Getting Started With Virtools
From Virtools Wiki
Contents |
Start with the Virtools Documentation
Avoid a rude response, and crack open the documentation first.
The Virtools User Guide
Start with the Virtools User Guide, the documentation intended for new users. If you don't have access to the printed manual, it is also supplied as a PDF file located in the Virtools Documentation folder and can be launched from Start > Virtools > Virtools ... > User Guide. Section 28 features a quickstart to introduce you quickly to the Virtools interface.
The Virtools Online Reference
The Virtools Online Reference (Documentation.chm) contains the most detailled technical information for Virtools software. The Online Refence can be launched from Start > Virtools > Virtools ... > Online Reference or by pressing F1 within Virtools.
Chapters for beginners (and not so beginners) are the Basic Concepts and Virtools Whitepapers. The rest of the chapters deal with specific topics such as Scripting, VSL and Shaders...
You can access the Online Reference for each BB by double clicking on it in the BB Library. Please note that there is a BB sample for each Building Block illustrating its basic use. As long as you have the Virtools Player installed, you can view these technical samples by clicking the link that appears just after the BB's description. A new window appears to load the CMO. Located in the Virtools/Documentation/CMO/BBSample/, all BB samples are commented, and the only way to read these comments and to play around with parameters or settings is to open the technical sample in Virtools. Virtools Behavior Graphs have online reference material accessible by double clicking on their icons in Virtools Resources.
The Virtools Minisite
In the Virtools MiniSite (from the Start menu, select Programs > Virtools > Virtools MiniSite) that contains sections on tutorials, commands you can use with the Virtools 3D Life Player, technical samples that show some advanced features and large complex demos to show you how to optimize and manage larger compositions. Several of the larger demos have step by step tutorials.
Minisite-related files are located in the Virtools Documentation directory.
If a portion of the Minisite is missing, you will need to relaunch the Virtools Installer.
Virtools Resources
The default Data Resource that comes with Virtools contains a large variety of sample files that help you try out concepts from the tutorials and the BB samples. Virtools Resources may have additional documentation accessed by double clicking on the icon or through a contextual "Help" Button that appears in the Data Resource toolbar.
SDK Online Reference
In the Virtools/SDK/Doc/ directory is the SDK Online Reference, SDKHelp.chm. Sample code is also supplied in the SDK directory.
Other Sources
The Swap-Meet
The Swap-Meet, the Virtools Community Web site, contains among other things the Virtools User Forums and this Wiki.
Virtools Support
At the official Virtools Support Website, to register for Virtools Tech Support, to get the latest official Virtools news and to subscribe to the Virtools Newsletter. The Virtools Support Site has:
- A Download section for getting software and documentation updates, exporter plugins and more.
- FAQ section that addresses the most frequent questions and latest technical recommendations. Be sure to check these out first if you are having a problem.
- Email Support for clients (depending on your license type.)
More Demos "Made with Virtools"
Here are some of the latest demos from our website:
First Person Shooter game: FPS
Frede 10:14, 2 March 2007 (EST)
