Flow FAQ


Is there a trial version of Flow available? How does this work?

There is a trial version of Flow available. Unlike our trial version of Nucleo or Nucleo Pro 2, Flow is a fully-functioning, time limited trial. You can try Flow out for 30 days before it will expire and a purchase will be required to continue.


What happens when my trial runs out?

When the trial expires, you will be given the option to activate the software in the Dashboard as well as when you first launch the main Flow window. If you purchase the software from our online store, a license key will be sent to you, which you can use to activate the software. If you have any issues with this process, please contact us at support@gridironsoftware.com.


What should I do if I have a question or comments regarding Flow?

Considering the new ground Flow is breaking as an application, there will likely be some aspect or another of it that might not be clear to you. In addition, as it is still in its first release, you might run into an issue while using the product - no one's workflow is exactly the same!

Taking these things into consideration, we've tried to provide a number of avenues to submit issues you may encounter, or to try to discover answers to your questions. As always, the Flow Help is available, and many answers can be found there, but if you're having difficulty finding a solution in the Help included in the application, you can:

  • Submit a Troubleshooting case right on the Support Main Page.
  • Send us an email at support@gridironsoftware.com
  • Post on our Flow Forum, or review the posts that have already been made.

What can I provide to speed up the support process?

For technical support issues, a few components can be quite helpful in identifying the issue:

  • A support package from the application (under Start > All Programs > GridIron Flow > Flow Support Tool on Windows, or Applications > GridIron Flow > Tools > FlowSupport on Mac OS X)
  • A detailed explanation of the steps taken to cause the issue.
  • Is a specific file is causing the issue, a copy of that file can also help in identifying the situation.

Please send any or all of these pieces to our support team at support@gridironsoftware.com


If Flow reads your open files and watches your keystrokes, are there any privacy concerns?

Flow tracks events surrounding your files - file names, copy, paste, save, save as, drag and drop, and so on - but it doesn't actually read the content in any file (other than the metadata, which is what any search function does on your computer anyway). The tracking Flow does is really no different than what your email application does when it identifies an email that you've responded to, or forwarded. In addition, anything that Flow "watches" is only for you to see on your own computer - no information is ever transmitted.


Is there a server version of Flow, where we can check files in and out? Do you have a timeline for the server version and how much it will cost?

GridIron Flow 1.0 provides some networking capabilities, such as the ability to share a map over a network, but this does not include version control in the lines of checking files in and out. GridIron is committed to continuing to develop versions of Flow and is actively engaged with its customers to ensure that their demands are met. Networking and collaboration is a very common request, and so meeting those needs is definitiely a priority. Flow customers will have a unique opportunity to help drive the requirements for that version. We can't commit to the release date of the next version of Flow, but are committed to development right now.


If there are 3 people working on the same project over the course of a week, can Flow track and report how much time we each put into that project individually?

With Flow's new Share Maps feature, time spent on each file in a given map can be tracked on a user-by-user basis.


How do I use the share maps feature in Flow 1.0 ?

For share maps to work, you need to save them to a network accessible storage device that is not running Flow. For optimal performance, the assets for the share map should also be stored to the network accessible storage device.


Is it necessary to Scan my volumes? Will Flow work if I don't?

The Backtrack Scan will allow Flow to collect data from files that were created before it was installed. Without performing a Backtrack Scan, Flow can still track files that are created or edited after it was installed.


If I scan the network volumes, will there be a negative impact on users producing content?

Save for the fact that Flow will be accessing that drive as it scans, the impact on performance should be minimal. If you are experiencing significant negative impact on performance while scanning, please contact us.


Does Flow record a lot of data on each volume? Will this grow?

By default, version and thumbnail data is stored on the root level of each drive that Flow Manages, in a FlowData folder. The size is specified in Preferences for Flow. You can also choose a specific location for Flow to save version files to under the Preferences.


What applications does Flow support?

Click here for the latest Flow Supported Applications List

There will be additional applications included for the Shipping Release of the product. If you do not see your application listed above, please let us know at flowproductsupport@gridironsoftware.com.


What are the system requirements for Flow?

Click here for Flow System Requirements


What is the FlowData folder?

The FlowData folder is a folder for just that - data that Flow uses. Though the contents are hidden, it stores things like thumbnails, versions, and package repositories. These are all important pieces of data, so it's never a good idea to trash a FlowData folder.


Why is my FlowData folder so big?

Large FlowData folders are usually caused by multiple and big versions. If you need to lower the size of your FlowData folder, the best way is to set the preferences for Versions to a lower limit. The next time a version is stored, Flow will realize that it has no more room to store versions, and will start to clear out versions that are above that size threshold. This may take a bit of time, as Flow will try not to consume too many system resources. Do NOT delete the FlowData folder, as you will have problems with thumbnails and packages.


Why are there FlowData folders in other locations on my computer?

FlowData folders are often stored at the root of the mount point of a shared directory, or in directories that could likely be shared. This helps facilitate the Shared Maps feature, in that versions and other important information are beings stored where everyone can access the most recent copies.


Can I change where versions are stored?

While it is currently possible to change where the thumbnails Flow generates are stored, it is not possible at this point to specify where versions are being stored. However, this is a feature that we are looking at implementing into future versions of Flow.


How do I move my copy of Flow to a new machine?

Much like other pieces of software that you're familiar with, your serial number can only be used a limited number of times. If you're moving your copy of Flow to a new computer (or rebuilding a hard drive, re-installing your OS, etc.), it's a good idea to deactivate your serial number first. Open the Flow application (click the Flow icon and select Open Flow), and click Help > Deactivate. Make sure you have your serial number written down to use upon reactivation.


How do I uninstall the Flow Dashboard on Mac OS X? I trashed the folder in /Applications/, but the dashboard won't go away!

Because Flow looks so deeply into your computer and files, we have to store different parts of Flow in different places. Getting rid of the GridIron Flow folder in /Applications/ will get rid of the Flow application, but not the Flow agent. The FlowUninstall script that came with the .dmg file you downloaded has the capability of uninstalling all aspects of Flow from your computer. It's usually stored in the /Applications/GridIron Flow/ folder, so if you've already removed that folder, you'll need to re-download the trial from here and run the FlowUninstall script that's in the .dmg file.