Error message:"unable to create gallery profile"

[RD Robinson]

When our students open the Alice program they are receiving an error "unable to create gallery profile". This causes the program not to load and display all the pre-created image objects that a student should be able to drag and drop into a scene. Any ideas on how to fix this? Thanks!

[GClarke]

Hi, I'm new to Alice and would love to use it with classes but when I tried it yesterday my pupils got the same error: did you ever get a solution?
Thanks
Geoff Clarke

[HeavenSentTenshi]

I'm a student using this program in my Programming 1 class, and we're having the same issue. If anyone can resolve this, or at least provide an explanation, I, for one, would be very appreciative.

We can't access the gallery at all, it's just a greyed out area that says "This is where the Gallery would go". It's like it's mocking us or something.

Edit:
Here's the error

Unable to create the gallery viewer




Alice version: 2.0 04/05/2005

os.name: Windows XP

os.version: 5.1

os.arch: x86

java.vm.name: Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM

java.vm.version: 1.3.1_10-b03

user.dir: C:\Documents and Settings\polla855\My Documents\Alice\Required



Throwable that caused the error:

java.lang.NullPointerException

at edu.cmu.cs.stage3.alice.authoringtool.galleryviewe r.GalleryViewer.<init>(GalleryViewer.java:1069)

at edu.cmu.cs.stage3.alice.authoringtool.editors.scen eeditor.CameraViewPanel.guiInit(CameraViewPanel.ja va:769)

at edu.cmu.cs.stage3.alice.authoringtool.editors.scen eeditor.CameraViewPanel.<init>(CameraViewPanel.java:744)

at edu.cmu.cs.stage3.alice.authoringtool.editors.scen eeditor.SceneEditor.<init>(SceneEditor.java:349)

at edu.cmu.cs.stage3.alice.authoringtool.JAliceFrame. guiInit(JAliceFrame.java:156)

at edu.cmu.cs.stage3.alice.authoringtool.JAliceFrame.<init>(JAliceFrame.java:71)

at edu.cmu.cs.stage3.alice.authoringtool.AuthoringToo l.mainInit(AuthoringTool.java:456)

at edu.cmu.cs.stage3.alice.authoringtool.AuthoringToo l.<init>(AuthoringTool.java:408)

at edu.cmu.cs.stage3.alice.authoringtool.JAlice.main( JAlice.java:123)

[mappy24]

Exact same problem here:

Unable to create the gallery viewer




Alice version: 2.0 04/05/2005

os.name: Windows XP

os.version: 5.1

os.arch: x86

java.vm.name: Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM

java.vm.version: 1.3.1_10-b03

user.dir: P:\Alice\Required



Throwable that caused the error:

java.lang.NullPointerException

at edu.cmu.cs.stage3.alice.authoringtool.galleryviewe r.GalleryViewer.<init>(GalleryViewer.java:1069)

at edu.cmu.cs.stage3.alice.authoringtool.editors.scen eeditor.CameraViewPanel.guiInit(CameraViewPanel.ja va:769)

at edu.cmu.cs.stage3.alice.authoringtool.editors.scen eeditor.CameraViewPanel.<init>(CameraViewPanel.java:744)

at edu.cmu.cs.stage3.alice.authoringtool.editors.scen eeditor.SceneEditor.<init>(SceneEditor.java:349)

at edu.cmu.cs.stage3.alice.authoringtool.JAliceFrame. guiInit(JAliceFrame.java:156)

at edu.cmu.cs.stage3.alice.authoringtool.JAliceFrame.<init>(JAliceFrame.java:71)

at edu.cmu.cs.stage3.alice.authoringtool.AuthoringToo l.mainInit(AuthoringTool.java:456)

at edu.cmu.cs.stage3.alice.authoringtool.AuthoringToo l.<init>(AuthoringTool.java:408)

at edu.cmu.cs.stage3.alice.authoringtool.JAlice.main( JAlice.java:123)


HELP!!

[DrJim]

Since, disappointingly, :( no one more knowledgeable has even taken a stab at this question, even though it's been given as a problem for months, I'll make a try.

To get the galleries to show up locally, there has to be a required/gallery folder in the same directory that contains the executable version of Alice. That folder, in turn, has to contain folders for the various types of gallery objects. The objects themselves (.a2c files) are actually zipped data files.

Note if you have two executable versions of Alice (say regular and "Storytelling") in different directories - each has to have it's own required/gallery folder for it's own local objects.

For a single user - can't see how this would cause a problem. In a networked situation, I don't know since I've never worked that way, but it sounds like anyone not an administrator doesn't have access to the needed data. Maybe someone else can explain why and give a fix - seems like a very simple thing to be giving such a problem.

[chris1984]

Hi

I was asked if i could create a package to use this on a RM CC3 system and got the same message on restricted user.

I found that the Program needs full permissions to the following folders and registries:

C:\WINDOWS\Prefetch
C:\WINDOWS\system32
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users
C:\WINDOWS\Fonts
HKLM\System\CurrentControlSet\Control\MediaPropert ies\PrivateProperties\Joystick
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion

Don't know how this will help you with your network but i have created a cc3 package for it and you are welcome to request it from me by e-mail.

Chris

[asilva]

Hi chris1984,

i've been trying to create an msi for Alice and would be grateful if you wanted to share yours.

[mvickery]

I have the same unresolved problem.
It is due to the students not having administrator rights on the local machine profile, so they dont have access to the local (c: ) drive.
This stops the gallery being created.
We do not want to give students local rights, otherwise they can install what they want on the machines.
Is it possible to have an option to change the location of these files?

[arosamond]

Just wondering if anyone ever resolved this issue?

[DrJim]

I believe Alice 2.2 beta has some options that at least help with this problem.

[MrMoke]

Tried installing it on a new laptop today, and got the same error. Also got Java Stack Empty mini-window that won't close unless you do it through the task manager.

Using Windows Vista Basic, X64 version, Intel Core 2 Duo. First time trying to use it with Vista.

What a pain.:mad:

OK- Problem Solved. This was a new laptop issued by the school district, and they didn't give me administrative access. Once I fixed that problem. It worked fine.

[missb]

I have the same problem with my students not being able to create the gallery. It is due to them not having rights to the C:drive on our computers. What I have done for a workaround is put the gallery on a shared drive that the students can all get to. Then when they want to use an object, they have to "import" it from that drive. I'd love to find a way for them to be able to not have to do that though!