JavE - FAQ
Author: Markus Gebhard

[JavE Homepage] [docs] [screenshots] [download]

# JavE - Frequently asked questions

## 1. Running the program, crashs, problems

- 1.1 Where is the EXE?
- 1.1 JavE won't start
- 1.1 I have double clicked on the javeXXX.jar file but nothing happens.
- 1.2 ... instead of JavE another application like winrar or freezip jumps up.
- 1.3 The keyboard shortcuts use weired combinations such as Ctrl-Numpad-3!
- 1.4 Starting JavE causes my system to hang!
- 1.5 Starting JavE I get an error message somewhat like this: ...
- 1.6 JavE starts, but it does not show any icons on the buttons!
- 1.7 I have found a bug. What can I do?

## 2. Other questions about JavE

- 2.1 How do you spell "JavE"?
- 2.2 Are there other fonts supported than "Courier New"?
- 2.3 Will there be colored ASCII supported in JavE?
- 2.4 Is JavE open source?
- 2.5 How can I help?
- 2.6 What is the difference between generic (green) and algorithmic (blue) tools?
- 2.7 Where can I find out more about how to use JavE?
- 2.8 I have an idea for an improvement. What can I do?

## 3. Questions about Ascii-Art

- 3.1 Where can I find out more about Ascii-Art?

## 1. Running the program, crashs, problems

Q1.1: | Where is the EXE? or: JavE won't start. or: I have double clicked on the javeXXX.jar file but nothing happens.
JavE is a Java application. This means it will run on a variety of systems, but it can not run without a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed. You can get the JRE for free from http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.3/jre/ After installation of the JRE you should be able to start JavE (or any other java application) by double clicking on the javeXXX.jar-file. For a more detailed description for different operating systems have a look at the JavE documentation. On some systems JavE will not start when there is a space character in the program path. E.g. `C:\Program Files\jave\` will not work. Please use a folder without spaces, e.g. `C:\programs\jave\` If all that does not help, open a Dos box and navigate to the JavE folder. Type `java -jar jave3.jar` and see what happens.

Q1.2: | I have double clicked on the javeXXX.jar file but instead of JavE another application like winrar or freezip jumps up.
See Answer to Q1.1. In addition: Try to configure other applications not to be associated with *.jar-files.

Q1.3: | The keyboard shortcuts use weired combinations such as Ctrl-Numpad-3!
This bug has been fixed with version 5.0 of JavE.

Q1.4: | Starting JavE causes my system to hang!
This is a long known bug (Bug-Id: 4482430) in the Java Runtime Environment. The developers from sun were not yet able to find it, because it does only randomly occure. However you can help making them notice the importance to fix it by voting for it in the Java Developer Connection. When the system hangs you can kill the JRE by holding down Ctrl-Alt-Delete for about 10 seconds. You have then to restart Windows, for otherwise when starting JavE you will not see any images and icons.

Q1.5: | Starting JavE I get an error message somewhat like this:
    An unexpected exception has been detected in native code outside the VM.
    Unexpected Signal : EXCEPTION_ACCESS_VIOLATION occurred at PC=0x6D1E2AFB
    Function=[Unknown.]
    Library=(xxxxx)

    NOTE: We are unable to locate the function name symbol for the error
          just occurred. Please refer to release documentation for possible
          reason and solutions.

    Current Java thread:
    at sun.awt.font.NativeFontWrapper.registerFonts(Native Method)
    - locked <0698FDC8> (a java.lang.Class)
    at sun.java2d.SunGraphicsEnvironment.addPathFonts
    (SunGraphicsEnvironment.java:575)
See answer for question 1.4.

Q1.6: | JavE starts, but it does not show any icons on the buttons!
See answer for question 1.4.

Q1.7: | I have found a bug. What can I do?
Write to markus@jave.de and don't forget to tell me what operating system and Java Runtime Environment you are using. I try to fix all bugs, but I need your help to find out where there are any.

## 2. Other questions about JavE

Q2.1: | How do you spell "JavE"?
Try to speek it like a mixture of the words "jam" and "wave":

Q2.2: | Are there other fonts supported than "Courier New"?
Yes, but please do not expect it to work on all systems out there. Java font support is not very good. There is an item "font" in the menu "view". You can select a font there. However this will only work with a limited subset of all installed fonts on your system. Also JavE will forget the setting after restart. I will extend this option in future releases. If you want to use the fixedsys font from windows, you have to download and install the true type font (TTF) version from my homepage: fixedsysttf4.zip This font is not perfect and will not look good on some systems! Well, at least it is better than nothing...

Q2.3: | Will there be colored ASCII supported in JavE?
No. I have done this decision a long time ago: I will not add color to JavE. I have played around with individual colored characters when I was working on the image2ascii converter. At the first sight the result was cool, but then again no. It is the same thing as with black/white and color photography: The effect on a spectator of a color picture comes more from the color than from the shape, shades, etc. It is easy to impress people with colorful images but it is much more art with black and white. This is my personal opinion. Also I should add that I did a lot of black/white photography in former years. So I will not add color to JavE - but as the jmov player is open source anyone can try to enhancing it by adding a color option. One more thing about colors: By not supporting colors in JavE there is an empty space where any other software developer can still do a lot of interesting things. Maybe I already have repelled (or demotivated) others with the overkill of features in JavE. Actually I don't like such monopolistic software and so I want to restrict myself (although it is not easy ;-)). As long as I make the rules for what new features will be added, there never will be color support in JavE.

Q2.4: | Is JavE open source?
No, it is closed source - but it is (and will always be) freeware. In case one day I stop working on JavE, I will consider releasing it as open source.

Q2.5: | How can I help?
Most of all I need your bug reports and your opinion about what does not work the way you want it to. Furthermore if you have developed cool algorithms or know about features that would fit into my project, just let me know. What about writing a tutorial or some piece of documentation? Write to markus@jave.de.

Q2.6: | What is the difference between generic (green) and algorithmic (blue) tools?
The generic tools (green) all use the same algorithm to create Ascii art. This algorithm is quite stupid and does not distinguish the shapes you are drawing. However the results are quite good and there are various options for the Ascii art style: Line-Art, Felt Pen, ... BTW: You can take a look behind the scenes by holding down the CTRL-key while drawing. The Algorithmic tools (blue) have been developed independetly. For example there is a very complex algorithm for creating lines. It is capable of doing almost the same line style as done by famous ASCII-Artists. The rectangle tool will produce perfect rectangles created out of a certain set of characters. It is intended for more scientific drawings and tables, etc. Another difference is the resolution: With most algorithmic tools you are limited to start and end the shape on a character - so the resolution is very low and you are limited for example when choosing the size of an ellipsis. Generic tools provide a higher resolution: Every character is divided into a grid of 3x4 points where you can start or end the shape. I recommend playing around with the tools and options to get a better idea.

Q2.7: | Where can I find out more about how to use JavE?
Read the tutorials: JavE - Balls Grayscale Girl

Q2.8: | I have an idea for an improvement. What can I do?
Do not hesitate to write to markus@jave.de. Cool ideas are always welcome, as well as suggestions about how to make using JavE easier.

## 3. Questions about Ascii-Art

Q3.1: | Where can I find out more about Ascii-Art?
I suggest reading the documents in the ASCII-Art Documents Archive.

[JavE Homepage] [docs] [screenshots] [download]