Copyright: Active Media Technology Ltd
Citation: Active Media Eclipse v.3.0 Help


Introduction

Welcome to Active Media Eclipse v.3.0 – the easiest to use Authoring Toolkit for Windows Screen Savers.

With Active Media Eclipse v.3.0 you can create and distribute an unlimited number of Screen Savers (subject to Licence restrictions). Each Screen Saver is packaged up in a single compressed self-installing file. No additional run time libraries or files to distribute or install.

For an Overview of what’s contained in Active Media Eclipse v.3.0 click here.

For a review of What’s New in Active Media Eclipse v.3.0 click here.

For information on How to Get Started in 7 Easy Steps click here.


Personal Edition;

Personal Edition

The Personal Edition allows you to create Screen Savers only for the PC on which your copy of Active Media Eclipse has been installed. This is limited to 32 bit Operating Systems (Windows 95, 98, ME, Win2000, XP, NT 4). You cannot distribute Screen Savers to other PC’s with this Licence.

To create and distribute Screen Savers to other PC’s you need either a copy of the Developer Edition or the Professional Edition (see other Licences).


Licence Types;

Licence Types

Active Media Eclipse is available in a number of different Licence Types.

Personal Edition

Creates Screen Savers only for the PC on which your copy of Active Media Eclipse has been installed. This is limited to 32 bit Operating Systems (Windows 95, 98, ME, Win2000, XP, NT 4). You cannot distribute Screen Savers to other PC’s with this Licence.

Developer Edition

Creates and distributes Screen Savers to an unlimited number of PC’s. The User Set Up Wizard and the Windows About Button message contains the Active Media Eclipse Icon and the message “Created with Active Media Eclipse”.

Professional Edition

creates and distributes Screen Savers to an unlimited number of PC’s. The Active Media Eclipse logo and the banner message do not appear on the User Set Up Wizard or on the Windows About Button. The Professional Edition also contains the following additional features :

1.	Use different languages for the text messages and buttons on the User Set Up Wizard and Windows About Button.

2.	Include your own graphics and logos on the User Set Up Wizard and Windows About Button in both a vertical and horizontal format

3.	Include your own designed Windows Icons within the Windows Explorer and File Manager systems.

4.	Create your own ‘Spoilt Screen Savers” for evaluation purposes.

5.	Include your own ‘Splash / Credits Screen’ that appears as the Screen Saver is being installed.

6.	Use the Active Media Eclipse Network Manager to distribute Screen Savers across a Network.

For further information on the different Licences available, please contact Active Media Customer Support.

Warning

Under no circumstances should the Active Media Eclipse licence file (eclipse.ecl) or any registry settings be tampered with. Failure to comply with this may result in Active Media Eclipse becoming unusable.


Licences Prices;

Licence Prices / How to Purchase

Prices for the different versions of Active Media Eclipse v.3 can be found on the Active Media Technology Website at:

http://www.active-media-online.com

For help and information on the different version, please contact Customer Support at support@active-media-online.com

How to Purchase

All versions of Active Media Eclipse can be purchased securely Online from the Active Media Website. These versions are Open copies of the software and simply need to be installed on a PC running a 32bit Windows Operating System.

It is strongly recommended that any installed Evaluation copies are fully uninstalled before installing the Open Copy.


Software Licence Agreement

VERY IMPORTANT - THIS LEGAL DOCUMENT IS AN AGREEMENT BETWEEN YOU, THE END USER AND ACTIVE MEDIA TECHNOLOGY (AMT). THIS AGREEMENT SHOULD BE READ CAREFULLY BEFORE INSTALLING AND USING ANY AMT SOFTWARE PRODUCT. BY INSTALLING AND USING THE SOFTWARE YOU ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR ACCEPTANCE AND AGREEMENT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS LICENCE AGREEMENT. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS LICENCE AGREEMENT YOU MUST NOT OPEN ANY DISK PACKAGE OR DOCUMENTATION AND YOU MUST RETURN ALL THE ITEMS DIRECTLY TO AMT.

SOFTWARE LICENCE AGREEMENT

This software is the property of Active Media Technology Limited (AMT), the copyright owner. In consideration of payment of the Licence fee, being part of the total price of this product, AMT (the Licenser), permits you to use one copy of the software program on a single computer. It does not allow you to network the software or use it on more than one computer at any one time. The Licenser does not transfer the ownership of the software. If you fail to comply with any part of the agreement, your licence is automatically terminated. In addition, you are responsible for the selection of software suitable for the achievement of your intended results and for the installation and use of the software.

1. COPYRIGHT

The software is owned by AMT and grants the original purchaser a) the right to make one copy of the software for backup or archival purposes only and b) to transfer the software to a single computer so long as the original software is retained solely for backup or archival purposes only. You are not allowed to copy the software in any other circumstances, or copy any written materials provided with the software. Unauthorised copying of the software is expressly forbidden. You will be held legally responsible for any infringement of copyright that is a result of your failure to ensure that all conditions of this Licence are adhered to.

2. OTHER RESTRICTIONS

You are not allowed to rent or lease the software to any third party. You may not copy, modify or transfer the software in whole or in part, neither are you allowed to incorporate in part or in whole any section of the software in any other software programs. Any documentation provided with the software is restricted to the same conditions as the software.

3. WARRANTY

The Licenser warrants to the Licensee that the software, if properly installed and operated on a suitable computer, will perform in accordance with its specification. The warranty period commences on the date of delivery of the software to the Licensee and is for a period of no more than sixty days from the commencement date. This warranty is conditional upon correct and appropriate use of the software. The Licenser shall not be liable for any loss of data, profits or costs, direct or indirect, or any consequential costs, losses or damages arising from any breach of the contract or warranty. The Licenser is strictly limited under the terms of this warranty agreement to repair or replace any software that does not perform in accordance with the specification detailed in the user manual. The Licenser does not warrant or guarantee the software or results of the software as regards accuracy, appropriateness, correctness, reliability or otherwise. The Licensee is responsible for the results, use, selection, suitability and performance of the software. No oral or written information or advice given by AMT, its dealers, distributors, agents or employees shall create a warranty or in any way increase the scope of this warranty, and you may not rely on any such information or advice.

4. TERMINATION

This Licence agreement will be terminated automatically by non compliance with any terms within this agreement. In the event of termination all originals and copies of the software, documentation and other materials must be returned to the Licenser.

5. DISCLAIMER

By installing and using Active Media Eclipse you, the User, acknowledge your acceptance of the terms and conditions of the Software Licence Agreement.

Active Media Technology cannot be held responsible in any way whatsoever for the Users actions nor the output or results of the use of Active Media Eclipse.

Active Media Technology cannot be held responsible for any misuse or violation by the User of any copyright or restriction over materials, images or any other elements used.

In particular, with regard to images, graphics, artwork, fonts, sounds, the User must ensure that they have authority to use and distribute such material. If in doubt, the User must check with and obtain the correct authority from the copyright owner before making use of such material.

6. UPDATES

From time to time, the Licenser will produce updates to the software. These updates will be made available to the Licensee on the payment of any update fee and completion and return to the Licenser of the Software Update Licence Agreement.

This agreement shall be subject to and construed and interpreted in accordance with English Law and shall be subject to jurisdiction of the Courts of England.

Copyright  - Active Media Technology Limited 1996-2002.   All rights reserved.


Technical

Active Media Eclipse is a 32 bit Windows application, requiring either Windows 95, 98, ME, Win2000, XP or NT 4 to run. Screen Savers can be created for 16 bit and 32 bit Windows Operating Systems.

Technical requirements for Active Media Eclipse are

Minimum :

IBM compatible PC

486/66 processor

8Mb RAM

20Mb of free hard disk space

SVGA monitor with resolution set at 800x600

Microsoft compatible mouse

Windows 95, 98, ME, Win2000, XP, NT 4

Recommended configuration would include :

Pentium processor

16Mb RAM or more

High quality sound card and speakers

Technical requirements for Screen Savers are

IBM compatible PC

486/66 processor

8Mb RAM

Filenames & Extensions

The following details the names of the Eclipse Filenames and Extensions :

.esp	Eclipse Screen Saver Project

.ecl	Eclipse Licence File

.edd	Eclipse Resource Database Definition

.edm	Eclipse Data Module

.erd	Eclipse Resource Database

.erf	Eclipse Resource File

.eri	Eclipse Registration Information

.err	Eclipse Error Report

.etd	Eclipse Transition Definition

.etl	Eclipse Transition Listing

.ezs	Eclipse Zip Script

.exe	Screen Saver Installation Module

.log	General Logging File

Diagnostic Journal Logging File

Active Media Eclipse can be made to write a diagnostic journal log, this can be used by Active Media Technical support staff in the event of problems.

It can be switched on by selecting Tools, Utilities, Write Journal Log.

This will write a text journal to eclipse.log which can be read by any Windows editor such as 'Notepad'.  By default Active Media Eclipse writes the file to:

c:\program files

\active media technology

\eclipse

eclipse.log


Installation Map

Active Media Eclipse is installed by default to the following locations.

Active Media Technology\

..\Eclipse	Root Active Media Eclipse Folder

eclipse.exe	The main Active Media Eclipse, v.3.0 32bit executable

eclipse.ico	The Active Media Eclipse logo in icon format

eclipse.ecl	Active Media Eclipse licence file

eclipse.eri	Active Media Eclipse registration information file

eclipse.log	Eclipse log file

eclipse_zip.dll	DLL used to compress Screen Savers

eclipse_unzip.dll	DLL used to uncompress Screen Savers

eclipse_setup.dll	DLL used for utility functions within Eclipse

disclaim.txt	Active Media Eclipse disclaimer

file_id.diz	Electronic description file for on-line services

release.txt	Release notes ( this file )

readme.txt	Documentation

  \Add-In

neteclipse.exe	Eclipse Network Manager

  \Database	Resource Database Folder

eclipse.erd	Eclipse resource database

  \Demonstrations	Demonstration Transition Effects Folder

3dcube.edm	'3dCube' transition demonstration

animation.edm	'Animation' transition demonstration

blocks.edm	'Building Blocks' transition demonstration

bounce.edm	'Bounce' transition demonstration

chronos.edm	'Chronos' transition demonstration

clearance.edm	'Desktop Clearance' transition demonstration

countdown.edm	'Countdown' transition demonstration

detonation.edm	'Detonation' transition demonstration

distortion.edm	'Distortion' transition demonstration

explosion.edm	'Explosion' transition demonstration

flying.edm	‘Flying' transition demonstration

inperspective.edm	'In Perspective' transition demonstration

magnify.edm	'Magnify' transition demonstration

movieplayer.edm	'Movie Player' transition demonstration

millennium.edm	'Millennium' transition demonstration

overlay.edm	'Overlay' transition demonstration

patchworkcubes.edm	'Patchwork Cubes' transition demonstration

picturebook.edm	‘Picture Book' transition demonstration

picturebuild.edm	‘Picture build effect transition demonstration

raindrops.edm	'Raindrops' transition demonstration

ripple.edm	'Ripple' transition demonstration

shutterblinds.edm	'Shutter Blinds' transition demonstration

slideshow.edm	'Slideshow' transition demonstration

spotlights.edm	'Spotlights' transition demonstration

wipe.edm	‘Wipe effect transition demonstration

  \Documentation

release.txt	Release notes (this file)

readme.txt	Documentation (copy)

eclipse product

review.doc	Product review in Microsoft Word 97 format

vendinfo.doz	Electronic product information for submission to online services

version history.txt	Version history of Active Media Eclipse

  \Engine	Screen Saver Generator Folder

ecrun32.exe	32bit generator engine

ecrun16.exe	16bit generator engine

ecinit32.exe	32bit initialisation engine

ecinit16.exe	16bit initialisation engine

backend.exe	Engine controller module

  \EXE Screen Savers	Default Folder For Screen Savers Converted to .exe's

[Empty on installation]

  \Generated Screen Savers	Default Folder For Generated Screen Savers

[Empty on installation]

  \Graphics	Sample Graphics Folder (All .bmp format)

eclipse splash.bmp	Eclipse splash screen

backdrop.bmp	Eclipse desktop wallpaper backdrop

active media.bmp	The Active Media logo

  \Icons

eclipse_icons.dll	DLL containing Active Media Eclipse icons

eclipse.ico	Active Media Eclipse product icon

eclipse_autorun.ico	Active Media Eclipse teaser icon

eclipse_data_module.ico	Active Media Eclipse data module icon

eclipse_help.ico	Active Media Eclipse help icon

eclipse_licence.ico	Active Media Eclipse licence file icon

eclipse_portfolio.ico	Active Media Eclipse portfolio icon

eclipse_registrtion.ico	Active Media Eclipse registration icon

eclipse_resource_

database.ico	Active Media Eclipse resource database icon

eclipse_setup.ico	Active Media Eclipse user setup wizard icon

eclipse_user_option.ico	Active Media Eclipse user options icon

neteclipse.ico	NetEclipse manager product icon

neteclipse_runner.ico	NetEclipse workstation icon

  \Multi-Media	Sample Multi-Media

[Empty on installation]

  \NetEclipse	NetEclipse [ Professional Edition Only]

  \Online Books

active media eclipse.hlp	Active Media Eclipse, v.3.0 on-line help file

active media eclipse.cnt	Active Media Eclipse, v.3.0 help contents file

  \Portfolio	Default Portfolio Folder

[Empty on installation]

  \Projects	Eclipse Screen Saver Projects Folder

[Empty on installation]

