1) I have a PC. My friend has a Mac. Can she open my schedules? Can I open hers?

Yes to both.

To go from Mac to PC:

1.Insert a PC-formatted disk in the Macintosh and copy the schedule file to it. (If your Mac cannot read PC disks, contact Apple about obtaining a program called PC Exchange.)
2.Now insert the disk in the PC and copy the file to the Scheduling folder.
3.Open Movie Magic Scheduling.
4.Click on File, select Open, select "All Files," and choose the schedule.
To go from PC to Mac:

1.Copy the schedule to a PC-formatted disk.
2.Now insert the disk in the Macintosh and copy the schedule file into the Scheduling folder. (If your Mac cannot read PC disks, contact Apple about obtaining a program called PC Exchange.)
3.Open Movie Magic Scheduling.
4.Click on File, select Open, and choose the schedule.

NOTE: If you do not know how to copy files or open folders, please refer to your Mac or Windows help.

2) Can someone with the old version (2.x) open a file I've saved in 3.0?

No. Changes have been made to enhance the reliability of Scheduling 3.0 files. Therefore, once the file has been saved in 3.0 it cannot be opened in 2.x.

3) Is there a way that the 3.x version can write out a 2.x version file that I could read?

Yes, our programs can save or read earlier versions.

4) Am I able to import a script from screenwriter into a new or old scheduling file?

Yes, however it will import the entire script onto the end of your schedule. If the script you are importing is the same script that you used to create the schedule file, you will have to eliminate all redundant strips and keep only the ones where you have made changes.

5) Q. When I try to open Movie Magic Scheduling I get a message that says, "HASP protection system: No authorization to run this program (0)." What can I do?

This is an older version of Scheduling. You should contact sales and upgrade to version 3.6 or higher. This message indicates the dongle was not activated. We have included a utility, that comes with Movie Magic Scheduling, called Customer.exe that will turn on the dongle.

6) When I try to open my schedule it says it was created with an incompatible version. What's wrong?

If you are trying to open a Movie Magic Scheduling 3.x file in version 2.x it will display this message because MMS 2.x cannot open MMS 3.x files.
If you received this file through e-mail and you get this message it may be due to the fact that the file is compressed. If the file has an extension that is anything other than .mms it is probably compressed. Contact the person who sent this file to you and find out what software they used to compress this file. Once you know, you can acquire the same compression software to open your file. There are many compression utilities online that you can get for free or for a small price

7) Where is my Scheduling program installed? I need to open reports, strips and sorts and I can't find it.

As is typical with other Windows 95 applications, Scheduling is installed in the program files directory. You can navigate there from any file requester window. The exact location is C:Program FilesCreative PlanetMovie Magic Scheduling. For further information on navigating through file requester windows please see your windows help.

8) Can you order a network version of Movie Magic Scheduling?

No, our software is not yet made to install on a network server. Movie Magic products are licensed per seat so it is necessary to buy one package per user. Future releases will enable multiple use log-ins.

9) How do I add int/ext or day/night choices to my schedule

Click on design and select "int/ext colors". Add your choices in this window.

10) After I enter an element, the message box displays "Element doesn't exist".

Enter a semi-colon at the end of the new element

11) I have Windows 98 and the Pop-Up Element List is not showing up, why?

This is an older version of Scheduling. You should contact sales and upgrade to version 3.6 or higher. In the meantime you can follow these instructions: The Pop-up Element List will not display more than approximately thirty objects in any category. This is due to a limitation in pop-up window sizes in the Windows 98 environment.
One method to get around this inconvenience is to use your Element Quick Entry Window. Hold down the Alt key and double click on a Category. This will open the Element Quick Entry Window. If you want to open the Element Quick Entry Window just by double-clicking on it, go into your Edit menu and click Preferences. You can change the Click On Category to Double-Click For Quick Entry. This will allow you to double click on any Category to bring up the Element Quick Entry window.

12) Is there a faster way to go to the next breakdown sheet? Do I always have to click on the right arrow?

There is a faster way! Hit CTRL+3 or CTRL+ right-arrow on the keyboard.

13) How do I renumber the breakdown sheets?

