path: root/docs/FAQ.txt

                                   Tux Paint
                                 version 0.9.22
                           Frequently Asked Questions

                Copyright 2002-2009 by Bill Kendrick and others
                               New Breed Software

                           bill@newbreedsoftware.com
                            http://www.tuxpaint.org/

                       September 14, 2002 - July 1, 2009

Drawing-related

     * Fonts I added to Tux Paint only show squares

       The TrueType Font you're using might have the wrong encoding. If it's
       'custom' encoded, for example, you can try running it through
       FontForge (http://fontforge.sourceforge.net/) to convert it to an
       ISO-8859 format. (Email us if you need help with special fonts.)

     * The Rubber Stamp tool is greyed out!

       This means that Tux Paint either couldn't find any stamp images, or
       was asked not to load them.

       If you installed Tux Paint, but did not install the separate, optional
       "Stamps" collection, quit Tux Paint and install it now. It should be
       available from the same place you got the main Tux Paint program.
       (Note: As of version 0.9.14, Tux Paint comes with a small collection
       of example stamps.)

       If you don't want to install the default collection of stamps, you can
       just create your own. See the EXTENDING TUX PAINT documentation for
       more on creating PNG and SVG image files, TXT text description files,
       Ogg Vorbis, MP3 or WAV sound files, and DAT text data files that make
       up stamps.

       Finally, if you installed stamps, and think they should be loading,
       check to see that the "nostamps" option isn't being set. (Either via a
       "--nostamps" option to Tux Paint's command line, or "nostamps=yes" in
       the configuration file.)

       If so, either change/remove the "nostamps" option, or you can override
       it with "--stamps" on the command line or "nostamps=no" or
       "stamps=yes" in a configuration file.

          * The Magic "Fill" Tool Looks Bad

            Tux Paint is probably comparing exact pixel colors when filling.
            This is faster, but looks worse. Run the command
            "tuxpaint --version" from a command line, and you should see,
            amongst the other output: "Low Quality Flood Fill enabled".

            To change this, you must rebuild Tux Paint from source. Be sure
            to remove or comment out any line that says:

              #define LOW_QUALITY_FLOOD_FILL

              in the "tuxpaint.c" file in the "src" directory.

          * Stamp outlines are always rectangles

            Tux Paint was built with low-quality (but faster) stamp outlines.

            Rebuild Tux Paint from source. Be sure to remove or comment out
            any line that says:

              #define LOW_QUALITY_STAMP_OUTLINE

            in the "tuxpaint.c" file in the "src" directory.

Interface Problems

     * Stamp thumbnails in the Stamp Selector look bad

       Tux Paint was probably compiled with the faster, lower quality
       thumbnail code enabled. Run the command: "tuxpaint --version" from a
       command line. If, amongst the other output, you see the text: "Low
       Quality Thumbnails enabled", then this is what's happening.

       Rebuild Tux Paint from source. Be sure to remove or comment out any
       line that says:

         #define LOW_QUALITY_THUMBNAILS

       in the "tuxpaint.c" file in the "src" directory.

     * Pictures in the 'Open' dialog look bad

       "Low Quality Thumbnails" is probably enabled. See: "Stamp thumbnails
       in the Stamp Selector look bad", above.

     * The color picker buttons are ugly squares, not pretty buttons!

       Tux Paint was probably compiled with the nice looking color selector
       buttons disabled. Run the command: "tuxpaint --version" from a command
       line. If, amongst the other output, you see the text: "Low Quality
       Color Selector enabled", then this is what's happening.

       Rebuild Tux Paint from source. Be sure to remove or comment out any
       line that says:

         #define LOW_QUALITY_COLOR_SELECTOR

       in the "tuxpaint.c" file in the "src" directory.

     * All of the text is in uppercase!

       The "uppercase" option is on.

       If you're running Tux Paint from a command-line, make sure you're not
       giving it an "--uppercase" option.

       If you're running Tux Paint by double-clicking an icon, check the
       properties of the icon to see if "--uppercase" is listed as a
       command-line argument.

       If "--uppercase" isn't being sent on the command line, check
       Tux Paint's configuration file ("~/.tuxpaintrc" under Linux and Unix,
       "tuxpaint.cfg" under Windows) for a line reading: "uppercase=yes".