  \Sample Screen Savers	Sample Active Media Eclipse Created Screen Savers

  \Transitions	Custom Transition Definitions

transition.txt	Information about ordering custom transition definitions

  \Tutorial	Active Media Eclipse Tutorial

  \Video Clips	Active Media Video Clip Resource Files

eclipse_filecopy.erf	Active Media Eclipse, v.3.0 file copy video clip

  \Website Adverts	Active Media Technology Website Banners

Static Banner.gif	Website advertising banner (static) in .gif format

Animated Banner.gif	Eclipse 468x60 Animated	Website advertising banner (animated) in gif format

  \Website URL's	Active Media Technology Website URL's

Active Media Technology Website

  \Windows\System	Windows 95 / NT System Folder

msvbvm50.dll	Visual Basic 5.0 virtual machine

stdole2.tlb	Microsoft 2.1 for Windows NT

oleaut32.dll	Microsoft OLE 2.2 for Windows 95 and NT

olepro32.dll	Microsoft OLE property support DLL

comcat.dll	Microsoft component category manager

asycfilt.dll	Microsoft OLE 2.2 for Windows 95 and NT

mfc40.dll	Microsoft MFC DLL shared library

msvcrt40.dll	Microsoft 'C' runtime library

msjet35.dll	Microsoft Jet database engine library

msjeter35.dll	Microsoft Jet database engine error DLL

msjint35.dll	Microsoft Jet international DLL

vbajet32.dll	Visual Basic for applications developement library

vbar2232.dll	Visual Basic for application runtime expression service

msrd2X32.dll	Microsoft red ISAM DLL

msrepl35.dll	Microsoft replication library

vb5db.dll	Visual Basic OLE database library

sky32v3c.dll	Eclipse graphics file format conversion utility DLL

imagehlp.dll	Windows NT image helper

comdlg32.ocx	Microsoft common dialog / ActiveX control

tabctl32.ocx	Visual Basic 'Tab' visual control

comctl32.ocx	Visual Basic OLE 'Control' pack

threed32.ocx	Visual Basic 3D visual control

mci32.ocx	MCI OLE control DLL

comct232.ocx	Microsoft Common Controls 3 ActiveX Control DLL

Eclipse_calendar.ocx	Active Media Eclipse, v.3.0 calendar control

Eclipse_coolbar.ocx	Active Media Eclipse, v.3.0 coolbar control


File Formats;

File Formats

Active Media Eclipse supports the following file formats :

Image	BMP	(Bitmap)

GIF	(CompuServe)

JPG	(JPEG- JIFF compliant)

PCX	(ZSoft Paintbrush)

PNG	(Portable Network Graphic)

TIF	(Tagged Image File Format)

Animation	FLC, FLI   (Autodesk Animation)

Video	AVI

Audio	WAV

MID

Icon	ICO

Text	TXT

If your files are in other formats, you must convert them into one of the supported formats before using them in Active Media Eclipse.


Technical Support

Technical and Customer Support is offered by E-mail.

If you have Technical questions or problems please contact:

SUPPORT 	support@active-media-online.com

The Active Media Technical Office is located at:

77 Heyford Park

Upper Heyford

Bicester

Oxfordshire  OX6 3HD

United Kingdom

If you have Sales or Customer Service questions or problems please contact:

SALES	sales@active-media-online.com

The address for postal correspondence is:

Active Media Technology Ltd

Crewe Hall

Crewe

Cheshire

CW1 6UL

United Kingdom

Tel  +44(0) 1270 580 400

Fax +44(0) 1270 589 800

http://www.active-media-online.com

ftp://ftp.active-media-online.com


Uninstall Eclipse

How to Uninstall Active Media Eclipse

We are disappointed that you wish to uninstall Active Media Eclipse. Eclipse has been installed using 'InstallShield' and therefore can be removed using 'Add/Remove Programs' within Windows Control Panel.

UninstallShield will remove Eclipse from your hard disk, however certain files that were not installed by Eclipse, such as the Licence File and any Project Files that you have created will not be removed and have to be removed manually. Additionally certain entries in the Windows Registry may have to be removed manually.

Steps

1.	Click on Start, Settings, Control Panel, Add/Remove Program

2.	Locate the Active Media Eclipse entry in the list and click on the 'Remove' button

3.	Load Explorer and locate the installation folder for Eclipse. This would normally be C:\Program Files \ Active Media Technology \ Eclipse

Highlight the 'Active Media Technology' folder and press delete, to ensure that all files are removed.

4.	From Start | Run, type in REGEDIT.exe, press Enter. Locate the following registry key (UninstallShield may have already removed all entries)

HKEY_CURRENT_USER

\Software

\Active Media Technology

\Active Media Eclipse

3.0

Highlight the folder 'Active Media Technology' and press delete.

Under normal circumstances, all registry entries should be removed as part

of the uninstallation process.

Some non-installed files may be left in the installed folder, ie. Screen

Saver project files (*.esp) and the licence file (*.ecl)

Eclipse has now been completely uninstalled from your PC.

You should note that any Screen Savers that you have created and installed into the Control Panel will not be removed by this procedure.


Overview - v.3.0

Overview of Active Media Eclipse v.3.0

Active Media Eclipse is a very easy to learn and easy to use Screen Saver Authoring Toolkit.

Combining the power of pre-written Transitions, your own images and sounds can be quickly and easily combined into creative and stunning Screen Savers.

As part of the Overview, lets take look at the major components of Active Media Eclipse and the process of creating Screen Savers.

Transitions 	These are the basic building block of a Screen Saver. They are the effects that can be used. Each Transition has Settings or Properties that can be adjusted by you, to suit your own individual requirements. For example, Transitions that use a 3D Cube effect, you can adjust the Height, Width and Depth of the Cube.

Images 	Images, pictures or graphics are what Transitions use to create the effect within the Screen Saver. Active Media Eclipse is not a graphics software package. There are many good software packages in which you can create your own images.

Preview	During the development of your Screen Saver, you can Preview how the Screen Saver will appear at any time and as many times as you wish. Active Media Eclipse is extremely flexible in helping you design a Screen Saver to just your requirements.

Create   	Once you are happy with the overall effect of the Screen Saver you can Create the Screen Saver. This will copy the Screen Saver into the Windows Control Panel on your PC. You will be able to adjust the speed and wait time of the Screen Saver by clicking on Start, Settings, Control Panel, Display, Screen Saver

Distribute	With a Distribution Licence (Developer and Professional Editions only) you can copy the Screen Saver to a removable disk and install the Screen Saver onto other PC’s. With a Distribution Licence, there are no restrictions or additional royalties to pay on the Screen Savers distributed. The Distribution File is a single self-installing compressed set up file.

Project Management	With Active Media Eclipse, the Project File will record all the details, settings and properties of the Screen Saver project and can be saved for future use.


Finding Your Way Around

Active Media Eclipse is a 32 bit Windows application using standard Windows conventions for navigating around and using the software.

The following are a list of items that you may find useful in the early stages of using Active Media Eclipse.

Hints and Tips

Click on the Hints and Tips Icon and a list of useful ideas and hints relating to the Help topic will appear.

Menu bar

click on the Menu bar to perform tasks such as Open Project Files, Save Project Files, View Images, Format Disks, modify User Options.

Coolbar

click on the Coolbar Icons to perform tasks such as Open, Save, Print, Preview, Create, send E-mail to Active Media Technology. For large or small Icons, click on View, Large Icons.

New Project

click on File, New to start a new Active Media Eclipse Screen Saver project.

Settings Tab

this tab lists the settings that can be modified for the Transition. Use the Up and Down arrow keys in the bottom right hand corner of the Screen to move between pages for those Transitions with large numbers of settings.

Drop Down Box

contains a selection list of options available. To select one of the options, click on the down arrow and click on the option required.

Check Box

click on the Check Box to turn the setting On and Off (True | False).

Slider Bar

move the Slider Bar to required setting by clicking on and dragging the pointer. The setting is displayed to the left of the Slider Bar. Slider Bars can also be set digitally. Click on the Set Digital button to the right of the Slider Bar.

Text Box

click on the Text Box and type in the text required.

Right Mouse Click

Right mouse click anywhere within the Tab section of Active Media Eclipse and a popup menu will appear. From this Window you can complete many of the tasks and features available from the Menu Bar and the Coolbar.


What's new in v.3.0

What’s new in Active Media Eclipse v.3.0

Active Media Eclipse v.3.0 contains many new features and more Transitions. V.3.0 has been expanded to include many new exciting features :

8 New Transitions

Animation Player

Chronos

Countdown

Millenium

Patchwork Cubes

Picture Book

Raindrops

Shutter Blinds

Expansion of existing Transitions

Single self-installing compressed Setup File now created.

Multiple background images

Background colour schemes

Website Hyperlink from Screen Saver About Button

Web delivery authentication facility

Fixed Screen Saver Resolution setting

Format Floppy Disks directly from Active Media Eclipse

The Professional Edition also contains some new Advanced Features :

Screen Saver Installation Wizard in different languages

Use your own designs for Windows System File Icons

Create your own Evaluation Screen Savers

Create an Installation Splash Screen

Network Manager - distribute Screen Savers across a Network


7 Easy Steps ?

Quick Start - 7 Easy Steps

To create a Screen Saver with Active Media Eclipse :

Step 1 	Select a Transition

From the Use Transition Box, select one of the Transitions available. Either click on the Select Button or click on the drop down box.

Step 2	Select Images

On the Settings Tab, click on the Select Button to the right of an Image Filename Box. Each Transition has different settings and uses Images in different ways. Select an Image or a number of Images for use in the Transition.

Step 3	Preview the Screen Saver

Once you have selected your Images you can Preview the Screen Saver by clicking on Preview from the Toolbar. The Screen Saver is ready for Previewing when the Preview Button changes from grey to black.

Step 4	Change Transition Settings

Modify the Settings of the Transition and Preview the Screen Saver again until you have the Settings suitable to your requirements

Step 5 	Create Screen Saver

Once you have selected the Images and modified the Settings of the Transition to your requirements, the next stage is to create the Screen Saver. (Please note – the Personal Edition will only create the Screen Saver on the PC on which your copy of Eclipse has been installed. You cannot copy to any other PC).

Click on Create from the Toolbar. The Creation Wizard will appear. Click on the Next Button until Page 4 appears. Click on the Install Into The Control Panel check box and click on Finish. The Screen Saver will now be installed into the Windows Control Panel and be selected as the Default Screen Saver.

Step 6	Copy to Floppy Disk (Developer and Professional Editions only)

To copy the Screen Saver to a floppy disk or any other removable media, on Page 4 of the Creation Wizard click on the Send Copy to Removable Disk. Insert a suitable disk in the selected drive before clicking on Finish. The Screen Saver will now be copied to the disk, ready for installation on another PC. The file that is created is a self-installing compressed set up file.

Step 7	Save Screen Saver Project

In addition to creating the Screen Saver, you are also able to save the Project File. The Project File contains information about the Screen Saver Project, such as Transition selected, Images  and Settings. The Project File can be reused over and over again. The Screen Saver once it has been created (complied), cannot be modified. To Save the Project File, click on File, Save As, enter your chosen file name and click on Save.


Do's and Don'ts

General Notes – Do’s and Don’ts

The Screen Savers that are created and distributed from Active Media Eclipse are very robust. They do not require additional run time libraries to work.

There are aspects however that you MUST consider in designing your Screen Saver and copying to other PC’s.

Do’s

1.	Keep the Screen Saver file size as small as possible. Remember that the Screen Saver must run on top of whatever applications are running at that time.

2.	Consider the Target Audience of your Screen Saver. The minimum and average specification PC that your Screen Saver will be installed on. A large Screen Saver may run quite easily on a high specification Pentium PC, but may be very slow on an old 486/66 PC.

3.	Use small tiled backgrounds rather than large centred. They are more efficient with memory utilisation.

1.	Remember to include installation instruction – ie A:\ Folder name \ Setup.exe.

Don’ts

1.	Over complicate the Screen Saver with large image files. Remember the Screen Saver has to work within the environment in which it has been installed.

1.	Don’t distribute your Screen Saver without testing it on different specification machines first.

3.	Don’t use an extremely large sound file. Sounds files are copied into memory, whereas some Transitions are able to use the images ‘on the fly’.


Screen Saver Environment

Screen Savers are ‘mini applications’ that utilise facilities and resources within the Windows Environment. They therefore run more effectively on higher specification or more powerful PC’s.

They can however be affected by other applications that are running on the PC at the same time as the Screen Saver. Other applications may have taken up all, if not most of the internal resources (not just RAM memory). This can cause conflict.

Consider the amount of memory your Screen Saver will use in relation to the memory available in your target machine, after allowing for applications running at the same time. Some Transitions have to load into memory all your images at once, which can absorb vast amounts of available memory.

If you experience any problems with the activation or running of the Screen Saver, please make a record of the following and contact Active Media Technical Support:

1.	take a copy of the Screen Saver file

2.	record the open applications

3.	check the utilisation of memory


Transition Overview

Transitions Overview

What is a Transition ?

A Transition is a pre-written effect, which uses an image or series of images to create a Screen Saver. Each of the Transitions within Active Media Eclipse is designed around a theme. So for example, the 3D Cube Transition displays a cube containing up to 6 different images on the sides. The Magnify Transition has lenses moving over the top of background images.

The Transitions cannot be changed or altered in any way by you. You do however have the ability to change the Transition effect by changing the Transition settings. These are properties of the Transition which can adjusted to create the required effect.

For information on each of the Transitions available, click on the name of the Transition below. For hints and tips, click on the Hints and Tips button.

         3D Cube

        Animation Player

        Bounce

        Building Blocks

        Chronos

        Countdown

        Detonation

        Distortion

        Explosion

        Flying

        In Perspective

        Magnify

        Millenium

        Movie Player

        Overlay

        Patchwork Cubes

        Picture Book

        Picture Build

        Raindrops

        Ripple

        Screen Clearance

        Shutter Blinds

        Slideshow

        Spotlights

        Wipe


3.x Image Limitations

3.x Screen Savers – Image limitations

There are technical and performance limitations imposed by Windows 3.x (16bit) Operating Systems which means that some Transition / Graphics combinations that will work under Windows 95/NT will not Preview or Create under Windows 3.x.

