ConceptDraw Project 4 has a new registration system for trials and product. What are the advantages of these changes?
The new registration system allows you to turn a trial version in to a full copy of ConceptDraw Project software. No other download is required when converting Project 4 to a purchased product. All that is required to convert from a trial to an actual product is to purchase Project 4 from one of our reseller partners, our online store or our sales staff to get a serial number. Once you have purchased your serial number it can then be entered into the trial copy which converts it to live product.
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ConceptDraw Project 4 has a totally reworked interface. How it will these changes help me with my projects?
The new interface was designed to maximize efficiency and increase workflow. The changes to the interface now allow you to easily navigate between project views using the tabs toolbar.
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Since I am just starting out at managing projects, is there someplace where I can see some samples of projects? This would help me get started.
When you first start ConceptDraw Project 4 you are presented the option of visiting a “Sample Folder” which is a great resource to help facilitate your familiarity with
the application. The samples contained there will also be helpful to Project Managers with more experience in project management. You will Find these project files in the Program Files (Applications) folder of your PC. On the Macintosh these files can be found at CS Odessa/ConceptDraw Project 4/Samples.
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How do I activate the help system in the trial product?
You can open the Help documentation from the Help menu, which is found on the main toolbar of any ConceptDraw Line product. Furthermore ConceptDraw Project 4 has many help buttons, added to the dialog areas of Project 4 to assist you with their functionality.
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Has Project 4 improved the text editor and made it more convenient than previous Project versions?
ConceptDraw Project 4 revised text editor is now much easier to use - now you can use “Enter” key to cause a line feed and then input a new task. Navigation in the editor with the arrow keys is now also possible.
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Can I use standard Hot Keys with ConceptDraw Project?
The Hot Keys for ConceptDraw Project 4 have been reworked. Now you are able to use the usual combination of keys for common functions. For instance Ctr+C/ Ctr+V -– is now used to copy/paste, for Windows (Cmd+C/Cmd+V –Macintosh), also we have allocated a number of hot keys for common tasks to improve user productivity. A list of these Hot Keys can be found here: for Macintosh, for Windows.
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How can I track the progress of large files opening in ConceptDraw Project?
We have designed a file opening Pprogress bar, which displays percentage done when you are opening large file or create a report.
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What major changes have been made to the reports system in ConceptDraw Project?
There are too many improvements to go into detail here. Many of the changes made to the report section were because of requests from our users. A big change we made was to include a “Select/Deselect all” option which dramatically reduces the time needed for report creation. The Report Wizard now contains illustrations to better explain how to use it to its fullest, and the Report print preview presentation has been improved.
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Can I now navigate between tasks when viewing the Gantt Chart?
It is now possible to navigate between task lines when in Gantt Chart view with ConceptDraw Project version 4. Once a task is highlighted in the Gantt view it is also highlighted in the text view, this eliminates confusion.
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In ConceptDraw Project 3 I found that I could not input decimal values when assigning resources to the tasks, has this been addressed in Project 4?
It is now possible to use a decimal point when you input percentages to Assign Resource in ConceptDraw Project 4.
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How do I view the “critical path” in my project?
The critical path is reveled with highlighting by turning it on in "Highlight critical path" under the View menu.
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How can I generate a report on what my project’s tasks are for the next week?
You can generate various Microsoft Excel reports with a special reporting wizard contained in Project 4. The report generator can be set to include tasks and "who does what and when" for next week, next month or any specified time period. Just select the dates for the tasks you want included in your report, they are selected in the Reports dialog. Reports can be generated as files compatible with Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word and even HTML (for display in an internet browser).
How do I get started with resource loading?
With ConceptDraw Project 4 it is easy to perform resource management. Allocation of resources is easy to accomplish in the Project Tasks and Resource sheet. You are able to assign resources to the tasks displayed by just double clicking in the Assign Resource dialog window. You can open the Tab Resource Usage View to estimate levels of resources loading and task allocation. Usage scenarios are described in more detailed here: "Schedule Control by ConceptDraw Project4"
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How do I avoid human resource overloading when assigning a particular resource to a task?
The Resource Usage View in ConceptDraw Project 4 is intended to manage the level that resources are committed. It shows you the total view of resource loading and tasks allocated. This makes it easy for the project manager to reassign the remaining tasks for multiple projects from one resource to another.
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How do I view Resource Usage information for a selected project in ConceptDraw Project 4?
When you apply the Resource Usage View in ConceptDraw Project 4, the application displays human resource assignment information for all projects in which a particular team member has assignments. This feature is useful to manage the loading of resources, which are assigned to different tasks for different projects. To determine human resource assignment information for a selected project use the Gantt Chart view and the Assign Resources dialog.
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I need to change the start date of my project. I have a lot of separate unlinked tasks in my project do I need to change all of the unlinked tasks by hand?
The extended task functionality of ConceptDraw Project 4 includes the automatic dating of all tasks when the date of the project beginning date is changed.
In Project 4 can I change the type and font size setting for each line in the project?
Now you can change the font type and size for each line. Furthermore there are special buttons on toolbar that will help you set the necessary font size quickly.