       Either remove that line, or simply run Tux Paint with the command-line
       argument: "--mixedcase", which will override the uppercase setting.

       Or use Tux Paint Config. and make sure "Show Uppercase Text Only"
       (under "Languages") is not checked.

     * Tux Paint is in a different language!

       Make sure your locale setting is correct. See "Tux Paint won't switch
       to my language", below.

     * Tux Paint won't switch to my language
          * Linux and Unix users: Make sure the locale is available

            Make sure the locale you want is available. Check your
            "/etc/locale.gen" file. See the OPTIONS documentation for the
            locales Tux Paint uses (especially when using the "--lang"
            option).

            Note: Debian users can simply run "dpkg-reconfigure locales" if
            the locales are managed by "dpkg."

               * If you're using the "--lang" command-line option

                 Try using the "--locale" command-line option, or your
                 operating system's locale settings (e.g., the "$LANG"
                 environment variable), and please e-mail us regarding your
                 trouble.

               * If you're using the "--locale" command-line option

                 If this doesn't work, please e-mail us regarding your
                 trouble.

               * If you're trying to use your Operating System's locale

                 If this doesn't work, please e-mail us regarding your
                 trouble.

               * Make sure you have the necessary font

                 Some translations require their own font. Chinese and
                 Korean, for example, need Chinese and Korean TrueType Fonts
                 installed and placed in the proper location, respectively.

                 The appropriate fonts for such locales can be downloaded
                 from the Tux Paint website:

                   http://www.tuxpaint,org/download/fonts/

Printing

     * Tux Paint won't print, gives an error, or prints garbage (Unix/Linux)

       Tux Paint prints by creating a PostScript rendition of the picture and
       sending it to an external command. By default, this command is the
       "lpr" printing tool.

       If that program is not available (for example, you're using CUPS, the
       Common Unix Printing System, and do not have "cups-lpr" installed),
       you will need to specify an appropriate command using the
       "printcommand" option in Tux Paint's configuration file. (See the
       OPTIONS documentation.)

       Note: Versions of Tux Paint prior to 0.9.15 used a different default
       command for printing, "pngtopnm | pnmtops | lpr", as Tux Paint output
       PNG format, rather than PostScript.

       If you had changed your "printcommand" option prior to Tux Paint
       0.9.15, you will need to go back and alter it to accept PostScript.

     * I get the message "You can't print yet!" when I go to print!

       The "print delay" option is on. You can only print once every
       X seconds.

       If you're running Tux Paint from a command-line, make sure you're not
       giving it a "--printdelay=..." option.

       If you're running Tux Paint by double-clicking an icon, check the
       properties of the icon to see if "--printdelay=..." is listed as a
       command-line argument.

       If a "--printdelay=..." option isn't being sent on the command line,
       check Tux Paint's configuration file ("~/.tuxpaintrc" under Linux and
       Unix, "tuxpaint.cfg" under Windows) for a line reading:
       "printdelay=...".

       Either remove that line, set the delay value to 0 (no delay), or
       decrease the delay to a value you prefer. (See the OPTIONS
       documentation).

       Or, you can simply run Tux Paint with the command-line argument:
       "--printdelay=0", which will override the configuration file's
       setting, and allow unlimited printing. (You won't have to wait between
       prints.)

       Or use Tux Paint Config. and make sure "Print Delay" (under
       "Printing") is set to "0 seconds."

     * I simply can't print! The button is greyed out!

       The "no print" option is on.

       If you're running Tux Paint from a command-line, make sure you're not
       giving it a "--noprint" option.

       If you're running Tux Paint by double-clicking an icon, check the
       properties of the icon to see if "--noprint" is listed as an argument.

       If "--noprint" isn't on the command-line, check Tux Paint's
       configuration file ("~/.tuxpaintrc" under Linux and Unix,
       "tuxpaint.cfg" under Windows) for a line reading: "noprint=yes".

       Either remove that line, or simply run Tux Paint with the command-line
       argument: "--print", which will override the configuration file's
       setting.

       Or use Tux Paint Config. and make sure "Allow Printing" (under
       "Printing") is checked.

Saving

     * Where are my pictures?

