MandalaMaker FAQ

MandalaMaker 1.4 is a much more basic program than MandalaMaker 2.0.

Drawings in MandalaMaker 1.4 are built up one shape at a time from back to front. Shapes can't be reordered or changed after they are added to the drawing. The last shape added can be deleted only before another shape is added. The dimensional size of exported images is limited to the screen size of the drawing canvas.

MandalaMaker 2.0 allows shapes to be moved, edited or deleted at any time and exported images can be custom sized up to 6000 pixels square. There are also many more shape options in the newer program. In addition, MandalaMaker 2 has other features not found in version 1.4 such as transparency and gradient fills.

Java

What is Java?

Java is a powerful object-oriented programming language developed originally by Sun Microsystems. Oracle bought Sun in 2010 and has continued to develop the language.

Instead of running directly on the operating system (OS), Java code is executed by a virtual machine (VM), known as a runtime environment, which runs on top of the OS. This allows a Java program to run on any OS or platform for which a compatible VM is available.

Java is continually evolving and has gone through many versions. All versions to date may be designated in the form 1.x, the latest release version being 1.7. Versions are also referred to simply by the second digit of the version number, so Java 7 and Java 1.7 mean the same thing.

How do I get the Java I need to run MandalaMaker?

To run MandalaMaker you need a compatible Java Runtime Environment (JRE).

On Windows, MandalaMaker 2.1, released in October 2013, comes with a bundled Java 7 JRE, so no extra steps are needed to get Java. (If you currently have MandalaMaker 2.0.x installed, you can download version 2.1. This will not effect your license status.) Note that if you have a system level JRE installed, it will not interfere with MandalaMaker 2.1.

On Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.8, MandalaMaker 2.0 requires a Java 6 JRE, which is developed in-house by Apple. If your OS is 10.5, 10.6 or 10.7, Java 6 is built in to the system. Just run Software Update to be sure your Java software is fully up to date. In 10.8 "Mountain Lion," Java is not preinstalled, but can be downloaded from Apple.

On Mac OS X 10.9 "Mavericks", MandalaMaker runs correctly under Java 7. Mavericks users should download MandalaMaker 2.1 for Mac which includes a bundled Java 7 environment, so no extra steps are needed to get Java.

Why doesn't MandalaMaker work with Java 7 on Mac OS X 10.5 though 10.8?

As of Java 7, Oracle has taken over development of the Mac JRE. Unfortunately, Oracle was unable to implement all the features of the Mac look and feel in Java 7. Because of this, MandalaMaker can not be made to run in an acceptable way on this version of the JRE. Oracle has fixed this issue in the upcoming Java 8, which is due to be released in March 2014. An updated version of MandalaMaker will be released at that time.

Update November 2013 - As of Mac OS X 10.9 "Mavericks," Apple appears to have compensated for the issues in Java 7. If you are running Mavericks, you should download MandalaMaker 2.1 for Mac with embedded Java 7 JRE.

I heard that there are security problems with Java 1.6 on the Mac. What should I do to keep running MandalaMaker safely?

While it is true that some security holes were discovered in Java 6, you should be aware that these only effect the use of Java on the web, through your web browser. Running a desktop Java application such as MandalaMaker should not pose a security risk. To protect yourself from the web security issues, disable Java in your browser. In Safari, go to the Security Preferences (Safari Menu > Preferences > Security) and uncheck the box next to "Allow Java."

Features

Can I use MandalaMaker to make black and white line mandalas that I can print out and color?

Yes, this is easily done with either version of MandalaMaker.

Can I import images into MandalaMaker and incorporate them into my mandalas?

No. Neither version of MandalaMaker supports image import. (It is our plan to incorporate this feature into MandalaMaker 2 at some point.)

Can I export my mandalas and work with them in another program such as Photoshop?

Yes, MandalaMaker can export images in JPEG, PNG and GIF formats which can be opened and modified in Photoshop and other image editing programs.

Can I draw freehand or add my own shapes to MandalaMaker?

These operations are not supported in the current version of the program, however, you may be able to create the shape or effect you want by creatively combining available shapes and paints.