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Is it possible to change the timescale quickly?
The combination “Ctrl-Weel-Scroll” allows you to do a “time-zoom”. It permits you to change the timescale in any manner that your project requires.
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The optimization of my workspace is very important to me, how does ConceptDraw Project 4 allow me to modify my workspace?
A number of features were added to gives users flexibility in this area. The Menu Hide Column command was added, to the latest ConceptDraw Project 4 menu bar. In addition to the ability to hide columns there is now as the ability to modify of columns with the Column Customization Dialogue, and buttons were added for Move Up/Move Down.
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Can I join two or more projects on the same Gantt Chart?
This is a very useful feature that is contained in ConceptDraw Project 4. You can tune this multiple project view and use it as required with a single mouse click. This is accomplished by creating a new Project, opening it in Gantt Chart view. Then use menu File-> Insert Project to Project to insert the Gantt views of Projects, you want to group. You can then review it, print it, generate reports and manage with this new view as if it were one single project. Open Resource Usage View and you will see how resources are now aligned along the project’s timeline.
Note that now you can manage tasks in two ways (in individual projects and as one grouped project). All changes are applied to all the individual projects as well as to the pooled master project. That is a really useful feature!
To see how easy it works use the sample file delivered with ConceptDraw Project 4 in the "Samples" folder, named "Projects Pool".
Does the ConceptDraw Project 4 support compatibility with any brainstorming applications?
Yes, Project 4 is tightly integrated with ConceptDraw MINDMAP, an excellent brainstorming tool. This close integration allows you to have a great visual presentation of a project's phases and tasks in a mind map.
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Is it possible to generate a presentation of a project and its task's statuses for my team? Does Project4 do it?
Yes, ConceptDraw Project 4 is suitable to work with ConceptDraw MINDMAP perfectly. You can open project in ConceptDraw MINDMAP 5 and it automatically will appeared in mind map form which you can use for presentations, exporting to Web or MSPowerPoint, share it with your colleagues, make nice looking remarks using the huge libraries of ConceptDraw MINDMAP cliparts.
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How can I share my projects with my partners who use other types of project management software, Microsoft Project for example?
You can exchange project data with Microsoft Project users using the Microsoft Project XML file format. You now have the ability to read and work with files saved in Microsoft Project and easily share your files created in ConceptDraw Project 4 with any other project management tool that uses Microsoft XML file format.
Why do I need to upgrade?
Each upgrade of our ConceptDraw software includes a set of useful enhancements and additions intended to increase the program usability functionality and compatibility. Many of these enhancements come at the request of our users, you will find that the functionality of our products from version to version is a major step forward in helping our users receive more value from our products.
Click here to learn more about the new features contained in our latest ConceptDraw Project 4 version
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I purchased ConceptDraw Project 3 on August 13, 2007. What should I do to obtain latest ConceptDraw Project 4 version?
Those of our customers, who purchased ConceptDraw Project 3 software during the time period from August 13 until September 13, are eligible for a no charge upgrade to ConceptDraw Project 4. You will receive the link to download your copy of ConceptDraw Project 4 by email. Contact ConceptDraw Support Team In case you will have questions.
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Are there other advantages to upgrading?
After upgrading your software you are eligible to obtain a no charge update to ConceptDraw Project 4.x versions. Also you will receive no charge customer support service (on-line, phone) by the CS Odessa support team, and timely information on ConceptDraw products, updates and news.
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Am I eligible to upgrade?
ConceptDraw Project 4 upgrade is offered to all earlier registered users of ConceptDraw Project. To register, please fill out the Registration Form
You are welcome to order the upgrade here.
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System Requirements:
Macintosh®
Windows®
Mac OS X version 10.4.0 or higher
Processor G3 (minimum);
512 Mb of RAM;
20Mb of hard drive space available;
CD-ROM (if you install the program from a CD)
Windows XP/Vista;
Pentium III processor is recommended;
512 Mb of RAM;
20Mb of hard drive space available;
CD-ROM (if you install the program from a CD)
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I am the owner of ConceptDraw Project for Macintosh; I need a Windows version for my personal second computer, do I need to buy a second copy?
Due to major changes in our licensing policy, the ConceptDraw product line now allows a single user to work with both Windows and Macintosh versions of the software. In our new End User License Agreement (EULA) a Single User License grants customers the right to use both Macintosh and Windows versions of the ConceptDraw products they purchase without the need to acquire an additional license. Read more
If you need a copy of ConceptDraw to install on your second computer contact us.
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Unfortunately I lost my license key, can you help me?
If you have any problems with your license key, please contact ConceptDraw Support Team.
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I am uncertain of which version I am running, how do I find my version number?
If you are the Macintosh user, please look in the menu ConceptDraw -> About
If you are the Window user, please look in the menu Help-> About for the version number of your current product.
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I have ConceptDraw Project 2. I want to order the upgrade to the latest ConceptDraw Project 4. Do I need first to upgrade to ConceptDraw Project 3?
If you are the registered user of ConceptDraw Project 1.x. or 2.x you are eligible to upgrade to the latest updated version of ConceptDraw Project skipping any earlier versions of Project.
