Our ChartNotes annotation tools uses the Java plug-in to do its thing. If you try to annotate a really large chart, Java may run out of memory since, by default, it is limited to only 64MB of your computer's memory space. In this tutorial, we'll show Mac users how they can allow Java to access more memory, thus allowing ChartNotes to work with really large charts. (Note: Click here if you use Windows.)
Note: Make sure that you have the latest Java update from Apple. If you aren't sure, run "Software Update" and install any upgrades it provides.
I'll apologize ahead of time here - this is not an easy change to make. It used to be much easier, but Apple - in their inifinite wisdom - has made it harder and harder with each recent Java update they've released. I have no idea why it is so hard to do right now. Ready? Here we go...
Use the Finder to Open Your "Home" Folder
Click on the Finder icon (red arrow) in the dock to open a new Finder window, then open the "Go" menu and select "Home" (green arrow).
Open the "Library" Folder
Find and then double-click the "Library" folder to open it.
Open the "Caches" Folder
Find and then double-click the "Caches" folder to open it.
Open the "Java" Folder
Find and then double-click the "Java" folder to open it.
Find and Open the file "deployment.properties"
Find and then double-click the file named "deployment.properties" to open it.
(If you Mac says it cannot open the file, then click the "Choose Application" button and select the "TextEdit" application to open the file with.)
Find the Line with "deployment.javapi.jre.1.6.0.args="
OK, this can be tricky. There are lots of very similar lines in this file. It is also totally possible that this line is NOT in the file (in which case we'll need to add it). Typically, the line we're looking for will be near the bottom of the file.
IF YOU CAN FIND THE LINE, ADD "-Xms384m" to the end of the line (without the double quotes). Make sure to add the dash at the front and make sure all the letters are capitalized correctly.
IF YOU CANNOT FIND THE LINE, GO TO THE BOTTOM OF THE FILE AND COPY AND PASTE THE FOLLOWING TWO LINES INTO THE FILE:
deployment.javapi.jre.1.6.0.osname=Mac OS X
deployment.javapi.jre.1.6.0.args=-Xms384m
Save the File and Restart your Mac
Use the "File / Save" command to save your changes, then reboot your computer (very important) so the changes take effect.
Congratulations! Java is now configured to use up to 384MB of your computer's memory (but only if it needs it). That should allow you to annotate charts of almost any size.
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