Virtual FireworX Screensaver
June 10, 2005 - Version 1.1
by Michael Briscoe
© 2005, Skyrocket Software

Celebrate with Fireworks! All year long, any holiday or occasion, Virtual FireworX brings a festive mood to your Mac! These pyro-tastic delights burn cool, so they won't burn you, or your screen!
What are Virtual FireworX?
Virtual FireworX are realtime 3D particle animations of fireworks simulations. Thanks to new technology available to MacOS X 10.4, a.k.a., "Tiger", Virtual FireworX performs better than it's predecessor, Digital FireworX. Because the fireworks render in realtime, they truly vary from each viewing, randomly igniting in new locations in 3D space!

FEATURES:
	• Realistic 3D particle animations, including smoke effects!
	• Realtime rendering, for a constantly changing experience!
	• Up to 16 different built-in fireworks effects!
	• Aerial, and ground based pieces!
	• Amazing fireworks sound effects, in stereo!
	• Realtime preview in options panel! See how your settings will look!
	• Load in your own background image!
	• Choose your own background color!
	• View streaming trails for even more realism!
	• Choose to view clouds moving in the background! 
	• Music file playback! 

Virtual FireworX vs. Digital FireworX:
New technology provides a realtime rendering engine that consumes a fraction of the hard drive space required by Digital FireworX. No cumbersome external files! Effects appear more spontaneous, and realistic, due to enhanced performance using OpenGL, and hardware acceleration.
 
Virtual FireworX screensaver comes FREE with five active fireworks effects. Additional effects, and features, can be unlocked with $5.00 registration.

Installation Instructions:
Drag the "Virtual FireworX.saver" file to the "System Preferences" panel, or double-click, and follow the directions to install.

To activate the screen saver, go to your System Preferences panel, and select, "Desktop & Screen Saver". Click on the "Screen Saver" tab. Choose the "Virtual FireworX" listing.

To edit the screen saver configuration, click the "Options" button.

Virtual FireworX Screensaver Preferences:

Preview: Displays a realtime preview of your selections in the options panel.

ABOUT TAB:
Displays information about this screensaver, such as help, version, and copyright info.

Registration Code: Enter your registration code here, and press your TAB key, to unlock additional features.

AERIALS TAB:
Choose which aerial fireworks effects, such as mortars, and rockets, by clicking the buttons. A preview of that effect will appear in the preview display. Click the button again to disable that effect.

GROUND BASED TAB:
Choose which ground based fireworks, such as fountains, and cones, by clicking the buttons. A preview of that effect will appear in the preview display. Click the button again to disable that effect.

OPTIONS TAB:
Choose global options such as background effects, and audio muting.

"Background Image" Switch: Check to import your own artwork, or photo to use as a backdrop. To remove backdrop art, uncheck this switch.

Background Color Well: Use this to choose a background color.

View Trails: When checked, sparks leave a streaming trail, then slowly fade out. Use the slider to adjust the length of the trails effect. Move to the left for longer trails, move to the right for shorter.

View Clouds: Moving clouds will appear in the background. This effect is more like fog when combined with the, "View Trails", option.

Display FPS: Check this to display a small Frames Per Second meter at the bottom left of the screen.

Music: Check to load and playback a music file, (MP3, AIFF, etc.). To remove music, uncheck this switch.

Mute: Toggles the fireworks sounds, and music, on/off.

To Register:

Press the Buy Code... button from the preferences panel, or, go to http://www.skyrocketsoftware.com/Virtual_FireworX/ to purchase a registration code. Remember, it's only $5.00, and you get the additional features listed above! 

Version History:

June 10, 2005: 1.1 - Added music playback feature. Trails now appear over the chosen background color, or image. Minor interface tweaks. 

May 26, 2005: 1.0 - Initial Release.

If you have any troubles with this screen saver, please email us at: support@skyrocketsoftware.com

© 2005, Skyrocket Software
http://www. skyrocketsoftware.com