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                               Power Render 2.6

                                February 21, 1999
                       Copyright 1999 Egerter Software

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Contact Info:
Egerter Software
94 Andover Drive
London Ontario
N6J 3X2   CANADA

WEB:   http://www.egerter.com
EMAIL: powerrender@home.com



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Table of Contents
-----------------

1.1 Installation instructions
1.2 Trial version limitations
2.1 Using the Utilities
3.1 Documentation
4.1 Release Notes
5.1 Ordering Information
6.1 Source Code Pricing
7.1 Registered Users


1.1 Installation instructions
---------------------------------
Please read the install.txt file for instructions.  This is essential
if you want to compile the programs with few problems.

Failing to compile or link the libraries properly is the main problem people
experience.  Here are a few tips to remember:

1.  The makefiles in the \examples and \utils directories are for compiling
    using Watcom under DOS only.  Do not attempt to use them for compiling
    under Windows.

2.  All DOS related libraries are stored in \pr\lib.
    All Windows related files are stored in \pr\winlib under the appropriate
    compiler/platform subdirectory.
    Make sure you link the correct libraries for your target platform.

3.  Project workspaces are provided for all of the examples and utilities.
    Look in \pr\winex and \pr\winutil under the appropriate compiler/platform
    directories for them.  All compiled utilities are created in the \bin
    directory for Watcom DOS builds, and \winbin for all Windows builds.
    The examples are created in the same directory as the example source
    code (ie \pr\examples\ex03).  Make sure run you example from that
    directory using a dos box instead of from the compiler IDE because the
    working directories have not been set up in the project settings.
    The examples need to be run from the correct location because they
    share data files found in the \pr\examples\data directory and use relative
    paths to locate them.

4.  Some compilers come with older versions of DirectX header files.
    If you see compiler errors such as DirectDraw types undefined, verify
    you have the DirectX paths correct, and then search for ddraw.h and d3d.h
    in your compiler standard include directory.  If they exist they may be
    header from something older than DX5 or 6.  Rename them so the compiler
    can find the newer versions.

5.  If you still can't get it to compile, send email to powerrender@home.com
    with your first few error messages and I'll tell you what you missed.
    I will help everyone (unregistered users included) with problems like
    these.

1.2 Trial Version Limitations
---------------------------------

This version is different from the full version in a few ways:

1. A trial version splash screen is displayed when setting the video mode.
2. The string "TRIAL VERSION" appears in the bottom left of the viewport.
3. The maximum number of faces stored in a display list is 1000.  For software
   rendering this means a maximum of 1000 triangles.
   For hardware accelerated rendering this means a maximum of 1000 alpha
   blended triangles.  Some of the examples such as testland which use a
   high number of alpha blended faces will not work with the trial version.
4. Most of the utilities haven't been compiled to save space in this
   archive.  The first thing you should do is pick a target compiler
   (Watcom or MSVC) and API (Glide, Direct3D, or OpenGL) and compile all of
   the utilities.  Some of the utilities which only compile under DOS
   have been included since MSVC owners cannot compile them.

If you want to remove these limitiations or continue using Power Render
after the evalation period you must purchase the full version.  The
included order.txt file has all of the information about pricing.


2.1 Using the Utilities
-----------------------
The utilities are designed to be run from a directory other than where
the executable exists.  You MUST add either \pr\bin or \pr\winbin to your
path statement in your autoexec.bat file, depending on if you are using
the DOS or Windows version.  You must reboot for this change to take
effect.  After doing this, you can run any of the utilities from any
directory on your system.  This means you can make a directory, put all
your objects and textures in it, and work on them without worrying about
where the utilities are located.  You MUST NOT type any directory before
the utility name when you run it.
ie do not type "c:\pr\bin\texskin duck.pro"
Some of the utilities need data files that exist in the current directory
and they will not be found if you do this.


You must have the guidata.prl file in the same directory as your program,
if you are using the graphical user interface functions such as mouse
routines.  This file contains the graphical data needed for the GUI
library and startup screen.

MAKE SURE YOU LOOK IN \PR\PROGRAMS for other useful utilities.



3.1 Documentation
-----------------
Our documentation is in the Microsoft Word 97 format.  If you do not have
Microsoft Word, you can download a separate Word Viewer application.
See http://www.microsoft.com/word/Internet/Viewer/default.htm
for more information.

This release is integrated with WGT 5.1 and WGT95.  You do not need these
libraries to link a Power Render application, however the full WGT 5.1 and
WGT95 products contain more libraries and content than Power Render alone.
The Power Render libraries include the main WGT library and the scrolling
library (which is used by the terrain demo to load tiled maps).


4.1 Release Notes
-----------------

See the changes.txt for known bugs.



6.1 Source Code Pricing
-----------------------
The cost is $6000 US with no royalties after that.  The package includes:
1. The regular registered package #1
2. Full Power Render Source Code
3. WGT 5.1 Source code
4. WGT95 Source code
Free updates and bug fixes will be available for 1 year after you
license the source code.

SEAL source code must be purchased separately.  Voice and email (preferred)
support is available.


7.1 Registered Users
--------------------
If you have already bought a previous version of Power Render, you will
be contacted about how to upgrade your current version.  If you haven't
received an email then leave me a reminder at egerter@egerter.com.

CD upgrades will be available for a small fee.  Check the order form
for upgrade costs.

