Most Popular Questions

• How do I activate BeadTool on my new computer?

  Software Activation

  If you still have the original email that you received after purchasing a license, just download the software from the website again and follow the instructions detailed in that email.

  If you no longer have the original email and you still use the same email address, you can retrieve your beadtool.net password by visiting the password page.

  If you have changed your email address, please contact support so we can get it sorted.

  NOTE: You must disable your VPN or Proxy connection before activating!

• How do I install BeadTool onto a second computer?

  The process is the same as the first time you installed the software except that you'll be doing it from the 2nd computer:

  1. Download BeadTool from here
  2. Install the software and run it
  3. Click Help->Registration from BeadTool's main menu
  4. Type your email address and beadtool.net password
  5. Click the Activate button

  You will probably want to transfer the patterns from your old computer to your new one. Step-by-step instructions for that are here.

  NOTE: Although the license agreement states that you may install the software on up to 2 computers, sharing your license violates the software's License Agreement. Each person who uses the software should pay for their own license.

• I've activated the software but it still won't let me print or save. Why?

  BeadTool won't save or print an empty pattern.

  As soon as you put at least one bead into your pattern the Save & Preview buttons will become enabled in the toolbar.

• How do I transfer my entire BeadTool Library to another computer?

  On computer 1:

  Windows: Click View->Options from the main menu and select the Library tab
  Mac: Click BeadTool4->Preferences from the main menu and select the Library tab.
  Click the Backup Now button and save the database to your Desktop
  Save the file you put on your Desktop to a Flash drive or email it to yourself

  On computer 2:

  If you haven't downloaded and installed BeadTool on Computer 2, do that now. Always ensure that you have the latest version by downloading here
  Windows: Click View->Options from the main menu and select the Library tab
  Mac: Click BeadTool4->Preferences from the main menu and select the Library tab
  Click the Restore button and select the backup file you created previously

• How do I replace all beads of a certain color in my pattern?

  Replacing Beads

  There are a couple of ways to replace beads in your pattern.

  The easiest is to drag a bead from your Palette, Quick Palette or Bead List onto the bead you want to replace in your pattern. Doing this will replace all occurrences of that bead in your pattern with the one you dropped onto it.

  There is also a video that demonstrates how to do this on the Learn page of the website.

• How many computers can I install BeadTool on?

  The license agreement states that the purchaser is entitled to install and activate BeadTool on up to 2 computers per purchase. Licenses are intended to be used by the original purchaser with the exception of a gift purchase.

• How do I backup my BeadTool files and settings?

  Backup your BeadTool files and settings

  1. Windows: Click View->Options from the main menu and select the Library tab
  2. Mac: Click BeadTool4->Preferences from the main menu and select the Library tab
  3. Click the Backup Now button and save the database anywhere you like

  Restore a previous backup

  1. Windows: Click View->Options from the main menu and select the Library tab
  2. Mac: Click BeadTool4->Preferences from the main menu and select the Library tab
  3. Click the Restore button and open your backup file
• Why doesn't copy and paste work?

  Copy and paste works slightly different than some other graphics applications you may be used to.

  With BeadTool, if you don't see the copied selection, it doesn't exist. For example:

  Other graphics programs

  1. Select the area you want to copy
  2. Copy
  3. Paste
  4. Move to desired location

  BeadTool copy and paste

  1. Select the area you want to copy
  2. Copy
  3. Move to the desired location
  4. Paste

  There is a video that will demonstrate how to copy and paste here.

• What operating systems does BeadTool run on?

  BeadTool is compatible with Windows and MacOS computers.

  When in doubt, simply download and install the software onto your computer to see if it works. If you have a computer made within the last 10 years, you shouldn't have any problems.

  Windows Versions Supported

  Both 32 and 64 bit are supported on all Windows versions

  1. Windows XP (GDI+ required)
  2. Windows Vista
  3. Windows 7
  4. Windows 8
  5. Windows 10
  6. Windows 11 (with S mode disabled)

  Mac OS X Versions Supported

  64 bit Intel architecture only

  1. MacOS 10.10
  2. MacOS 10.11
  3. MacOS 10.12
  4. MacOS 10.13
  5. MacOS 10.14
  6. MacOS 10.15
  7. MacOS 11 may work but is not officially supported
  8. macOS 14 may work but is not officially supported

  Incompatible

  Will not work on the following operating systems

  1. Android
  2. iOS (iPad, iPhone)
  3. Linux
  4. Windows 8 RT (ARM processor tablets)
  5. Chromebook

  BeadTool may be available for Android tablets in the future

• How do I add text and letters to my pattern?

  Adding Text to Your Pattern

  To add letters and text to your pattern, follow these steps:

  1. Click Pattern->Add text from the main menu.
  2. Type the text you want to add into the Text field.
  3. Optionally choose a font and size.
  4. Click the Add button.

  The text is now in the clipboard.

  1. Drag the text to where you want it in your pattern.
  2. Click Edit->Paste from the main menu.
  3. Click anywhere outside the selection to discard the contents of the clipboard.

  There is also an instructional video that shows you how to do it here.