Movie Magic Scheduling can renumber all your sheets automatically but once done it cannot be undone.

1.Go to the Breakdown menu.
2.Click on Renumber Sheets.
14) Can you renumber the scenes automatically?

No, only sheet numbers.

15) How do you make the element quick entry window appear by clicking on the Category name?

This is a feature that you can choose in your preference menu.

1.Go to the Edit menu and click on Preferences.
2.Go to the section at the top left called Click on Category Names and choose the radio button that says Double-Click for Quick Entry.
3.Click OK.

16) Why can't I sort my schedule by a category like "Cast".

Sorting by categories can be done, but unlike "sets", which only have one possible choice, categories like "cast" have many. Therefore to sort you must tell the program what order to sort by. For instance: "sort by "Fred", "Charlie", "Steve". The "," is like saying "then". So all of Fred's strips are first, then Charlie's. If the two appear on the same strip Fred will take priority since he is named first.

17) Board swap does not seem to be working correctly.
This is normally just a misunderstanding of how Board Swap works. Here's what you need to know:

1.Board swap only saves the order the strips are in for this schedule: it doesn't save a separate copy of the board. What this means is if you delete a strip in one order, you delete this strip for all orders in that schedule.
2.Since board swap only restores the order of the strips that were there when the board was created, then if strips are added to the schedule after an order was created they will not appear when the order is restored. This is normal because they were not part of the order when you saved it.
These strips will be placed in the boneyard. To make them a part of the order cut them from the boneyard and paste them into the order, then resave it in board swap.
18) How do you sort strips by set and then by scene numbers?

The directions below will take you step by step through the Sort & Select process and allow you to save your sort so that you can use it again.

1.Go to your Schedule menu and click on Sort & Select or (CTRL+T).
2.Use the Language buttons or type: Sort all strips by "Set" then "Scene numbers".
3.Click the Save button.
4.Name this sorting method.
5.Click Save.
6.Once the dialog box closes, click the Sort/Select button.
7.The stripboard will now appear in your sort order.

19) How do I get my day breaks to show the day of the week?

You will need to do some design work.

1.Go to the Design menu and click on Strips.
2.Double click where the End of Day field is.
3.Change the date string to read: {Date/L} (the /L adds long date support).

If that does not show the date, try modifying your Date format to the United States format.

1.Go to your Start menu.
2.Go to Settings and click on Control Panel.
3.Double Click on Regional Settings.
4.Click on the Datetab.
5.Under Long Date Style type: dddd, MMMM dd, YYYY.
6.Click OK.
20) My day breaks have the wrong background color.

Click on design and select "int/ext colors". Click on "day brea" and select "background". Change to the desired color you want (black for instance) then select "text" and change that to the desired color you want (white for instance).

21) My cast member list in the header board is getting cut-off at the bottom.

The design features are extensive in the program. It is recommended that you follow the documentation in the tutorial to aid in the following directions.

1.Go to the Design menu and click on Strips.
2.Go to the Strips menu and click on Switch to Layout.
3.A pop-up menu will appear. Choose the strips you are using. Note: Only vertical strips have a Headboard.
4.The field that controls the Cast Members list is actually controlled on the strip.
5.Adjust the size of the Cast Members field by clicking on the black box in it's corner and either compress the field or stretch it. You may want to move other surrounding fields so you have more room to manipulate.
6.Double click in the center of the field.
7.The Field Options dialog box will appear.
8.You can adjust the columns of the Cast Members list so you can fit more cast members on the header.
9.Change the numbering from Auto to specific. This will allow you to split the columns at a specific number. The number you put in Split Row will cause the columns to divide after that number.
10.When you are done adjusting the columns click OK.
11.If your Cast Members do not display make sure your Cast Members field fits within the borders of the strip.

You're done and it looks just like you wanted!

22) Why do I have an extra day at the end of my schedule?

You have some strips or banners between your last day break and the "end of schedule" banner. The program accounts for this with an extra day. Move or remove them from between these strips.

23) My day-out-of-days is wrong. It shows people working when they're not.

This is likely due to banners being around the day strips.