This usually occurs when you are using a large graphic. The solution is to reduce the size of the graphic when creating Screen Savers for Windows 3.x.. Active Media Eclipse will issue a warning message that the file size is too big.

The overall size of the Image must be lower than 64k (256 x 256 pixels).


Randomise Transition Settings

Active Media Eclipse contains a facility to select the Transition settings at random during the development of the Screen Saver. This feature can create some very interesting effects.

Once the all images have been selected and the Preview Button has changed to Black, click on the Randomisation Button

 on the Toolbar, then click on the Preview Button.

To Preview automatically after Randomisation, right mouse click and click on the Automatic Preview After Randomisation from the pop up window.


Transition Browser

From time to time Active Media Technology will issue updated Transitions Properties and / or Settings, or you may have commissioned a bespoke Transition; the Transition Browser lists all the Transitions and the Transition Properties or Settings available within your version of Active Media Eclipse.

To open the Browser, click on Transition | Transition Browser. Use the Expand All and the Collapse All buttons to expand and collapse the directories shown.  To select a Transition for use, click on the Transition you wish to use and then click the Select button.


Transition - 3D Cube

3D Cube

Description

The 3D Cube Transition rotates a series of up to six images on the sides of a 3D cube.

The height, width and depth of the cube can be adjusted to create different shaped boxes. The axes of rotation can be set to rotate through any of the X, Y, or Z axes, or any combination of the axes.

Settings

Background Image Style 	No Background

Tile

Centre

Background Image Count 	1...4

Background Image 	Images

Hold Background 	1,000…30,000

Begin With Desktop 	False | True

Number of Images 	1…6

Image For Cube Sides 	Images

Width of Cube 	5…120

Height of Cube 	5…120

Depth of Cube 	5…120

Axes of Rotation 	X, Y, Z, No Rotation

Movement Direction 	Clockwise

Anti clockwise

Movement Style 	No Movement

Side to Side

Up and Down

Bounce Around

Gravity Bounce

Default Speed 	1…100

Hints and Tips


Transition - Animation Player

Animation Player

Description

Create a Screen Saver from pre-written Animation Files in either FLC or FLI format.

Multiple Animation Files can be packaged up together and run in the Screen Saver as one sequence.

Settings

Number of Animations	1…6

Animation Files	Files

Repeat Animation	False | True

Animation Delay	0…32

Width Percentage	10…300

Height Percentage	10…300

Random Position	False | True

Horizontal Position	0…100

Vertical Position	0…100

Hints and Tips


Transition - Bounce

Bounce

Description

Bounce a sequence of images around the screen.

Select a low Frame Delay time and use a sequence of images, continually rotating through the images, some very interesting animation effects can be created.

Settings

Number of Images	1…20

Use Images	Images

Frame Delay	100…30,000

Movement Style	No Movement

Side to Side

Up and Down

Bounce Around

Gravity Bounce

Default Speed	1…100

Hints and Tips


Transition - Building Blocks

Building Blocks

Description

Build up an image by rotating 3D blocks.

Change the number of horizontal and vertical splits so as to match your image composition. Choose from either Random build or a Gravity effect build.

Settings

Background Image Style	No Background

Tile

Centre

Background Image Count	1…4

Background Image	Image

Begin With Desktop	False | True

Build Position	Centre

Random

Construction Style	Under Gravity

Random

Image	Image

Horizontal Splits	2…10

Vertical Splits	2…10

Default Speed	1…100

Hints and Tips


Transition - Chronos

Chronos

Description

A Screen Saver using a clock.

Design your own Clock Face image and change the colours of the hour, minute and second hands to match your image.

Settings

Background Image Style	No Background

Tile

Centre

Background Image Count	1…4

Background Image	Image

Hold Background	1…32

Begin With Desktop	False | True

Clock Size	50…256

Clock Face	Clock Face

No Clock Face

Clock Face Image	Image

Sweep Second Hand	False | True

Second Hand Colour	Colour

Minute Hand Colour	Colour

Hour Hand Colour	Colour

Hand Outline Colour	Colour

Transparent Clock	False | True

Clock Background Colour	Colour

Clock Foreground Colour	Colour

Movement Style	No Movement

Side to Side

Up and Down

Bounce Around

Gravity Bounce

Default Speed	1…100

Hints and Tips


Transition - Countdown

Countdown

Description

Countdown the launch of a new product, service or design.

Select a range of images to appear before the launch date, on the launch date and after the launch date.

Settings

Countdown Termination Date	Date

Number of Pre-Images	1…16

Pre-Date Images	Image

Pre-Date Text	Text

Day Before Text	Text

Number Of Day Images	1…16

Zero Day Images	Image

Zero Day Text	Text

Number Of Post Date Images	1…16

Post Date Images	Image

Day After Text	Text

Post Date Text	Text

Text Position	Top Left

Top Middle

Top Right

Bottom Left

Bottom Middle

Bottom Right

Picture Effect	Fade In / Out

Block In / Out

Wipe

Frame Delay	500…9,999

Fade Time	500…9,999

Hints and Tips


Transition - Detonation

Detonation

Description

Blast away the desktop to reveal a series of images.

Change the horizontal and vertical size of the detontation to suit your images. Choose from a range of different detonataion and formation styles.

Settings

Number of Images	1…6

Detonation Images	Image

Detonation Width	128…256

Detonation Height	128…256

Horizontal Splits	2…8

Vertical Splits	2…8

Rotate Sectors	False | True

Rotate Scenes	False | True

Type of Formation	Explode Image

Reform Image

Alternate Effect

Random

Clearance Delay	10…10,000

Detonation Sequence	Random

Left to Right

Top to Bottom

Default Speed	1…100

Hints and Tips


Transition - Distortion

Distortion

Description

Create a distortion effect with your images.

Hold your images on screen before the distortion effect by using the Distortion Hold setting.

Settings

Number of Images	1…10

Images to Distort	Image

Distortion Hold	0…30

Sequence Delay	1…500

Begin With Desktop	False | True

Distortion Severity	Very Smooth

Smooth

Medium

Coarse

Very Coarse

Distortion Size	Very Small

Small

Medium

Large

Very Large

Hints and Tips


Transition - Explosion

Explosion

Description

Explode your images into many pieces.

Select the explode position within your image and how the image rotates on explosion. Select the number of horizontal and vertical splits to fit in with your image composition.

Settings

Background Image Style	No Background

Tile

Centre

Background Image Count	1…4

Background Image	Image

Change Cycle Count	1…20

Begin With Desktop	False | True

Explode Image	Image

Horizontal Splits	2…8

Vertical Splits	2…8

Rotate Sectors	False | True

Rotate Scenes	False | True

Explode Position	Top Left

Top Right

Bottom Left

Bottom Right

Centre

Explode Movement	No Movement

Side to Side

Up and Down

Random

Explode Delay	0…20,000

Default Speed	1…100

Hints and Tips


Transition - Flying

Flying

Description

Fly your logos and images through space.

Use the horizontal and vertical movement settings to create a 3D perspective effect.

Settings

Image Count	1…8

Flying Image	Image

Image Reproductions	4…50

Horizontal Movement	0…5

Vertical Movement	0…5

Leave Trails Behind	False | True

Default Speed	1…100

Hints and Tips


Transition - In Perspective

In Perspective

Description

Create a 3D perspective of your images.

Settings

Image Count	1…8

Use Images	Image

Image Reproductions	4…64

Movement Direction	Left

Right

Down

Up

Random

Default Speed	1…100

Hints and Tips


Transition - Magnify

Magnify

Description

Magnify your images using different shapes.

Choose from different magnification levels, lens shapes and sizes.

Settings

Number of Images	1…6

Background Images	Image

Tile Background Images	False | True

Lens Count	1…10

Lens Diameter	30…500

Frame Delay	100…30,000

Magnification Level	2…10

Lens Shape 	Circle

Square

Triangle

Default Speed	1…100

Hints and Tips


Transition - Millenium

Millenium

Description

Countdown to the year 2000 and the new Millenium.

The countdown clock can be set to include days, hours, minutes, seconds or any combination of these settings. Link background images to the time remaining to the start of the new Millenium.

Settings

Background Image Style	No Background

Tile

Centre

Background Image Count	1…4

Background Image	Image

Hold Background	1,000…32,000

Begin With Desktop	False | True

Show Days	False | True

Show Hours	False | True

Show Minutes	False | True

Show Seconds	False | True

Time Narrative	Text

Transparent Narrative	False | True

Clock Background Colour	Colour

Movement Style	No Movement

Side to Side

Up and Down

Bounce Around

Gravity Bounce

Default Speed	1…100

Hints and Tips


Transition - Movie Player

Movie Player

Description

Create Screen Savers from AVI files.

Multiple Movie Files can be packaged up together and run in the Screen Saver as one sequence.

Settings

Number Of Videos	1…20

Video Clips	Video Files

Repeat Videos	False | True

Video Delay Time	0…32

Width Percentage	10…300

Height Percentage	10…300

Random Position	False | True

Horizontal Position	0…100

Vertical Position	0…100

Hints and Tips


Transition - Overlay

Overlay

Description

Present your images continually overlaying the previous one.

Settings

Number Of Images	1…8

Images To Sequence	Images

Images Delay	500…10,000

Clear On Image Change	False | True

Default Speed	1…100

Hints and Tips


Transition - Patchwork Cubes

Patchwork Cubes

Description

Build up pictures using rotating cubes.

Select the cube width and height to fit in with your image composition and roate the cubes around any of the X, Y, Z axes.

Settings

Number of Images	1…6

Background Images	Image

Cube Width	128…256

Cube Height	128…256

Axes Of Rotation	X

X & Y

Z

X & Z

Y & Z

X, Y & Z

Random

Rotation Speed	Slow

Medium

Fast

Clearance Delay	10…10,000

Type Of Patchwork	Random

Left to Right

Top to Bottom

Right to Left

Bottom to Top

Default Speed	1…100

Hints and Tips


Transition - Picture Book

Picture Book

Description

Present your images like in a Picture Book or Album.

Create a series of images containing text messages and link them with your main images. This can create an interesting Storybook effect

Settings

Front Cover Image	Image

Cover Wait	500…9,999

Number Of Images	1…50

Main Images	Image

Number Of Captions	1…50

Caption Images	Image

Image / Caption Position	Left / Right

Right / Left

Top / Bottom

Bottom / Top

Top Left / Bottom Right

Top Right / Bottom Left

Bottom Right / Top Left

Bottom Left / Top Right

Caption Pause	0…9,999

Frame Delay	500…9,999

Fade Time	500…9,999

Random Sequence	False | True

Back Cover	Image

Cover Wait	500…9,999

Hints and Tips


Transition - Picture Build

Picture Build

Description

Build your images piece by piece.

Choose the size of the individual blocks and the direction of the build to give maximum impact to your images.

Settings

Number Of Images	1…50

Images To Sequence	Image

Block In Direction	Random

Left to Right

Top to Bottom

Right to Left

Bottom to Top

Block In Mode	In & Out

In Only

Out Only

Block Size Percentage	2…20

Screen Position	Centred

Random

Frame Delay	500…9,999

Block In Time	500…9,999

Random Sequence	False | True

Hints and Tips


Transition - Raindrops

Raindrops

Description

Build your images using a Raindrop effect.

Choose the size and number of droplets appearing on the screen for maxiumum effect with your images.

Settings

Number Of Images	1…32

Images	Image

Tile Background Image	False | True

Number Of Raindrops	8…128

Raindrops Size	4…128

Clearance Delay	1…20,000

Default Speed	1…100

Hints and Tips


Transition - Ripple

Ripple

Description

Create a ripple effect running through your images.

Select the horizontal and vertical amplitude (height), length and speed of the wave running though your images. Ideal for creating waving flag and ocean effects.

Settings

Number Of Images	1…10

Images	Image

Images Delay	1…30

Unripple Speed	0…100

Ripple Movement	No Movement

Side to Side

Up and Down

Random

Horizontal Amplitude	0…50

Horizontal Wavelength	1…15

Horizontal Wave Speed	0…100

Vertical Amplitude	0…50

Vertical Wavelength	1…15

Vertical Wave Speed	0…100

Hints and Tips


Transition - Screen Clearance

Screen Clearance

Description

Clear away the screen to reveal more images beneath.

Select a low Clearance Delay time and use a sequence of images, continually rotating through the images, to create some very interesting animation effects.

Settings

Intro Wait Time	100…9,999

Background Image Count	1…16

Background Image	Image

Tile Background Images	False | True

Clearance Image Count	1…16

Clearance Images	Image

Clearance Delay	100…9,999

Use Transparent Image	False | True

Default Speed	1…100

Hints and Tips


Transition - Shutter Blinds

Shutter Blinds

Description

Open and close Shutter Blinds to reveal images below.

Select the number and mode of shutter splits to match with your image composition.

Settings

Number Of Images	1…50

Images To Sequence	Image

Shutter Blind Style	Left to Right

Top to Bottom

Right to Left

Bottom to Top

Left Right and Right Left

Top Bottom and Bottom Top

Random

Shutter Mode	Open and Close

Open Only

Close Only

Number Of Splits	2…32

Screen Position	Centred

Random

Frame Delay	500…9,999

Shutter Delay	500…9,999

Random Sequence	False | True

Hints and Tips


Transition - Slideshow

Slideshow

Description

Fade your images in and out like in a traditional Slideshow.

