PhD: How to Improve Performance in PhotoDraw (Web Mode) (193801)

SYMPTOMS

Microsoft PhotoDraw may run slowly on some computers.

Commands may not respond when you click them.
The hourglass may not appear immediately to indicate a delay.
The progress bar may appear to hang and then start up again.
The progress bar may start and stop repeatedly.

CAUSE

You may experience this behavior on slower Pentium computers. PhotoDraw recommends the following minimum system requirements:

Pentium 166
32 MB of RAM
200 MB of free hard drive space

RESOLUTION

For improved performance install PhotoDraw on the fastest computer available. On a given PC the following upgrades will improve performance.

Add RAM to increase total memory to 64 MB or 128 MB.
Keep at least 200 MB of hard drive space free after PhotoDraw is installed. You will need free space on the drive your temporary folder is on and the drive where your virtual memory (swap file) is stored. This is usually your Windows drive.
If you are planning to use your pictures on the Web or for on-screen presentations, switch to Web mode.

WORKAROUND

To switch to Web mode, follow these steps:

On the Tools menu, click Options, and then Picture Quality.
Click Web Mode.
- Raster images generated in Web mode will not have enough pixels to print at photographic quality for 8x10 inch prints.
- Web mode works with smaller intermediate sprite caches and creates smaller files.
- Printing from Web mode is still at the highest quality available.

MORE INFORMATION

Switching to a lower color setting will not have a significant effect. PhotoDraw always works in 24-bit color no matter what the screen setting.

Adding memory and hard drive space are the big performance enhancers.