1.Click on Schedule.
2.Click on Stripboard.
3.Scroll to the section of the stripboard that corresponds to the problem area on the Day-out-of-days.
4.Are there any banners around those daybreaks? If so, double-click on them.
5.Only Comment Only and No Change should be checked.
6.Uncheck Permit Multiple Daybreaks Across Banner.
7.Click Okay.
Your day-out-of-days should now be correct. Check your day-out-of-days and see if your character is on hold or off. If he is still working go through your Stripboard and make sure your Banners do not have Permit Multiple Day Breaks Across Banners checked.

24) My column headings are not showing for the day-out-of-days.

This is an older version of Scheduling. You should contact sales and upgrade to version 3.5 or higher. Unfortunately, in versions prior to 3.5 the headings will not show in the view window, but the headings will print.

25) I'm missing all of my reports and strips from my schedule.

You can load the reports and strips into your schedule.

1.Go to the Design menu and click on Reports.
2.Go to the Reports menu and click on Import Reports Layout.
3.A dialog box will open in the Movie Magic Scheduling folder. If it does not, you will need to navigate to the Movie Magic Scheduling folder. Double click on the folder that says Reports.
4.Select the name of the report you would like to have in your schedule and click Open. You will now see the template for that report on your screen.
5.To bring more reports into your schedule repeat the steps above. If you want to bring strips into your schedule substitute the word "reports" for "strips" in the directions above.

26) How do you save all the custom colors, reports, strips and settings from a particular schedule?

Your schedule can be turned into a form that you can reuse.

1.Go to File.
2.Click on "create form."
3.Give it a name and click "save." Any time you want to start a new schedule instead of using the default form you can pick the form you just made.
27) Is there a way I can move elements from one schedule to another?

No, you cannot merge elements of different schedules.

28) I'm having problems designing strips or reports.

Designing is a very powerful feature in Scheduling. While it isn't very difficult there are many things to learn. The Scheduling User Guide has an excellent tutorial on all design aspects. It is strongly recommended that you read this tutorial before designing.

29) My calendar is not keeping days off. In addition, the date is wrong.

Try entering the date numerically ( e.g. 5/10/99). The calendar occasionally has trouble resetting itself. If this still does not correct the date you must reset it manually by stripping all the Days Off out until it is blank.

1.In Movie Magic Scheduling, click on Schedule.
2.Select Calendar.
3.Look at the Global Days Off section of the calendar.
4.Are any of the boxes checked (black)? If so, uncheck them. (click on them so that they turn white)
5.Once you have unchecked the Global Days Off, go through the calendar and uncheck ALL other days off. (A day off is marked with a red X.) Using the arrows at the bottom of the calendar, scroll forwards for at least one year and backwards until you reach 1947, making sure that NOdays are checked off.
6.Is the entire calendar blank? Then click OK.
7.When it asks if you want to proceed, click OK. After it is finished recalculating, click on Schedule and selectCalendar.
8.Now check and make sure that NOdays are checked off. Scroll backwards and forwards for at least one year to make sure. If ANY day is checked off (has a red X in it), then repeat the steps as before, unchecking any days that are marked off.
9.If the calendar has NOdays checked off, you can now re-enter your schedule, checking any days off that you need. Pay close attention to the Important Note about Global Days Off!
10.When you have reentered your schedule, click OK.

After it recalculates, you should see that your stripboard now shows all work days and days off correctly.
IMPORTANT NOTE ABOUT GLOBAL DAYS OFF: The global days off are an all-or-nothing feature. Meaning that if you are working only one Saturday out of 10, for example, you cannot check off Saturday in the Global Days Off section and then Uncheck on the calendar the one day you are working. In that situation you have to manually check off all nine Saturdays that you have off and leave the box unchecked.

30) When I enter in my date for this year in the production start, as soon as I close the calendar and re-open it, it gives me a different date and the year is 1947.

There is a bug in the calendar concerning non U.S. date formats. Even though it will display the date format in your native countries format, when you close the calendar it will be unable to interpret the date and revert it to April of 1947.

This problem is fixed for some of the foreign languages in the 3.6 version of the program. You should contact sales for upgrade information.

