This information is broken into two topics.  The first is Update information.  The second is FAQ.

Update Info:

The older Deed Plotter, Deed Plotter+, Deed Plotters Series II and Deed Plotter+ Series III were designed for DOS. The remaining versions were designed for Windows.  In addition to these major releases, many minor updates for them were released.  We no longer ship DOS versions or out-of-date Windows versions.

Greenbrier Graphics ships a paper manual with each purchase of Net Deed Plotter.  If you are using Net Deed Plotter on a trial basis, or you are awaiting the arrival of the manual, you can download a pdf copy of the manual by clicking on the link that follows:

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE NET DEED PLOTTER MANUAL

If you want to run Net Deed Plotter (Version 5 of Deed Plotter) on a Windows XP computer, and you receive an error when trying to start Net Deed Plotter, you probably need to update the Microsoft .NET Framework 2.  There are several methods to obtain the .Net Framework 2.  Two methods (subject to change) are provided below.

(1)  If you have our Net Deed Plotter installation CD, you can open it (do not run install again) and run "dotnetfx.exe".
(The dotnetfx.exe file is in a folder entitled "Net Framework2 Installer.")
Running "dotnetfx.exe" will install the 32 bit version of Net Framework 2 on your XP computer.

(2)  You can download the .Net Framework 2 to the XP computer(s) that are to run Net Deed Plotter by clicking the link below.

PLEASE CLICK HERE IF YOU WANT TO INSTALL THE .NET FRAMEWORK VERSION 2 (X86)

Our current release of Net Deed Plotter (Version 5 of Deed Plotter) has the following changes and enhancements relative to its immediate predecessor (version 4.20):  This list has not been completed.

The most important changes found in version 5 of Deed Plotter (Net Deed Plotter) are improvements of existing features. For example, all releases of Deed Plotter+ for Windows permitted tracts to be moved with the mouse, but the new release simplifies this by permitting the text and tracts to move as the mouse moves.
We did everything possible to make Deed Plotter even easier to use.

 A list of changes and features new to Version 5 (Net Deed Plotter) follow:

1. Icons were added, and the menus were made easier to understand and use.
2. The Deed Call Editor has been redesigned.
3. Cardinal direction (due North, East, South, & West) can be entered directly.
4. The entry of standard section data is improved.
5. The map is always drawn in a Print Layout view.
6. The drawing can be saved as a bitmap.
7. Tract information is visible by simply moving the mouse into the tract.
8. The mouse can drag tracts and text as you move the mouse.
9. Revised Deed Conversion (again).
10. Text can be sized as needed, and there is a large font selection.
11. You have several options related to the data and border to be shown on the paper.
12. Images (topo, arial photos etc.) can be shown in the background.
13. The optional entry of coordinates has been simplified.
14. Coordinates can be saved as a text file.
15. Dxf files can be exported as feet or as meters.

The lists that follow are improvements made to Net Deed Plotter since its release on 12-12-07:

Updates to newer versions of Net Deed Plotter are cumulative.
This means a newer version will include all previous improvements.

(First minor update of Net Deed Plotter, as posted for download on 02-04-08.)

• Fixed problem with the printing of hatched (shaded) tracts.
• Added the ability to use the numeric key pad for quick entry of deed calls.
• Modified rotation to permit quick and easy rotation by using Page Keys and Arrow Keys.
• Fixed problem concerning the printing of a range of pages.
• Made improvements to Deed Conversion.
• Changed default registry and file paths to conform with Vista recommendations.

(Second minor update of Net Deed Plotter, as posted for download on 02-14-08 at 4:00 PM EST.)

(Third minor update of Net Deed Plotter, as posted for download on 03-12-08 at 2:30 PM EDT.)

• This is a very minor update that uses a new form to explain and simplify license activation.
  If you have the "02-14-08" version, you may not need to update unless you want the new license activation process.

(Fourth minor update of Net Deed Plotter, as posted for download on 03-26-08 at 6:00 PM EDT.)

• No changes to Net Deed Plotter code, but added a "Getting Started" menu option in the Help menu, and changed information concerning license activation (very minor update).  If you have the "02-14-08" version or later, you may not need to update unless you want the new license activation process.

(Fifth minor update of Net Deed Plotter, as posted for download on 04-09-08 at 5:40 PM EDT.)

• No changes to Net Deed Plotter code, but changed introduction of "Getting Started" as found in the Help menu, and changed information concerning sources for optional image files (very minor update).  If you have the "02-14-08" version or later, you may not need to update.

(Sixth minor update of Net Deed Plotter, as posted for download on 04-23-08 at 5:05 PM EDT.)

• Changed code in Net Deed Plotter to fix labeling of delta along certain curved lines on the map.
• Changed code to enable the new name of a file to show in the data box without reopening the file.
• Made minor changes to Help and Getting Started.  (Explain moving license in Help.)

If you have purchased an older version of Net Deed Plotter or are evaluating a trial version, it is recommended you download our latest version.
A minor update download will not invalidate a current Net Deed Plotter license and will not alter an evaluation period.
To determine whether this update applies to you, select About Deed Plotter.  (This is a menu option within the Net Deed Plotter Help menu.)
If there is no version date in the "about" dialog box, or that date precedes 02-14-08, we recommend you download this new version.
To download, return to the Order/Download option within this Web site and select the download option.
This minor update of Net Deed Plotter is at no charge (subject to change without notice) to those who have purchased and currently have a valid Net Deed Plotter license.