Can I create PDF files of my mandalas?

Yes. While PDF export is not available in the MandalaMaker program itself, "print to PDF" features can accomplish the task.

On Mac, simply choose Print… from the File Menu and then choose "Save as PDF" from the PDF Menu found in the lower left corner of the detail view of the Print dialog.

On Windows, you will need to download one of the free PDF Printer programs available from various sources.

Installing & Uninstalling

How do I install MandalaMaker on my computer?

Full installation directions for both Mac and Windows systems are available in the Install section of the manual.

How do I remove MandalaMaker from my computer?

Uninstalling MandalaMaker is accomplished in the same way that you would remove any desktop program on your operating system. Full uninstall directions for both Mac and Windows systems are available in the Install section of the manual.

Licenses

I have filled out the form on the "Get License" screen of MandalaMaker, but the Buy License (or Get License) button is grayed out and I can't click it. What's wrong?

MandalaMaker parses the information you enter in the Get License form to insure usable input. If you do not enter information in required fields, or enter text which uses symbols that MandalaMaker rejects, the Buy License button will remain inactive.

You must enter either a first AND last name OR a company name and the two email fields must match. Enter only letters or spaces in the name fields. The company field may also contain numbers. If you are entering a PayPal number, it must be either a 17 character Transaction ID (which can contain numbers and letters) or a Receipt number with four sets of four numbers separated by dashes (i.e. - 1234-1234-5678-5678).

I have received my license file but I can't open it. What should I do?

MandalaMaker license files can't be "opened." They need to be installed following the instructions in the Install section of the manual.

I have a desktop and a laptop computer. Can I run MandalaMaker on both of them with one license?

MandalaMaker licenses are machine specific and a single license is intended for a single user. If you personally own both a desktop and laptop computer, you can install the program on both machines, so long as you use it on only one machine at a time. In order to obtain a valid license for the second machine, you will need to use the "Get License" dialog from that machine. Enter your PayPal Transaction ID or Receipt number in the supplied field to avoid being asked to pay for the second license.

My computer crashed and I replaced (or reformatted) it. MandalaMaker now appears to be unlicensed. What should I do?

You will need to request a new license from the "Get License" dialog, as described in the Install section of the manual.

I updated my Mac to OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lion" (or 10.7 "Lion"), and now MandalaMaker says my license is not valid. What should I do?

With the release of OS X 10.7 "Lion," Apple made changes to the filing system which affect MandalaMaker licensing, To correct the problem, you will first need to delete your current MandalaMaker installation. Then download and install the latest build from the download area. Launch the newly installed program. If at this point MandalaMaker still does not recognize your license, request a new license from the "Get License" dialog as described in the Install section of the manual.

Startup

As of OS X 10.8 "Mountain Lion," Apple has introduced a feature called Gatekeeper which is designed to protect your system from malicious software. Because MandalaMaker is not a signed application, it triggers Gatekeeper when you attempt to run it. To get MandalaMaker running, Control-click (secondary click) on the MandalaMaker icon (found at /Applications/MandalaMaker-2.0/MandalaMaker-2.0). In the pop-up menu choose "Open." In the dialog box that appears, click "Open." If prompted, enter your administrative password. Once launched in this way, MandalaMaker will open normally from then on.

When I attempt to launch MandalaMaker, I get a message that the program needs Java 1.6. What should I do?

If you are running on Windows, you should download MandalaMaker 2.1 which contains a bundled Java 7 JRE.

If you are running on Mac OS X 10.5 through 10.8, you should download Java 6 from Apple.

If you are running Mac OS X 10.9 "Mavericks" you should download MandalaMaker 2.1 for Mac with embedded Java 7 JRE.

For more information about Java versions and MandalaMaker, see the System Requirements section of the manual.

General

Are their any restrictions on what I can do with the images that I create with MandalaMaker?

No. I am surprised at how often this question is asked. As with any other software application that you purchase, the documents that you create with MandalaMaker are yours to do with whatever you want. Your imagination is the only limit.

What if my question is not listed here?

If you don't find the answer to your question in this FAQ, you can email support at abgoodwin dot com.

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