PTLens Installation Instructions

Be sure you have downloaded the latest software directly from the Download page at the PTLens web site.

First make sure that you unzip this archive. To unzip the archive right-click on file PTLensWin.zip and choose Extract All. This will create a separate directory called PTLensWin. Then visit the new directory and double-click on file install.cmd.

You may need admin permission to do the install. Once installed you do not need admin permission to run PTlens. If you have previously installed PTLens the new version will automatically uninstall the old version prior to installing the new version. During installation you are offered a choice: Install for "everyone" or "just me". It's usually best to install for everyone.

After installation there will be a shortcut to the standalone version of PTLens on your desktop. The standalone version is required to install the license. Should you have Photoshop the plug-in will be automatically installed.

This release of PTLens is compatible with Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Windows 7 with a monitor resolution of at least 1024x768 (DPI 96). Support is included for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7.

PTLens is available as a standalone application, Photoshop plug-in, and Lightroom external editor. The trial version has a 10-image limit. To upgrade to the full version you will need a license. Click on the Purchase folder at the PTLens web site for further instructions.

Quick Start Guide

Open the standalone version of PTLens and choose "Help > PTLens Help > Getting Started".

Quick Quick Start Guide

In case you're in a rush this should get you started:

Standalone application. Double-click on the PTLens icon on your desktop. Choose the Directory button and navigate to a folder that contains JPEG images. Then select one of the images in the file list.

Photoshop plug-in. In Photoshop choose Filter > ePaperPress > PTLens.

Lightroom external editor. In Lightroom chose Edit > Preferences, select the External Editor tab, and choose PTLens.exe as an Additional External Editor. File PTLens.exe is located in the installation directory. Default location:

C:\Program Files\ePaperPress\PTLens\PTLens.exe

Also choose TIFF as a File Format. To invoke PTLens from Lightroom select an image and choose "Photo > Edit in PTLens".

Plug-In Installation: Corel PaintShop Pro

For detailed instructions click here.

Plug-In Installation: Photoshop, Photoshop Elements

Installation is automatic for Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. If you encounter difficulties then manually install the plug-in.

Before you start verify that you can view file suffixes in Windows Explorer. To open Windows Explorer right-click on the Windows Start button (lower left corner of screen) and choose Explore. Navigate to this ReadMe file. Do you see ReadMe or ReadMe.html? If you only see ReadMe, and not ReadMe.html, then press the Alt key and choose Tools > Folder Options in Windows Explorer. Select the View tab and uncheck the option that says "Hide extensions for known file types". You should now be able to view the complete file name, ReadMe.html, and not simply ReadMe.

First delete the previous version of the plug-in. The following steps must be done for both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Photoshop. By default Photoshop is installed in one or more of the following locations:

C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop ???
C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop ???

  1. Delete PTLens.8BF, PTLens32.8BF, and PTLens64.8BF, from Photoshop's Plug-ins or Plug-ins\Filters directory.
  2. Open Photoshop and open an image.
  3. If PTLens is in the Filter > ePaperPress menu close Photoshop and repeat step 1.

After the old version is removed you may install the new version. Copy the plug-in from the PTLens installation directory to Photoshop's Plug-Ins directory. Instructions vary depending on whether you have a 32-bit or 64-bit operating system. If you're not sure just open Windows Explorer and navigate to the top of your C: drive. There you will see a Program Files directory. If you also see a Program Files (x86) directory then you have a 64-bit operating system.

32-bit Operating System

Copy From: C:\Program Files\ePaperPress\PTLens\PTLen32.8BF
Copy To: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop ???\Plug-ins\Filters\PTLens32.8BF
    if Plug-ins\Filters does not exist then...
Copy To: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop ???\Plug-ins\PTLens32.8BF

64-bit Operating System

Copy From: C:\Program Files\ePaperPress\PTLens\PTLen32.8BF
Copy To: C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop ???\Plug-ins\Filters\PTLens32.8BF
    if Plug-ins\Filters does not exist then...
Copy To: C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop ???\Plug-ins\PTLens32.8BF

Copy From: C:\Program Files\ePaperPress\PTLens\PTLen64.8BF
Copy To: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop ???\Plug-ins\Filters\PTLens64.8BF
    if Plug-ins\Filters does not exist then...
Copy To: C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Photoshop ???\Plug-ins\PTLens64.8BF

After copying the plug-in start Photoshop, open an image, and choose Filter > ePaperPress > PTLens.

If you're using Photoshop Elements and PTLens does not appear in the menu, even when the plug-in is properly installed, do the following. Open Photoshop and choose "Edit > Preferences > Plug-ins" and add Photoshop's Plug-ins directory. Then restart Photoshop. I know this sounds redundant, but it usually works.

Unix

PTLens works on Unix under a Windows simulator such as Wine. To view the Help information you may need to use a 3rd party tool such as kchmviewer. The help file, PTLensHelp.chm, is in the installation directory.

Suspicious or Malicious Script

If you get a warning during installation that indicates there is a suspicious or malicious script, disable any anti-virus software you may have and install again. The installation was created using Microsoft's tools (Visual Studio) and is guaranteed virus free. For more information visit www.microsoft.com and search Microsoft.com for "script blocking security software".

Legal

This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful, but without any warranty; without even the implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. In no event shall the author be liable for any claim, damages, or other liability, whether in an action of contract, tort or otherwise, arising from, out of or in connection with the software or the use or other dealings with the software.

Contact Information

You may contact me via the Feedback link at epaperpress.com/whoami.