       Unless you asked Tux Paint to save into a specific location (using the
       'savedir' option), Tux Paint saves into a standard location on your
       local drive:

            Windows Vista
                    In the user's "AppData" folder:
                    e.g., C:\Users\Username\AppData\Roaming\TuxPaint\saved

            Windows 95, 98, ME, 2000, XP
                    In the user's "Application Data" folder:
                    e.g., C:\Documents and Settings\Username\Application
                    Data\TuxPaint\saved

            Mac OS X
                    In the user's "Application Support" folder:
                    e.g., /Users/Username/Library/Applicaton
                    Support/TuxPaint/saved/

            Linux / Unix
                    In the user's $HOME directory, under a ".tuxpaint"
                    subfolder:
                    e.g., /home/username/.tuxpaint/saved/

       The images are stored as PNG bitmaps, which most modern programs
       should be able to load (image editors, word processors, web browsers,
       etc.)

     * Tux Paint always saves over my old picture!

       The "save over" option is enabled. (This disables the prompt that
       would appear when you click 'Save.')

       If you're running Tux Paint from a command-line, make sure you're not
       giving it a "--saveover" option.

       If you're running Tux Paint by double-clicking an icon, check the
       properties of the icon to see if "--saveover" is listed as an
       argument.

       If "--saveover" isn't on the command-line, check Tux Paint's
       configuration file ("~/.tuxpaintrc" under Linux and Unix,
       "tuxpaint.cfg" under Windows) for a line reading: "saveover=yes".

       Either remove that line, or simply run Tux Paint with the command-line
       argument: "--saveoverask", which will override the configuration
       file's setting.

       Or use Tux Paint Config. and make sure "Ask Before Overwriting" (under
       "Saving") is checked.

       Also, see "Tux Paint always saves a new picture!", below.

     * Tux Paint always saves a new picture!

       The "never save over" option is enabled. (This disables the prompt
       that would appear when you click 'Save.')

       If you're running Tux Paint from a command-line, make sure you're not
       giving it a "--saveovernew" option.

       If you're running Tux Paint by double-clicking an icon, check the
       properties of the icon to see if "--saveovernew" is listed as an
       argument.

       If "--saveovernew" isn't on the command-line, check Tux Paint's
       configuration file ("~/.tuxpaintrc" under Linux and Unix,
       "tuxpaint.cfg" under Windows) for a line reading: "saveover=new".

       Either remove that line, or simply run Tux Paint with the command-line
       argument: "--saveoverask", which will override the configuration
       file's setting.

       Or use Tux Paint Config. and make sure "Ask Before Overwriting" (under
       "Saving") is checked.

       Also, see "Tux Paint always saves over my old picture!", above.

Audio Problems

     * There's no sound!
          * First, check the obvious:
               * Are your speakers connected and turned on?
               * Is the volume turned up on your speakers?
               * Is the volume turned up in your Operating System's "mixer?"
               * Are you certain you're using a computer with a sound card?
               * Are any other programs running that use sound? (They may be
                 'blocking' Tux Paint from accessing your sound device)
               * (Unix/Linux) Are you using a sound system, such as aRts, ESD
                 or GStreamer? If so, try setting the "SDL_AUDIODRIVER"
                 environment variable before running Tux Paint (e.g.,
                 "export SDL_AUDIODRIVER=arts"). Or, run Tux Paint through
                 the system's rerouter (e.g., run "artsdsp tuxpaint" or
                 "esddsp tuxpaint", instead of simply "tuxpaint").
          * Is sound disabled in Tux Paint?

            If sound seems to work otherwise (and you're sure no other
            program is "blocking" the sound device), then Tux Paint may be
            running with a "no sound" option.

            Make sure you're not running Tux Paint with the "--nosound"
            option as a command-line argument. (See the OPTIONS documentation
            for details.)

            If it's not, then check the configuration file
            ("/etc/tuxpaint/tuxpaint.conf" and "~/.tuxpaintrc" under Linux
            and Unix, and "tuxpaint.cfg" under Windows) for a line reading:
            "nosound=yes".

            Either remove that line, or simply run Tux Paint with the
            command-line argument: "--sound", which will override the
            configuration file's setting.

