THANK YOU
Welcome to the Live3D plugin for the Power Macintosh. Netscape Live3D extends Netscape Navigator so that you can experience distributed, interactive 3D spaces rich with text, images, animation, sound, music, and video.

In addition to providing a high-performance VRML viewer, Live3D extends Netscape's Java, JavaScript, and plug-in interfaces to make it easy to develop distributed 3D applications on the Netscape Navigator platform. For more general information regarding Live3D and its capabilities, check out our Live3D Overview.

Live3D for PowerMac works with Netscape Navigator 3.0 and later.

OVERVIEW
This release of PowerMac Live3D is a no-holds-barred replica of the Windows version. There's full blown VRML 1.0 support with:

• Full texture support (JPG, GIF, RGB, PNG, BMP, and RAS)
• Inlines
• WWWAnchors
• LOD
• ASCII Text
• Transparent textures and materials
• GZIP support
• Support for common Open Inventor nodes

There's also support for:

• Background textures
• Animated textures
• Optional lit textures
• Environment mapping
• Axis alignment
• Sprites
• SpinGroup
• 3D Studio animations
• All Live3D navigation modes and most options
• Viewpoints with quick keyboard traversal
• Headlamp w/ adjustment
• Collision detection w/ gravity
• Solid, wireframe, and point cloud support

All of the above are enabled in this release. If you previewed the beta release of Live3D for the PowerMac, thank you. We hope you think the improvements in this Release 1.0 was worth the wait.

CAVEATS
However, since this is the first version, a few other things are still missing:

• Since there is no right mouse button on the Mac, we use the Command key to modify the mouse button to do spinning. You can also hold down the mouse button for a second to popup the Live3D menu.
• There is currently no parsing or rendering status indicator.
• Java support has not been hooked up yet.
• Motion blur and fast render are not supported yet.
• Sounds are not supported yet.
• Stability is good but we can still crash if we run out of memory. There are bad files out there that can cause problems. We are working to improve in these areas.
• There are various palette problems if running in 256 colors, we recommend 16 bit color mode.
• There is no VRML2 support yet.
• This version runs only on the PowerMac. We plan to release Live3D for 68K Mac 1.0 in September 1996.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Live3D Release 1.0 for PowerMac requires that you have:

• Any PowerMac that can run Netscape Navigator 3.0, and
  
• 2.3 MB of hard disk space.
  
• If available, add 2MB to Navigator's RAM memory partition.
  
• Monitor support for thousands of colors.
  

DOWNLOAD SOFTWARE
Download Live3D for PowerMac from the following sites:

The Live3D web site

Download the latest release version of Netscape Navigator Gold 3.0 if you don't already have it.

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

• Install Netscape Navigator 3.0 or Netscape Navigator Gold 3.0.
• Install Live3D for PowerMac. The live3d-mac-ppc-1.0.sit.hqx file expands into the live3d-mac-ppc-1.0.sit file. [Use StuffIt Expander; it is included in the Navigator 3.0 download.] You can keep the .sit file as a backup, and delete the .hqx file to recover disk space. The .sit file expands into the live3d-mac-ppc-1.0 folder. The folder contains four items: three files and a folder.

Drag and drop "3D Library (PPC)" on the "Extensions" folder in System Folder . Drag "Live3D" to the "Plug-ins" folder that is in the same folder as Netscape Navigator. The other file is this file (read-me-live3d-ppc.html), and the folder contains an example world.

• Increase Navigator's memory size by 2MB. Launch Navigator to automatically configure Navigator for the Live3D plug-in. The Live3D plug-in will be loaded the first time a VRML file is browsed. The plug-in is only loaded once, even if you browse multiple worlds at the same time.
• Test the installation by opening "abounce.wrl" in the "vrml examples" folder. If you don't see dancing logos, please see Installation Troubleshooting.

This ReadMe is long because we want to give you everything we think you might need to get Live3D up and running successfully. If you have a problem or question, we hope you'll find the answer here. We've hyperlinked all the sections, in order, at the top of the page.

RAM MEMORY MANAGEMENT
If you're already a Navigator user, add 2MB to its Preferred size if you can.

Otherwise, if Virtual Memory is OFF, set Navigator's Preferred size to 11,000K, and its Minimum size to 9,000K.

If Virtual Memory is ON, set Navigator's Preferred size to 7,750K, and its Minimum size to 5,750K.