Settings

Number Of Images	1…50

Images To Sequence	Images

Fade Mode	In and Out

Direct Presentation

In Only

Out Only

Screen Position	Centred

Random

Frame Delay	500…9,999

Fade Time	500…9,999

Random Sequence	False | True

Hints and Tips


Transition - Spotlights

Spotlights

Description

Bounce spotlights across the screen to reveal parts of images.

Select the number and size of the spotlights to create the maxiumum effect with your images. Bounce the spotlights off one another by selecting the bounce on collision setting

Settings

Number Of Images	1…10

Background Images	Image

Tile Background Image	False | True

Spotlight Count	1…18

Spotlight Diameter	30…200

Frame Delay	100…30,000

Movement Style	Side to Side

Up and Down

Bounce Around

Gravity Bounce

Bounce On Collision	False | True

Default Speed	1…100

Hints and Tips


Transition - Wipe

Wipe

Description

Wipe your images on and off the screen.

Select the mode and direction of the wipe to match with your image composition.

Settings

Number Of Images	1…50

Images To Sequence	Images

Wipe Direction	Left to Right

Top to Bottom

Right to Left

Bottom to Top

Random

Fade Mode	In and Out

In Only

Out Only

Screen Position	Centred

Random

Frame Delay	500…9,999

Wipe Time	500…9,999

Random Sequence	False | True

Hints and Tips


3D Cube

Design your images to fit a closely as possible to the sides of the cube on which you position the images. Eclipse will resize images to fit the dimensions selected, but resizing results in a loss of image quality.

Windows 3.x – each original image must be smaller in overall size than 256 x 256 pixels

Due to Technical limitations, it is recommended that when using the Force Screen Resolution option, do not select the Begin With Desktop setting. The Desktop Screen may not always draw properly in the Screen Saver.


Animation Player

Design your FLC / FLI file to the dimensions you require for the final result. Resizing will cause a loss in image quality.

Settings of horizontal and vertical of 50 % sets the Screen Saver in the centre of the Screen.

Animation Player is limited to Windows 95 / NT 4 only.


Bounce

Design a series of images with a small change between each image and sequence them with a very low Frame Delay. This can create interesting animation effects.


Building Blocks

Use the same image in the background as the Building Blocks and the blocks appear to be absorbed into the background image.

Due to Technical limitations, it is recommended that when using the Force Screen Resolution option, do not select the Begin With Desktop setting. The Desktop Screen may not always draw properly in the Screen Saver.


Chronos

Select the Transparency setting to create a Clock with a transparent background. The transparent colour is always taken from the colour in the bottom left hand corner of your image.

Due to Technical limitations, it is recommended that when using the Force Screen Resolution option, do not select the Begin With Desktop setting. The Desktop Screen may not always draw properly in the Screen Saver.


Countdown

Using the ‘#’ sign in the message fields calculates the number of days before and the number of days after the Launch date.


Detonation

Try the Random effect. This detonates and reforms the image in a random way.


Distortion

Set the distortion hold to a long time period and see the expressions on peoples faces as their PC Screen appears to disintegrate.

Due to Technical limitations, it is recommended that when using the Force Screen Resolution option, do not select the Begin With Desktop setting. The Desktop Screen may not always draw properly in the Screen Saver.


Explosion

The change cycle count sets the number of Explosions before the background image changes.

Try different settings of Rotate Sectors and Scenes. Some very interesting effects can be created with different combinations.

Due to Technical limitations, it is recommended that when using the Force Screen Resolution option, do not select the Begin With Desktop setting. The Desktop Screen may not always draw properly in the Screen Saver.


Flying

Try different horizontal and vertical movement settings. This can create the effect of flying through space.


In Perspective

Wide images are more suitable to horizontal movement.

Tall images are more suitable to vertical movement.


Magnify

Try small images, tiled with a large magnification setting.

Due to technical considerations in the Transition, the lenses will never cross each other. This also has the effect of sometimes causing fewer lenses to appear on the screen than selected. To create a Screen Saver with more lenses included, you must select a smaller diameter setting for the lenses.


Millenium

Using the ‘#’ sign in the Time Narrative calculates the number of days, hours, minutes, seconds to the new Millenium.

The number of ‘#’ must always equal the number of time settings selected. For example, if only the days and seconds settings are selected the countdown clock will show the number of days and seconds left to the new Millenium.

Due to Technical limitations, it is recommended that when using the Force Screen Resolution option, do not select the Begin With Desktop setting. The Desktop Screen may not always draw properly in the Screen Saver.


Movie Player

Design your AVI file to the dimensions you require for the final result. Resizing will cause a loss in image quality.

Settings of horizontal and vertical of 50 % sets the Screen Saver in the centre of the Screen.


Overlay

Leave the Clear Image On Change Check Box unchecked to create the effect of images continually overlaying on top of the previous ones.


Patchwork Cubes

Set the cube width and height to fit in with the composition of your images.


Picture Book

Each of the Main Images and Caption images are linked by their relative position in the image lists. For example, Main Image 1 will always appear with Caption Image 1, even when the Random Setting is selected.

The relative size of the Main and Caption images determine the position on the Screen. For example, if the Main image is twice the size of the caption image, then it will utilise 2/3rds of the Screen.


Picture Build

Try the different Block In Direction settings. You will find that different image suit particular directions.


Raindrops

Try the maximum and minimum settings on Raindrop Size. The effects are quite different !.


Ripple

The Unripple Speed setting sets the speed at which the image stops rippling.

Try the Randomisation Transition Settings button.


Screen Clearance

Design all the Clearance images to the same size. Eclipse will resize images to fit the dimensions of the first image in the clearance sequence, but resizing results in a loss of image quality.

Select the Transparency setting to create a Screen Clearance with a transparent background. The transparent colour is always taken from the colour in the bottom left hand corner of your image.

Design a series of images with a very small change between each image and sequence them with a very low Clearance Delay. This can create interesting animation effects.


Shutter Blinds

Select the number of Shutter splits to suit your images.


Slideshow

Image composed with lots of colours work better with a longer Fade Time.


Spotlights

Use the Background Colour on the Features Tab to change the colour of the Screen.


Wipe

Try the different Wipe Direction settings. You will find that different image suit particular directions.


Images

Hints and Tips

Images are the pictures, graphics, or logos that can be used within a Transition. Active Media Eclipse can accept any of the following image file formats :

BMP	(Bitmap)

GIF	(CompuServe)

JPG	(JPEG- JIFF compliant)

PCX	(ZSoft Paintbrush)

PNG	(Portable Network Graphic)

TIF	(Tagged Image File Format)

To use any other image file formats, you will need to convert the image into one of these formats before using in Active Media Eclipse.

Images can be selected from any folder within Windows. To select an Image :

1.	click on the Settings Tab

2.	click on the Select Button to the right hand side of the Image Selection Box

3.	navigate through the Windows directory to find the image file required

4.	click on the File required and then clock on Open

5.	the image file name will now appear in the Image Selection Box

Insert Images – to Insert a new image into an existing selection of images, click on the image Selection Box, click on the image that will precede the new image, right mouse click and select Insert A New Image from the popup menu. A vacant space for the new image will be created in the image list. Select the image in the normal way.

Remove Images - to Remove an image from an existing selection of images, click on the image Selection Box, click on the image to be deleted, right mouse click and select Remove The Image from the popup menu. A warning message will appear asking for confirmation of removal.

Clear The Image List - to Clear an existing selection of images, click on the image Selection Box, right mouse click and select Clear The Image List from the popup menu. A warning message will appear asking for confirmation of clearance.

Multiple Image Selection – to select more than one image at a time, click on Tools, User Options, Project Options and click the Multi File Selection Check Box On. This facility allows you to select more than one image at a time. Once the Check Box has been switched on, to select multiple files

1.	Click on the first file required, hold down the Up Arrow key and click on the last file required. Click on Open and the image files selected will appear in the Image Selection Box

2.	Click on the first file required, hold down the Control Key (Ctrl) and click on each file required in turn. Click on Open and the image files selected will appear in the Image Selection Box

Add Images Rather Than Replace – to add a series of images to a selected list, rather than replace those images, click on Tools, User Options, Project Options and click the Add v Replace Image List Check Box On. This facility allows you to select a series of images after other images have already been selected. Rather than replace the original images in the Selection Box, the new series are added to the end of the selection.


Hints and Tips - Images

256 colour

Active Media Eclipse uses images in 256 colour mode. Better dithering will be achieved by converting images to 256 in the image application before using the images in Active Media Eclipse.

Common Colour Palettes

In Transitions where several images can be displayed at the same time (eg 3D Cube, Flying), Active Media Eclipse processes the images to share the same 256 colour palette. Better dithering will be achieved by converting the images to the same 256 colour palette in the image application before using the images in Active Media Eclipse.


Preview Images

Active Media Eclipse can Preview images that have been selected and also images that have not been selected.

Selected Images

On the Settings Tab, click on the Image Selection Box, click on the image and the image file should become highlighted. From the Menu Bar, click on Preview | Resource, Image. The image selected will appear along with information about the image.

Non Selected Images

To Preview an image that has not been selected, click on the Preview Image Icon on the Toolbar

The Open Window will appear. Navigate though the Windows directories to the image required, click on the image and click on the Open Button. . The image will appear along with information about the image.


Image List Sequence Editor

Once images have been selected within a Transition, the position of each image in the image list can be easily and conveniently changed using ‘Drag and Drop’ via the Image List Sequence Editor.

The Sequence Editor is particularly useful when using a large number of images, since it is very easy to ‘shuffle’ the selected images around in the list.

Click on the icon on the coolbar

The Sequence Editor will now appear as follows.

To move the images around in the list, simply click on the required image file and then drag and drop to the new position.  Please note that it is only possible to re-sequence images within the same property.

To choose whether the selected image is repositioned before or after any of the other images in the list, click on the image to be moved and the Right Mouse click. Next click On | Off the ‘Move Before Selected Image’ to determine where the image being moved will be positioned.


Picture Gallery

The Picture Gallery

Please note - available only for installation with the CD ROM.

The picture gallery is a collection of approximately 200 professionally taken photographs organised into different categories and stored in *.jpg format. All of these pictures have been carefully selected by Active Media Technology to get the best out of Active Media Eclipse and to spark ideas on how the toolkit can be used. They provide a source of readily available images to experiment with.

The Picture Gallery, will be installed by default to the sub-folder of the main Active Media Eclipse application as follows :

\active media technology

\eclipse

\Picture Gallery

\Active Media

\Backdrops

\Birds

  :

  :

\The Manor House

\The Weather

\Toy Box

The folders below 'Picture Gallery' are the category titles by which the images are organised. Please note that the actual categories may vary from those indicated above.

Should you wish to make the Picture Gallery the default Image folder in which Active Media Eclipse looks for images, please use Tools | User Options and set the Graphics Library option within the 'File Location' tab.

Active Media Technology is indebted to Ben van den Belt of The harderSOFT Company, Holland for his kind permission to reproduce a selection of his portfolio.

For further information on the images, please contact

Ben van den Belt,

The HarderSOFT Company,

Holland.

Tel +31 341 564466

ben.vd.belt@tip.nl


Movies

To create Screen Savers out of AVI files, click on the Movie Player Transition.

Preview Movies

Active Media Eclipse can Preview Movies (avi) that have been selected and also Movies that have not been selected.

Selected Movies

On the Settings Tab of the Movie Player, click on the Video Clips Selection Box, click on the Movie File, which should then become highlighted. From the Menu Bar, click on Preview | Resource | Movie. The Preview AVI Movie Window will appear, along with information about the Movie. Click either the Preview Button or the Full Size Button to preview the Movie.

Non Selected Movie

To Preview a Movie that has not been selected, click on the Preview Movie Icon on the Toolbar

The Open Window will appear. Navigate though the Windows directories to the Movie required, click on the Movie and click on the Open Button. The Preview AVI Movie Window will appear, along with information about the Movie. Click either the Preview Button or the Full Size Button to preview the Movie.


Sounds

To include Sounds in the Screen Saver, from the Features Tab click on the Background Sounds Check Box.

Active Media Eclipse can use both WAV and MIDI files.

Play Sounds

To Play a Sound file, click on the Play Sound Icon on the Toolbar

The Open Window will appear. Navigate though the Windows directories to the Sound file required, click on the file and click on the Open Button. The Preview Sound Clip Window will appear along with information about the Sound File. Click on the Play Button and the Sound will now play.


Date

This Feature will include the current Date in the Screen Saver.

1.	From the Features Tab, click on Date Check Box. The Format Button will now become visible.

2.	Click on the position box, select the position required.

3.	Click on the Format Button and select the format of the Date.

4.	From the Set Format Window, click on Colour Button and select the colour required.

5.	From the Set Format Window, click on Font Button and select the font required.

      Hints and Tips

You can select any font on your own PC, however the font you select must also be on the users PC. If the font selected is not available, the Screen Saver will automatically default to the nearest font match.

We recommend that you stay within standard font styles like Arial, Times Roman etc.


Narrative

This Feature will include a Narrative or Banner message in the Screen Saver.

1.	From the Features Tab, click on Narrative Check Box. The Format Button will now become visible.

2.	Click on the message box and type in the text required.

3.	Click on the Narrative Position box. Select the position required.

4.	Click on the Format Button and select the format of the Narrative.

5.	From the Set Format Window, click on Colour Button and select the colour required.

6.	From the Set Format Window, click on Font Button and select the font required.

      Hints and Tips

You can select any font on your own PC, however the font you select must also be on the users PC. If the font selected is not available, the Screen Saver will automatically default to the nearest font match.

We recommend that you stay within standard font styles like Arial, Times Roman etc.


Background Colour;

Background Colour

This Feature will include a Background Colour in the Transitions that can accept the Feature.

