. Next version will fix this issue and will implement our actual registration system with product keys.

No, this is not a problem because we'll use the purchase database to send upgrades. Also, you'll be able to request your upgrade by contacting our team directly.

Ask Questions to the Axialis Support Team

If you didn't find an answer to your question in the FAQs, you can contact Axialis Support Team directly. In your message body please specify (if possible):

• Axialis Program Name

• Order Number (Digibuy number begining with RE)

• Your Name

• Address

• Your Configuration (Windows version, SP, Video card & driver, processor...)

Customer FAQ | Support | Customer Service