That's it. Here's more info in case you need it.

Live3D can run in less memory, especially off-line, but you should heed any low memory warnings you get from Navigator or Live3D.

If you have a 16MB Macintosh, we recommend that you turn ON Virtual Memory. The PowerMac's Modern Memory Manager was designed to work with Virtual Memory, so even if you set the total memory size to 17MB, you will have a lot more RAM to work with.

With 8MB or 12MB of real RAM, performance will probably be poor. If you find a configuration that works well (say, System 7.1.2 on a NuBus PowerMac) please let us know.

We recommend that Virtual Memory be turned ON on PCI-bus PowerMacs with 1GB or larger hard drives, unless they have more-than-adequate real RAM. Our experience is that performance is good, and you'll be able to run a lot of PowerMac-native programs at once. Live3D is 100% compatible with VM.

If Virtual Memory is Off, Live3D requires 2.2MB of free system memory in order to load. The Largest Unused Block of system memory needs to be at least this size. Loading Live3D will cause the System Software partition to increase by this amount. The partition will shrink back down when there are no browser windows showing worlds. If Virtual Memory is On, no additional free system memory is required to load Live3D.

When Live3D loads large worlds it may use some free system memory.

Whenever there are no browser windows showing worlds, Live3D unloads itself and gives back all the memory it used. There is no need to Quit Navigator to do this.

To increase Netscape's partition size: click once on the program file to select it. Then choose Get Info from the File menu. In the dialog box, adjust the Preferred size box.

To check System memory usage: switch to the Finder. Then choose About This Macintosh from the Apple menu. You will find the Largest Unused Block of system memory indicator here. To consolidate the unused memory into a single large block, restart the Mac.

To turn on Virtual Memory: open the Control Panel named Memory and adjust the Virtual Memory section. Changes will not take effect until after the Macintosh is restarted.

INSTALLATION TROUBLESHOOTING
Read this section if you encounter a problem while installing Live3D.

• If the 3D world does not appear, the first thing to do is check to make sure Netscape has configured Live3D. Choose About Plugins... under the Apple menu. In the browser window, look for an entry for Live3D. If there isn't, it means that the "Live3D" plugin file was not found in Netscape Navigator's "Plug-ins" folder [Netscape Navigator must be in the same folder as its "Plug-ins" folder - aliases will not do. If it is, you should re-install and hope the problem goes away]. If there is an entry for Live3D, verify that the Mime Type is 'x-world/x-vrml' and the Suffixes is ".wrl". If they are not, skip down to the third bullet. If those settings are correct, verify that under Enabled (in the rightmost column) it says "Yes". If it does not, continue on to the second bullet.
• If the About Plugins... page ever says that Live3D is disabled, make sure that Live3D is installed, and do the following. In the Netscape Options menu, choose General Preferences... In the dialog box, click on the Helpers tab. Scroll down to the Live3D line and select it. Click the Edit... button. In the dialog, choose the Handled by Plugin: Live3D radio button. Press the OK buttons to accept the changes.
• If Navigator has previously encountered the 'x-world/x-vrml' MIME Type before Live3D was installed on the computer, the Live3D plugin will not be enabled automatically. You will need to do the following: In the General Preferences "Helpers" panel, if there is more than one entry for 'x-world/x-vrml', delete all but one. Edit the remaining 'x-world/x-vrml' entry to say: "Handled by Plug-in: Live3D", and "Suffixes: wrl". You shouldn't have to restart Navigator for this to take effect. [If "Live3D" does not appear as the option for "Handled by Plug-in:", then the Live3D file is not in the Plug-ins folder or is not a valid Plug-in.]
• Live3D for PowerMac requires Netscape Navigator 3.0 or later. If you are using a beta, we encourage you to upgrade to the 3.0 release. We're sorry, but there is no version of Live3D for PowerMac that will work with Netscape Navigator 2.0.x. When it is released, Live3D for 68K Mac will also require Netscape Navigator 3.0 or later.
• If Netscape Navigator bombs or freezes every time it tries to load a 3D world, its disk cache may be corrupted. Under the Options Menu, choose "Network Preferences..." and click "Clear Disk Cache Now". You will not lose any information or settings.
• Warning: If you want to do a clean re-install of Navigator from an Installer, you should only do this if you are sure your Netscape Preferences file is bad. To do a clean re-install it is not enough to trash the Netscape Navigator Folder, because the settings, etc, are retained. You must also remove the "Netscape Ÿ" folder from the "Preferences" folder in the "System Folder" before doing the install. The installer will install a fresh "Netscape Ÿ" folder. After the install you will want to put back the old Bookmarks.html file and the Mail folder. You will lose all your Settings stored in the Netscape Preferences file (except those via Internet Config, if you're using it).
• PCI Macs. If you experience random crashes on a PCI-bus PowerMac, you should upgrade to System 7.5.3 revision 2. Released in late May, it is an update to System 7.5 Update 2.0.
• NuBus Macs.NuBus Macs are those that do not have the PCI-bus. If you are using System 7.5 or later and you experience random crashes you should upgrade to: System 7.5 Update 2.0. Do not install System 7.5.3 revision 2.
• If all else fails, contact Technical Support.