1.	From the Features Tab, click on Set Colour Button.

2.	Select the colour required and click on the OK Button.

      Hints and Tips

You can select any colour on your own PC, however the colour you select may be created in a colour palette that is not available to your users PC. If the colour selected is not available, the Screen Saver will automatically default to the nearest colour match.

We recommend that you stay within standard colour formats.


Sound

This Feature will include a Sound File in the Screen Saver.

1.	From the Features Tab, click on Background Sound Check Box.

2.	Select the Sound File required and click on the OK Button.

3.	Click on the Continuous Loop Check Box for the sound file to play continuously in the Screen Saver.

      Hints and Tips

Note - The Movie Player Transition will not incorporate a sound file in the Screen Saver. The sound must be included within the AVI file before using in Active Media Eclipse.


Password Protection

Password Protect

This Feature will include a Password Protection facility within in the Screen Saver. The Feature is only available within Windows 3.1 / 3.11 Screen Savers. Windows 95 and NT have a password facility built into the Screen Saver facilities.

1.	From the Distribution Tab, click on Create Screen Saver For box.

2.	Select Microsoft Windows 3.1 / 3.11

3.	From the Features Tab, click on Password Protect Check Box.


Preview Screen Saver;

Preview Screen Saver

Once the Transition Settings, Features and Images of Screen Saver have been selected, you need to test or Preview the Screen Saver.

Click on the Preview Button on the Tool Bar (F5). This will run a preview of your selections and give a full screen preview of the Screen Saver you have designed.

Note – only when the Preview Button changes from Grey to Black is the Preview ready. If the Preview Button is Greyed out, then selections are still to be made. For example, the number of images requested does not equal the number of images selected.

At this stage you can still change any element of the Screen Saver - including Transition, Settings, Features or Images.

The Screen Saver can also be Previewed by clicking on the right mouse button. A popup Window will appear like the following :

To Preview, click on Preview Screen Saver.

You will notice that there are a number of functions that can be completed from using the Pop Up Window from the right mouse click, including Open, Save and Print Project, as well as E-Mail Active Media Technology. Another useful feature shown here is the size of the uncompressed Installation Pack. On Creation, the Screen Saver Installation Pack will be compressed to a smaller size.


Screen Saver Browser

The Browser facility allows you to Preview Active Media Eclipse Screen Savers that are installed in the Default Temporary Folder, the Transition Demonstration Folder and Windows System Folders.

To access the Browser, from the Toolbar click on Preview | Screen Saver Browser. The files shown in the Browser Window are Eclipse Data Modules (.edm) files.

To Preview any Screensaver .EDM file, click on the folder and then the file name. The Screen Saver will now preview.

The Collapse All and Expand All Buttons can be used to quickly search through your folders for existing .EDM files. Or click on the Explorer button to open up Explorer.


Creation Wizard;

The Creation Wizard

To Create the Screen Saver, click on the Creation Button on the Toolbar.

The Creation Wizard will appear.

The Creation Wizard has been designed to make the creation of the Screen Saver as easy and as quick as possible. Each page within the Wizard contains aspects and information about and for the creation process.

Page 1 – Confirmation of Details – information about the Screen Saver such as Screen Saver Title, Project Title, Registered User, Transition used and attached Read Me Files. Most of this information is modified on the Distribution Tab.

Page 2 – Create Windows Executable– creates the Screen Saver as a stand alone executable for use on its own or with other applications.

Page 3 – Package For Web Delivery – aspects relevant to Web delivery.

Page 4 – Distribution and Installation Settings – settings relevant to the creation of the Screen Saver Installation File.

Enter information, click on Check Boxes, select files and file locations as required and at the end of the Creation Wizard, on Page 4, click on the Finish Button. The Screen Saver will now be complied and created in the format required.

For further information on any of the settings within the Creation Wizard, please use the Index facility within the Help File.


Creation Wizard - Confirmation Of Details

Creation Wizard – Confirmation of Details

Creation Wizard – Page 1

The information shown is collected from different sections within Active Media Eclipse. Most of the information can be changed on the Distribution Tab.

Registered User – name of the registered user of Active Media Eclipse. Entered at the time of Registration of Active Media Eclipse.

Registered Organisation – name of the registered Organisation licenced to use Active Media Eclipse. Entered at the time of Registration of Active Media Eclipse.

Screen Saver Title – title of the Screen Saver. Entered on the Distribution Tab and appears on the User Setup Wizard and in the Windows About Button.

Eclipse Transition – name of the Transition used in the Screen Saver.

Screen Saver Project – name of the Project File. Enter and change the name of the Project from File, Save As

Installation Pack Folder – file location of the Installation Pack.

Installation Pack Size – size of the uncompressed Installation Pack. On creation, the Installation Pack will be compressed and will be smaller. Use this as an indication of the size of the Screen Saver before compression.

Target Operating System – the Operating System suitable to run the Screen Saver. Selected from the Distribution Tab.

Installation ‘Agreement’ File – the Agreement Text file selected on the Distribution tab. The file will be included with the Screen Saver and displayed at time of Installation.

Installation ‘Read Me’ File – the Read Me Text file selected on the Distribution tab. The file will be included with the Screen Saver and displayed at time of Installation.

Website Hyperlink URL – the Website that can be called up from the Screen Saver About Button (suitable Internet browsing software must be installed on the host PC).


Creation Wizard - Create Windows Executable

Creation Wizard – Create Windows Executable

Creation Wizard – Page 2

Click on the Create A Windows Executable Check Box to create the Screen Saver as a standalone .exe file. This file can be incorporated into other suitable applications (eg Powerpoint 97)

Create A Windows Executable – click on the Check Box to activate the .exe facility.

Screen Saver Title – title of the Screen Saver. Entered on the Distribution Tab.

Folder To Create Executable – file location in which the .exe file will be created.

Name Of Windows Shortcut – name of the Windows shortcut to the created executable Screen Saver.

Add To Program Group – click on the Check Box and select a Program Group in which to place the .exe file.

Add To Desktop – click on the Check Box to add the .exe file to your Desktop. This will appear on the Desktop as an Eclipse Icon.


Creation Wizard - Package For Web Delivery

Creation Wizard – Package For Web Delivery

Creation Wizard – Page 3

Settings and features relevant to the delivery of the Screen Saver over the Internet.

Package For Internet Delivery – click on the Check Box to activate the Internet Delivery features.

Create Installation Pack Zip File – creates a Zip file for Internet delivery of the Screen Saver.


Creation Wizard - Distribution and Installation Settings

Creation Wizard – Distribution and Installation Settings

Creation Wizard – Page 4

Settings and features related to the creation of the Screen Saver. Click on the Check Box to select the setting.

Save Screen Saver Project – this will automatically save the project to the Project File name when you create the Distribution Disk. If the Project has not been saved previously the file name will be saved as ‘Untitled - Date – Time’.

Send Copy To Removable Disk – this will copy the Screen Saver to a Floppy Disk, or other removable disk like a Zip Drive. Please ensure that you have a formatted disk available.

Package Into A Folder - this will create a Folder structure on the Floppy Disk so that more than one Screen Saver Installation Disk can be included on each Disk. The Installation Disk file name is always SETUP.EXE. The Folder name is always the Screen Saver Title. Click on the Check Box and a folder will be created using the Screen Saver Title.

If this is not selected, the Installation files are simply copied to the root directory of the Floppy Disk, and may overwrite Installation Files previously created.

NOTE - in Windows 95 the Folder structure can make use of the long filenames facility. The Title of the Screen Saver can be more than 8 characters long. In Windows 3.1, the folder structure is limited to 8 characters, therefore we recommend that under Windows 3.1, your Screen Saver Title is no longer than 8 characters.

Create Floppy Disk Images - this copies each of the disks created to the Temporary Creation Folder set from within Creation Options. This facility can be used from Windows Explorer to duplicate the Screen Saver rather than use Disk Copy. You will notice that each of the disks created are numbered within the Temporary Creation Folder. To copy the disks, simply drag and drop the Disk Folder onto the Floppy Disk Drive, usually Drive A.

Create Custom Size Disk Images– this allows you to specify the maximum size of each of the Disk Images. This feature can be very useful when preparing Screen Savers that are to be distributed by electronic mail or posted to Internet Newsgroups, in fact any situation where the size is limited by a Third Party. The Setup file is partitioned into disk images of the selected file size (K). Disk images will be created in from the 'Generated Screen Savers' folder in a sub folder structure called 'Custom':

\Program Files

\Active Media Technology

\Eclipse

\Generated Screen Savers

\Custom

\Disk1

\Setup.exe

\Disk2

\Setup.2

\Disk3

\Setup.3

…….

\Diskn

Each of the 'Setup.x' files within the 'Disk' folders will be of the specified size, except the final file. Active Media Technology recommend that when restoring the Screen Saver all of the 'Setup.x' files should be located in the same folder as detailed below:

\My Screensaver

Setup.exe

Setup.2

Setup.3

    :

Setup.n

However, the disks may be left in the structure as created for installation.

Note - The created setup files are fully compressed. There is no need to using a further compression mechanism such as WinZip. This may in fact increase the file size if used.

Send Copy To The Portfolio – this copies the Screen Saver to a Portfolio that has been created using the Portfolio Management facility from the Toolbar. The Screen Saver Title is always used as the File name.

Rename ‘setup.exe’ As Title – Active Media Eclipse will create the User Setup Wizard as an executable called ‘setup.exe’, checking this box will cause the User Setup Wizard executable to be renamed to the title of the Screen Saver.

Install Into The Control Panel - this will install the Screen Saver into the Control Panel within Windows on your computer and select it as the Default Screen Saver.


Distribution Tab

The Distribution Tab contains most of the settings for creating the Distribution disk.

Screen Saver Title – name of the Screen Saver.

Version Number – version number of the Screen Saver.

Information for ‘About’ Button – message contained in the Windows About Button.

Installation ‘Read Me’ Files – Read Me files (.txt) shown as the Screen Saver installs.

Installation Password – password facility to restrict and protect the installation of the Screen Saver.

Create Screen Saver For – target Operating System for the Screen Saver.

Force Screen Resolution – runs the Screen Saver on the User PC in a fixed Screen Resolution mode.

Make Current Screen Saver – installs the Screen Saver as the default Screen Saver on the users PC.

Website Hyperlink – includes a Hyperlink from the Windows About Button.

Text entered on the Distribution Tab can make use of the Smart Text facility. This allows for the use of additional text characters and paragraph formatting.


Screen Saver Title

This is the name or Title of the Screen Saver. The title of the Screen Saver appears in the following locations :

Control Panel, Display Properties, Screen Saver list box

The User Setup Wizard

Name of ‘About’ Button Box

Name of Windows Link

Name of Installation Zip Pack

Default Folder Name in Screen Saver Creation Wizard (when selected)

To enter a title, click on the Distribution Tab, click on Screen Saver Title box, type in title required.

If no title is entered, the title will be created by Active Media Eclipse in the format ‘Untitled, Date, Time’


Version Number

Use Version Number

To allow for better management of Screen Savers, Active Media Eclipse includes a facility for a version number to be used on the Screen Saver User Setup Wizard.

Click on the Distribution Tab, Use Version Number Check Box and the default version number ‘v.1.0’ will appear. Change the number and text to suit your scheme. Maximum number of characters allowed is 11.

The Version Number will appear in the bottom left hand corner of the User Setup Wizard.


About Button

Information For ‘About’ Button

The Windows ‘About’ Button can contain information About the Screen Saver, your organisation, products, services or anything that you want to say.

It appears as text on the User Setup Wizard and on the About Button Window.

To enter text, click on the Distribution Tab, click on Information For About Button box and type in the text required. The maximum number of characters allowed is 256.

The Information For ‘About’ Button can use the Smart Text facility.

To access the Windows ‘About Button, click on Windows Start, Settings, Control Panel, Display, Screen Saver, About.


Read Me Files;

Installation Read Me Files

Text files can be included as part of the Installation procedure. Active Media Eclipse contains the facility to include two Text files – the Agreement File and the Read Me File.

Both files are standard Text or .txt files created from within Windows Notepad.

To include Text files, click on the Distribution Tab, click on the Text File Check Box, click on the Select Button and choose the Text file required.

As part of the Installation procedure, the Text files will be presented before the Screen Saver installs. The user must click on the Next Button and the Accept Button to proceed with the installation.

The Agreement File should be used to gain acceptance from the user of your installation and licencing requirements.

The Read Me File should be used to advise the user of useful and relevant information.


Installation Password;

Installation Password

A randomly generated Password can be used to protect your Screen Saver on distribution. To include an Installation Password, click on the Distribution Tab, then click on the Password Check Box and a password is generated as a random set of numbers and letters.

This password must be entered for the Screen Saver to be successfully installed. Remember to include the password in some form when distributing your Screen Saver.

The password used can be more appropriate for your use. Simply overtype the random password with a password of your choice. On Installation, the user must enter the password in order to be able to install the Screen Saver.

The maximum number of characters in the password is limited to 15.


Target Operating System;

Create Screen Saver For

Screen Savers can be created for Windows 95, 98, ME, Win2000, XP, NT 4 operating system (32 bit) or Windows 3.1 / 3.11 (16 bit) operating system.

Windows 95, 98, ME, Win2000, XP, NT 4 offers greater graphics capabilities. Screen Savers run under these operating systems will produce better effects than under 3.1 or 3.11.

To specify the operating system for the Screen Saver click on the Distribution Tab, then click on the Create Screen Saver For Drop Down box

Select either “Windows 3.1 or 3.11” or “Windows 95, 98, ME, Win2000, XP, NT”.

Note NT 3.51 - Screen Savers to be run under NT 3.51 should be created as 16 bit not 32 bit.


Screen Resolution

Force Screen Resolution

Screen Savers can be created to run on the User PC in a fixed Resolution Mode, irrespective of the Resolution Setting on the PC.

