With the DeskScapes 11 Beta 3 release today, we are creating this thread so that users can report any observed issues.
Obtaining the beta:
Object Desktop members can get the beta from within Object Desktop Manager with 'show beta downloads' enabled:
Individual purchases (as well as Object Desktop Members) can also be obtained from your account page:
https://store.stardock.com/myaccount/products
Reporting an issue:
Please include the following for anything found:
Thank you for your interest and any time you put into making DeskScapes 11 a better product.
I get 4K dreams when I type 4K into search when on a dream page
Ah thanks! That helped, aslo found the "only show Animated themes" in the search box
Windows build: 19042.1288 (version 20H2)
I have found what might be a couple of bugs with the playlist function. I also have some suggestions for improvements to the function.
The potential bugs:
#1 (the easy one): When viewing a playlist of pictures, if the first background is removed, activating the back button does not update the thumbnail immediately.
Steps to reproduce:
1. Open DeskScapes settings window.
2. Navigate to the Playlists section.
3. Build a playlist of at least 2 pictures.
4. Activate the back button. You should have your newly formed playlist with a thumbnail of the first picture added (top-leftmost picture).
5. Remove the top-leftmost picture (the picture with its thumbnail shown).
6. Activate the back button. The thumbnail does not update immediately.
7. Navigate to a different section of the window (example: the videos folder).
8. Navigate back to the Playlists folder. The thumbnail should be updated.
End reproduction steps at step 8.
#2 (the hard one): I have a playlist of multiple (in my case, 8) pictures set to change every 5 minutes (or, approximately so) (I selected the Change every 5 minutes option.). I have found, at least twice, the playlist to get “stuck in a loop.” The playlist contains 8 pictures; however, the playlist continually cycled between 2 of them for what felt like an inordinately long period of time (in the first case, I am sure that it was over an hour, although I was not watching the timespan in either case). I found that reapplying the playlist looked to at least temporarily fix the issue. Also, with a playlist of videos, some of them often played at least twice (and, in rare cases, once of 3 times) before fading into the next video with the playlist configured to upon videos ending. I am not sure if this is a bug or a function within the playlist. The reason that I am not sure if it is a bug or a function is because the playlist function might be designed to repeat videos of a specific length range (example 5-10 seconds) before transitioning.
For pictures:
3. Build a playlist of pictures (A higher quantity is recommended. I used 8.)
4. Apply the background to any display (or all displays or as a screensaver [perhaps]). I applied this background to monitor 1.
5. Set the pictures to transition every 5 minutes.
6. Wait (?) (I do not know what else to say about this. The developers might be able to force the problem to occur. I also do not know if there is a specific timeframe that needs to be waited.) (This is why this [possible] bug is labelled “the hard one.”)
End of reproduction steps for pictures.
For videos:
3. Build a playlist of videos (I found mine to ironically contain 8 videos [the same number of items as my picture playlist 🤣]
4. Apply the background to any display (or all displays or as a screensaver [perhaps]). I applied this background to monitor 3.
5. Set the videos to transition when each video ends.
6. Watch to see if any of the videos are played more than once before the playlist fades to the next video (Using videos 10 seconds long and shorter might be the best way to test this.)
End of reproduction steps for videos.
Suggestions:
1. Allow for playlist renaming.
2. Allow moving pictures and videos via drag and drop.
3. Allow sorting playlists (within the Playlists section)
4. Allowing sorting items within playlists. If both pictures and videos are present, consider adding, in addition to the “standard” sorting methods (date, size, name, …) the option to put either pictures or videos first.
Playlist renaming allows for changing the name of a playlist after it has been built without needing to remove and rebuild it. The remaining 3 suggestions apply mainly to those cases when a user decides to have the playlist run sequentially through the backgrounds present. This might be done to build a story (such as a collection of family photos), show a time lapse, simulate a panoramic view, and other things of the sort. All-in-all, DeskScapes 11 is an application (and, if DeskScapes is installed, an update or upgrade) that I would recommend. It was exciting to use 2 different “slideshows.” I had wanted to do that with at least version 10 (and perhaps version 8, as I did use that). But, version 10 did not allow applying a slideshow to a single monitor. Version 11’s playlist function “fixes” that “problem.” Sadly, it seems that, as a new feature, it does, as one might expect, contain some minor bugs.
Potential third bug discovered:
2. Have another application window or the Start menu on top of it.
3. Press Windows + comma (view desktop)
You should see some of your desktop background with a silhouette of DeskScapes’ settings window.
