Installation/Activation
Installation Overview
The ShaderMan plugin can be installed for two different uses: Full usage and ScreamerNet only usage. The ScreamerNet only version has no user interface abilities and is only intended to allow ShaderMan to be used for ScreamerNet rendering. The Full usage version is fully functional but requires the LightWave hardware key (dongle) to function. The installation process will ask which type to install.
Installation of the Full usage version is a two step process: installation and activation. The installation procedure is described in detail as installation progresses. After installation, plug-in activation requires contacting Dynamic Realities (see Activation below). The ScreamerNet only version does not require activation.
The installation utility copies necessary files to your hard drive and prepares ShaderMan for immediate use with a two week limit before needing activation. The installation utility will actually remember specific information about the LightWave hardware key (dongle) to ensure that it is run on the system it was installed on, so make sure there is a hardware key affixed to the computer. Should you require a multiple system installation, additional copies of ShaderMan can be purchased. If you are running a multi-node system and would like to purchase a site license, then you should contact Dynamic Realities.
Once ShaderMan has be transferred to your system it will require activation to continue functioning past the two week limit. An activation utility located on the CD-ROM will perform this task. Activation is completed by contacting Dynamic Realities with your ShaderMan serial number and a pre-activation code that is obtained from the activation utility. You will be given an activation code to key into the utility. Dynamic Realities can be contacted via the World Wide Web, email, fax, or telephone. These methods are detailed later in this section.
Should your hardware key become defective, you will need to reactivate ShaderMan by repeating the activation process. If your need is immediate, you may reinstall ShaderMan and activate it any time during the two week pre-activation period.
Installation
Installation of ShaderMan is very straight forward and has been broken down into a few simple steps listed below.
1. Make sure LightWave is NOT running.
2. Insert the ShaderMan CD into your CD-ROM unit.
3. If you are running Windows 95 or Windows NT 4.0 and have the Autorun feature enabled, a CD menu utility will be displayed. From here, you can install ShaderMan, activate ShaderMan, and view information about ShaderMan and other products available from Dynamic Realities. Simply click the 'Install ShaderMan' button. If this menu does not appear, simply run the 'setup.bat' file from the root of your ShaderMan CD using the file manager or explorer.
4. The installation utility will start and will prompt you for information as you go through the installation process. For the most part these prompts are self explanatory, but we have listed some information below that may be helpful to you when answering the installation questions. First, you will be asked which portions of ShaderMan you would like to install. The options are listed below.
Typical
This will install both the ShaderMan plug-in and the sample files included with the software.
Compact
This will install only the ShaderMan plug-in portion of the software only. Use this option to save space on your hard drive. The samples may be installed at another time if desired.
Custom
This will allow you to choose, on an indivdual basis, which portions of the software you would like to install.
5. The installation tool then asks if ShaderMan will be used in a 'ScreamerNet only' environment. If you are only going to use the software for ScreamerNet node only, it does not have to be registered, and you can select 'Yes' at this prompt. When using the software in this way, the user interface is unavailable and unneccesary. ScreamerNet installs are allowed for any platform version of the software. If you choose 'No' at this prompt, a fully functional version of the plug-in will be installed and will require activation. In this case, you must install ShaderMan from the computer it will be used on, regardless of where you store your plug-ins. You must enter the serial number, your name, and your company name. Do not leave any of these blank.
6. You must then choose where to place the plug-in on your system. The default is: '\NEWTEK\PLUGINS\LAYOUT'.
7. If samples are being installed, you must choose where to place these files. It is suggested that they be placed in the LightWave content directory. The content directory is where the Objects, Scenes, and Images directories are located.
8. You will prompted as to whether or not you would like your LightWave configuration file, 'LW.CFG', modified. If you answer yes at this prompt, you will be asked to locate this file. It is usually stored in the 'PROGRAMS' directory off the content directory.
9. If a full usage version of ShaderMan is being installed, you will be asked if you would like to activate the plug-in immediately. If you choose 'Yes', a pre-activation number will be provided. You must contact Dynamic Realities (see below) to get the activation code. If you can not get the activation code right away, you may cancel out and activate at a later time. Activation of the plug-in may be post-poned for up to two weeks.
Activation
To use ShaderMan beyond the initial two week limit, product activation is required. This process will also register your product with Dynamic Realities so we can keep you up to date with the latest information on upgrades, new versions, and new products.
The activation process is started by running the activation utility, 'ACTIVATOR.BAT', located on the ShaderMan CD. First, make sure you are NOT running LightWave or have the plug-in file open in any way. The utility will instruct you what to do. After contacting Dynamic Realities with the serial number, pre-activation code, and other information, an activation code will be returned that must be entered into the activation utility. Once the plug-in has been activated, ShaderMan may be used fully.
If you ever change LightWave hardware keys, Dynamic Realities must be contacted to obtain a new activation code. You will need to modify the activation status of the ShaderMan plug-in. This can be done from the activation utility by modifying an existing user. If you need to run ShaderMan and cannot wait for the activation process, you may reinstall it with the two week limitation and re-activate within that time period.
Contacting Dynamic Realities for Activation
Dynamic Realities can be contacted in one of four ways (in order of preference): World Wide Web, e-mail, telefax, or voice. Please allow a 48 hour response time for your activation code.
When contacting Dynamic Realities, please have the following information ready. If using e-mail or fax, use this template exactly (there is a 'Activate.txt' template located on the CD-ROM for your convenience).
ACTIVATION TEMPLATE
COMPANY: Company Name (if applicable)
NAME: Your Name (required)
ADDRESS1: Address line 1 (required)
ADDRESS2: Address line 2
CITY: City or township (required)
STATE: State/Province (required)
POSTAL: Postal (zip) code (required)
COUNTRY: Country (required)
PHONE: Voice telephone number (required)
FAX: Telefax number
EMAIL: Your e-mail address
SERIAL_NUMBER: Product serial number (required)
PREACTIVATION_NUMBER: Preactivation number (required)
Following are the details for each method of contacting Dynamic Realities.
1. World Wide Web: http://www.dynamic-realities.com/activate.htm. Have the information listed above ready and enter them into the appropriate entries. After completing the form, select the Submit option. An e-mail response will be sent to you with the activation code.
2. E-mail: Compose an e-mail message to activate@dynamic-realities.com with the subject heading 'ACTIVATE ShaderMan'. In the body of the message specify the information listed above in that exact format. A template file exists in the CD-ROM root to get you started. The activation code will be sent to you at the provided e-mail address.
3. Telefax: Fax the above information to Dynamic Realities at 414-549-2225. Your activation code will be faxed back to the fax number listed.
4. Voice: Call Dynamic Realities at 414-549-2200 and have the above information ready.
Adding plug-ins to LightWave
During installation, you may have chosen to have ShaderMan plug-ins added to your LightWave config file. If not, you will have to add it manually.
To add the ShaderMan plug-in manually, first, run the Layout part of LightWave. Go to the Options panel and click the Add Plug-ins button. A file requester will appear. Locate and select the file 'ShaderMan.p'. Commonly, this plug-in will be located in the 'PLUGINS\LAYOUT\' directory. Once added, you should see the plug-ins within the Surfaces panel in Layout. It is recommended that you Quit Layout at this time so that ShaderMan will be available the next time Layout is run.