1.Go to your Start menu.
2.Go to Settings and click on Control Panel.
3.Double Click on Regional Settings.
4.Click on the Date tab.
5.Under Short Date Style type: M/d/yy.
6.Under Long Date Style type: dddd, MMMM dd, YYYY.
7.Click OK.
The other alternative would be to re-enter the dates numerically (e.g. 5/10/99) each time before you close the calendar.

31) When I view my call sheet, my page count does not come up for each scene. Instead, it gives the full-page count number on the first page.

This is a limitation of the call sheet. There may be a correction in a future release.

32) When I go to view my location list I only see the location name.

The location category form is not loaded so no other information will print.

1.Go to your Design menu and click Categories.
2.Scroll down your Category List, which is on the left side of the dialog box.
3.Click on Location.
4.Click the Load button.
5.Double click on your Categories folder. If you do not see the Categories folder navigate to your Movie Magic Scheduling folder where Categories resides.
6.Double click on the file called LOCATION.CAT.
7.Click OK.
8.You can now enter the location information.

33) I have intermittent printing problems. Sometimes I get the message "Scheduling dongle not found (HASP)! See original documentation on installing dongle."

This is an older version of Scheduling. You should contact sales and upgrade to version 3.6 or higher.
In some rare cases dongles can conflict with a printing job. We have deliberately made the dongle setting such that these problems should be kept to a minimum. If you experience a problem simply try again, it should work fine. If that doesn't work, try restarting your machine and then printing again. Make sure you have the latest dongle driver. This will greatly reduce any conflicts you may be experiencing.

34) How do I get my strips to align correctly on the Striperf paper?

This seems a lot more difficult than it actually is. Please refer to the manual on how to align strips for complete instructions.

35) How do I print just the banners and day strips?

Use Sort and Select.

1.Click on Schedule.
2.Select Sort and Select.
3.In the window, type in Select Strips with "Sheet Number" less than 0.
4.To the right of the window, under Move Strips To, select Highlight Only.
5.Click Sort/Select.
6.Click on File.
7.Click on Print/View.
8.In the middle left of the screen, under Print/View Range, click on Selected.
9.In the middle right of the screen, under Include, make sure the Day Strips and Banners boxes are checked.
10.Click on Print.

NOTE: Many popular sort and select options are shipped with the program and can be accessed by opening sort and select, choosing "load", opening the "sort" folder and selecting the sort and select option you want.

36) I have color or gray options set for my strips but they are printing in black and white.

To print colors or grays you must check the "print strips in color" option in the bottom left corner of the print/view window.

37) How do I get my day strips to print with black background and white text?

To enable this function do the following:

1.Go to File.
2.Click Print/View.
3.Choose the kind of strips you would like to print.
4.Go to Strip Options.
5.Click the box beside Print Black Day Strips.

This feature is not present in the 3.0 version. If you do not have this printing option, please contact sales for the latest version of the program.

38) How do I get my comment banners to print out on my shooting schedule?

Printing banners is an option you can choose when you are in the print/view dialog box.

1.Go to the File menu.
2.Click on Print/View.
3.Make sure Reports is selected under Report Type.
4.Select the Shooting Schedule.
5.Click the Banners box which is located under Include Options.
39) I have a Toshiba Laptop and can use the program but I am unable to print when the dongle is attached.

This is an older version of Scheduling. You should contact sales and upgrade to version 3.6 or higher. In the meantime you can follow these instructions: The Toshiba laptops usually have their printer ports configured for ECP mode. The Dongle has been known to have problems with ECP mode. Make sure you have the latest dongle driver. Change your printer port configuration to Standard Bi-directional. The instructions below can be used to overcome this printer problem.

1.Go into your Start menu and click on Programs.
2.Click on the Toshiba Utilities. Note: If you do not have Toshiba Utilities in your Programs group you will need to call Toshiba and request that they show you how to change your printer mode from ECP to Standard Bi- directional.
3.Choose Hardware.
4.Click on Hardware Options.
5.Choose Parallel Printers (Ports).
6.Then change ECP to Standard Bi-directional.
7.Click Reboot.