Try updating Windows to it's latest version should help.
I noticed that this version is now installed on the system drive, and I cannot install on another location. The previous version can be installed on another location and drive. Is there a limitation for the previous behavior that required this change?
Thank you for the reply, AzDude. I had no idea that my Windows build was out of date. I do not know exactly what the naming scheme means. I am guessing that the number at the beginning indicates a year ([2,0]21). But, I am not sure what the H in the name stands for. Anyway, the install is done and pending a computer restart. I will restart my computer to finish the update install after I submit this post. Have a wonderful day!
Are you updating Win10 or going to Win11 ?
I updated Windows 10. Unfortunately, it seems that my primary computers do not meet all criteria for running Windows 11 (per the Windows Update window). 😢
Incidentally, the behavior does look to persist after updating the operating system. What I have observed is that the playlist alternates between 2 pictures for a period of time (that I do not know what is exactly) then changes to a different pair of pictures. It does not cycle between the 8 pictures randomly as expected. I suppose that it could somehow be a bug related to randomized cycling through the backgrounds (rather than sequentially cycling through them, as that option is not selected in my case). But, I have not tested that. That seems improbable; but, troubleshooting and debugging is quite tedious and challenging at times, as you probably well know. 😊
Hello,
Would you do this PURGE: https://forums.stardock.com/485954/deskscapes-support-faq#reinstalling
Reboot and ReInstall the latest version from your Stardock account , REBOOT , test and report back here , please .
AzDudeStardock Community Assistant
I performed the purge. That looked to have successfully purged the registry entries, given my needing to reactivate DeskScapes and add an external folder back in that I had added previously. However, it does not appear to have fixed the issue with the playlist background. It is still alternating between 2 of the 8 pictures present in the playlist. Thank you for the suggestion, though. That was an amazing attempt! The potential good news is that the persistence (or, in the case of the purge, reoccurrence) of the behavior might suggest a legitimate bug somewhere in the code. But, troubleshooting it will be extremely difficult, especially if it does not occur on any of the developers’ computers. The developers of an application by the name of Actual Window Manager have a way within the software to send the configuration (which I am guessing is for both hardware and software) to the developers. But, I did not see such a feature in DeskScapes.
From System Properties dialog (Windows + Pause):
Processor Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770 CPU @ 3.40GHz 3.40 GHz
Installed RAM 16.0 GB (15.9 GB usable)
System type 64-bit operating system, x64-based processor
Pen and touch No pen or touch input is available for this display
Edition Windows 10 Pro
Version 21H1
Installed on 10-Jun-21
OS build 19043.1288
Experience Windows Feature Experience Pack 120.2212.3920.0
From the computer manufacturer’s website:
Machine Type Model:10A8S08J00
I do not know if that information will be useful to you for further diagnoses of the problem. It is worth a shot.
I ran the manufacturer’s driver update checker and it found 6 out-of-date drivers. I will be restarting my computer to install those after I submit this updated post. One of them is a BIOS flash—heed Lex the bookworm’s warning and be “careful!”
The driver update is complete. The issue appears to persist.
Check what actual windows manager is controlling, I had an issue here with Deskscapes not doing as expected and found it was effected by an Actual windows manager settings, make sure all the Desktops and monitor screens/screensavers are set to use Current Windows Settings.
Thank you for the reply, sandford1. I will look at the settings in Actual Window Manager. I have had it conflict with applications before. It is set to use current Windows background. I tried pausing and exiting Actual Window Manager. The issue appears to persist. I will disable Actual Window Manager’s startup with Windows, restart my computer, and edit my post, reporting what I find. The issue does appear to persist even after disabling Actual Window Manager’s Windows startup and restarting the computer.
I have updated DeskScapes on another computer. I am not sure if the same behavior is present. It is difficult to determine because it looks to not be happening at the same frequency. The picture pairs might be to be changing more quickly. I did observe what happens however (which looks to happen in both cases). (The same behavior might have been happening with the video playlist also.)
There is a screenshot of my playlist. The behavior is that the playlist alternates between the picture pairs in columns. DaisyAlt1 and DaisyAlt5 alternate. DaisyAlt2 and DaisyAlt6 alternate. … Perhaps there is a bug in the randomizer somewhere and it is net functioning as intended (as, if it did, I would expect, for example a transition sequence like so [example]). DaisyAlt2, Daisy_SSBUltimate, DaisyAlt6, DaisyAlt1, … (?) Continually alternating between 2 of 8 items suggests a buggy randomizer.
