Table of Contents:

1.  Overview of the artplayer 4.1 and ArtAlbum Collections
2.  Cool Stuff You Can Do With Your artplayer
3.  Tour through the artplayer
4.  Frequently Asked Questions
5.  Known Problems and Workarounds
6.  Technical Support Contact Information

1.  OVERVIEW:  THE ARTPLAYERTM AND ARTALBUMTM COLLECTIONS

"Art for Your Desktop"TM

Each of LiquidArt's ArtAlbum collections is viewed and used through the artplayer -- our own media player.  

The artplayer enables the contents of each ArtAlbum collection to be used as a slideshow screensaver and desktop wallpaper. You can also:

•	Make collections using your own images
•	Download collections directly from the artplayer
•	Email collections to your friends
•	Learn about the art through the artplayer

The artplayer is yours to keep when you download it along with an ArtAlbum collection.  You can download Free Trial versions- so you can "try before you buy" each of our ArtAlbum collections.  We'll be continually improving the artplayer to add functions and features and make it easier to use (email us at  with your suggestions).  Be sure to upgrade your artplayer version after each new release.

2.  COOL STUFF YOU CAN DO WITH YOUR ARTPLAYERTM

•	Make a homemade image collection with your own photographs and art. 
•	Make any collection your screensaver and background wallpaper. 
•	E-mail an ArtAlbum collection to a friend. 
•	Read about each artist, collection, and work 

3.  TOUR THROUGH THE ARTPLAYER:TM

Tour through the artplayer™:

"Collections" Tab

The "Collections" Tab is a display of each ArtAlbum collection you have downloaded and installed in your artplayer and all collections you've made yourself. The "Collections" Tab is like an interactive library bookshelf -- you can view the covers of your art books and choose specific ArtAlbums to explore. 

From the "Collections" Tab you can add more ArtAlbum collections, purchase ArtAlbum collections, and change the settings on your screensaver. 

Navigating from the top of the "Collections" Tab downward: 

•	Internet link next to collection title: click on this to link to the Internet and see more information regarding the art relating to the title displayed. 

•	Open Collection button: allows you to browse all the images in an ArtAlbum collection by clicking on a collection title (locked images in a Free Trial collection won't display until you buy the ArtAlbum collection and insert the unlocking key). 

The dialog box displayed when you click on the Open Collection button has a few cool features:

•	You can download another collection by clicking Download. 

•	To locate an ArtAlbum collection on your hard drive, use the Find a Collection button. 

•	The Remove button removes the collection highlighted in the "Open Collection" dialog box. 

•	Send Collection button: you can e-mail collections to your friends and family! 

To send a collection, click on Send Collection and follow the instructions given by the Wizard. Presently, this functionality supports e-mailing an Internet hyperlink to the liquidart website to download the ArtAlbum collection you'd like to share with a friend. 

Download button: The "Download" feature provides you 2 options: 
(1) Download any ArtAlbum collection (buy it or try it before you buy it!) for which you've received a Teaser collection. 
and
(2) Hyperlink to the liquidart.com website to view a selection of additional ArtAlbum collections we have available. 
To use this feature, click on the Download button and follow the instructions provided by the wizard.

Purchase button: buy an ArtAlbum collection for which you've already downloaded a free Trial version. 

Settings button: modifies settings for the artplayer and screensaver:

"Screensaver" Tab:

•	"Enlarge picture to best fit" expands the size of the screensaver image to fit your full computer monitor screen. Our images are designed for best use at 800 by 600 screen resolution. 

•	"Show pop-up navigation bar on mouse move" toggles the small "fastforward" and "rewind" button bar that pops up when you move your mouse while the screensaver is playing. If you uncheck the box, the bar doesn't come up and the screensaver exits when you move the mouse. 

•	"Password Protected" check box: check this box to require a password to close your screensaver and return to your Windows display. If you forget your password, re-boot your computer and reset the password to something you'll remember. 

"Collections" Tab: check the box for each collection that you want to view as your screensaver. 

"Transitions" Tab: allows you to choose which screensaver transitions to use and specify their duration. 

"Tray Icon" Tab: toggles the artplayer tray icon (the liquidart logo-shortcut in the Windows Taskbar, on the right). 

"Wallpaper" Tab: gives quick instructions on how to make any ArtAlbum collection image into your background wallpaper. 

Preview button: launches the selected ArtAlbum as a screensaver. 

Note: When the screensaver activates as a result of inactivity on the computer, it launches the collections you've selected in the Settings dialog box (under the "Collections" Tab in the Settings box). However, when you click Preview, the artplayer displays the currently selected ArtAlbum as displayed on the main artplayer window. 

Help button: Gives some quick tips on using the artplayer. See the liquidart.com website for additional help. 

