Snowflake Suite Frequently Asked Questions

Table of contents


Snowflake Suite

Q: How do I turn off the snowflake input markers?
A: Open INSTALL_PATH/bin/Config.cfg and change the variable "ShowInput" to "False". You can also press 'F' on the keyboard to temporarily show/hide the input markers.

Q: Can I remove applications from the Snowflake menu?
A: Yes you can. Look at the section The application menu to see how you can customize it.

Q: Can I add my own applications to the Snowflake menu?
A: Yes this is possible by using our Snowflake SDK, please take a look at the Snowflake SDK page. It is not possible to add applications that are not Snowflake applications to the menu.

Q: How do I close applications?
A: Either by using the corner menu inside the application and select the red X or by dragging the window outside the screen (windowed mode).

Q: Which operating system does Snowflake Suite run on?
A: Snowflake Suite runs on Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7.

Q: How do I change backgrounds?
A: Open INSTALL_PATH/bin/Config.cfg and change path of the variable "BackgroundTexture" to your desired background.

Q: Can I develop my own applications running with the Snowflake Suite vision tracking?
A: Yes, we offer a low level API, which allows you to let your applications communicate with our vision tracking software as long as it uses TUIO, which is supported by most of the programming environments, like C#, C++, Flash®, VVVV, Java, Processing. Furthermore our extended SDK will allow you to integrate your own applications inside Snowflake Suite.

Q: How do I change the volume of the sound effects?
A: Open INSTALL_PATH/bin/Config.cfg and change the variable "AudioVolume" between 0 (silent) and 1 (full volume).

Q: Can I load my own content Snowflake Suite?
A: Yes, we have made changing content as accessible and easy as possible, so that you can load your own content without having to contact us. For more details, please have a look at the application documentation.

Q: Why do I keep getting an error saying it can't find "openAL32.dll"?
A: Ensure that you have installed OpenAL. It can be found at INSTALL_PATH\Packages\oalinst.exe.

Q: My screen is just black when I launch Snowflake Suite, what should I do?
A: Please make sure that your system meets the required minimum specifications for running Snowflake Suite. You should also try with updating the drivers for your graphics card.

Q: After installing Snowflake Suite, do I have to change any files?
A: No this is not necessary. Follow the instructions on your screen and in this manual will not require to change any additional files.

Q: I'm reinstalling Snowflake Suite, should I remove all previous components?
A: We do indeed recommend you to remove and uninstall all previously installed components, before installing Snowflake Suite again.

Q: I currently already have a touch based hardware solution (touch foil or screen overlays) from a specific company, does that work with your software?
A: If the specific hardware platform that you are using, utilizes TUIO, then our Snowflake supports that. If it uses an alternative method, feel free to contact us at , to see how we can be of assistance to you to port Snowflake to your preferred hardware platform.

Q: I have my own tracking software, can I somehow use your applications?
A: Yes it is possible to utilize our applications with your own tracker, when for example TUIO is being used.

Q: I'm having problems with the display as soon as the screensaver starts when running Snowflake.
A: This is usually caused by a conflict between Snowflake and the screensaver, in case both applications are trying to access the hardware at the same time. It is advised to turn off the screensaver while running Snowflake.

Applications

Q: Can I have multiple media/pdf viewers with separate content?
A: Yes you can. For more details, please have a look at the application documentation.

Q: Some of my images in the Media viewer show up as blank empty images, what can be the problem?
A: You have run out of texture memory. To solve this problem, make sure your graphic card has at least 256 Mb of memory. If you still have empty images, please make the resolution of the pictures smaller or use fewer images.

Q: How do I add content to the Media Viewer application?
A: Put your content in INSTALL_PATH/bin/applications/Viewer/data/Media. Supported formats include jpg, jpeg, tga, png, dds, gif, tif, tiff, bmp, mov, avi, wav and ogg.

Q: My videos/pictures doesn't show up in the Media viewer. Why?
A: Make sure the Video/Pictures are in the correct format. Supported formats include jpg, jpeg, tga, png, dds, gif, tif, tiff, bmp, mov, avi, wav and ogg.

Q: The Media viewer isn't playing .mov files, how do I solve that?
A: Make sure that you have installed Quicktime®. Quicktime® can be downloaded separately from http://www.apple.com/quicktime (external link).

Q: How do I add content to the 3D viewer application?
A: Put your content in INSTALL_PATH/bin/applications/Teapot/data/Models. Supported formats include obj and 3ds.

Misc

Q: I want to have a customized software application, can NUITEQ® help with this?
A: Yes, in addition to providing our standard software solution Snowflake Suite, we also offer the service of developing customized software solutions that fit your exact needs and wishes.

Q: Do you have fiducial support (object/pattern recognition) in Snowflake?
A: NUITEQ has developed a fidicual recognition software solution from the ground up, fully customized for one of its clients. NUITEQ does not offer this as a standard feature in Snowflake. However it is offered in special projects for special client and partners.

Q: Which hardware solution do you recommend to utilize in combination with Snowflake.
A: Choosing the correct hardware depends on several different factors, like; dimensions, usage scenario etc. NUITEQ offers packaged all-in-one solutions of software, hardware and services.

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