This allows you to create a Screen Saver, using specific sized images, knowing that they will appear in exactly the same resolution in the Screen Saver. The Screen Saver changes the Resolution Setting of the User PC when it starts and changes the Resolution back to the original setting when it stops.

PLEASE NOTE – forcing the Screen Resolution to change in this manner can cause the Windows Desktop to reposition the application icons. In addition Screen Savers starting with the Windows Desktop as the initial background may not paint the Desktop correctly.

To specify the Resolution, click on the Distribution Tab, then the Force Screen Resolution Check Box, and select the resolution setting required from the Drop Down Box.

This feature is limited to only 95, 98, ME, Win2000, XP, NT Screen Savers. Windows 3.x Operating Systems do not have the same facility to change Screen Resolution in the way that 95 / NT Operating System can.


Make Current Screen Saver

Screen Savers created from Active Media Eclipse can be installed into the Users PC as the default Screen Saver and will become the current Screen Saver unless changed by the User.

Click on the Distribution Tab and then on Make Current Screen Saver Check Box to install the Screen Saver as the default Screen Saver.

Leave the Check Box ‘unchecked’ and the Screen Saver will be installed but not selected as the default Screen Saver. The User needs to select the Screen Saver from the Screen Saver settings in Windows Control Panel.


Website Hyperlink

To include a Web Site Hyperlink from the Screen Saver About Button, click on the Distribution Tab, then Web Site Hyperlink URL Check Box. Type in a valid Web site URL. This facility is only available to Windows 95 and NT Screen Savers.

The Users PC must have a suitable Internet Browser software package in order to use the hyperlink.

The format of the link should begin with the site address or “www.”. You do not need to include “http://”

Active Media Eclipse does not check to make sure that the Hyperlink is correct. Before you distribute a Screen Saver, we recommend that the Hyperlink used is confirmed as correct and valid.


Smart Text

Smart Text allows you to include additional characters and paragraph formatting in the User Set Up Wizard and the About Button Window.

To use ‘Smart Text’, click on the Smart Text Conversion check box on the User Options Miscellaneous Tab. To format the narrative shown, use the following text strings :

|  - new text line or paragraph

( c )  - copyright ©

tm  - trademark tm

For example :

“( c )    Active Media Technology | Web   www.active-media-online.com | E-mail  Sales@active-media-online.com”   will appear as the following on User Setup Wizard and in the Control Panel About Button.

©	Active Media Technology

Web.	www.active-media-online.com

E-mail.	Sales@active-media-online.com

Smart Text can be used in the Information For ‘ About’ Button on the Distribution Tab and in the Installation Legend on the Professional Tab.


Install Screen Saver;

How To Install The Screen Saver

The Screen Saver is packaged up as a single compressed self-installing setup.exe file. By running the setup.exe file, the Screen Saver will be copied to the Windows Directory and installed directly into the Windows Control Panel.

To install the Screen Saver from a Floppy Disk :

Windows 95/NT - click on Start, Run, then type A:\Folder Name\Setup

Windows 3.1/3.11 - in Program Manager, click on File, Run, then type A:\Folder Name\Setup

The User will be presented with a User Setup Wizard similar to the following.

The User Setup Wizard contains information entered on the Distribution Tab. In the above example the details would be :

Screen Saver Title – “3D Cube Logo”

Version Number – “v.1.0”

Information For About Button – “Created for launch …… on ext 2255”

To proceed the User simply clicks on the Next Button and finally the Finish Button on the last Wizard Window.

If the Installation Password feature has also been selected from the Distribution tab, the User would be presented with a password entry window, in which the Installation Password would need to be entered.


Uninstall Screen Saver; Uninstall;

How To Uninstall The Screen Saver

To Uninstall a Screen Saver, rerun the Installation setup.exe file and on the User Setup Wizard click on the Uninstall Button.

This will remove the Screen Saver from the PC.

Windows 95 / NT Screen Savers can also be Uninstalled in the usual application uninstall method through Control Panel.

1.	Click on the Windows 'Start' Button.

2.	Select the 'Settings' option from the menu.

3.	Select the 'Control Panel' option from the menu.

4.	Double-click on the 'Add/Remove Programs' icon from within the Control Panel.

5.	Select the name of the Screen Saver that you wish to uninstall and click on the 'Add/Remove' button.

6.	Click on the 'Yes' button to confirm the deletion request, the Screen Saver will then be removed.


Internet Distribution

Distribution Over The Internet

Active Media Eclipse automatically produces User Setup Wizards, which are heavily compressed, self-extracting, and installing files, using the default title ‘setup.exe’. The format of the self-installing file is proprietary to Active Media Eclipse.

This ensures security of the distributed images and information and therefore restricts unauthorised use of the images and helps promote user copyright. Once the setup.exe file has been created, the User cannot gain access to the images complied into the Screen Saver.

These files are ideal for distribution over the Internet, from Web pages and by e.mail.

The compiled User Setup Wizards require no further compression or processing in order to distribute using the Internet, CD-ROM, floppy disk, E-mail or other means. The use of a product such as WinZip to compress or create a self-installing file is therefore not necessary, however, the user may wish to package the created User Setup Wizard using this feature for compatibility reasons.

To distribute Screen Savers over the Internet, it is recommended that you use an FTP address, since this provides greater accuracy and reliability for downloads.

Please Note	Using WinZip or other compression product may actually increase the size of the User Setup Wizard.


User Options

Introduction To User Options

User Options are settings, file locations and text messages that are regularly used in your Screen Saver Projects. The User Options facility allows you to select settings as default. These default settings will always appear when a new Project is started.

User Options can be found under Tools, User Options.

Creation Options– options relating to the Creation of the Screen Saver.

File Location – file locations for graphics, sounds and movies.

Project Options – settings for options within designing a Screen Saver project.

The Internet – settings for Internet connectivity.

Miscellaneous – miscellaneous settings for project management.

Summary– settings for the Summary Tab.

Professional – settings for the Professional Edition.

International – settings relating to locations of Windows files.


Creation Options

The Creation Options relate to the creation and saving of your Screen Saver. To change the Creation Options, click on Tools, User Options, Creation Options Tab.

The Creation Options available are :

Temporary Creation Folder - default Temporary Folder in which the Screen Saver Installation file will be saved to.

About User Notes - default information on About Button.

Target Operating System - default Operating System.

Always Display Date - default Date Display and screen position.

Always Password Protect - default Password Protect.

Generate Install Password - default to generating Installation Password for each Screen Saver.

Once the default options have been selected, click on the Apply Button. The next time Active Media Eclipse is loaded, the new settings will be shown as the default settings.


File Location Options

The File Location Options relate to the location of Screen Saver files and resource locations. To change the File Location Options, click on Tools, User Options, File Location Options Tab.

The File Location Options available are :

Screen Saver Project Definitions  -  default location for saving Screen Savers definitions

Transition Definition Library  -  default location for the Eclipse Transitions

Graphics Library  -  default location for image files

Audio Library  -  default location for audio files

Movie / Animation Library – default location for movie and animation files.

Click on the Select Button to select the Folder you wish to set as the Default Folder, then click on the Apply Button. The next time Active Media Eclipse is loaded, the new settings will be shown as the default settings.


Project Options

The Project Options relate to the use, management and control of Screen Saver Projects. To change the Project Options, click on Tools, User Options, Project Options Tab.

The Project Options available are :

Start With Transition – sets the default Transition when Eclipse is loaded.

Start With Last Project - automatically loads the last project worked on.

Preview after Project Load - automatically previews the Screen Saver after the project has been loaded. All resource files must be available for the preview to work.

Preview After Randomisation - automatically previews the Screen Saver after selecting the Randomise Transition Settings from the popup menu or from the Toolbar.

Favourite Image File Format - sets the default Image File Format for Image selection.

Use Last Graphics Folder - automatically looks for additional graphics files in the last folder used. Used in conjunction with the Default File Locations, this facility allows the user greater speed in the selection of graphics.

Use Last Audio Folder - automatically looks for additional Audio files in the last folder used.

Allow Multi-File Selection - allows the selection of a number of images at the same time. By clicking on the Select Button, then clicking on the images required, at the same time as holding down the Ctrl key, and then clicking on the Open, Button the images selected will appear in the Image Drop Down Box. In addition, the Number of Images slider will automatically adjust to the number of images selected. The number of images that can be selected at any one time is limited to 16.

Add v Replace List Images - allows the selection of additional of images to the images already selected. By selecting this Check Box, the new images will not overwrite the old images but will be added to end of the list of images already selected.

Installation Pack Creation - allows you to “fine tune” the time taken to create the Screen Saver Preview and Installation Pack. The slider should be moved towards the Slower setting if you are continually presented with the message “There has been a problem creating your Screen Saver”.  The problem is caused by the speed of the computer. Faster computers will Preview the Screen Saver quicker than slower computers. Faster computers should be set more towards the Faster setting.

Click on the Drop Down Box or the Check Box to select the Project Options, then click on the Apply Button. The next time Active Media Eclipse is loaded, the new settings will be shown as the default settings.


Internet Options

The Internet Options

The Internet Options relate to the settings for Internet connectivity. To change the Internet Options, click on Tools, User Options, The Internet Options Tab.

The Internet Options available are:

Website URL – sets the default Web site URL in the Website Hyperlink URL text box on the Distribution Tab.

E-mail Address – memo field for your E-mail address.

Once the required default options have been selected, click on the Apply Button. The next time Active Media Eclipse is loaded, the new settings will be shown as the default settings.


Miscellaneous Options

Miscellaneous Options relate to the use, management and control of features within Active Media Eclipse. To change the Miscellaneous Options, click on Tools, User Options, Miscellaneous Tab.

The Miscellaneous Options available are :

Show Video Introduction – plays the Active Media Eclipse video sequence on loading Active Media Eclipse.

Show Creation Animation - controls whether the animation sequence is displayed or not when the User Setup Wizard is being created.

Show Tip of Day - switches the Tip of The Day on and off.

Smart Text Conversion - allows ‘Smart Text’ text to be used in the Installation Legend. See Smart Text for more info.

Message Warning Sound – switches the default Windows Message Warning Sound on and off. To change the Message Warning Sound, click on Start, Settings, Control Panel, Sounds.

Delete Install Packs on Exit - removes the Installation Packs that have saved to the Temporary Folder. It is recommended that this option is used if you often created Screen Savers using AVI files or large file size Images.

List Image Removal Warning - issues a warning message that images will be deselected when you decrease the image count slider.

Confirm File Overwrite - issues a warning message that an existing Project File is about to be overwritten.

Number of Recently Used Files – sets the number of recently used files shown in the display under Files from the Menu. The setting can be between 1 to 9 files.

Ignore Deleted Recent Files – removes deleted files from the Recently Used files list from the Menu.

Once the required default options have been selected, click on the Apply Button. The next time Active Media Eclipse is loaded, the new settings will be shown as the default settings.


Summary Options

The Summary Options change the default settings on the Summary Tab. To change the Summary Options, click on Tools, User Options, Summary Tab.

The Summary Options available are :

Author Name - default name of the Author of the Screen Saver

Subject - default Screen Saver Subject

Organisation Name - default Organisation Name

Once the default options have been selected, click on the Apply Button. The next time Active Media Eclipse is loaded, the new settings will be shown as the default settings.


Professional Options

The Professional Options change the default settings on the Professional Tab. To change the Professional Options, click on Tools, User Options, Professional Tab.

The Professional Options available are :

Installation Pack Language – sets the default Installation language.

Horizontal Logo – sets the default horizontal logo.

Vertical Logo – sets the default vertical logo.

Self Extracting Splash – sets the default self extracting Splash Screen.

Screen Saver Setup Icon – sets the default Screen Saver Setup Icon.

Screen Saver Icon – sets the default Screen Saver Icon.

Once the default options have been selected, click on the Apply Button. The next time Active Media Eclipse is loaded, the new settings will be shown as the default settings.


International Options

The International Options change the default settings for the location of the Programs Group. To change the International Options, click on Tools, User Options, International Tab.

Some non US and non UK installations use different Program Group locations.

The International Options available are :

Windows 95 Program Groups – sets the default location for the Windows 95 Program Group.

Windows NT Program Groups – sets the default location of the Windows NT Program Group.

Once the default options have been selected, click on the Apply Button. The next time Active Media Eclipse is loaded, the new settings will be shown as the default settings.


Professional Edition

Introduction To Professional Edition

The Professional Edition of Active Media Eclipse contains advanced features and facilities suitable for the Professional Designer and Network Manager.

Features include the following :

Installation Pack Language – create the Screen Saver Installation Pack and About Button messages and buttons in a number of different languages.

Installation Legend – include a message on the Installation Pack and the About Button. This is additional to the About Button Message. Suitable for copyright and trademark notices. The Legend replaces the “Created with Active Media Eclipse” message in the Standard Edition.

Installation Logos – include pictures and images on the User Setup Wizard and About Button. These replace the Active Media Eclipse logo in the Standard Edition.

Icons - include your own Windows Icons in the Windows File System structure.

Spoilt Screen Saver – create your own Evaluation Screen Savers. The Screen Savers will ‘Time Out’ after the number of previews selected.

Splash Screen – include your own Splash Screen on the Screen Saver installation routine.

Network Manager – install and uninstall Screen Savers automatically across a Network.

To change the default settings on the Professional Tab, click on Tools, User Options, Professional Tab.


Installation Pack Language

The Professional Edition can create Screen Savers in a number of different languages. The text and buttons on the User Setup Wizard and the Windows ‘About’ Button are localised in the language selected.

The languages available are

English

German

Welsh

French

Italian

Dutch

Spanish

Portugese

Norwegian

Swedish

To select a language, click on the Professional Tab, click on the Installation Pack Language box, select the language required.


