Frequent Questions



 Still have a question that is not answered on this page? Do not hesitate to contact us at info@shadowspro.com.


Purchase



Is it safe to pay online with PayPal?

PayPal processes payments over an encrypted HTTPS connection and supports several currencies. You can pay by credit card without opening a PayPal account, or use an existing PayPal account. It is the quickest way to receive a Shadows Expert or Shadows Pro license.



I cannot pay with a credit card; Can I pay with another payment solution?

You can send cash money (only Euros) by regular mail, or you can use an IBAN wire transfer.
More about payment solutions...


Delivery



How is Shadows delivered?

The program can be downloaded free of charge from the Shadows website. When you buy a Shadows Expert or Shadows Pro license, you receive a license file by email that activates the program's advanced features. Install and associate the license file as explained in the installation guide. No physical item is sent by post.



Can I obtain the program on a physical support?

You can receive the program and license on a USB drive by ordering the boxed version of Shadows Pro. It includes the installer, your license and a copy of the www.shadowspro.com website.



I ordered my license several days ago but I didn't receive anything yet?

The license is sent by email. If you have not received it, one of the following may have occurred:

Do not hesitate to contact us to ask again for the license message.


Installation of the program


Can I install Shadows on a Mac or under Linux?

Shadows is developed for Windows x64. However, some emulator programs allow Windows programs to run under other operating systems such as Mac OS or Linux. Several Shadows users are using this solution, but no guaranty is provided that it will work. Some users reported that they use Shadows under Mac OS using Wine or Parallel Desktop. However, the newer Mac hardware use Apple Silicon, M1, M2, M3 processors, that are not compatible with x64 applications. Older Mac based on Intel processors are compatible.


Can Shadows run under Windows XP or older versions?

Shadows is developed primarily for recent Windows platforms such as Windows 10/11 and is still compatible with Windows 8.x, Windows 7 and Windows Vista. Shadows is not compatible anymore older versions. And the OS needs to be 64-bit.


Is Shadows compatible with the Windows RT version that I have on my Surface tablet?

Windows RT is a light version of Windows made for entry-level tablets running on ARM processors. This version is compatible only with applications from Windows Store. Traditional desktop applications are not compatible, therefore, Shadows will not be compatible. Windows RT was terminated in 2015.


During installation, it says that the program is not for this version of Windows. Why?

Shadows is a 64-bit application that requires a 64-bit version of Windows. If you have a 32-bit version of Windows, you may download the 32-bit version of Shadows on www.shadowspro.com/download/shadows32bits.exe


After an update, Shadows keeps saying that a new version needs to be installed. How to exit this loop?

Some versions would not delete the installer after installation, leading to a loop. You just need to manually delete the file shadowsinstaller.exe in the folder Documents\Shadows Data to fix the problem.


Installation of the license


How to install the license file?

Follow instructions given in the Installation guide.



I have installed the license file but Shadows says it is corrupted. What can I do?

The file has probably been damaged during the transfer or when it was saved. Contact us to receive again the message.



I have installed the license file but it is not recognised by Shadows. What can I do?

The license file must be named shadows.license.txt and must be saved in Documents\Shadows Data. If another name is used, it won't be recognised. Especially, check if the file extensions are displayed by Windows and that the file does not have the extension twice (.txt.txt)



I installed the new version but I can't access to the advanced functions! Why?

The license file is normally recovered from an old version. In case it is not recognized, reinstall the license following the installation guide.



I installed my license file but some functions are still locked with a red key!

Shadows exists in three levels: Shadows, is a freeware and does not need any license file, Shadows Expert and Shadows Pro, each requiring a license file. The Shadows Expert license will unlock functions marked with a yellow key, you will still see the red keys in this case. Shadows Pro will unlock the complete program.


I installed the latest version and it says that my license was found but is not associated. Why?

Since version 4.1, Shadows requires that your license is associated with the PC on which you use Shadows. So click on the button: Associate the license in the dialog box displayed at launch. You need to have an active Internet connection during the operation. Once it is associated, you do not need anymore to be connected.


