Q: In my application I receive the error message "The demo version cannot be used to create distributable applications". But I have purchased the product already. What do I do now?
There are various reasons, why you could receive this message or the control doesn't paint and displays the "Demo has expired" message instead. Based on the circumstances, here are the three possible reasons:
1) You are using the demo version of the product
Our demos cannot be used to create distributable application. They are just demos, intended to be used by you on a development system. If you wish to continue using the product to distribute a completed end-user application, you can purchase a license at http://www.softelvdm.com/store.
2) You purchased a license
The purchase of a license doesn't automatically unlock all the applications you are developing.
First off, you will of course have to register the product (see Windows Start menu > All Programs > product name > Register productname.
At this point, all your projects are still considered having been created with the demo version.
The Good News
If you see the message "The demo version cannot be used to create distributable applications", your application is installed correctly, the controls are installed correctly and all dependent files (DLLs) have been installed correctly. The problem is not caused by the system where you installed your application, it originates from your development system.
The Not-So-Good News
You cannot correct the problem on the end-users' systems. The problem was caused and originates from your development system (or your build environment, or other developers on your team...).
Each control saves an indicator along with all of its properties on the forms, signaling whether the control properties were last saved on a system where the product was fully licensed. This means, if the indicator which is stored in the form is not properly set, end-users' systems will be unable to run the application.
A common problem is that an application is developed using the demo version (during the 30 day trial) and then distributed (after purchasing a license). If the project has not been modified and compiled at least once (see below) after purchasing the license, it will appear as if the application was developed with the demo version (well, it was) and you cannot distribute the application. Simply distributing files from the purchased product will not correct the "The demo version cannot be used to create distributable applications" message, since the product and the demo files are absolutely identical.
How did it Happen?
If you open a project with the demo version of our control and subsequently save the form(s), the indicators will be set that the control was used with a demo version.
If you open a project on a system where the product (and its license) is not installed and you subsequently save the form(s), the indicators will be set that the control was used with a demo version.
3) Unlicensed Users
The message "The demo version cannot be used to create distributable applications" can also be caused by "creative" unlicensed users who try to work around the safeguards in our products or demos. Particularly, if multiple developers try to use just one purchased license and others use the demo version to develop a joint project, you will run into this problem.
Products that are installed but not activated are treated like demos and also don't allow distribution of the resulting applications. If you have users or systems where the product is used, but not activated (or the activation failed) you will also run into this problem.
Don't be "creative" to work around the safeguards. Our company can only continue to produce quality control, if users of our products actually purchase licenses, one for each user/installation.
Steps to Correct the Problem
To correct the "The demo version cannot be used to create distributable applications" problem you will have to return to your development system.
Make sure the licensed product is properly installed. You can verify this by displaying the About box of the control. This is generally accessed by right-clicking on the control on a form at design-time and selecting the "About..." entry of the popup menu. The About box will display your license number along with other information. If the About box cannot be displayed or it claims you are using a demo version, you will have to reinstall the product.
Once you are sure that you are on a properly licensed system, open all forms with the control on them and make a change to each of our controls to force the properties to be updated. As the forms are saved, the indicators will again be set correctly. (Make sure to touch all the controls).
Recompile/rebuild your application and you are ready to distribute it.
Steps to Prevent the Problem
A) Saving forms containing our controls while the product is not correctly licensed will prevent you from distributing your applications.
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Editing/compiling/saving applications on systems that do not have the proper license will cause the "The demo version cannot be used to create distributable applications" message. This is typical with build environments, if they do not have the product installed. Build systems are particularly a problem when several developers are working on the same project. Of course, any additional developers who use the product and the build environments must also be properly licensed also (for details please see our License Agreement or call (941) 505-8600 x2).
B) When several developers are working on the same project and only some have a product license, the developers without product license will routinely cause the "Demo" indicator to be set, as they are using the product without license. You should consider purchasing additional licenses for these users or remove the control from their systems.