OPERATION TROUBLESHOOTING
Read this section if you encounter a problem with Live3D while browsing.

• Live3D browses .wrl files. Local files must have this extension. If you are creating .wrl files on the Macintosh it's a good idea to save them as Text files so they can be opened in Netscape's Open File dialog box.
• To browse a local GZip'd file, set its Finder File Type to 'TEXT' and its file name extension to .wrl. Open it in Netscape's Open File dialog box.
• Servers must be configured to serve .wrl files with MIME type x-world/x-vrml or they will appear in Navigator as text.
• Large worlds can take some time to be read in and rendered. If you are online and Navigator is waiting for a file from a server, you may not see the watch cursor.
• The Toolbar is not automatically shown when a world is EMBEDed in a document. If a pane containing a world ever becomes too short (less than 3 times the height of the Toolbar), the Toolbar will be turned off automatically. If you resize the pane bigger, you can turn the Toolbar back on via the Options submenu.
• If you get a warning from Live3D that it does not have enough memory to resize a pane larger, make the pane or window smaller. Live3D will then redraw the world and you can continue. However, before any new worlds can be opened, one will have to be closed. Also, see the next entry.
• If you get an out of memory warning from Live3D, do not attempt to open any new worlds. Please close all panes or windows containing worlds. This will unload Live3D and free up its memory. You do not need to Quit Navigator. If you get such a warning from Navigator itself, you should Quit Navigator and restart it. If the warnings persist, increase Navigator's memory size.
• Live3D will require less memory if you view worlds one at a time. Making pane sizes smaller will conserve memory and make navigation faster. When we support 256 colors and Fast Rendering these options will also conserve memory.
• If you run into problems running Live3D, try increasing Navigator's memory size.
• Uninstall. If you ever want to uninstall Live3D, simply drag the Live3D plugin and the '3D Library (PPC)' file to the trash.
• Other. Please check the list of Known Problems and Bugs
• If all else fails, contact Technical Support.

GETTING STARTED
Once you're up and running, check out our Live3D Cool Worlds at the Live3D web site. To see a VRML world without going online, open the file abounce.wrl in the "vrml example" folder included in the Live3D download.

NAVIGATION

• Most navigation can be done with the mouse.
• Click on a VRML world (or TAB until its frame is outline highlighted) to enable keystrokes for that world.
• Hold down the mouse button and keep the mouse still to popup the Live3D menu.
• In Walk mode, which is the default:
  

Mouse drag	Walk forward/backward or turn left/right.
Up/Down arrows	Walk forward/backward.
Left/Right arrows	Turn left/right.
Command+drag	Spin (orbit about the entire scene). To automate the spin, release the mouse button before the command key.
Control+drag	Look left/right or up/down.
Option+drag	Slide left/right or up/down.
Control+click	Point: Animate viewpoint toward the object.
Mouse click	Stop spinning.
A/Z	Tilt head down/up.
Shift (w/ mouse or keys)	Move faster.
Double click	Currently no action.




