
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
      README for Zapa Liquid Characterz(tm) Version 1.0
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(c) Copyright 1998 Zapa Digital Arts Ltd.

Note! All the information provided here is also available in the Liquid 
Characterz Help files which may be accessed from the properties dialog box

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

  * Introduction
  * Getting started
  * Minimum Requirements
  * Installing
  * Removing Installations
  * Troubleshooting 
  * Known Bugs
  * Help
  * Contacting Zapa


------------
Introduction
------------

  Welcome to Zapa Liquid Characterz(tm) Version 1.0 for Windows     
  95(R) or later and Windows NT(R) 4.0 or later.

  LIQUID CHARACTERZ is a plug-in that lets you seamlessly import 
  Zapa 3D CHARACTERZ into any Microsoft Liquid Motion scene. 
  Once inserted into a Liquid Motion scene, Zapa CHARACTERZ can be used 
  or further edited like any other Liquid Motion object. 
  Additionally, the Behaviors and Animations of each Character can be 
  triggered within Liquid Motion either by time, interaction or sequenced 
  to tell a story or guide visitors on your web site!
 
  Zapa's latest technology helps you enhance your web presence with lively 
  3D animated figures- CHARACTERZ. Creation and editing of CHARACTERZ and 
  their behaviors is easy with Zapa's award winning easy-to-use interfaces

  These animated CHARACTERZ are available in sets-or- CASTS OF CHARACTERS 
  that can take the form of humans, animals, or even objects. 
  Regardless of their shape, all CHARACTERS come embedded with special 
  personalities. All Zapa CHARACTERZ applications, come with a (unique) 
  CAST OF CHARACTERS that can be manipulated within any CHARACTERZ 
  application

  Zapa's CHARACTER BUILDER(tm) gives you the freedom to customize CHARACTERZ 
  and their behaviors by mixing and matching body parts, animations and 
  textures. These CHARACTERZ can be re-opened and re-edited at anytime 
  within the CHARACTER BUILDER(tm) or into Liquid Motion (using the LIQUID 
  CHARACTERZ Plug-In). In addition, the CHARACTER BUILDER(tm) can output to 
  a variety of standard formats- including single frame .bmp, 2D animation
  (for import into Zapa MicroSites or any other 2D graphic program),and 3D
  animated VRML files

  CASTS OF CHARACTERZ - groups of figures, animations, and behaviors 
  specifically suited to your online needs- whether it be e-commerce, 
  web marketing, or online entertainment. Users can extend capabilities 
  of both the CHARACTER BUILDER(tm) and LIQUID CHARACTERS(tm) by purchasing 
  additional CASTS OF CHARACTERS. 

  * Zapa Liquid Characterz(tm) and Zapa Character Builder(tm) are subject to 
    the terms detailed in the license agreement accompanying the 
    installation process.


-----------------
Getting Started
-----------------
  * To Import Zapa Characterz(tm) into your Liquid Motion scene: 
    From the INSERT menu, select ZAPA CHARACTER. The CHARACTERZ SELECTOR opens.
    You can also click the ZAPA CHARACTER toolbar button, or press CTRL/SHIFT/Z. 

  * To animate your Zapa Characterz: 
    From the ANIMATE menu, select ZAPA BEHAVIOR. A new child level, <NONE>, is    
    added to the selected Character in the Structure View and the behavior 
    PROPERTIES dialog opens.
    You can also click the Zapa Behavior toolbar button, or press Ctrl/Shift/B.  
    In the Zapa Behavior tab, select a behavior from the list box. Click the 
    Play button and watch your character acting!

  * To add your Zapa CHARACTERZ a 3D rotation: 
    From the ANIMATE menu, select ZAPA ROTATE 3-D. 
    You can also click the ZAPA ROTATE toolbar button, or press CTRL/SHIFT/R.
    Define the rotation axis and time properties in the properties dialog.
 
  * Use standard Liquid Motion behaviors, such as motion paths, grow, jump, 
    and so on. These behaviors are added in the same way as for any Liquid
    Motion actor. 


---------------------
Minimum Requirements
---------------------

  Processor:          Pentium(R) 166MHz 
  Operating System:   Windows 95(R) or later and Windows NT(R) 4.0 or later
  Memory:             16 MB
  Screen Color Depth: 16-bit (65536 colors)
  Disk Space:         40MB


--------------
Installation 
--------------

  * Double-click on the LiquidCharacterzSetup.EXE file to install 
    the Zapa Liquid Characterz(tm).
  * Follow the instructions on your screen.
  * The installation process will automatically install the following:

	1. Liquid Characterz(tm) Version 1.0
	2. Characterz Universe(tm) 


-------------------------
Removing an Installation 
-------------------------

  You may remove each of the installed components separately, using the 
  Add/Remove Programs from the Control Panel. 


---------------
Troubleshooting
---------------

  If the Liquid Characterz(tm) do not function, check the following options:

  * Screen Color Depth
    Make sure your screen is set with a color depth of 16 bit or
    more (65536 colors).
    Your  screen setting can be changed using the Display control
    panel in the Control Panel folder in the Start menu.


---------------
Known Bugs
---------------
 
  * Zapa Characters do not display the spinning green handles because of 
    a Direct Animation bug: When you spin a character, it disappears 
    and only its bounding box remains.  If you publish an animation with 
    such a character, you will get a blank screen and your browser will 
    become unresponsive.

  * Redo is not available in the following flow: Replace a Character 
    and than undo the action (back to the first character)

  * A Direct Animation bug: When a Zapa Behavior is applied to a Zapa
    Character, the bounding box that appears surrounding it is too large.
    This affects the selection using the mouse.


---------------
Help
---------------
  Liquid Characterz Help can be opened from the property tab of any 
  Zapa item from within the Liquid Motion application.
  
  More information may be obtained in Zapa Support page at: 
  http://characterz.zapadigital.com/contact/contact.html


---------------
Contacting Zapa
---------------

  To report problems and suggestions, or to receive more
  information about Zapa Products, please contact us at:

  Email:    LiquidCharacterz@zapadigital.com

  * Zapa Products: http://www.zapadigital.com/products/products_main_fr.html
  * Online Support: http://characterz.zapadigital.com/contact/contact.html
  * To purchase Zapa Characterz: 
http://characterz.zapadigital.com/characterz_universe/characterz_universe.html
  * Zapa Home Page: http://www.zapadigital.com