I do not have an Internet connection on my PC. How can I associate my license?

Click the Associate the license button in the dialog box displayed at launch. An error is shown, but a file is created in Documents\Shadows Data\Association. Send this file to info@shadowspro.com to receive a manually associated license.


I have an error when I activate my license using the activation code received by E-mail. Why?

If activation fails, antivirus software or a firewall may be blocking the connection. Allow Shadows to communicate over the Internet by adding an appropriate firewall rule (see below). Alternatively, copy the license received by email into Documents\Shadows Data, start Shadows and try to associate it from the association dialog. If that also fails, see the next question.


I get an error when trying to associate the license when I launch Shadows. Can you help?

To associate the license, Shadows needs to communicate with an FTP server. Windows Firewall or third-party security software may block application connections by default. You may therefore need to allow Shadows to communicate over the Internet.

In Windows, open Windows Security, then Firewall & network protection and Allow an app through firewall. Choose Change settings, then Allow another app. Browse to the Shadows application, usually Program Files\Shadows\Shadows.exe, add it and retry the association process.

In case of connection error during the association, go to the folder: Documents\Shadows Data\Association and send the text file that was created to info@shadowspro.com to receive the manually associated license.


Upgrades


Shadows tells me that a new version is available on line. Can I download it?

Of course! Should you use the freeware version of Shadows or the advanced version Shadows Expert or Shadows Pro, you can freely download any new version. New versions bring improvements and new features. It is always recommended to upgrade to the latest version.


I use version 3.4, can I upgrade directly to the latest version?

You can upgrade from any version to the latest version, freely. The latest version always includes all the new features and improvements introduced by intermediate versions.


My computer crashed and I lost the Shadows license file. What can I do to get it back?

Send us an Email to receive the license file.



I will need to change my PC; what do I need to do to transfer the Shadows Pro license?

Since version 4.1, it is possible to move your license with the following steps:


Using Shadows


How can I include the longitude correction in the sundial with the new version of Shadows?

In the version 1.x, the longitude correction was checked during the sundial creation and it was not possible to change this setting after the creation. In the version 2 and later, the sundial is created, then you can go to Information given by the sundial to change the kind of time displayed by the sundial.



How to display the sundial name and location?

You just need to insert a text frame (menu Frames | Insert a text frame and choose in the dialog Insert the location name or Insert the type of sundial then select the text style. The frame can be moved at any position on the sundial, contrary to earlier program versions where the name and location were displayed on top of the sundial.


How can I search the help files for a keyword?

As the manual is now a PDF file, just use the search function (CTRL-F).


Text frames do not seem to be exported in DXF format, why?

DXF does not manage very easily standard text. This is why text frames are not exported in this format. You may export the drawing in EMF format. Alternatively import your drawing into a CAD or Vector drawing application to add text and decorations.


The user manual always opens on the first page. Shouldn't it open at the requested page?

Normally, the user manual should open at a page that corresponds to the calling context. To do so, Shadows uses standard parameters of the PDF format, but some PDF readers do not support them. The opening of the PDF user manual was validated with Adobe Acrobat Reader, Google Chrome, SumatraPDF, or Foxit PDF Reader.


Miscellaneous


My firewall program has detected that Shadows tries to connect to Internet! Does it contain a virus or a spyware?

Shadows periodically checks whether a new version is available from www.shadowspro.com. It does this by reading a small file containing the current version number, so it is normal for the program to establish an Internet connection. Shadows does not send personal information during this check. If your firewall displays a notification, you can allow Shadows to access the Internet.
You can also disable the automatic mechanism in the General Preferences


3D view: what are the required technical specifications?

The 3D view in Shadows Pro requires a graphics card that supports OpenGL 3.3 or later. Most graphics cards made within the last ten years are compatible. If your PC has both integrated graphics, such as Intel HD Graphics, and a dedicated NVIDIA or AMD card, make sure Shadows uses an OpenGL-compatible graphics processor. Check the graphics settings supplied by the card manufacturer.


Continue with next page: Sundials made by Shadows Users