Windows version FAQ

Does particleIllusion work on Windows 7?
Yes, the latest versions of particleIllusion 3.0 and SE work on Windows 7.

Does particleIllusion work on the 64-bit versions of XP, Vista, and Windows 7?
Yes. Although they are 32-bit applications, the latest versions of particleIllusion 3.0 and SE work on the 64-bit versions of the Windows OSes.

When I try to update using "check for updates", I get a message about a missing file "wtupdate.exe"
This message may occur on Vista and Windows 7 on regular user accounts. The solution is to r-click the particleIllusion icon and select "run as administrator". Then try the update again.

I am trying to render an HD project and keep getting one or more of the following error messages:
"Could not find and acceptable pixel format"
"Can't create opengl context"
"Error allocating output color DC"
Because the output size is too large for particleIllusion itself to render, pIllusionRender is being launched automatically, and these messages indicate that pIRender is having OpenGL problems. First download and install the latest video drivers from your graphics card manufacturer's website (may be NVidia or AMD/ATI for instance). You can also switch pIRender to use software rendering by launching pIRender manually, clicking the "Options" button, then unchecking "use hardware acceleration".

I am trying to load an AVI and keep getting an "AVI Request Format" error message.
Update to the latest version of particleIllusion SE or 3.0 (the older versions of particleIllusion do not support DV AVIs).

If you can't update to the latest version, you have 2 options -- the first is to convert the DV AVI into a non-DV AVI or image sequence that particleIllusion can load. If you don't have a tool that can do this conversion, Rad Video Tools (http://www.radgametools.com), converts between several different formats and is free.

The second option is to install a DV codec that will allow particleIllusion to read DV AVIs. There are several commercial and free codecs available -- the Panasonic DV codec is a free one. Do a websearch for "Panasonic DV codec" and you'll find several sites with this codec and installation instructions. Note that some users have reported that the Panasonic DV codec causes problems with other codecs on their system.

Can I save an AVI with an alpha channel?
Yes, the latest versions of particleIllusion (SE and 3.0 versions) do support 32 bit AVIs. Just select an AVI codec that supports alpha (such as Lagarith or HuffYUV) then check the "Save alpha" option.

If you can't update to the latest version then you'll have to render to a sequence of images, such as PNG, or TGA. All video editing software can load an image sequence and treat it just like an AVI.

particleIllusion isn't starting up anymore. I see it running in my Processes list, but it doesn't appear onscreen, or it gives an error message upon opening.
To solve this problem, go to the Start menu, Programs, and under the particleIllusion program group choose the icon that says "Reset Default Settings". That will reset pIllusion's preferences and should get it working again. (It may also be in a "troubleshooting" menu)

If that doesn't fix the problem, Right click on 'My Computer' and choose "Properties". In the "Advanced" tab/panel, select the "Settings" button in the "Performance" pane. Choose the "Data Execution Prevention" tab and switch DEP so that it is enabled only for essential Windows programs or add particleIllusion to the exception.

I need to activate particleIllusion 3.0, but I can't find my serial number. Where is it?
If you purchased the CD version of particleIllusion 3, your serial number may be on the CD jewelcase. If you purchased the download version of particleIllusion 3, your serial number was in the "receipt" email you got when you purchased particleIllusion. Contact wondertouch if you no longer have that email.