About button: Displays information about liquidart, the artplayer, and the currently selected collection in the main artplayer window.

 Zoom button (lower right of artplayer): allows you to toggle between different viewing modes. 

"Images" Tab 

The "Images" Tab displays all of the images from the collection selected through the "Collections" tab. The "Images" tab is like an interactive table of contents for an art book or photo album -- you can zoom in and out to view images up close or view more than one image at a time. 

If the "Images" Tab doesn't display all the images in a free Trial ArtAlbum collection, you'll need to buy it then insert the unlocking key you'll receive. Until you insert the unlocking key, only the "sample" images will be displayed. 

All collections are “try before you buy,” meaning you can view all of the images in the collection for a limited time after which can opt to purchase the entire collection. All images will be disabled when the trial period expires. 

Navigating from the top of the "Images" Tab downward (skipping buttons which are the same as on the "Collections" Tab:

•	About Art button: click on this to read about the artist, museum or other originator of the art you're viewing. 

•	Set as Wallpaper button: allows you to set the selected image as your background wallpaper. 

"Expert" Tab 

The "Expert" Tab displays the same images as the "Images" Tab, but allows you to make greater use of the artplayer and gives you more control over how you view and use the images. 

From the "Expert" Tab you can create and edit your own image collections and modify artplayer settings. 

Navigating from the top of the "Expert" Tab downward (skipping buttons which are the same as the other Tabs): 

•	Create Collection: allows you to create your own image collections. 
•	Edit Collection : Allows you to change the order of the images in a homemade collection, or remove or add images.

4.  FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

•	Question:  What are the artplayer system requirements?

•	Answer:  The artplayer is designed to work on Windows 95, 98, and NT, SVGA video (see best resolution and color below), and works best on systems with a processor speed of 200 mhz or higher, at least 32 megs of RAM and over 50 mb of hard drive space (it won't use all the space, but it's best for any Windows applications to have extra space to run). 

The minimum screen resolution to display the artplayer is 800 x 600.  You can still use it at lower resolutions but the artplayer won't display the entire window.  

The artplayer displays correctly on systems set to "high color" or "true color" or better (in the Windows Control Panel, go to "Display Properties," then "Settings," and select high color or true color in the "Color Palette" menu).  

The artplayer 4.1works best with Display Properties set to "small fonts"  (to set this, look under "Display Properties" in the Windows Control Panel, then go to the "Settings Tab," then click the Advanced button and set fonts to "small fonts").

•	Question:  How do I exit a screensaver?  When I move my mouse, rather than exiting, I get a little pop-up bar with arrows on it.

•	Answer:  To exit a screensaver, hit any key on the keyboard or mouse-click anywhere outside the small pop-up bar.  The pop-up bar is a  feature that allows you to browse through images in full screen mode and hyperlink to our website to find out more about our artists and collections.  

You can toggle the pup-up bar to "off" and the screensaver will exit when you move the mouse. 

•	Question:  What is a "Free Trial" version? 

•	Answer: We want you to be able to try ArtAlbum collections to see if you like the art before you commit to keeping a collection. You can download them, install them, and view them for a limited time until it expires. You can opt to purchase the collection either before or after the collection expires. If you opt to purchase the collection, you don't have to download anything else -- it's all in the Trial version to be unlocked!

•	Question:  How do I download additional ArtAlbum collections to use with my artplayer?

•	Answer:  Download any ArtAlbum collection from this website or any other website where you find one.  

You can do this through the artplayer, too.  Click on the "Download" button on the artplayer.

Run the Setup_(collection name)_LAC.exe file (click on the Windows Start Menu button, click Run, then Browse to the location of the Setup file, and click OK) and be sure to install the new collection in the same folder as your prior artplayer (usually it's the default, c:\Program Files\liquidart).  

Follow the setup instructions and you're done.

•	Question:  How do I buy an ArtAlbum collection so that I can keep it and view all of the images in the collection?

•	Answer:  You have 2 options:

(A) You can buy a pre-paid version and download it from liquidart.com.  Follow the instructions to buy a collection from liquidart.com (use a credit card):

1.  Download the collection to your computer; and 

2.  Run the Setup_(collection name)_LAC.exe file (click on the Windows Start Menu, then click Run, then click Browse and move to the location of the Setup file, then click OK). 

WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND INSTALLING THE ARTPLAYER INTO THE DEFAULT C:\Program Files\liquidart FOLDER.

If you cannot find the file you just downloaded, try searching for "*LAC*" on your hard drive, this should locate all of the ArtAlbum collections you have on your hard drive (both installed and just downloaded).

