FAQs -- Frequently Asked Questions

Product FAQs

What's the difference between a Wizard and a Pack? Wizards make CUSTOM titles, transitions, or effects for Movie Maker -- giving you the power to create a 'just right' look for your projects. Custom titles, overlays, pan/zoom effects, picture-in-picture effects, accents/highlights/borders, and soft/organic transitions are possible. The customizing process is easy and visual, but does take a few clicks. Wizard items then are exported into Movie Maker, where they can be applied to clips just like built-in items. PACKS, in contrast, are collections of PRE-MADE add-on transitions or effects that are ready to drag-and-drop immediately onto clips. Packs are not adjustable or customizable, but include lots of handy presets for common visual needs. And they include several types of effects (such as Animation, Correction, and Cosmetic Effects) and transitions (such as Particles, PageFX, and DepthFX Transitions) that are not available in the Wizards. It's really best to have BOTH.

Where is the Wizards tool? Double-click the Wizards for Movie Maker shortcut on your desktop. When the custom items you make in a Wizard are exported into Movie Maker, they will appear at the TOP of Movie Maker's list of transitions or effects. One exception: exported results from the TitleFX PRO Wizard will appear in the Title Animations section of Movie Maker's built-in title tool.

Where do Packs appear? After installing SpiceFX 5.0 (demo or purchased version), the pre-made Packs will appear in Movie Maker's list of transitions or effects, just like standard items. Drag-and-drop them exactly the same, too.

Is SpiceFX 5.0 only a download? Yes, which is common for software add-ons now. It is a single 12 MB file. You can even download it on a different computer, if necessary, then transfer the downloaded file with a USB key, CD-R, or other media onto your Movie Maker editing computer before double-clicking the file to install.

Does SpiceFX 5.0 have special hardware requirements? Any XP or Vista computer with Movie Maker 2.0 or later is fine, EXCEPT XP 64-bit systems. (For Windows 7, see below.) That means virtually ALL Windows PCs over the past several years. Note: PageFX and DepthFX Transitions (Packs T6 and T7) will be installed only in Movie Maker 6.0 running on Vista or Windows 7. (Not sure which Vista Movie Maker version you have? See the Help > About Windows Movie Maker menu in Movie Maker. A few lines below the "5.1" in the dialog is the answer... either 6.0xxx or 2.6xxx.)

Is SpiceFX 5.0 compatible with Windows Live Movie Maker that is available for Windows 7? The Windows Live version of Movie Maker is a complete re-write of the program by Microsoft and needs much more development work before it will become a useful tool. Fortunately, prior Movie Maker 6.0 (and 2.6) versions from Vista can be manually installed into Windows 7 and used successfully. Our SpiceFX 5.0 add-ons will then install and work great. Click here for more details.

How is the DEMO different than the purchased version? PACKS: They are identical, except demo Packs show an "X" over their output. Explore them for an unlimited time and even apply them in your Movie Maker projects. After you install purchased Packs, the X will automatically disappear in whatever you purchased, and all demo items not purchased will be automatically removed. WIZARDS: Demo and purchased Wizards are identical, except demo Wizards do not export any custom results into Movie Maker. However, one of the seven Wizards -- TranJelly™ LE to create beveled transitions -- is FREE and fully-functional, yours to keep even if you do not buy SpiceFX 5.0. If you later uninstall the SpiceFX 5.0 demo, you can optionally choose to keep TranJelly LE. It's our way of saying 'thanks' for trying the demo.

Does SpiceFX 5.0 work with any media/image? Yes, ANY video or still-image clips in the Video track of the Movie Maker timeline can be enhanced with SpiceFX 5.0. And that is true for any output size Movie Maker supports, such as DV, HD, 16:9 wide screen, etc. Note: Although the built-in preview in a Wizard only displays still-images for reference to help you customize a title, transition, or effect, the exported Wizards results in Movie Maker apply fine to video clips, too.

Does SpiceFX 5.0 work in any program other than Movie Maker? No. But we offer other cool plug-ins here.

Where can I find help about using SpiceFX 5.0? Click here.

Buying FAQs

What happens if someday my computer crashes and I lose the downloaded file or serial #? Use our re-download form to get a free re-download anytime. There is no risk! : )

I recently bought a few SpiceFX 5.0 items, but now I want a Bundle. Can I get credited for what I already paid? Within 14 calendar days of your original SpiceFX 5.0 purchase, you can buy any SpiceFX 5.0 bundle for just the difference in cost, when applicable. For example, if you initially spent $20 buying two Packs, but within 14 days decide to step up to the $69 Power Bundle, your actual additional cost will be only $49. To do that, use this order form instead of our usual BUY link on these pages. In the Special Instructions box of that form, briefly mention the 14 day credit.

Can I install on more than one computer of mine? Our license allows use in two different computers of the same user (such as a laptop "for the road" and a desktop at home) IF the two computers are not used AT THE SAME TIME to edit in Movie Maker. If you do need two licenses to edit in two computers simultaneously, such as for a video production business, the second license is available for HALF-price on our order form. If you want two licenses of the $69 Power Bundle, for example, the total cost will be $69 + $39.50 = $103.50. To get this special pricing, you MUST use this order form instead of our usual BUY link on these pages. To purchase MORE THAN TWO licenses, such as for a school lab, please email us for quantity discounts.

I want to buy SpiceFX 5.0 as a gift for someone else. How can I do that so they will receive the download info directly (and without the price showing)? It's easy -- use this order form. Note you can even enter a special birthday or holiday message that will be sent as part of their download info. And you can enter which day you want us to send the info.

Do you have educational pricing? We offer nice discounts on school site or lab licenses. If you have such a situation, please email us and mention how many editing stations you may want to purchase for.

Is SpiceFX 5.0 for sale elsewhere? They are only available direct from us.

What is Pixelan's return policy for SpiceFX 5.0? If somehow you become unhappy with your purchase, we will do our best to resolve it to your satisfaction, even though it is a download and thus there is nothing to 'return.' However, if you are unsure BEFORE buying SpiceFX 5.0, we strongly encourage you to try the DEMO before buying. It is easy to install, fully-functional, and will not interfere in any way later with the purchased version.

What is Pixelan's privacy policy with my order info? Please see here.

I feel uncomfortable purchasing on the Internet. Can I buy by phone or mail? YES. By phone, please call us at 360-647-0112 x1. If necessary, leave a message and we will promptly call back on the same or next business day. By mail, please include the name of the product you want, your full name and email address (both are important since we will email to you your download location after your payment clears), address (for payment verification purposes) and phone number. Include your credit card number, expiration date, and security code -- OR attach a check payable to Pixelan Software. Then mail it all to Pixelan Software, 2950 Newmarket Street, Suite 101, Bellingham, WA 98226 USA.