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To:       Galaxy Effects Enthusiast
From:     Patrick Grengs, application author
Subject:  How to Run the Galaxies product -- and other good things
Date:     Sunday, August 1, 1999
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Program:  Galaxies 3.0

Purpose:  Display 3D Galaxy Effects by setting numerous properties.
          Define the Galaxy Types as well as how the Galaxies should be
          dispersed throughout the Universe.  Watch as the camera tours
          the Universe, visiting each Galaxy.
 
          Properties can be saved as Templates for later use.
          You can configure the product as your Screen Saver.
          Notes appear below.

Status:   This is a Freeware product.
          You may distribute it without cost.
          All rights are reserved by the Author.
          Contact the Author if you would like to distribute the
          product via CD-ROM or create a link to it on your Web page.

Contact:  You may contact the Author with your comments, questions or
          concerns.  Please be as specific as possible.  Suggestions
          for Version 4.0 will be taken up until September 30, 1999.

          Email:  pixelate@owt.com

          Web:    http://users.owt.com/pixelate/pages/savers.htm

          Pmail:  1900 Stevens Drive  Suite 210
                  Richland, WA  99352-2125  USA
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What's New in Version 3.0

1.  Set Galaxy Styles:
    -  Standard
    -  IFS (Iterated Function System)
    -  Nebula Particle Ribbons
    -  Quasars
    -  Gravitons
    -  Starwaves
2.  Performance improvements.
3.  Larger Preview Window.
4.  Ignore Mouse move when displaying saver.
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What's New in Version 2.0

1.  Starts properly as a Screen Saver on Windows NT 4.0.
2.  Password Protection is available on Windows 9X.
3.  Displays preview in Windows Screen Saver preview window.
4.  The mouse pointer is invisible during the effects.
5.  Universe can have up to 30,000 Stars, up from 9999.
6.  Right click the .SCR file to Test, Configure, Install.
7.  Composite Galaxies can be constructed.
8.  Additional Axial-Plane of Rotation support.
9.  More Ambient Star properties.
10. Hue transition effects for Comets, Novas, etc.
11. Intergalactic Gravity can be specified.
12. General user interface improvements.
13. Advanced Settings:  On-Screen Message Font Name, Size and Hue.
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You can run the Galaxies application by following these steps:

1.  Click the Windows Start button.

2.  Click the Programs icon.

3.  Click the Galaxies 3.0 menu item.

4.  Click the Galaxies 30 sub-menu item.

5.  You should see the display clear to a black background followed by
    a large burst of stars from the screen's center.  The stars will 
    coalesce into several Galaxy formations.  The camera will take a
    tour of the Universe, visiting each Galaxy in turn.  If the product
    is running as a Screen Saver, then moving the mouse or pressing a
    key will stop the effects.  

6.  To create a stand-alone version of the product:
    -  Create a copy of the *.SCR file.
    -  Rename the copy to Galaxy.EXE.

    When running the stand-alone EXE, you have a few options:
    -  Press the Escape key to end the effects.
    -  Press the F5 key to refresh the effects.
    -  Press the Spacebar (or other key) to display the Galaxies
       Properties dialog.  From this dialog, you can change several
       variables to describe the Universe and the Galaxies.

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Notes:

1.  The application has been tested on Windows 95, 98 and NT 4.0.
2.  The default settings have been optimized for a 300 MHz CPU.
3.  Context sensitive help is available.  Click the question mark icon
    located in the upper-right corner of the dialog.  Then, click on a
    field of interest.  A help window will popup.  You can also get to
    the Help Index from the Help main menu.
4.  The Effects look best when displayed with the High Color Setting.
    To change your Windows Color Settings:
    -  Right-click on the Windows Desktop.
    -  Select the Properties menu.
    -  Select the Settings tab.
    -  Select "High Color (16 bit)" from the Color Palette dropdown.
       You can select "True Color (24 bit)" to produce similar results.
       If High Color is not available, 256 colors will due, but you're
       really missing out on the high quality effects provided in the
       High Color mode.  Consider purchasing new display hardware.

Cheers.
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Revision History:

----------------------
-   Version 3.0:     -
----------------------
-   Set Galaxy Styles.
-   Performance improvements.
-   Larger Preview window.
-   Option to ignore mouse moves.

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-   Version 2.0:     -
----------------------
-   Starts properly as a Screen Saver on Windows NT 4.0.
-   Password Protection is available on Windows 9X.
-   Displays preview in Windows Screen Saver preview window.
-   The mouse pointer is invisible during the effects.
-   Universe can have up to 30,000 Stars, up from 9999.
-   Right click the .SCR file to Test, Configure, Install.
-   Composite Galaxies can be constructed.
-   Additional Axial-Plane of Rotation support.
-   More Ambient Star properties.
-   Hue transition effects for Comets, Novas, etc.
-   Intergalactic Gravity can be specified.
-   General user interface improvements.
-   Advanced Settings:  On-Screen Message Font Name, Size and Hue.
-   Online Help has been updated.
-   Reduced number of files installed.
-   Reduced number of steps during installation.

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-   Version 1.0:     -
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-   The first release was a spin-off from the Special Effects product.
-   The product was made available to the public in July 1998.

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You can find the Galaxies and Special Effects products at the following
sites as well as associated mirror sites around the world.

www.zdnet.com
www.winsite.com
www.download.com
www.shareware.com

Look for Galaxies 4.0 in Q1 2000.
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How to Uninstall the product:

1.  Click the Windows Start button.
2.  Click the Settings menu item.
3.  Click the Control Panel folder.
4.  Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon.
5.  Click the Install/Uninstall tab.
6.  Select the product that you wish to Uninstall.
7.  Click the Add/Remove button.
8.  Confirm your intention to Uninstall the product.

The following section must be manually deleted from the Registry:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Special Effects\SPFX_Galaxy
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Installation Parts List:

*  Product Files:
   -  Galaxies 30.SCR
   -  Galaxy30.HLP
   -  Galaxy30 Readme.TXT
*  Support Files:
   -  MSVBVM50.DLL (version 05.00.4319 (SP2))
   -  OLEAUT32.DLL (version 2.20.4122)
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Standard Disclaimer:

THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. 
THE ENTIRE RISK OF THE USE OF THE SOFTWARE IS ASSUMED BY YOU.
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