(B) Download a Free Trial collection and install it with the same procedure described above.  There are a few additional steps involved in buying and keeping a Trial version:

1.  Launch the artplayer.

2.  Select / highlight the ArtAlbum collection that you want to purchase by single-clicking on the cover image representing the ArtAlbum.

3.  Click on the Purchase button on the artplayer.

4.  Follow the instructions provided by the artplayer Purchase wizard.

5.  The liquidart.com website will provide you with an "Unlocking Key."  Copy the Unlocking Key by highlighting, right-clicking on the selected text and choosing <Copy>.

6.  In the artplayer Purchase window, right click into the "Unlocking Key" box, and choose Paste.  Then click OK.

At this point, you should have successfully purchased the collection and be looking at a confirmation from the artplayer.  If you're not, go back to the liquidart.com website Unlocking Password page and try to copy it again (proofread!) and, if that doesn't work, type it in manually.

K.  You can also purchase a collection by:

Faxing your Name, e-mail address, credit card number, credit card billing address, and Registration Number to liquidart at 312-595-0675  (give us a return fax number if you don't have e-mail)

E-mailing the same information to liquidart at purchase@liquidart.com.

•	Question:  I just want to use a liquidart collection as a screensaver.  How do I do this?

Answer:  Run the Setup_(collection title)_LAC.exe file you downloaded.  The ArtAlbum collection you installed will automatically be your default screensaver (you can always change this back through the Windows Control Panel, in "Display Settings," under the "Screensaver" Tab).  

•	Question:  How do I change the settings for my screensaver?

•	Answer:  Open the Control Panel,  "Display Settings," "Screensaver" Tab, (click on "Settings" for the screensaver) or launch the artplayer through the Start Menu or the tray icon and choose Settings.

To use a non-liquidart screensaver, you can change the settings under Control Panel, "Display Settings," "Screensaver" Tab, to another screensaver, or go to Settings on the artplayer and uncheck "use artplayer as screensaver."

•	Question:  How do I uninstall the artplayer from my computer?

•	Answer:  Follow these steps:

1.  If you have the liquidart tray icon running (lower right corner of your Windows Taskbar), close it by right -clicking and selecting "Close Tray Icon."

2.  Go to "Add/Remove Programs" in the Windows Control Panel (Windows Start Menu on the Windows Taskbar, choose "Settings," then "Control Panel," and "Add/Remove" programs), then make sure you're at the "Install/Uninstall" Tab.

3.  Select the artplayer in the list of installed applications.

4.  Click on <Add/Remove> and then follow the instructions in the uninstall routine.

The following steps are for additional cleanup only:

5.  Through Windows Explorer, check the folder where the artplayer was installed (usually it's the default c:/Program Files/liquidart).  If you do not intend to reuse any of the data in that folder, you can delete the whole folder.

If the next time you reboot your computer you see a Windows dialog box that says it's searching for the artplayer tray icon, click Cancel.  

6.  Use Windows Explorer to search for files with the word "*liquid*" and also the extension "*lac*" in them (in Windows Explorer, choose "Tools," then "Find," then "Files or Folders," then select a drive, and type search words in the "Named" box). 

Delete all found liquidart files. 
 
8.  Here is a manual process to delete the screensaver component:

Delete the artplayer.scr file in the "c:\windows" directory 

•	Question:  My LiquidArt screensaver stopped working and I can't see the artwork through my artplayer any more.  What happened?

•	Answer:  One of two things has happened.  

1. You downloaded a Trial version of an ArtAlbum collection and it's past its expiration date.  If you want to keep it and see more images (in most collections, buying and registering unlocks more images too) follow the purchase and registration procedure described below (click on the Purchase button on the artplayer and go from there). OR

2. You might have accidentally moved or deleted the ArtAlbum collection files (or you renamed the directory or folder). 

If you still see the files in Windows Explorer but the artplayer can't find them, try removing the collection from the artplayer ("Remove" procedure described below -- under the Open Collection button) and reinstalling the ArtAlbum collection file with the Find Collection and Install Collection functions under the Open Collection button.

If you cannot find the files with Windows Explorer, you may have deleted the ArtAlbum collection.  Try Re-downloading them from liquidart.com and running Setup_(collection name)_LAC.exe as described above.

•	Question:  I downloaded an ArtAlbum collection and I also received a cover for a "Teaser" collection.  What's a "Teaser" collection? 

•	Answer:  a "Teaser" collection is like a "coming soon" movie trailer.  It informs you of an ArtAlbum collection we think you'll like.

The Teaser collection doesn't have any of the full features of a full ArtAlbum collection.  

You can remove it through the Open Collection button on the "Collections" Tab of the artplayer (or by right mouse-clicking on the collection cover at the "Collections" Tab and choosing "Remove Collection").  