Installation Legend

The Professional Edition can include an additional message to the About Button message. On the User Setup Wizard and About Button, the Legend Message appears directly below the About Button Message.

The Installation Legend is ideal for including copyright and trademark notices in the Screen Saver. See Smart Text on how to include these in the Installation Legend.

To include an Installation Legend, click on the Professional Tab, click on the Installation Legend text box, type in the text required. The maximum number of characters that can be used is 256.


Installation Logos

Organisation Logos

The Professional Edition can include logos and graphics on the User Setup Wizard and About Button. The logos can be positioned in both horizontal and vertical formats.

Horizontal logo – appears directly above the Installation messages. The maximum size of the horizontal logo is 352 x 64 pixels. Sizes larger than this will be reduced to fit to the maximum size. Under Windows 3.x the maximum size before resizing is 256 x 256.

Vertical logo - appears to the left of the Installation messages. The maximum size of the vertical logo is 96 x 232 pixels. Sizes larger than this will be reduced to fit to the maximum size. Under Windows 3.x the maximum size before resizing is 256 x 256.

To select a logo, click on the Professional Tab, click on the Horizontal or Vertical Logo check box, select the file required.


Icons

The Professional Edition can include Icons to represent the Screen Saver Set Up file and the Screen Saver file. These icons appear in the Windows File Directories in place of the default Eclipse Icons.

Screen Saver Set Up Icon – represents the Screen Saver Setup.exe file.

Screen Saver Icon – represents the installed Screen Saver file (.scr).

Icons should be 32 x 32 pixels in size and 16 colours only. Active Media Eclipse will not allow you to select icons that are greater than this size.

To select an Icon, click on the Professional Tab, click on the Icon check box, select the file required.


Spoilt Screen Saver

The Professional Edition can include a ‘spoiling’ message on Screen Savers created. Spoilt Screen Savers are ideal for use as samples for client evaluation. The message should be used in conjunction with the Disable Preview setting.

The spoiling message appears at the bottom left hand corner of the Screen Saver.

To include a Spoiling Message, click on the Professional Tab, click on the Spoilt Screen Saver text box, type in the text required. Modify the format of the message by clicking on the Format Button.

The ‘#’ character represents the number of previews before the Screen Saver automatically disables. The number of previews after installation is set from the Disable Preview setting.

To select the number of Previews, move the slider bar to the number required.


Splash Screen

The Professional Edition can include a Splash Screen that appears before the Screen Saver is installed. Splash Screens are ideal for presenting Designer credits and information before the Screen Saver is installed.

To include a Splash Screen, click on the Professional Tab, click on the Self Extracting Splash Check box, select the image required.

The time that the Splash Screen remains on the screen can be set by moving the Seconds To Pause slider bar to the setting required.


Network Manager;

Introduction to Network Manager

Network Eclipse allows you to quickly and easily distribute Active Media Eclipse created Screen Savers over a Network.

Network Eclipse is only available with a Licenced copy of the Professional Edition and with the Developer Edition during the Evaluation period. For details on the different Licences, please refer to the Active Media Eclipse Help File.

Important – Network Eclipse only works on Windows 95, 98 and NT.

When Active Media Eclipse is licenced for a Professional Edition, Network Eclipse is also licenced at the same time.  Network Eclipse may be moved, onto a different computer ie. a server, but it is essential that all files within the NetEclipse folder are moved in their entirety, especially the licence file 'NetEclipse.ecl' and appropriate network permissions set as detailed later in this section.

Active Media Network Eclipse is intended to provide network managers and administrators with an easy means of distributing and remotely installing Screen Savers created by Active Media Eclipse v.3.0. Installation and configuration is effected by the use of 'push technology', that is to say, a single, compressed copy of the Screen Saver to be distributed is held on the server and intelligently copied to all client computers.

The two components in Network Eclipse are :

Network Manager Module   (NetEclipse Manager.exe)

Lists, schedules and manages Active Media Eclipse Screen Savers.

Network Client Module    (NetEclipse Client.exe)

Distributes Active Media Eclipse Screen Savers over the Network based on the settings in the Network Manager.

Both the Network Manager and the Network Client files must be copied to the Network Server.  Active Media Technology recommends that the standard network logon script is modified centrally in order to execute the Network Client.  Once invoked, it automatically uses the Network Manager to Install / Uninstall Active Media Eclipse created Screen Savers as previously specified.

A secondary method of operation would be to install the Network Client on each PC attached to the Network, a Windows shortcut can then be set up in the ‘Startup’ folder to the Network Client.  This would achieve the same result, but has the disadvantage of being more work to initially set up and to administrate.


Network Manager Module

The Network Manager lists, schedules and manages the Screen Savers to be distributed over the Network.

To use the Network Manager the file NetEclipse Manager.exe should be copied to the Network Server.

The local PC login script should be modified to include an instruction to run the NetEclipse Client.exe file at the time of Login. By running this file, the settings in the Network Manager are executed.

Screen Saver Window

This Window lists all the Screen Savers currently added to Network Eclipse

Add	click on Screen Saver, Add, select the Screen Saver required from the Open box. This copies the Screen Saver selected to the NetEclipse directory within the Program Files \ Active Media Technology \ Eclipse directory.

Remove	select the Screen Saver in the Screen Savers Window, then click on Screen Saver, Remove, to remove it from Eclipse Network Manager.

Remove All	click on Screen Saver, Remove All, to delete all of the Screen Savers.

Install Screen Saver Window

This Window displays the Screen Savers, which are due to be installed on the client PCs. The first in the list will be the current Screen Saver to be installed. (It will be highlighted in bold).

Drag and drop the Screen Savers from the Screen Saver Window into this Window. To change the order in which Screen Savers are installed, drag and drop the Screen Savers around in the list.

Uninstall Screen Saver Window

This Window displays the Screen Savers which are to be uninstalled from client PCs. If the current Screen Saver to be installed (ie top of the Install Screen Saver Window) is in this Window, then it will be displayed ‘struck through’, signifying that it will not be removed. This allows for a cycle of Screen Savers to exist both in the Install Screen Saver and Uninstall Screen Saver Windows, with only the current Screen Saver being installed on the client PC’s.

Scheduling Settings

Select the method of cycle scheduling from the options available:

Enabled – click on the Check Box to enable Network Eclipse. Unchecking the Box will disable all the Network Eclipse functions.

Write log – click on the Check Box to record the actions across the Network. (Note that this requires WRITE permissions on the file NetEclipse.log)

Mode – determines when the Screen Savers in the Install Screen Saver Window will be Installed and Uninstalled. There is always a CURRENT Screen Saver, i.e. the one at the top of the Install Screen Saver Window. This is the Screen Saver to be installed (if not already installed) when the NetEclipse Client is run. Any Screen Savers in the Uninstall Screen Saver Window are removed if they have already been installed on the Client PC

The following cycling options set the regularity of the change of the CURRENT Screen Saver:

Daily	sets a new Screen Saver to be installed at the first time of login every day. Select the Start day and the End day of the week. Network Manager will cycle through the list of Screen Savers in the schedule.

Weekly	sets a new Screen Saver to be installed at the beginning of a new week. Select the Change day of the week to determine the day of the changeover. Network Manager will cycle through the list of Screen Savers in the schedule.

Monthly	sets a new Screen Saver to be installed at the beginning of a new month. Select the Change day of the month to determine the day of the changeover. Network Manager will cycle through the list of Screen Savers in the schedule.

Settings

Number of Retries	sets the number of retries that Network Manager attempts to Install / Uninstall the Screen Savers across the network. The client will retry if for any reason the Installing or Uninstalling Screen Savers fails – typically due to file transfer errors caused by network problems.

Retry Wait	sets the Wait Time between retries.


Network Run Module

Network Client Module

The Network Client Module (NetEclipse Client.exe) copies the Screen Savers scheduled in the Network Manager across the network. The Screen Saver will be automatically installed in the User’s PC and selected as the default Screen Saver.

The Network Client needs to be executed by the client PC (a PC attached to the network) either by placing a shortcut to it in the Windows 'start up' folder or more usually through a network logon script. This ascertains the Screen Saver that is to be installed as specified by the network administrator and then checks to see whether it is currently installed. If it is not installed, then it is copied in compressed form from the server to the local computer, configured and installed completely automatically, making the distributed Screen Saver the Windows default.

The network client will also Uninstall any Screen Savers in the Uninstall Screen Saver Window, if they are installed on the client PC.

The Network Run file is activated by the User Logon Script, which needs to include a Command line to run the Network Client File, similar to the following:

z:\some directory \ NetEclipse \ NetEclipse Client.exe


Network Permissions

Active Media Network Eclipse should be configured with the following permissions viz.:

NetEclipse Manager.exe	Read, Execute

Client PC’s do not need to use or execute NetEclipse Manager.exe, this is for use by system administrators only.

NetEclipse Client.exe	Read, Execute

This is the file that client PC’s execute every time they log onto the network or depending on how Network Eclipse has been implemented, every time they start Windows.

NetEclipse.log	Read, Write

A client PC obtaining a new Screen Saver or recording any problems in doing so will make entries into the log.  There is no restriction on the maximum size of the log, it is therefore the responsibility of the system administrator to periodically review and clear down the log.

Savers folder	Read only

[ All files ]

This is the folder where Screen Savers to be distributed should be located, this should be available to the Network Manager with read / write permissions, client PC’s accessing the folder need only read permission in order to read the prepared Screen Savers.


Hints, Tips and FAQ’s

The following are a list of Hints and Tips that should prove useful in the use and application of Network Eclipse.

•	Network Eclipse will increase network traffic and increase apparent ‘logon time’. Whilst the effect is minimised by compressing the Screen Savers and installing only when absolutely necessary, please bear this in mind when creating the Screen Saver.

•	Network Eclipse needs to be configured and ‘tuned’ to your network performance. If through practical operation it is noticed a large number of Screen Saver installation failures being reported in the log due to network performance, increase the number of retries permitted and also the length of time allowed between each retry.

•	In the event of any problems, review the NetEclipse.log file to ascertain the cause.

•	Remember to include the Screen Savers that you wish to uninstall in the ‘Uninstall Screen Saver’ Window.  If you do not include them they will never by uninstalled and physically deleted from the client PC !

•	Network Eclipse works with Active Media Eclipse created or Active Media Technology bespoke Screen Savers only.  It cannot be used to install or uninstall any other Screen Savers.


Project Management

The Project Management features help you to manage your Screen Saver projects.

New – start a new Project

Open – open an existing Project

Save – save a Project

Delete – delete a Project

Print – print the Project details

Project Statistics – details about the current Project

Portfolio Management – management system for created Screen Savers


Project - New;

New Project

To start a New Project file click on File, New on the Menu bar.

Alternatively click on the New Screen Saver Icon on the Coolbar.

The New Project will use all the default settings, such as Transition, favourite image file format, Target Operating System, set from the User Options facility.


Project - Open

Open Project

A Project file that has been previously saved can be loaded, modified and saved under the same name or a different name. To load an existing Project file click on File, Open on the Menu bar.

Alternatively click on the Open File Icon on the Coolbar.

From the Open Window, click on the Project you wish to Open, then click on the Open Button.

All the settings, features and other elements of the project as previously saved, will now appear in Active Media Eclipse.

Notice that the file name of the project now appears to the right hand side of Active Media Eclipse at the top of the screen.


Project - Save

Save Project

To save a new project click on File, Save As on the Menu bar, the Save Window will appear. Eclipse Screen Saver project files have the extension .esp.

Alternatively click on the Save File Icon on the Coolbar.

Enter the name of the Project in the File name box and click on the Save button. If you wish to save the project to a different location, click on the drop down box in Save in, navigate your way around your Windows Directories and select a new location.

To view the project file name, click on File, Open. The name of the project will be seen in the Open Window.

If a project has already been saved, and you wish to overwrite the old project, simply click on File, Save. If you wish to retain the old project, ensure that you save the new project with a new filename.

IMPORTANT - it is important to distinguish between :

Project Files (esp) - containing the Screen Saver definitions such as Settings and Features

Screen Saver Installation Files (exe) - containing the Screen Saver file itself.

The Project files can be saved, loaded and modified as many times as you wish. The Installation files once created cannot be modified. These files are compiled and fixed.

Project Files are saved to the Default Directory - C:\ Program Files \ Active Media Technology \ Eclipse \ Projects

Installation Files are saved to the Default Directory - C:\ Program Files \ Active Media Technology \ Eclipse \ Generated Screen Savers.


Project - Delete

Delete Project

To Delete a Project file that has been previously saved, click on File, Delete on the Menu bar.

Click on the Project file to be deleted in the Open Window and click on the Open Button. Active Media Eclipse will issue a Warning Message for you to confirm that you do wish to delete the Project file.


Project - Print

Print Project

To Print a report containing all the details of the Project, such as Transition settings, image files used etc, click on File, Print Project, on the Menu bar, then click on the OK Button in the Print Window.

Alternatively click on the Print Icon on the Coolbar.

Please ensure that you have a suitable printer connected and switched on.


Project - Statistics

Project Statistics

The Project Statistics Tab contains information about the Project, such as date created, last modified date, project file size, total editing time to date.

This information can also be obtained from the Print Project Report facility.


Portfolio Management

The Portfolio Management facility allows you to save the completed Screen Saver to a Windows Folder of your choice. It is useful for keeping a record of Screen Savers created.

The advantage of the Portfolio facility is that when you are creating the Screen Saver disk, you do not have to search and find the folder in which to save the Screen Saver.

By linking Portfolios to Windows Folders you simply select the Portfolio you wish to save the Screen Saver to during Creation & Distribution and Eclipse will automatically save the Screen Saver to the linked Folder.

