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To:       Special Effects Enthusiast
From:     Patrick Grengs, product Author
Subject:  How to install and run the Special Effects product
Date:     Friday, February 20, 1998
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Program:  Special Effects 1.3 [Upgrade / Patch to Version 1.2]

Purpose:  Display 3D Special Effects by setting numerous properties.
          Effects include:  Fireworks, Starfield, B-Spline Warp,
          B-Spline Sparklers and Gravity Wells.  Properties can be
          saved as Templates for later use or exchanged with other
          users of the Special Effects product.  You can also use
          the product as your Screen Saver.  Notes appear below.

Status:   This is a Freeware product.
          You may distribute it without cost.
          Please read the License Agreement during the Install process.
          All rights are reserved by the Author.
     
Contact:  You may contact the Author with your comments or questions:

          1900 Stevens Drive  Suite 210
          Richland, WA  99352

          pgrengs2@aol.com

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Installation Notes:

You can complete the installation of the Special Effects product by
following these steps:

1.  Locate the SpfxV13.exe file.  It should be in the same directory
    as this Text file.

2.  Double-click the SpfxV13.exe file.  This starts a typical Windows
    application installation process.  Files will be installed into
    your Windows directory as well as the destination directory that
    you specify during the installation process.

3.  Click the appropriate buttons as presented on the installation
    dialogs.

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Operation Notes:

1.  Once the installation is complete, you can run Special Effects:
    -  Click the Windows Start button.
    -  Click the Programs icon.
    -  Click the Special Effects 1.3 menu item.
    -  Click the Special Effects 1.3 sub-menu item.

2.  You should see the display clear to a black background with 
    fireworks launching and exploding.  You have a few options
    available during the Effects:
    -  Press the Escape key to end the application.
    -  Right-click the screen to display a popup menu.
    -  Press the Spacebar (or other key) to display the Special Effects
       Properties dialog.  From this dialog, you can change several
       variables including:  number of shells, sparks per shell, etc.
       Context sensitive help is available.  Click the question mark icon
       located in the upper-right corner of the dialog.  Then, click on a
       field of interest.  A help window will popup.  You can also get to
       the Help Index from the Help main menu.

3.  If you wish to use the Special Effects product as your Screen Saver:
    -  Copy both the "Special Effects 13.scr" and the "SPFX.HLP" files 
       into your \Windows\System directory.
    -  Right-click on the Windows Desktop.
    -  Select the Properties menu.
    -  Select the Screen Saver tab from the Display Properties dialog.
    -  Select "Special Effects 13" from the Screen Saver dropdown.
    -  Specify the Wait time in minutes.
    -  Select the OK button.

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General Notes:

1.  The application has been tested on Windows 95 and Windows NT 4.0.

2.  The application does not start correctly as a Screen Saver on
    Windows NT 4.0.  I will be working to remedy this.

3.  Password protection is not included in this release.

4.  The Effects look best when displayed with the High Color Setting.
    To change your Windows Color Settings:
    -  Right-click on the Windows Desktop.
    -  Select the Properties menu.
    -  Select the Settings tab.
    -  Select "High Color (16 bit)" from the Color Palette dropdown.
       If High Color is not available, 256 colors will due, but you're
       really missing out on the high quality effects provided in the
       High Color mode.  Consider purchasing new display hardware.

Cheers.

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Revision History:

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-   Version 1.3:     -
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-   This release is being provided only shortly after the first public
    release due to an issue encountered by many people who downloaded 
    the product.  One or more DLLs were not copied during the install
    process; hence, the product would not operate.  The required DLLs
    and proper versions are included in this release.

-   New Firework bursts are available:
    -  Sparklers
    -  Rings
    -  Twisters

-   Gravity Well performance has been improved by approx. 25%.

-   Overall display performance has been improved, slightly.

-   The user interface has been changed to improve the layout.

-   An advanced option is available to resize the Display Window.
    This can be useful if you wish to capture screen snapshots.

-   Press F5 to Refresh the screen while effects are being displayed.

-   The online Help has been updated as appropriate.

-   The Windows Screen Saver Preview window is filled when you select
    the Special Effects product from the Saver list.

-   The Icon for the product has been changed.

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-   Version 1.2:     -
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-   This was the first release to the general public.
    It made its appearance on the Internet in late January of 1998.

-   The product was made available as Freeware.

-   Effects Available:  Fireworks, Starfield, B-Spline Sparklers, 
    B-Spline Warp, Stars and Gravity Wells.

-   Numerous properties were available for customizing the effects.

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-   Version 1.1:     -
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-   Developed during late 1997, this product utilized 3D-transforms
    to create visually realistic effects.

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-   Version 1.0:     -
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-   The first release was part of a real-time pixel effects package
    developed in 6809 Assembler for the Radio Shack Color Computer.

-   Primary development was completed in April of 1988.

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