Installation

PanelForge is distributed as an installer executable. After installation PanelForge can be opened via the item added to the Windows start menu (or start screen).

PanelForge Studio is also provided as a simple zip compressed directory for flexibility allowing multiple versions to be accessed simply in a Studio environment.

PanelForge 2.X can be installed concurrently with PanelForge 1.X. Each version will use independent settings files and registry entries.

Preparation

Make sure the target computer system reaches the minimum System Requirements. Carefully refer to this PanelForge documentation Wiki when required.

The PanelForge software is provided in two forms:

• PanelForge-2_X_X-Win64.exe - A Windows installer executable that will install the PanelForge Program directory and register the PanelForge executable with Windows.
• PanelForge-2_X_X-Win64.zip - (Studio version only) A compressed directory containing the PanelForge Program directory. Contains a ‘PanelForge.exe’ executable that can be run directly without the need of installation.

Installation

Although the installation of PanelForge is designed to be as easy and intuitive as possible the following provides a detail description of its nature.

Standard Installation

If you have already installed a previous version of ‘PanelForge’ you will be prompted for it to be uninstalled before continuing.

To install on Windows load the installer executable for PanelForge and follow the simple on screen instructions:

• PanelForge-2_X_X-Win64.exe

The installer will install the following items:

• The PanelForge program directory (default into the Windows ‘ProgramFiles’ directory).
• A Shortcut to the PanelForge executable and uninstaller executable into the Windows Start Menu.
• Registry entries for PanelForge Project ‘pfz’ and Panel ‘pfn’ file format association.
• Registry entries for PanelForge Project and Panel file format icons for use in Windows Explorer.
• Registry entry for PanelForge uninstaller for use with the ‘Uninstall a Program’ Windows Control Panel.

Silent Command Line Installation

The above installer executable can also be used via the Windows Command Prompt without the display of graphical windows. This mode can be activated using ‘/S’ silent flag.

Portable Installation ('Studio' version only)

For portable usage of PanelForge the compressed distribution of the PanelForge Program directory can be used:

• PanelForge-2_X_X-Win64.zip

First decompress the above file, then open the ‘panelforge.exe’ Windows executable file in the decompressed PanelForge Program directory.

Using this installation method for a permanent solution is not recommend as it will not provide the optimal experience with the Windows operating system.

Uninstallation

First exit PanelForge if open before proceeding with uninstallation.

To uninstall PanelForge the Windows 'Uninstall or Change a Program' Control Panel can be used. The following instructions refer to Windows 7, under other version of Windows the method may vary.

1. Open the Windows 'Control Panels' using the start menu item.
2. Select the 'Uninstall a program' item.
3. In the 'Uninstall or change a program' window double click the 'PanelForge (Studio/Pro)' item from the list.
4. Select ‘Yes’ when prompted to uninstall 'PanelForge (Studio/Pro).
5. You have now have successfully uninstalled 'PanelForge (Studio/Pro)’.

Troubleshooting

If you are experiencing unexpected results and require additional support contact use via email: contact@panel-forge.com

The PanelForge Viewport is not drawing correctly

Installing a newer graphics card/chipset driver in many cases will fix this issue. Older versions of Windows may not automatically update graphics card drivers as part of the 'Windows Update' feature.

Official Graphics card/chipset drivers can be found at the following websites depending on model:

• NVIDIA: https://www.nvidia.com/download
• AMD: https://www.amd.com/en/support
• Intel: https://downloadcenter.intel.com