There is one known issue with Playlist at this time .. So when fixed will be released in future update.
That does sound exciting. Depending on the cause of the “image to image + 4 and back again repeatedly” (or, per the screenshot, known in Plants Vs. Zombies as “Column Like You See ’Em”) issue, it might also be fixed when the other issue is resolved. Thank you for the information, AzDude.
Hello, recently purchased object desktop, wanted start11 only , but got an offer from this website, so "why not". unfortunatly, Dreamscapess 11 beta use 30% of my Gpu core load when using an animated wallpaper which make it not usuable, and i use only the fixed background feature which is kind of useless to me.yes, i actived the parameters to disable it with full screen window, and put in performance the slider at the max instead of quality, but sometimes, i run software not in full screen, and need GPU power.my system is Windows 11 22000.318, 32 Gb DDR4 Ram, i7-7700, Asrock H270 m-itx a/c + 1050Ti Palit.thanks to confirm if it's a normal "behavior" or not. 30% is a lot. I must upgrade soon to a 12th intel Cpu (i5-12600 when it will be out), an RTX 3060 is planned but.. (lol yeah, like everybody), so, i'll stay during a while on the 1050ti. don't know if it will change anything. anyway..thanks for any reply. it's a cool feature, but 30% of my graphic card is not possible unless there is a workaround or i missed something.
Ah! I did not know it used that much on the GPU. However, my GPU don´t boost up the mHz at least, but still says it uses about 20%. It also keeps cool, about 42-44 degrees idle. I tried turning off Deskscapes and usage went down to 0% and temp dropped to 40 degrees.
You should be aware the GPU usage is often based on the current speed of the GPU. As they often downclock when on the desktop it looks like a far greater percentage than it really would be if the GPU ran at full power.
So if the GPU drops to 1/4 speed when on the desktop and DeskScapes was using 30% then the real gpu usage would be 7.5% as an example.
Animations will naturally use GPU, nothing comes for free.
Wow, 20% on a 3090 RTX ? ouch... ok, so except to have some nice fixed wallpaper (still cool feature), can't be used at all.yes, it's use that much. 20% on a RTX.. .
Hi thanks for the reply, yes i understand but the video choosen were called "short loop clip Avi - low on Cpu" lol... it miss "but high on Gpu" lol.the result is worst with a bigger video of course.
when i see the jump at 30%, i do the test with the Gpu core at 0 or 1%.unfortunatly i use 3D rendering and Ai software which are working in the background, so unless an another option is found , this is impossible to use. i have the iGpu on my Cpu (i7-7700), the report i have is on my 1050ti. usually when using a processing software, they don't or rarely use both gpu (except a video software like Vegas pro). I use Topaz VEAI for example which run almost only on the Gpu.is a feature like "having the animation in Dreamscapes" could use the iGpu ? for example ? or anyway to reduce at some point the charge ?maybe with a different codec or something ?or maybe a "black list" of software, where the animation would stop or be in pause when a specific software would run ? like "disabled when blender is running" ! lol. (for example..) or replaced by a fixed wallpaper or frame when a software of this list is running ?it's a beautiful feature, but not really usuable, if used as a screen saver, i assume that during this moment, it jump on 30% usage too. my electricity bill would be unhappy lol. anyway , i take the opportunity to tell i love your start11 and iconFX app. Having lot of bugs with Tiles, and fences so i disabled then, but will try the forum here, to see if there is a solution. thanks !
Yeah, but do note that my RTX 3090 down clocks itself to 210 mhz when ide. So its 20% of those 210 mhz it uses it seems. When gaming my GPU goes up to 1890 mhz and boosts up to 2100 mhz.
Deskscape also uses 10 WATT GPU power.
I keep getting a graphical error the top of the screen. Maybe about 20-80 pixels something.
At the screen shot its black bar, but in reality I can see ghost inprints from stuff that have been there. Like if I drag an icon at the top, I see this icon 30 times right next to eachother.
Added a screenshot and pic taken with phone.
Has anyone else seen that? I discovered it while attempting to open the configurator to adjust my backgrounds (via the Configure DeskScapes menu item from the desktop).
Uninstall and reinstall from your account page or Steam (if that is where you purchased).
Sean DrohanStardock Support Manager
I’ll do that. Thank you for the suggestion. That looks to have worked. I tested it shortly before performing this edit. The configurator opened with the welcome screens instead of the dialog pictured in my previous post.
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