            Alternatively, you can use Tux Paint Config. to change the
            configuration file. Make sure "Enable Sound Effects" (under
            "Video & Sound") is checked, then click "Apply".

          * Were sounds temporarily disabled?

            Even if sounds are enabled in Tux Paint, it is possible to
            disable and re-enable them temporarily using the [Alt] + [S] key
            sequence. Try pressing those keys to see if sounds begin working
            again.

          * Was Tux Paint built without sound support?

            Tux Paint may have been compiled with sound support disabled. To
            test whether sound support was enabled when Tux Paint was
            compiled, run Tux Paint from a command line, like so:

              tuxpaint --version

            If, amongst the other information, you see "Sound disabled", then
            the version of Tux Paint you're running has sound disabled.
            Recompile Tux Paint, and be sure NOT to build the "nosound"
            target. (i.e., don't run "make nosound") Be sure the SDL_mixer
            library and its development headers are available!

     * Tux Paint makes too much noise! Can I turn them off?

       Yes, there are a number of ways to disable sounds in Tux Paint:

          * Press [Alt] + [S] while in Tux Paint to temporarily disable
            sounds. (Press that key sequence again to re-enable sounds.)
          * Run Tux Paint with the "no sound" option:
               * Use Tux Paint Config to uncheck the "Enable Sound Effects"
                 option (under "Video & Sound").
               * Edit Tux Paint's configuration file (see OPTIONS for
                 details) and add a line containing "nosound=yes".
               * Run "tuxpaint --nosound" from the command line or shortcut
                 or desktop icon.
               * Recompile Tux Paint with sound support disabled. (See above
                 and INSTALL.txt.)
     * The sound effects sound strange

       This could have to do with how SDL and SDL_mixer were initialized.
       (The buffer size chosen.)

       Please e-mail us with details about your computer system. (Operating
       system and version, sound card, which version of Tux Paint you're
       running (run "tuxpaint --version" to verify), and so on.)

Fullscreen Mode Problems

     * When I run Tux Paint full-screen and ALT-TAB out, the window turns
       black!

       This is apparently a bug in the SDL library. Sorry.

     * When I run Tux Paint full-screen, it has large borders around it

       Linux users - Your X-Window server is probably not set with the
       ability to switch to the desired resolution: 800 *600. (or whatever
       resolution you have Tux Paint set to run at.) (This is typically done
       manually under the X-Window server by pressing [Ctrl]-[Alt]-[KeyPad
       Plus] and -[KeyPad Minus].)

       For this to work, your monitor must support that resolution, and you
       need to have it listed in your X server configuration.

       Check the "Display" subsection of the "Screen" section of your XFree86
       or X.org configuration file (typically "/etc/X11/XF86Config-4" or
       "/etc/X11/XF86Config", depending on the version of XFree86 you're
       using; 3.x or 4.x, respectively, or "/etc/X11/xorg.conf" for X.org).

       Add "800x600" (or whatever resolution(s) you want) to the appropriate
       "Modes" line. (e.g., in the "Display" subsection that contains 24-bit
       color depth ("Depth 24"), which is what Tux Paint tries to use.) e.g.:

         Modes "1280x1024" "1024x768" "800x600" "640x480"

       Note that some Linux distributions have tools that can make these
       changes for you. Debian users can run the command "dpkg-reconfigure
       xserver-xfree86" as root, for example.

     * Tux Paint keeps running in Full Screen mode - I want it windowed!

       The "fullscreen" option is set.

       If you're running Tux Paint from a command-line, make sure you're not
       giving it a "--fullscreen" option.

       If you're running Tux Paint by double-clicking an icon, check the
       properties of the icon to see if "--fullscreen" is listed as an
       argument.

       If "--fullscreen" isn't on the command-line, check Tux Paint's
       configuration file ("~/.tuxpaintrc" under Linux and Unix,
       "tuxpaint.cfg" under Windows) for a line reading: "fullscreen=yes".

       Either remove that line, or simply run Tux Paint with the command-line
       argument: "--windowed", which will override the configuration file's
       setting.

       Or use Tux Paint Config. and make sure "Fullscreen" (under "Video &
       Sound") is not checked.