• Notice that the Spin, Look, Slide, and Point modes are accessible while in Walk Mode by holding down a modifier key. Clicking the '?' in the Toolbar will turn on "Navigation Help" to remind you what the modifiers are.
• Look Mode. Look around, as if by turning your head from side to side or up and down.
• Slide Mode. Slide the scene around, as if it was on a piece of paper you were sliding it around on a tabletop with your hand.
• Point Mode. This is a clicking sub-mode; dragging is governed by which of the other modes you are in. Turn on the Navigation Option "Animate to Clicked Point" for animated transitions. If clicking won't take you close enough to an object, try turning off the Navigation Option "Stay on Ground While Walking". When in Point Mode, Spin may spin an object around its own axis.
• Fly Mode. This is available from the Navigation submenu. Your feet leave the ground (if any).
• View. The View button in the Toolbar restores the current Viewpoint. The little arrows next to it cycle through the viewpoints. Turn on the Navigation Option "Animate to ViewPoints" for animated transitions.
• Lamp. The Lamp button in the Toolbar toggles the headlamp. The little arrows next to it turn the headlamp brightness up and down.
• Keyboard. On some Macs, you may find you will have more control over Navigation if you use the keyboard, especially if you hold down opposite keys at the same time and selectively ease up on them. See the Walk Mode table above.
• If you are familiar with the Windows version, you're probably used to using the Control key instead of the Toolbar sometimes. Control-V is the same as clicking the "View" button, and Control-LeftArrow and Control-RightArrow cycle through the viewpoints. Control-T is the same as toggling the "Lamp" button, and Control-1 and Control-2 turn the headlamp brightness up and down.
• If navigation is slow, make Live3D panes smaller if possible. Optimize Window Size in the Options section of the Live3D menu can speed it up by around 20%.

LIVE 3D MENU
Most Mac users have a one-button mouse, so we've provided three ways to invoke the menu:

• Hold down the mouse button and keep the mouse still to popup the Live3D menu. This is the same as you do anywhere else in Navigator. You have to hold the button down for about 3/4 of a second before the menu pops up. If you don't hold the mouse still, but drag it over text, the text will be selected and you can copy it. We're amazed at how many people still don't know this!
• For power-users, holding down the Control and Option keys and pressing the mouse button brings up the menu immediately.
• And, if Live3D's Toolbar is visible, pressing the mouse button in the lower right hand corner of the Toolbar's visible rectangle pops up the menu.

Of course if you have a programmable two-button mouse you can use the right button.

KNOWN PROBLEMS AND BUGS
Please don't report any of these, we already know about them and are fixing them.

• Color palette conflict. If your Macintosh display is set to 256 colors (8-bit color), when Live3D opens a .wrl, the menubar will turn black, and colors of other windows may change. When you Quit Netscape, colors will go back to normal. Many .wrls will look better in Thousands or Millions of colors anyway. We are sorry, but we may not be able to fix this until the next version.
• Popup menu. The following Options are not yet enabled: Fast Rendering, Motion Blur, Stereo Camera, Save Options and Download Status.
• Optimize Window Size in the Options section of the Live3D menu can make the VRML pane smaller, although the size of the Browser window will not change. There is a visual glitch in that the unused part of the window is not yet erased. The same thing happens if you resize a pane bigger and there isn't enough memory to do it.
• GZip. There is a spurious warning message when an 'x-gzip' stream is encountered. GZip'd files work fine, and their use is encouraged over the net.

LIVE3D WEBSITE

Visit the Live3D web site at: http://home.netscape.com/eng/live3d/

Some of the many things you will find there:

• Updates to this Mac Live3D ReadMe
• An Introduction to VRML
• A VRML Tutorial and VRML Examples. Examine the source to see how to get cool effects in your own worlds.
• The Coolest Worlds
• A link to MacVRML, a site devoted to VRML on the Mac (in the Cool Worlds listing)

You will also find:

• Live3D News
• Lots of other VRML links
• The Live3D VRML Extensions FAQ
• The Live3D API (the API is not yet enabled in Mac Live3D)
• New versions of Live3D for the Mac as they become available
• Live3D for other operating systems

LIVE3D NEWSGROUP

Participate in the Live3D Newsgroup at: snews://secnews.netscape.com/netscape.live3d

If you have a world you'd like others to see in Live3D, please post an "ANN- ..." announcement message to the Newsgroup.

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Technical Support for Live3D is provided through the Live3D Newsgroup. There is also a Live3D Support page.

Visit the Netscape Technical Support site if the problem may be with Navigator rather than Live3D.

If you notice a serious error in or omission from this ReadMe file, please let us know.

If a particular world causes Live3D to bomb or freeze your PowerMac, please check Operation Troubleshooting to see if it is covered. If it is not covered, and you can reproduce the crash, please post the URL and your email address to the Newsgroup. We will contact you if we need more details. Thanks.

If Live3D does not work with any world, this is a configuration problem; please see Installation Troubleshooting.

Thank you for using Live3D for the PowerMac!