This file contains important information on the following topics:
* Getting Started
* Installing programs with Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0
* Installing programs with Netscape Navigator
* What's on the CD-ROM
* Troubleshooting common problems
* Contacting us for support
* Our Online sites Internet Web & FTP sites, and CompuServe forum
Getting Started
To begin, run the SETUP.EXE program in the root directory of the CD-ROM. This creates a "TY VRML 2" program group with several shortcuts to programs on the CD-ROM. Nothing will be installed to your hard drive at this point.
From here (if you have a web browser installed on your system) you should double-click on the CD Guide icon which will launch the CD Web (\HOME.HTM). This series of HTML documents lets you run all the examples from the book, details the software on the CD, and has a number of links to the Internet.
If you do not have an installed web browser, don't worry, Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01 is included on this CD. To install, double-click on the "Install Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01 (platform)" icon in the "TY VRML 2" program group or run the install program directly from the CD at \3RDPARTY\EXPLORER\.
Installing Programs with Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01
When running the interface to the CD with Internet Explorer 3.01, users may view the contents of a directory and launch applications (i.e. view text files, run setup programs, etc.) within Internet Explorer. For example, choosing "Utilities" from the Contents frame then selecting the link to the directory "\3RDPARTY\UTILITY\WINZIP95\" in the Information frame will cause the contents of that directory to be displayed in the browser. Internet Explorer now acts like Explorer in that if you double-click on the README.TXT file it will launch your associated text program or if you double-click on SETUP.EXE it will launch WinZip's install program.
Installing Programs with Netscape Navigator
This method is only recommended with software whose installation is self-contained in one file. Netscape only transfers one file to it's cache and runs it if using the procedures below.
When running the interface to the CD with Netscape Navigator, users may launch applications (i.e. run setup programs, etc.) within Netscape Navigator by making the following modifications to Netscape Navigator's preferences.
Note: Users who do not wish to make these changes may still install programs via
Explorer or File Manager. Users may always change the settings back
to their original state is desired.
1. Launch Netscape Navigator
2. Choose "Options" from the main menu
3. Choose "General Preferences"
4. Scroll down to and select (one-click)
File type Action Extensions
application/octet-stream save exe,bin
5. Select the "Launch Application" button from the Action portion of the
dialog box (near the bottom).
6. Click "Ok"
Once in the interface to the CD you may launch applications. For example, choosing "Utilities" from the Contents frame then selecting the link to the directory "\3RDPARTY\UTILITY\WINZIP95\" in the Information frame will cause the contents of that directory to be displayed in the Navigator (this would happen even if the above options were not changed). Clicking on SETUP.EXE brings up a "Save As" dialog box. Choose Cancel (this does not seem intuitively obvious - but it works most of the time). The application will now launch.
What's on the CD-ROM
Source Code
Author source code and examples are contained in the \SOURCE directory (zipped source code file is also here). To install all uncompressed source code to your hard drive run SOURCE.EXE.
SGI's CosmoPlayer Beta VRML 2 Browser beta 3
To view most of the source code, you should install the CosmoPlayer VRML 2 Browser located in the \COSMO_PLAYER directory or download the latest version from http://vrml.sgi.com.
VRML 2 Specification
The Virtual Reality Modeling Language Specification Version 2.0, dated August 4, 1996 is located in the \VRML2REF directory. "The VRML Specification is the technical document that precisely describes the VRML file format. It is primarily intended for implementors writing VRML browsers and authoring systems. It is also intended for readers interested in learning the details about VRML. Note however that many people (especially non-programmers) find the VRML Specification inadequate as a starting point or primer."
3rd Party Demos and Applications
The following programs are located in the \3RDPARTY directory:
\ASSIST - Microsoft Internet Assistants
\ACCESS
\EXCEL
\POWERPNT
\SCHED
\WORD
\EXPLORER - Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.01 for Windows 95 and NT 4.
\EZ3D - Ez3d VRML Author
\FDPAINT4 - Fractal Design Painter 4 demo
\HOTDOG32 - 32-bit HotDog HTML editor
\HOTMETAL - HoTMetaL HTML editor
\HTMLED32 - HTMLed32 v1.6f
\INCNTXT
\ICSPIDER - Demo of InContext Spider HTML editor
\WEBIZER - Demo of InContext WebAnalyzer
\MAPTHIS - MapThis image map utility
\NUGRAF - NuGraf Rendering System
\PIONEER - Caligari Pioneer
\PMODELER - PhotoModeler LX
\POLYTRAN - Polytrans
\PSP312 - Paint Shop Pro v3.12
\SNAGIT32 - screen capture utility
\THMPLS - ThumbsPlus v3d-s 32-bit image viewer and browser
\UTILITY
\VIEWERS
\ACROREAD - Adobe Acrobat viewer
\MS - Microsoft viewers
\EXCEL
\POWERPNT
\WORD
\WINZIP95 - WinZip for Windows NT/95.
\WINZIPSE - WinZip Self-Extractor utility
\VPOTTER - Virtual Potter 3D Ver.1.0
Troubleshooting Common Problems
The guide program for the CD doesn't run properly.
The usual cause of this is a damaged or dirty disc. Visually inspect the disc for possible flaws or defects, and clean it properly. You should also test another CD-ROM in your drive. This often reveals setup problems that are not disc-specific. If these procedures fail, you can contact us to get a replacement disc (contact information is at the end of this file).
The programs run slowly or don't run properly.
Do you have at least the follow amounts of RAM (memory)?
Windows 95: 8 megabytes
Windows NT: 8 megabytes
This may sound familiar, but Windows does not run well on anything less than these amounts. If you only have the minimum amount of RAM, the program may run slowly.
If you only have a single-spin CD-ROM drive, the menu program and everything that's displayed in it will run slowly.
Contacting us for support
We cannot help you with computer problems, Windows problems, or 3rd party applications problems, but we can assist you with a problem you have with the book or the CD-ROM.
Note: Problems with other company's programs on the disc need to be resolved with the company that produced the program or demo.
If you're having problems with the software on the disc, here's how to get in touch with us. Please be prepared to give us information on your computer system and a detailed account of the problem youíre experiencing.
Internet Email
support@mcp.com
If you're a member of an online services such as CompuServe, America Online, Prodigy, etc., you can send Internet Email through your service.
Mail
Macmillan Computer Publishing
Support Department
201 West 103rd Street
Indianapolis, IN 46290
Telephone
(317) 581-3833
Fax
(317) 581-4773
Visit Us Online
Internet World-Wide Web (The Macmillan Information SuperLibrary)
http://www.mcp.com/sams
Internet FTP
ftp.mcp.com/pub/sams
CompuServe
The keyword for our forum is SAMS ("GO SAMS"). We are a part of the Macmillan Computer Publishing forum.
If you only have a single-spin CD-ROM drive Arial 0Courier New thing that's displayed in it will run slowly.