If you want to download an ArtAlbum collection for which you've received a Teaser, click on the Download button, select the ArtAlbum collection that you want to download, and follow the wizard's instructions to install the ArtAlbum collection.

•	Question:  I want to use more than one collection as my current screensaver -- how do I do this?

•	Answer:  Access the artplayer Settings screen , then Then click on the "Collections" Tab on the Settings dialog box (not the same as the main "Collections" Tab of the artplayer) and check the box for each collection you want to use as your screensaver.

•	Question:  How do I get rid of the liquidart wallpaper and get back what I had before?

•	Answer:  the same way you always changed your wallpaper.  You can set any image as wallpaper through your web browser by right -clicking on the image and choosing the "Save as wallpaper" feature, or you can do it manually through the Windows Control Panel (Windows Start Menu on the Windows Taskbar, choose "Settings," then "Control Panel," , select "Display Settings," click on the "Background" Tab, and choose the wallpaper pattern you want to select).

•	Question:  I'd like to make my own collection of images to view through the artplayer, how do I do this?

•	Answer:  You can make your own collection of images to view through the artplayer -- photographs, your own art, whatever you'd like -- through the Create Collection feature on the "Expert" Tab in the artplayer.

To make your own image collection, follow these steps:

1.	Open the artplayer, and click on the "Expert" Tab.  

2.	If you want to have a collection cover, you can create one through an image editor (like Microsoft's Paint program or Adobe Photoshop), and insert it as the cover.

3.	Click on the Create Collection button on the artplayer ("Expert" Tab) and follow the instructions provided by the Create Collection wizard.  

A few notes and hints:

•	Currently supported image formats: JPEG (.jpg or .jpeg), and bitmap (.bmp).  You can convert images from other formats into JPEG's and bitmaps with most image editors.

•	"Collection Name" is the title of your collection.

•	"Description" text shows up in the "About the Collection" text under the Art Info  and About buttons.  Use this to store important information about the collection and the images.

•	When you "Select an Image for the Collection Cover," choose a cover that will help identify the collection for you.  If you don't choose a cover, a default cover will be selected.  

After you've finished your collection, you can change the order of images and remove images by clicking on the Edit Collection button at the "Expert" Tab in the artplayer.

5.  KNOWN PROBLEMS AND WORKAROUNDS

•	artplayer 4.1 requires a workaround for "large fonts" (under the Windows Control Panel, "Display Properties," "Settings" Tab).  When set on "large fonts," the artplayer's window will expand to display the larger characters displayed by the operating system, but the layout of the artplayer is really designed for "small fonts."  The best fix is to install "small fonts" under the same "Display Properties" tab and reboot. 

•	artplayer 4.1 requires color settings of "high color" or "true color" or better. If your computer is set to a lower setting (see the Windows Control Panel, "Display Properties," "Settings" Tab, "Color Palette") then the artplayer displays with odd colors. The best fix is to set your computer to "high color" or better. If the higher setting doesn't work, your video card does not support it (its VERY likely you can download and install a later driver -- see your video car manufacturer's website). 

•	artplayer 4.1 does not integrate with all configurations of e-mail systems.  For example, a workaround is required for AOL and some configurations of Microsoft Outlook.  It still works, but there is an additional manual step you need to follow. 

AOL workaround:  before sending an e-mail, follow these steps:

1) In the ArtPlayer, click on Settings from either the Collections tab or the Expert tab.
2) Click on Misc.
3) Check the box titled "Copy message body to clipboard . . ."

With the ArtPlayer configured for the AOL workaround (it works with other systems too!), follow the normal steps to send-a-collection.  After you've done this, your AOL e-mail should appear and be addressed to your send-a-collection recipient.  The final step is to right mouse-click into the body of the e-mail (the main message area) and select "Paste" from the pop-up menu that appears.  Now you can send this e-mail.

•	If you experience any of the above problems, or another problem not addressed, please contact  techsupport@liquidart.com

6.  TECHNICAL SUPPORT CONTACT INFORMATION:

We've done our best to provide as much technical information as we can for the artplayer and the liquidart.com website. However, if you have a more specific question or need technical support, you can contact us by e-mailing us at:

techsupport@liquidart.com  

Or, you can fax us at: 312.595.0675

Please include a return e-mail address or fax number and we'll answer your question as quickly as we can.  

Also, be sure to include the following information:

•	Your computer's operating system, processor speed, amount of RAM memory, and available hard drive space if you know it.

•	The ArtAlbum collection (by title) you're using.  Whether you paid for it and then downloaded it, downloaded it as a trial version and then paid for it, or downloaded it as a trial version and haven't bought it yet.  (Or if it was a free collection, etc.)

•	The version of the artplayer you have (under the About button of the artplayer).

Be as specific as you can about your question or trouble, and the exact steps that lead up to the issue.