ZTools Frequently Asked Questions
The installer is signed by someone other than SchemaGrafx. Is this safe?
Windows Defender may warn you about newly downloaded files to keep your system safe. Windows 11 does not allow the installation of unsigned software. ZTools installer and ZTools executable itself has a digital signature that traces to Sectigo code signing certificate. The certificate may be signed by our developer’s name or our SchemaGrafx company name. You can right-click the file and choose properties and then check the Digital Signatures tab to ensure that it is properly signed.
Thank you for trying SchemaGrafx.
Panel buttons are grayed out and do not work. What’s going on?
In ZTools, some arrange buttons only need one object selected but others may need two or more objects to be selected and some need a selection key (also known as alignment key). When the required selection for a particular button is satisfied, it will become available and not be grayed out.
ZTools processes top-level objects. If you are not in isolation mode, ZTools regards a group of objects as one object. If the artwork you want to adjust is in a group, use Illustrator to enter isolation mode to adjust them within their group. When in isolation mode, only the objects in the isolated group are available for editing so, if a selection key object is required for the button you are using, it would have to be in the group as well.
If the buttons are activating as they should but pressing the button does not arrange the art, you may need to activate your product with the activation dialog to receive a license key. Please see the instruction on activating your product.
If the activation panel pops up when starting Illustrator, your product needs to be activated before it can be used.
Please visit our ZTools Tutorial page to learn more about how ZTools plugin works.
I tried to activate the program but it says that all of my activations are used.
The number of concurrent activations is limited. SchemaGrafx allows you to activate on two computers at once. Adobe generally allows two installations of Illustrator. This way you can use the plugin on both installed systems. If you must activate on an additional computer, deactivate a previously activated installation and try activation again.
You should only use one license at a time for each activation purchased. If you purchase another license, you will have more installations available.
How do I activate my product?
You can check your license activation status by going to the Illustrator menu at Help > About SchemaGrafx plugins > ZTools. Your license information is displayed on the About page that pops up. You can click the Activate button to open the activation panel. From there you can press the buy button to go to the website and purchase an activation code or you can click the enter activation code option to enter a code you already have.
If the About panel says that the product is unregistered or that a trial lilcense has expired, it must be activated before it will work.
Thank you for trying ZTools.
Where is the Mac version?
The Windows version finished ahead of the Mac version. If you are interested in a Mac version, please let us know at our contact page.
How do I set an alignment (selection) key in Illustrator?
After selecting art objects with the selection tool, click one of the selected objects one time and its outline is heavier than the other selected items. That is the key object. To cancel the selection, click once on the document where there is no art object. To cancel the key object, click once on the key and its outline goes back to being selected but not the key. To change the selection key, click once on another selected object. It becomes the key and the previously selected key is no longer the key, it is then just part of the selection.
How do I set up a trial activation?
When you first install your product, you may start your 15 day free trial activation. After installing ZTools, when you start Illustrator, a notice will pop up to let you know that your copy of ZTools is not activated. Click on the 15 day trial option and follow the instructions to get your trial license. Please enjoy the trial and let us know if you have any suggestions or ideas for improvements. Thank you.