| ThingMaker Documentation Chapter 1) Getting Started

| Getting Started Welcome to Parable's ThingMaker. This chapter contains:
- A list of what's included in the ThingMaker package
- System Requirements for ThingMaker
- Instructions for installing ThingMaker
- Instructions for installing ThingViewer
- Suggestions for getting and using Help

  What's included with ThingMaker
  ThingMaker is distributed in the following packages and directories:
  Packages

- ThingMaker Install.exe - This installer creates the ThingMaker directory in the Program Files directory of your hard disk. It installs the following files:
- ThingMaker.exe - Application
- readme.txt - Information about the release you just have downloaded
- license.txt - License for using ThingMaker
- *.dll - Set of .dll's that are used by ThingMaker - The ThingMaker Installer will create the following directories inside the ThingMaker directory:

- Active Desktop files
  Directory for storing files for the Active Desktop (Internet Explorer 4.0+)

- Galleries
  Default Gallery file, ThingMaker.TMG

- Help Files
  Online Help (this document in HTML format)

- ID files
  Directory for storing ID files downloaded from ThingWorld

- Scenes
  Directory for storing the Scenes you create

- Tutorial
  Set of files used for the Tutorials in this document

  ThingViewer
  ThingMaker also requires the ThingViewer application for the web browser(s) that you use. If you have visited the www.thingworld.com website you have probably already installed the ThingViewer plug-ins - you need a plug-in to "see" Things in web pages - but if you haven't, you can use the following installers:

- ThingViewer Install - Microsoft.exe
  An installer for Internet Explorer. This installer places the following files in the Windows\Occache directory:
  ThingV2.ocx
  ThingV2.inf

- ThingViewer Install - Netscape.exe
  An installer for Netscape Navigator and Communicator. If you have both Navigator and Communicator installed, the installer will place a copy of the plug-in in each application's Plug-in's directory. This installer places the following files in the Plug-in directory of the browser application:
  NPThingV.dll
  ThingPlugin.class

  System Requirements
  You can use ThingMaker with any computer running Windows 95/NT. However, you should be aware that performance may be affected on very slow equipment (486) or if you have little memory. We recommend a minimum of 16 MB for Windows 95. Here are the specific system requirements:

  ThingMaker

  Component | Requirements
  Microprocessor | Pentium or higher; may run on a 486, but not recommended
  RAM | 16MB of RAM required; 24 MB or more recommended
  Hard Disk | 5 MB to install application; at least 20MB free recommended
  Video | 13-inch or larger color monitor with 256-color SuperVGA video card 800 x 600 resolution minimum recommended. Support for High or True Color recommended but not required
  Sound card | 8-bit; 16 -bit recommended; microphone required for recording sound
  Operating System | Windows 95 or Windows NT
  Internet Access | Either a direct connection or a dialup SLIP or PPP connection. You do not need Internet access to author Things; only for viewing
  14.4 kbps modem | If using dialup, 28.8 recommended

  Other Software Requirements
  Web Browser:
  A web browser is required to install ThingViewer. You do not need an active Internet connection to preview ThingMaker Scenes in a web browser.

- Netscape Navigator 3.0+
- Netscape Communicator
- Internet Explorer 3.0+
- Internet Explorer 4.0+

  To create content
  Things can be created from media, such as images, animations and sounds, that are gathered from a variety of sources. You can buy clip disks of source material, use existing content, download existing Things from the ThingWorld website, or create your own content.

  To create graphics or digitize sound there are standard Windows applications that you can use, or you can purchase third-party applications.

  Some suggested applications include:

  Paint Application

- Microsoft Paint:
  This simple-to-use application is installed on most Windows machines.

- Adobe Photoshop:
  A sophisticated paint application.

  Sound application

- Sound Recorder
  A Windows utility that lets you record sound. Most Windows machines include a sound card, although you may have to buy a microphone.

- Sonic Foundry Sound Forge
  A sophisticated sound utility.

  Web Authoring
  If you are going to add Things to a Web page you will need the following:

  HTML (Text) Editor

  Windows Notepad:
  If you have nothing else available, you can use Notepad to edit HTML files. If you have a lot of files you need to create or edit, you should probably consider buying one of the specialized HTML Editors.

  Other Tools available include:

- Microsoft FrontPage
- Claris Home Page
- HomeSite

  FTP application

  If you are using an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to host your web pages you will need an FTP utility to transfer the HTML and ThingMaker files you create up to your website. You can find shareware programs for Windows at download.com or shareware.com. You will also need information about how to upload the files, including where they are to be placed on the server, the password you'll need and so forth. Your ISP should be able to provide information about this.

