ABCFastDirectory Picture/Photo Directory Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are the most frequently asked questions about the ABCFastDirectory photo directory software. Please consult this FAQ first before contacting us, because it helps ensure an expedient resolution. If you've tried everything below, then please feel free to contact us, and we'll do what we can to help you asap!

List of Questions:


I ordered a CD, but haven't received it yet?

The CD is handled separately by a company called iPortis.com. If you haven't yet received a CD (which usually takes between 5-10 business days), then please send an e-mail to "shoppersupport@iportis.com" with your Order-ID, requesting them to send you out a CD.


I received a CD, but it doesn't work. What do I do?
CD's are handled separately by iPortis.com. If it doesn't work, please try downloading a copy of the software, which would have been sent to you in your order e-mail. (It is roughly only about 2-3 MB, which means it should take less than a minute to download on most computers). Afterwards, please follow the 'registration code' details below (which includes how to get an order resent).

If the downloaded version now works, but the CD version does not work, then it means that iPortis.com sent you the wrong CD, in which case sent an e-mail to shoppersupport@iportis.com requesting that the correct CD be sent. Otherwise, if it does work, it means that it was a registration issue, and simply make sure you follow the same instructions below should you need to re-install it in the future.


My registration code doesn't work! What do I do?
Step 1: First, make sure you entered it correctly. The "username" consists of your name, phone number and e-mail address all on one line, not just your 'name'. (I.e., 'john smith, 123-456-7890, john@smith.com' would be your actual license key, without the quotes, not just 'john smith'). And of course the license key is the series of numbers and letters. The easiest way to insert your license key is simply to cut and paste it into the software.


Step 2: If you have misplaced your license key and can't find it, send an e-mail to iPortis.com requesting your order be re-sent. Their e-mail address is shoppersupport@iportis.com. You may need either your original ordering e-mail, and/or your 'order ID'. Also, if you had 'download insurance', it makes it very easy -- they will simply send it off again right away.

Step 3: If it still does not work (i.e., they resend you a license and it doesn't work), or for whatever reason your existing license doesn't work, then you can reorder a a new key for your existing license for $10 U.S. Please note that you need to have an existing order, and will need to enter your order ID exactly as shown on your sales receipt, otherwise it will not work. If you do not have this order ID, iPortis.com can send it to you (simply send them an e-mail with your e-mail address, and/or any other related information you can think of). Once you have it, click here to proceed with re-ordering a new key for your existing license.

Step 4: If it still does not work after having contacted iPortis.com, and the new key sent to you does not work (i.e., after you have ordered a new key), then send us an e-mail with your complete registration details. Alternatively, if you just ordered the software (i.e., within 1-2 days) and you have followed all instructions above, and it does not work, you may also send us the following details. I.e., it should be something like this:

Username: "John Smith, 123-456-7890, john@smith.com"
License: 1234-5678-90AB-CDEF-1234-5678

If you do not send that information, we will not be able to generate you a new new license key and we will not respond to any e-mails from you concerning that matter. The only way you will be able to get a new key is to order a completely new license. 


I want to transfer my license to someone else/another company, is it possible?

The software is singly licensed per individual/company, (and especially because the software is so reasonably priced), you would need to purchase a new license for any new individuals/companies/etc (so no, it is not transferable). If more than one person per computer wishes to use the software, or a different company wishes to use it, you would need to purchase a new license.


The software still seems to be the evaluation version? Why?

Please make sure you have downloaded the "newest" version that is present in the e-mail you received, otherwise it will not work. You need to download the software link sent to you in the registration e-mail you received.


I want to send this to a printer/print it off professionally, how do I do that?

There are a couple different ways:

  • Ask your printer to purchase a license of ABCFastDirectory, then simply send him/her all associated files (i.e., your .abc file, and associated images. Probably the easiest way would be to simply .zip up the directory containing your directory file and images, and send him/her the .zip file. Make sure he/she uses the same directory structure).

  • Print it off as an image file (professional version), and then send your printer the .bmp file (or, you can take the .bmp file and convert it into a .jpg file in an application such as Paint Shop Pro, and then send that image to your printer)

  • Print to a postscript file. This is a bit more sophisicated, so if you are not quite sure how to do it, we will not answer questions about it. But basically you can 'install' a postscript printer (control panel->add printer, then choose something like HP LaserJet 6 Postscript). Then you change the "port" that it saves to as a "file" (NOT a port). Then, you go to print. When you print, it will print it as a "postscript" file, and then ask you where you want to save the file. This file is something that can be viewed by any postscript viewer, or postscript software. One such applciation is GSView, a publicly available/free postcript viewer (search in Google.com), which is also good for printing/printers.

I want to make the pictures larger/smaller/different sizes, and/or print landscape/portrait. How do I do that?

Since (as of this writing) the software automatically layouts photos and so forth, there is not a 'direct' way to resize photos. However, there are two ways in general that you can resize photos:

  • Method One: Go into 'File->Header/Page Information/Settings', then either change the number of columns, or change the 'number of images per column'. This will "resize" the photos automatically, and make them bigger or smaller depending on your settings.

  • Method Two: Although more time consuming, if you have a particular layout you like (i.e., say two columns, two images per column), you can, using a graphics editor, (a) make sure all the images are the same size, and then (b), put 'whitespace' around your images (i.e., 'center' your image around a white border). This would take some time to experiment with, but will give you the effect you want.

  • Landscape/Portrait Mode: To print in landscape/portrait mode, simply change the settings on your printer. Basically when you go to print, a print dialogue box will pop up. Click on 'options' (or 'properties', or the equivalent depending on which version of windows you are using), and then change it to 'landscape' or 'portrait' depending on what you want.


How do I print more than two lines, and/or add additional fields to my directory?

Check out the tutorial (Tutorial->Load Multi-Line Sample Directory). Basically, you can add additional fields in the 'first names' field. Simply press the enter key between each line.


Printing seems to pause/It says 'spooling'/How do I fix that/get it to print quicker?

Make sure your image sizes are 'reasonable'. For most purposes, an image (JPG) size of 800x600 pixels is very high quality. (The software allows you to print whatever quality image you want). Newer digital cameras nowadays save the image at huge resolutions (i.e., 4000x3000 pixels), which will cause your printer to 'pause' or take a long time. To fix this, simply resize the images to a much 'smaller' resolution (such as 800x600, or even 320x200 in many cases for directories with lots of pictures per page). It will speed up the print process, and allow you to print faster. Alternatively, if you are doing professional print publications (i.e., for a corporation), and need extremely high quality (i.e., 2400+ dpi), you may need to purchase/get a higher quality printer that has more memory and/or better spooling capablities.



If you have any other questions not answered here, please feel free to contact us online using our Contact Form