In practice, the Portfolio facility is used to group together similar projects and files. For example, if you are creating a number of different Screen Savers for one client, you may create a Portfolio name of “Client A” and a Folder structure of “Program Files \ Active Media Technology \ Eclipse \ Portfolio \ Client A”. By linking the Portfolio to the Folder, all Screen Savers for Client A will automatically be saved to the Client A Folder.

To create a new Folder, click on the New Folder Button in any of the Open Windows  [image]  and enter the name of the Folder.

To create a new Portfolio and link this to a Folder, click on Tools, Portfolio Management. The Portfolio Management Window will appear.

Current Portfolios - the Portfolio currently available

Associate with Folder - the Windows Folders to which Portfolios are associated

Notes - general information notes for the user

Click on the Add Button, enter the information as required and click on the Apply Button. To modify an existing Portfolio Name, click on the Modify Button.

It is recommended that you keep your File and Folder structure as tidy as possible. By linking “user friendly” Portfolio names to your Folder structure you will avoid endlessly searching for files that have already been created.

Once the Portfolio has been created, you can look up existing Screen Savers by clicking on Preview, Screen Saver Portfolio and then clicking on the Portfolio name

NOTE 	The Portfolio facility saves completed Screen Savers. Once created, Screen Savers cannot be modified. Only Project Files can be subsequently modified.


Installation Problems

The following are a selection of problems (and their solutions), that can occur during installation of Active Media Eclipse v.3.0.

Other Applications Open When Installing

When installing Active Media Eclipse, ensure that absolutely no other applications are open including shortcut toolbars such as Microsoft Office. If other applications are left open then all of the files that Active Media Eclipse needs to install and run may not be copied correctly. Out of all problems reported to Active Media Technology, open applications during installation is the main culprit.

Reboot Windows After Installation

Always reboot Windows after installation, this ensures that all Active Media Eclipse components will be registered with Windows correctly.

Problems Reported During Installation

Active Media Eclipse uses InstallShield to perform the installation. If the mechanism issues error messages whilst the installation process is taking place, such as failing to register an ActiveX control (.ocx) please do not ignore them and then expect Active Media Eclipse to work correctly. Try and resolve the problem, close any open applications and attempt to re-install. If the problem persists please contact Active Media Technical support.

Only The Eclipse Tray Icon Appears

If there has been problem registering ActiveX controls (.ocx), when Active Media Eclipse is run, the Eclipse tray icon appear and then apparently Active Media Eclipse goes no further. If this happens, de-install Active Media Eclipse using the Windows Control Panel 'Add/Remove Programs' and re-install ensuring all applications are closed down prior to installation.


339 Error Problem

Active Media Eclipse makes use of 32bit visual controls (.ocx). The Error 339 message can appear if an ocx has failed to register properly when the software has been installed. This can occur if other applications were active when Active Media Eclipse was installed. Typically this error message will occur upon initial Startup

To resolve the problem :

1.	De-Install Active Media Eclipse using the Windows Control Panel 'add/remove programs' facility

2.	Close and reload Windows

3.	Close any applications that may have been loaded as part of the Windows Startup sequence

4.	Re-Install Active Media Eclipse

If this fails to resolve the problem, an operating system tool can be invoked to force register the ocx within Windows. Please contact Active Media Technology Technical Support under these circumstances.


Unexpected Problem

In the unlikely event that Active Media Eclipse encounters an unexpected problem, which causes the program to terminate, various diagnostic aides are automatically produced to help Active Media Technology Technical Support to resolve the problem.

At the point of failure, a message box will be issued informing that Eclipse has encountered an unexpected problem and details the nature of the problem and where it has occurred in the application.

Secondly, a more detailed version will be written to a text file called 'eclipse.err' which can be opened and read by any editor such as the Windows 'Notepad' application. This file is usually located in the following folder:

c:\program files

\active media technology

\eclipse

\eclipse.err

For convenience this file may be printed and faxed through to Active Media Technology or attached to an e.mail to aide diagnosis and resolution of the problem.


429 OLE Automation Error

If this message appears immediately after you have loaded Eclipse, the problem has been caused by loading Eclipse when other Windows Applications were open.

The solution is to Uninstall Eclipse, reboot Windows and load Eclipse again, ensuring that no Windows Applications are open during loading.


Font Size problem

Font Size problem - Image Select Button missing

On the right hand side of the Image Selection Box will be a Select Button  [image]. If this button is not visible you need to change the font size setting within Windows.

Without this button being visible you will be unable to select images to use within Eclipse.

To change the font size, click on Windows Start, Settings, Control Panel, Display, Settings and change the Font Size to Small Fonts, then click on Apply.


Default Speed Setting

Default Speed Setting doesn’t alter speed of Transition

This problem can occur when you already have a Screen Saver installed in Windows Control Panel that uses the same name as the name you have given to the Screen Saver you are previewing.

It is recommended that when you commence a new project, always change the Screen Saver title in the Distribution Tab.

This will then not cause any conflict with a Screen Saver already installed on your computer.


Startup Procedure

Upon startup, Active Media Eclipse will perform a check on the hardware to ensure it meets the absolute minimum requirement of a 486 based processor with 8mb of RAM. Further checks are made to ensure that the current Windows resolution is S-VGA (800x600 pixels) or greater and that small fonts are installed.

Under certain circumstances the use of large fonts can cause problems with forms and messages appearing to be truncated. However, Active Media Eclipse can be instructed to ignore this check by creating a shortcut to the executable and appending *NO_FONT_CHECK which is case insensitive.

\program files\active media\eclipse\eclipse.exe *NO_FONT_CHECK

Please note that there is a space after eclipse.exe and *NO_FONT_CHECK ie. eclipse.exe[space]*NO_FONT_CHECK


Network / Removable Drives

Using Network or Removable Drives

If you are using network or removable disk devices, such as the Iomega Zip drives, if the drive become unavailable while Active Media Eclipse is creating the User Setup Wizard, then the creation sequence may not complete properly and/or Active Media Eclipse itself may terminate unexpectedly.

If this situation occurs, make sure that the network or removable drive is available and attempt to create the User Setup Wizard again. If the problem persists, please contact Active Media Technical support with details of the failure.


FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

The following are a list of questions that we are frequently asked. Click on the Hints and Tips Icon to see the answer.

Screen Saver will not Run more than 5 times

Transition or Graphic will not work under Windows 3.x

Sound files will not play

How do I create a Screen Saver for 3.x, 95, 98, ME, Win 2000, XP and NT ?

Is there a Run Time Royalty to Pay ?

 	Can I have my own Logo / Text in the ‘About’ Button ?

 	Transition does not do quite what I want

 	What is the Eclipse Data Module (edm) File ?

 	What File size is a created Screen Saver ?

 	What Files are Distributed ?

 	How do I format User Setup Wizard text ?

 	Preview Button doesn’t work

 	Forms sizing problems ?

  	Do I distribute any Run Time DLL’s ?

  	Are more Transitions available ?

  	Will Active Media Eclipse v.3.0 work under Windows ME / XP ?

  	‘Desktop’ doesn’t draw properly when the Screen Saver starts ?

Can I link transitions / Screen Savers together ?

Image loses picture depth when used within a Screen Saver ?

Image will not load /Screen Saver will not preview - reporting an image problem

'Image Not Available' When Loading Sample Projects

Screen Saver fails to preview - Engine reports that the module 'preview.exe' cannot be created.


Screen Saver will not Run more than 5 times

You are using an Evaluation copy of Eclipse.

The Evaluation copy of Eclipse allows you to Create an Evaluation Screen Saver and a Distribution disk, which will Preview through Windows Control Panel for a maximum of 5 times.

To Preview the Screen Saver again, you will need to Reinstall the Installation Pack.

To Register and Licence your copy of Eclipse, please contact Active Media Technology Customer Services.


Transition or Graphic will not work under Windows 3.x

There are technical limitations imposed by Windows 3.x (16bit) Operating Systems which means that some Transition / Graphics combinations that will work under Windows 95/NT will not Preview or Create under Windows 3.x.

This usually occurs when you are using a large graphic. The solution is to reduce the size of the graphic when creating Screen Savers for Windows 3.x. The overall size of the graphic must be smaller than 256 x 256 pixels.


Sound files will not play

Check that all speaker and sound card connections are correct.

If you are using the Movie Player Transition, the AVI files need to have their own inherent sound tracks. Background sound is ignored when previewing or creating Screen Savers based on the 'Movie Player' Transition.


How do I create a Screen Saver for 3.x, 95, 98, ME, Win2000, XP and NT ?

Quite simply, create the Screen Saver for the lowest common denominator, ie. Windows 3.x.

You will find that this will then work under all architectures.


Is there a Run Time Royalty to Pay ?

No. The Screen Savers from Active Media Eclipse distribution licence versions can be copied to an unlimited number of other PC’s. They can also be sold without any additional royalties being payable to Active Media Technology Ltd or its Distributors.


Can I have my own Logo / Text in the ‘About’ Button ?

This facility is only available if you have purchased a Professional Edition Licence from Active Media Technology.


Transition does not do quite what I want

The Transitions included in Active Media Eclipse are specifically written to be as generic as possible

There will be times when a Transition will not exactly fit the requirements of an individual or organisation. Under these circumstances, please contact Active Media Technology for a quotation to create a custom version based on the Transition.

This is also the case should you wish to have a transition designed and written to your own bespoke requirements.


What is the Eclipse Data Module (edm) File ?

The Eclipse Data Module contains all of the text, images and audio clips in a highly compressed form in a single file.

There is no loss of resolution or quality due to compression .


What File size is a created Screen Saver ?

The final size of a created Screen Saver depends directly on the number and size of the graphics and audio clips that you have used in your design.

Active Media Eclipse automatically uses powerful compression algorithms to ensure that the created Screen Saver is as compact and efficient as possible.

Even ‘run length encoded’ ( rle ) bitmap files will be reduced !

When sending a copy of the Screen Saver to floppy disk, Active Media Eclipse will calculate and visually indicate the number of the disks required.


What Files are Distributed ?

Active Media Eclipse takes care of creating the Installation Pack for you. All need to do is load the floppy disk. The Installation File that is created is a single compressed self-installing setup.exe file.

When a Screen Saver is too big to fit on a single floppy disk then Active Media Eclipse will automatically span across the number of disks required.

Single Disk

setup.exe	The single installation file

Multiple Disks

setup.n 	A spanned Eclipse Data Module where ‘n’ represents the disk number of the spanned data module. The first spanned data module in the sequence would be ‘setup.2’.


 How do I format User Setup Wizard text ?

If you have a ‘Professional Edition Licence’, the User Setup Wizard text can be formatted by use of the pipe character ( | ).

Example

If you wanted the text “Active Media Eclipse, ‘The Unique Windows Screen Saver’” to appear on separate lines you would enter the text as “Active Media Eclipse|‘The Unique Windows Screen Saver’”.


Preview Button doesn’t work

The Screen Saver is not ready to Preview if the button is a light grey colour. You have not selected all the elements of the Screen Saver, such as number of images.

Check to make sure that you have selected the correct number of images. The Preview Button will turn to black when Preview is ready.


 Forms sizing problems ?

If you find that Eclipse is truncating some of the Windows forms or the width / height cannot accommodate all of the information trying to be displayed, the following will correct the problem :

Click on Tools, Utilities, Reset Forms Positioning.


Do I distribute any Run Time DLL’s ?

No. Created User Setup Wizards are completely self contained and neither the Setup Wizard nor the created Screen Saver require any run time environment.


Are more Transitions available ?

Active Media Eclipse is designed as an upgradeable engine. Further Transitions will be made available in the form of Expansion Packs. Keep checking the Active Media Technology Website www.active-media-online.com for information about new releases.


Will Active Media Eclipse v.3.0 work under Windows ME / XP ?

Yes.

Active Media Eclipse v.3.0 is fully compatible with 32 bit Windows O/S.


Desktop doesn’t draw properly when the Screen Saver starts ?

This is caused by selecting Begin With Desktop and forcing the Screen Resolution to change in the Screen Saver. There are technical reasons why this effect does not draw properly, therefore it is recommended that when using the Force Screen Resolution option, do not use the Begin With Desktop setting.


Can I link Transitions / Screen Savers together ?

No.  This version of Active Media Eclipse does not support the multi-sequencing of transitions, however, Active Media Technology has issued a Statement of Direction stating that this will be fully supported in future releases.


Image lose picture depth when used within a Screen Saver ?

The optimal picture depth for images used within Active Media Eclipse is 256 colours, whilst resolutions of up to 24bit colour ( 16 million ) can be accepted these will be reduced internally to 256 colours.  Active Media Technology recommend that you use a Third Party package to reduce or create images at 256 colours for use within Active Media Eclipse.

Active Media Technology have issued a Statement of Direction indicating that 24bit colour will be fully supported in future releases of Active Media Eclipse.


Image will not load / Screen Saver will not preview - reporting an image problem

This may be a problem with the sub-type of image format, we have known problems of Active Media Eclipse failing to preview / create Screen Savers which have been produced on Apple Mac’s with very high colour depths, ie. Greater than 24bit (16 million) colours.  A good test is to try and use the ‘Preview Image’ facility within Active Media Eclipse, if this displays it correctly then there is an excellent chance that the Screen Saver can be previewed or created.


'Image Not Available' When Loading Sample Projects

The sample Screen Saver Projects shipped with Active Media Eclipse expect to find the graphics in the suggested default installation folder for Active Media Eclipse. If Eclipse has been installed into an alternative folder, then the graphics will not be found and the error message 'Image Not Available' will be reported.


Screen Saver fails to preview - Engine reports that the module 'preview.exe' cannot be created.

Make sure that the folder where the Screen Savers are to be created, by default 'Generated Screen Savers' have read/write permission and any network drive is available.