DALiWorld QuickStart

This document tells how to set up and run DALiWorld on Microsoft Windows platforms. Users wishing to install DALiWorld onto other platforms will need to consult the DALiWorld user's manual.

Download and Installation (Microsoft Windows Only)

NOTE: If you have already installed an earlier version of DALiWorld, you must uninstall it before installing the current version.

NOTE: DirectX 7.0+ is required for the version of Java3D installed by the installer. If you need to install DirectX, go to http://www.microsoft.com/directx/ and install the latest version.

Using the DALiWorld installer is the easiest way to set up DALiWorld, since it sets up Java and Java3D as well as DALiWorld. Follow these steps to use the installer:

  1. Download the DALiWorld installer from The DALiWorld downloads page.
  2. Run the installer. It will extract the DALiWorld setup program into C:\DWSetup.
  3. Run the setup program. You can do this by selecting Start -> Run... and then typing C:\DWSetup\setup.exe into the Run window.
  4. Once you have successfully completed the setup program, DALiWorld will be installed.

The DALiWorld installer creates shortcuts in your Start menu and on your desktop, so that DALiWorld can be started easily. Once the installer has completed, you can try out DALiWorld! Just go to Start -> Programs -> DALiWorld, and select "DALiWorld" to start DALiWorld. Or, you can double-click the DALiWorld icon on your desktop to start DALiWorld.

NOTE: The Java and Java3D installation is local to DALiWorld - if you have already installed a version of Java or Java3D, this installer will not overwrite those installations.

Running DALiWorld

DALiWorld can be run as an application or as a screensaver. To run DALiWorld as an application, simply double-click on the DALiWorld icon on the desktop, or go to Start -> Programs -> DALiWorld, and select "DALiWorld" to start DALiWorld.

The first time DALiWorld is run, you will be prompted to create a user-preferences file for DALiWorld to use. You can control various options such as how many fish your aquarium should start with, the graphics settings of DALiWorld, and the networking settings of DALiWorld.

DALiWorld is most interesting when the networking options are enabled, because then fish can swim off of your computer to other computers running DALiWorld, and vice versa. You can get fish from your friends, from other cities, other countries, or even other continents!

To enable these features, you must create a new account on the "Account" tab of the Preferences UI. Enter a nickname and press the "New Account..." button, and you will be assigned a DALi ID. If your friends have given you their DALi IDs, you can enter them into your Neighbors list, or you can enable the "Allow Migration to Random Hosts" option to trade fish with other users that have also enabled this feature.

It is only necessary to enter a nickname and a password to use these features. However, if you would like to share other information about yourself then you can enter it in the User Information tab. Remember that this information will be visible to other DALiWorld users, so only enter information that you don't mind sharing.

Using DALiWorld As Your Screensaver

Configuration

DALiWorld can also be set up as your computer's screensaver. This is done through the "Screensaver" tab of your computer's "Display Properties" control-panel. This panel can be accessed in two ways:

Once the Display Properties dialog is showing, select the "Screensaver" tab. Select "Daliworld" as the screensaver to use, and configure the amount of time you want your computer to be idle before starting DALiWorld.

Once you have selected "Daliworld" as your screensaver, pressing the "Settings..." button will bring up the DALiWorld Preferences UI for you to configure DALiWorld. Pressing the "Preview" button starts DALiWorld as your screensaver immediately.

Using the Screensaver

The DALiWorld screensaver is interactive as well as passive. You can click on fish just as in the application version, and the camera will track to them. An information panel is displayed at the bottom of the screen to show information about your fishtank.

The screensaver can be exited in two ways. First, clicking on the the "X" button in the bottom-right corner of the information-panel will exit the screensaver. Pressing the Esc key will also exit the DALiWorld screensaver.