Other Probelms

     * Tux Paint won't run

       If Tux Paint aborts with the message: "You're already running a copy
       of Tux Paint!", this means it has been launched in the last 30
       seconds. (On Unix/Linux, this message would appear in a terminal
       console if you ran Tux Paint from a command-line. On Windows, this
       message would appear in a file named "stdout.txt" in the same folder
       where TuxPaint.exe resides (e.g., in C:\Program Files\TuxPaint).

       A lockfile ("~/.tuxpaint/lockfile.dat" on Linux and Unix,
       "userdata\lockfile.dat" on Windows) is used to make sure Tux Paint
       isn't run too many times at once (e.g., due to a child impatiently
       clicking its icon more than once).

       Even if the lockfile exists, it contains the 'time' Tux Paint was last
       run. If it's been more than 30 seconds, Tux Paint should run fine, and
       simply update the lockfile with the current time.

       If multiple users are sharing the directory where this file is stored
       (e.g., on a shared network drive), then you'll need to disable this
       feature.

       To disable the lockfile, add the "--nolockfile" argument to
       Tux Paint's command-line.

     * I can't quit Tux Paint

       The "noquit" option is set. This disables the "Quit" button in
       Tux Paint's toolbar (greying it out), and prevents Tux Paint from
       being quit using the [Escape] key.

       If Tux Paint is not in fullscreen mode, simply click the window close
       button on Tux Paint's title bar. (i.e., the "(x)" at the upper right.)

       If Tux Paint is in fullscreen mode, you will need to use the [Shift] +
       [Control] + [Escape] sequence on the keyboard to quit Tux Paint.

       (Note: with or without "noquit" set, you can always use the [Alt] +
       [F4] combination on your keyboard to quit Tux Paint.)

     * I don't want "noquit" mode enabled!

       If you're running Tux Paint from a command-line, make sure you're not
       giving it a "--noquit" option.

       If you're running Tux Paint by double-clicking an icon, check the
       properties of the icon to see if "--noquit" is listed as an argument.

       If "--noquit" isn't on the command-line, check Tux Paint's
       configuration file ("~/.tuxpaintrc" under Linux and Unix,
       "tuxpaint.cfg" under Windows) for a line reading: "noquit=yes".

       Either remove that line, or simply run Tux Paint with the command-line
       argument: "--quit", which will override the configuration file's
       setting.

       Or use Tux Paint Config. and make sure "Disable Quit Button and
       [Escape] Key" (under "Simplification") is not checked.

     * Tux Paint keeps writing weird messages to the screen / to a text file

       A few messages are normal, but if Tux Paint is being extremely verbose
       (like listing the name of every rubber-stamp image it finds while
       loading them), then it was probably compiled with debugging output
       turned on.

       Rebuild Tux Paint from source. Be sure to remove or comment out any
       line that says:

         #define DEBUG

       in the "tuxpaint.c" file in the "src" directory.

     * Tux Paint is using options I didn't specify!

       By default, Tux Paint first looks at configuration files for options.

          * Unix and Linux

            Under Unix and Linux, it first examines the system-wide
            configuration file, located here:

              /etc/tuxpaint/tuxpaint.conf

            It then examines the user's personal configuration file:

              ~/.tuxpaintrc

            Finally, any options sent as command-line arguments are used.

          * Windows

            Under Windows, Tux Paint first examines the configuration file:

              tuxpaint.cfg

            Then, any options sent as command-line arguments are used.

       This means that if anything is set in a configuration file that you
       don't want set, you'll need to either change the config. file (if you
       can), or override the option on the command-line.

       For example, if "/etc/tuxpaint/tuxpaint.conf" includes an option to
       disable sound:

         nosound=yes

       You can reenable sound by either adding this option to your own
       ".tuxpainrc" file:

         sound=yes

       Or by using this command-line argument:

         --sound

       Linux and Unix users can also disable the system-wide configuration
       file by including the following command-line argument:

         --nosysconfig

       Tux Paint will then only look at "~/.tuxpaintrc" and command-line
       arguments to determine what options should be set.

Help / Contact

   Any questions you don't see answered? Let me know!

     bill@newbreedsoftware.com

   Or post to our 'tuxpaint-users' mailing list:

     http://www.tuxpaint.org/lists/