Golden Software: Didger 1 FAQ

Q1. How can I get the latest version of Didger?
A. Minor updates (e.g. version 1.0.6 to 1.0.7) may be downloaded for free if your serial number is registered. If you have already registered, send a message to didgersupport@goldensoftware.com with your serial number. Once your serial number is verified, we will send you download instructions. If you have not already registered your serial number, enter the requested information on the Register Software page including your e-mail address, and add a note in the Comments field to Attn: Didger Support indicating that you would like to download the latest version. Information about the latest version is listed on the Version History page.

Major upgrades (e.g. version 1 to version 2) cost US$89 plus shipping. Refer to the Order Form for more information.

Q2. Could you please provide me with a list of tablet and Wintab driver manufacturers?
A. Here is a current list of Tablet Manufacturers

ACECAD: Main site ; Driver downloads

GTCO/Calcomp / Summagraphics: Main site ; Driver downloads

Genius: Main site ; Driver downloads

WACOM: Main site ; Driver downloads

Numonics: Main site ; Driver downloads

Digitizer Technology: Main site ; Driver downloads
Digitizer Technology offers Windows 95/98 drivers for a variety of digitizing tablets. These drivers are Wintab compatible.

Q3. I have installed my digitizing tablet and the Wintab driver, but Didger does not work with the tablet.
A. Connectivity between the digitizing tablet and the Wintab driver often requires certain information that can only be obtained from the tablet manufacturer. If you have installed both the driver and tablet, but the puck on the tablet does not act as a mouse on your screen, you can be assured that the driver is not properly installed. Please contact your tablet manufacturer for proper settings for both the tablet and the driver. In our experience, tablet manufacturers can quickly and easily get you up and running with your digitizer connectivity.

Q4. What are the communication parameters needed by Didger for my digitizing tablet?
A. Didger does not require any specific communication parameters. Didger requires that you use a 32bit Wintab driver that can be obtained from your tablet manufacturer. Please consult our manufacturer list for contact information.

Q5. Does Didger support stream mode digitizing? Is it possible to trace a contour line by just keeping a button on the puck pressed while following the line with the crosshair?|
A. Didger does support stream mode digitizing. When digitizing in stream mode, it is important to set the vertex tolerance setting. This setting sets the minimum spacing for vertices along a polygon or polyline. When you have set a vertex tolerance value and you are digitizing a polygon or polyline, no two adjacent vertices along the object can be closer together than the specified length.

Q6. I need to digitize some boundaries for MapViewer but I am unsure which file format to use during export. Can you suggest a format?
A. We suggest that you use the Atlas [.BNA] file format for exporting data from Didger to MapViewer.

Q7. Does Didger work with Windows 2000 and Windows XP?
A. All Golden Software products work with Windows 2000 and Windows XP. There have been no problems reported.

Q8. Do you sell digitizing tablets or know where can I purchase a digitizing tablet?
A. Please review our list of tablet manufacturers for contact information. We have also found that local CAD dealers in your area often carry a full range of digitizing tablets. Please consult your local yellow pages for phone numbers.

Q9. When I start Didger the entry screen indicates that the Wintab driver is not installed. What is the Wintab driver and where can I obtain the driver?
A. Wintab is a windows interface that allows a digitizing tablet to function with various software applications under Win95/98 and NT. Most major tablet manufacturers have a 32bit Wintab driver that is compatible with Didger. Please review the tablet manufacturer list for contact information.

Q10. I have finished calibrating a project with Didger, but when I enter the main window in the program, Didger does not display the correct coordinates as I move my puck on the tablet.
A. When you initially complete the calibration process in Didger, the digitizing tablet mode is set as a mouse. Didger allows you to toggle between mouse mode and digitize mode by clicking the "F9" key on the keyboard or selecting "Digitize|Tablet Activated" from the menu. So to view the calibrated coordinates when you finish a calibration, you must toggle the mode to digitize mode. This will properly display the calibrated coordinates.

Q11. When I export my Didger project to a [.DXF] file, I find the text is not in the same location as the rest of the map.
A. We have made some adjustments to our [.DXF] export and the new release of Didger can solve this problem. Please contact Didger Technical Support for the current download information and password, or to upgrade to Didger 2 for $89.

Q12. I just started Didger, but an error screen indicates that I have some newer versions of a few files. Is it OK to run Didger?
A. Didger can operate correctly with these newer files. It is suggested that you contact Didger Technical Support for the latest version of Didger 1, or upgrade to Didger 2 for $89. The latest versions of Didger 1 or 2 will not display this error message.

Q13. I have just exported a number of polygons created in Didger to a [.BNA] format, however my application cannot use these polygons. What is the problem with these [.BNA] files?
A. We have identified this problem in an earlier version of Didger. You can contact Didger Technical Support to obtain the latest version of Didger 1, or upgrade to Didger 2 for $89.

Q14. I am attempting to calibrate a project with Didger, but nothing is happening during step two of the calibration process. During this step my puck is no longer active on the screen!
A. Please confirm that the digitizing tablet and Wintab driver are properly installed on your system. For proper installation procedures, please contact your tablet manufacturer. Also, during step two, make sure you click either the first or second puck button to digitize the calibration points. Special Note: We have an updated version of Didger that indicates puck movement during this stage of calibration. Please contact Didger Technical Support for the latest version of Didger 1, or upgrade to Didger 2 for $89.

Q15. I have created a Didger project file. The digitized points, lines and polygons all look fine in Didger. When I create a Surfer BaseMap from that file, the edges of the lines are more jagged than they were when viewed in Didger. Can you suggest a solution?
A. Go into Edit|Project Options in Didger 1 and set the numeric format to a higher number. This allows for more precision when exporting the file. The lines in Surfer will appear as they did in Didger. Didger 2 now exports in full precision.

Q16. I am having a problem printing ("Out of global memory" error, only a portion of the map prints, etc.).
A. You may be able to work around the problem by changing some of the printer settings. Different printer drivers have different settings, but here is a list of the most common remedies:

Turn off print spooling.
Change the print mode to "raster" or "bitmap" to reduce the printer memory requirements.
Change the printer driver to use the computer's memory instead of the printer's memory.
PostScript drivers often require more memory than non-PostScript drivers for the same printer. Change drivers if possible and test the print results.
Check for other compatible printer drivers in your printer documentation. For example, the HP LaserJet 4 driver could be used with the LaserJet 5 printer.
Enable the Page Protect mode if available.
Verify the version of your printer driver and possibly update it. For example, the HP DesignJet 750C driver version 4.33 requires 80% less memory than version 4.11
Turn off View | Auto Redraw to free up additional memory.
Resample the bitmaps in a graphics program (Corel Draw, Paint Shop Pro, PhotoShop) to reduce the number of pixels and color depth in the bitmaps.

If the remedies above do not help, please contact technical support with the exact nature of the problem, your operating system (i.e. Windows 98), the printer model, and the print driver version number.

Q17. Where do I find my serial number?
A. The serial number is on the registration card glued inside the cover of your reference manual. Please complete the registration card and return to Golden Software or register online at our web site. With this information, we will be able to mail you announcements of upgrades and newsletters.

Q18. Is Technical Support free?
A. Yes, Technical Support is free to all users for as long as you own the product. You must register your product in order to receive technical support. You can reach technical support by phone, fax, or email.

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