Frequently Asked Technical Questions:

As we support our customers over the years, we notice certain common questions that cannot be made visible enough in the manual to catch every customer's eye.  So, before you call, always refer to this topic to see if your answer is given here.  If you do call, please be at your computer and ready to run Deed Plotter.  It is important to provide us with your version of Deed Plotter.  Unless you are using an old DOS version, the version can be found by selecting "About Deed Plotter" from the "Help" Menu.  You are now ready to explain the details concerning your issue.

If you are considering Version 5 of Deed Plotter (Net Deed Plotter), and you have an older XP based computer, you may need to update your XP service pack.  (This is NOT an issue for Vista users.)  Not only are these service packs generally important, but Net Deed Plotter needs Version 2 of the .Net Framework (which is optionally included with XP Service Pack 2).  (Instructions to download .Net Framework 2 are given above.)

FAQ:

Q1: How do I enter a deed call of "east 153 feet"?  This question applies to north, south, east, and west and any distance.
A1: See Cardinal Directions in manual. Be careful when deciding whether calls are valid cardinal directions or are actually defective.  "East 153 feet" can be entered as "n90e 153."  Our new Version 5 of Deed Plotter (Net Deed Plotter) will accept the direct entry of a cardinal direction.  "East 153" can be entered as "e 153".

Q2: How do I enter a deed call of "southwesterly about 135 feet"? This question applies to any vague direction or distance.
A2: You don't. No person or program can solve a deed that has several bad deed calls. Reject worthless descriptions.  Do keep in mind that Deed Plotter may solve some descriptions that have a defect.

Q3: How do I place Deed Calls on the boundary lines or Circle the Corners of a tract?
A3: To place deed calls on the boundary lines, first you select (activate) the tract then click on the Show Deed Calls icon.  The Lines Menu provides a sub-menu for circling corners.  To select a tract, simply place the mouse in it and click the left mouse button.

Q4: How do I move the tracts (and text) relative to the paper?
A4: You should read the help topics that pertain to this.  Basically, tract movement is achieved by selecting the tract to be moved, then click the Translate (Move Tracts) icon.  The tract(s) will now move with the mouse if the Left Mouse Button is down.

Q5: How do I hide some of the deed calls for a tract in my printout?
A5: There are two methods to do this if the call is not a curve.  You can double click on the line that is to not be labeled.  This will toggle the call on or off.  You can also select the corner at the beginning of the line that is to not be labeled, then select the hide (or show) deed call option in the Limes Menu.  The latter method also works for curves.

Q6: How do I properly offset a tract that has deed calls before the "True Point of Beginning"?
A6: Place a slash mark ( "/" ) in front of those calls that offset the true P.O.B.  There are several examples of this in the manual and a brief example on this Web Page (below) .

Q7: How do I place multiple tracts (multi-tracts) in their proper position?
A7: In Townships and Sections this is usually done by offsets; however, any multi-tract can be moved with the mouse.  Most customers prefer to move the tracts with the mouse.  There is a help topic that walks you through an example of this.

Q8: Why will the editor not accept a rectangular formatted tract? (Example= "north 100 feet of the southwest of the northwest...")
A8: It will.   Do not place "@0" on this or the preceding line. You are probably confusing this with a metes and bounds reference to a standard section. The example above would be entered as "n100,sw,nw,5,3n,4e." (We assumed section 5, 3 north, 5 east.)  A metes and bounds tie to a section would begin with a '/' mark. The following example entry ties a simple metes and bounds tract to a section corner. The "/s34.01e 200" is a call to the true point of beginning.  Ignore this example if you don't have calls to the True Point of Beginning, and you are not working with standard government sections.

"@0" would precede the following example, IF it was not the first tract entered AND it was not a rectangular formatted tract.

_____________

/nw,5,3n,4e
/s34.01e 200
n0e 100
n90e 200
s0w100
n90w 100
_____________

(Note:  This information may not pertain to our new Deed Plotter version 5.)

Q9:  How do I prevent a "Create Process Failed" error message when attempting Deed Conversion using Microsoft Word?

A9:  This relatively rare problem is associated with networking and there is more than one solution.  The error is caused by MS Word not being able to find and launch Deed Plotter.  One solution offered by our customers is as follows:

1. Make the user an administrator on the computer that fails to launch Deed Plotter.
2. Uninstall Deed Plotter, and then reinstall Deed Plotter while logged in as this user.
3. This should solve the problem.  If desired, you can now remove the administrator rights of this user.

Q10:  Why does the "Deed Plotter+" menu option not appear in the "Tools" menu bar of MS Word?

A10:  First be certain that Deed Plotter was installed (or re-installed) AFTER MS Word was installed.  If the problem persists, be certain our GW98.wll file is in the MS Word startup folder.  This problem can also be caused by other MS Word Add Ins interfering with ours.  This problem may be associated with Docs Open or IScrub.

Q11:  When using an older version of Deed Plotter in Windows XP, I am getting a "Spaces on left or not left justified" error message.
A11:  If you have determined you are entering the data correctly, but the message persists, your version of Deed Plotter may have been designed before Windows XP became popular.  The error may not show for months or even years.  Version 4.20 (and version 5) of Deed Plotter is designed to eliminate this error.  Version 4.20 of Deed Plotter also works on older Windows platforms.  If you are considering an update, please contact us to determine your update charge (Be certain to provide you current version number).