  ThingViewer
  ThingViewer has the same basic system requirements as ThingMaker, but does not require the authoring software listed for ThingMaker.

  ThingConverter
  ThingConverter is an Xtra plug-in for Macromedia Director which you can use to convert the content of a Director file into ThingMaker's format. For ThingConverter you need a copy of either Director 5 or 6 for Windows. For more information about Director's requirements, contact Macromedia at: www.macromedia.com

  Installing and Starting ThingMaker
  This section describes how to install ThingMaker on your hard disk and start the application. If you already have experience running an installer you may not need to follow the instructions below:

  1. Make sure you have downloaded the file ThingMaker Install.exe.

  2. From the Explorer, launch ThingMaker Install.exe.

  3. An installation screen will appear. Click the Finish button. This function decompresses the Installer for ThingMaker.

  4. The Installer will run and a "Welcome" screen will appear. Click the "Next" button.

  5. A software license screen will appear. Click Yes to agree to the terms of the license and continue the installation.

  6. The Choose Destination Location screen lets you choose where to install the application. By default the destination is set to: drive:\Program Files\Parable\ThingMaker. Click the Browse button if you want to change the location where ThingMaker will be installed.

  7. Click Next to complete the installation.

  8. The Setup Complete window appears. If you don't want to view the readme file, leave the check box unchecked. Click Finish to complete the installation.

  Installing and Starting ThingViewer
  Installing ThingViewer varies depending upon which browser you are using. If you have already visited the www.thingworld.com website, or another site that contains Things, the viewer plug-in may already have been downloaded automatically, and you do not need to manually install the viewer.

  For those who want to manually install the viewer, we provide two separate applications which install the appropriate plug-in.

  Netscape Navigator and Communicator
  1. If you are currently running the browser you should quit while performing the install process.

  2. Launch ThingViewer Install - Netscape.exe.

  3. At the install screen, click the Finish button.

  4. A window should appear that reads:
  "Click OK to install the ThingViewer plug-in to your Netscape plug-ins directory." Click OK.

  5. A message which read "Files copied successfully" should appear. Click OK.

  6. A window appears providing the option to go to the ThingWorld website. Click Yes or No to exit the installation process.

  Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 or 4.0
  1. If you are currently running the browser you should quit while performing the install process.

  2. Launch ThingViewer. Install - Microsft.exe.

  3. At the install screen, click the Finish button.

  4. A window should appear that reads:

  5. "Click OK to install the ThingViewer plug-in to your OCCACHE directory." Click OK.

  6. A message which reads "The new ThingViewer Control has been successfully copied and registered" should appear. Click OK.

  7. A window appears providing the option to go to the ThingWorld website. Click Yes or No to exit the installation process.

  Installing ThingConverter
  ThingConverter is an Xtra for Macromedia Director 5.0 or 6.0. To install the Xtra:

  1. Run the application "ThingConverter Install.exe."

  2. Install screen. Click Finish.

  3. Click OK to install the ThingConverter Xtra to your Macromedia Director Xtras directory. You have the option to Browse and pick another location. Click OK.

  4. A successful installation message appears.

  5. A Dialog prompts you: "Do you want to go to Thingworld?'

  Installing Adobe Acrobat
  Documentation is available in both HTML and Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. Acrobat format can be particularly useful if you want a printed copy of the documentation.

  The Adobe Acrobat Reader is a utility that you can use to view and print Acrobat (.pdf) files. This Acrobat Reader Software is available at Adobe's website:

  www.adobe.com/prodindex/acrobat/readstep.html.

  The site includes instructions for downloading and installing Acrobat Reader.

  Resources for learning ThingMaker
  The help files for ThingMaker are provided in Adobe Acrobat (PDF) format, and as HTML files. Users new to ThingMaker can use this document as well as the resources at the ThingWorld website.

  See examples of Things

  The ThingWorld website ( www.thingworld.com) contains many examples of Things. This can be a good place to see the kind of Things you can create, as well as download Things that you can use and modify yourself.

  Work through the Tutorials
  The tutorials in this documentation are intended to introduce you to the major features of ThingMaker. Working through these tutorials can be the best way of learning how to use ThingMaker.

  For detailed information about ThingMaker's Tools and interface, refer to the Reference sections of this documentation.

  While running ThingMaker, you can view this documentation, which is displayed in HTML files.

  Also check the readme.txt file for late breaking news that wasn't included in the documentation.

  Support is available at the ThingWorld website.
  You'll find a range of support alternatives available at the ThingWorld website ( www.thingworld.com) including FAQs and instructional materials.

  Still have a problem?
  Contact support at: support@parablecorp.com or you can reach technical support by phone at 1-617-527-4433

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