Copyright: Copyright ® SiteDesigner Technologies Inc.


Contents
3D-FTP Help Contents

General

•	Order 3D-FTP

•	Ordering FAQ

•	Technical Support

•	Contact Us

•	Hotkeys

How to ...

•	Connect to FTP Site

•	Use Proxy and Firewall

•	Use Quick Site List

•	Change Skin

•	Install New Skin

•	Create Skins

•	Download and Install Skin Editor

•	Resize Window

•	Access Menu

•	Uninstall

•	Access Commands for Files and Directories

•	Open Log Window

•	Open Queue Window

•	Refresh File List

•	Disable Directory List Caching

•	Install Plug-Ins

•	Create Plug-Ins

•	Command 3D-FTP via API

Skins

•	Introduction to Skins Files and Directory Structure

•	Downloading, Installing and Selecting a New Skin

•	Overview of Creating a New Skin

•	Creating Skin Bitmaps in Bitmap Editor

•	Building the Skin Layout with Skin Editor

•	Using Transparency Editor

•	Building the Skin Package for Distribution

•	Uploading Your Skin to Skin Gallery

3D-FTP is trademark of SiteDesigner Technologies Inc.

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Building the Skin Layout with Skin Editor

Skin Wizard

After you have created the required bitmaps for the skin, you create the skin layout file in Skin Editor. To create a new layout, select Skin Wizard-command from Skin Editor File-menu. The Skin Wizard prompts for the names of the skin bitmaps files and default font setting to use for various elements. After completing the wizard you continue to add elements for the skin with included tools.

Adding Elements

After main bitmaps for the skin are defined, you start adding element to the skin. Double-Click element name on the Elements window, and element will appear in top left corner of the skin with mover around it (rectangle with hatched border). You can drag the mover from its hatched border and resize it from black boxes.

Position all the elements you have planned for the skin to proper places. When element is active, you can see and modify its properties - like font size and color - in Properties window. The available properties are dependent on type of selected element.

Finally, save the layout file with Save-command. The layout file will have .3DD extension. You can later open the layout file and modify it.

Related Topics:

Introduction to Skins Files and Directory Structure

Downloading, Installing and Selecting a New Skin

Overview of Creating a New Skin

Creating Skin Bitmaps in Bitmap Editor

Building the Skin Package for Distribution

Using Transparency Editor

Uploading Your Skin to Skin Gallery


Introduction to Skins Files and Directory Structure

Understanding the anatomy of the skin is essential if you want to create your own skins. If you are just interested on downloading and using skins that other people have created, you can skip this section and read about Installing and Selecting a New Skin.

The 3D-FTP ships with two pre-installed skins. The files for these skins reside under SKINS directory (under 3D-FTP installation directory):

Xtreme Skin	C:\3D-FTP\SKINS\XTREME
Blazer Skin	C:\3D-FTP\SKINS\BLAZER

Each installed skin is stored to it's own subdirectory under SKINS directory. You can study these pre-installed skins in Skin Editor, by selecting Skin Editor-command from the menu (or select Ctrl-S hotkey).

The Skin Distribution Package (*.3DS)

In 3D-FTP the skin distribution is made easy by combining all files from one skin into a single skin package file. This file always has .3DS extension (eg. ULTRA.3DS). When you select Install Skin-function, this .3DS file is unpacked to it's own subdirectory (eg. \SKINS\ULTRA\).

Skin Files

The skin consist of about 10 bitmap files that define the look of the skin and one layout file that defines what elements are included on the skin and where they are placed on the skin. The bitmaps are created with your favorite bitmap editing program and the layout is created with included Skin Editor. The layout files always have the .3DD file extension. In short, following files are needed for the skin:

1 	Main bitmap 1 - 'Face' of the skin. All buttons drawn as 'Enabled' state.

2 	Main bitmap 2 - Same as Main 1, but buttons drawn as 'Highlight' state (mouse over the button).

3 	Main bitmap 3 -Same as Main 1, but buttons drawn as 'Down' state (left mouse button pressed down over the button)

4 	Main bitmap 4 - Same as Main 1, but buttons drawn as 'Disabled' state.

5 	Horizontal Bar Meter Bitmap 1 - Normal bar meter segment.

6 	Horizontal Bar Meter Bitmap 2 - 'Top' (=leftmost) bar meter segment.

7 	Horizontal Bar Meter Bitmap 3 - Empty bar meter segment.

8 	Histograph Bitmap 1 - Normal vertical bar meter segment.

9 	Histograph Bitmap 2 - Top vertical bar meter segment.

10 	Histograph Bitmap 3 - Empty vertical bar meter segment.

11 	List box scrollbar thumb bitmap (the up and down buttons are included in main bitmaps, the moving thumb is drawn separately).

12 	Skin screen shot bitmap, 140x100 size bitmap used for preview in Select Skin window.

Related Topics:

Downloading, Installing and Selecting a New Skin

Overview of Creating a New Skin

Creating Skin Bitmaps in Bitmap Editor

Building the Skin Layout with Skin Editor

Using Transparency Editor

Building the Skin Package for Distribution

Uploading Your Skin to Skin Gallery


Downloading Installing and Selecting a New Ski
Downloading, Installing and Selecting a New Skin

The skins totally define the look and feel of the 3D-FTP. Each skin consists of collection of bitmaps and information about where and what skin elements are included on the skin. The skin designer can freely include or exclude certain components (buttons, graphical bar meters, lists and information texts) and place them anywhere on skin bitmap and this way fully change the program look and feel.

Downloading a New Skin

The Skin Gallery at http://www.3dftp.com/skins.htm has a list of available skin packages for you to download and use. This gallery contains preview picture of the skin and other information about its author and a rating. These skins are totally free for you to download and there is no limit of how many skins can be installed on one machine.

The skin distribution package is single file with .3DS extension, and in Skin Gallery you click [Download] links to download them and save to you local hard disk. When downloading, save skin file (eg. XTREME.3DS) to temporary directory like C:\TEMP.

Installing a New Skin

Skins must be installed before they can be used. To install a skin, do as follows:

1 	Start 3D-FTP

2 	Click Menu-button and choose Select Skin-command from the menu.

3 	Click Install Skin-button.

4 	Select downloaded skin package file eg. XTRAME.3DS from the list and click OK-button.

Now skin file is installed and new skin name appears in Installed Skins list box. To start using this just installed skin, you must apply it for use as explained in the next paragraph.

Selecting a New Skin for Use

In 3D-FTP terminology "Installing a skin" means the process where skin package file, like XTREME.3DS is first time installed to the system. When you want to start actually using the skin, you "Select" or "Apply" it:

1 	Click Menu-button and choose Select Skin-command from the menu.

2 	Select skin name from Installed Skins list box. When skin name is selected, you'll see preview of the skin and other information about it frame on right.

3 	Click Apply-button; selected skin is loaded. Click Close-button to exit this window.

The applied skin is now shown and it's loaded automatically on program start-up until you select a new skin for use.

Related Topics:

Introduction to Skins Files and Directory Structure

Overview of Creating a New Skin

Creating Skin Bitmaps in Bitmap Editor

Building the Skin Layout with Skin Editor

Using Transparency Editor

Building the Skin Package for Distribution

Uploading Your Skin to Skin Gallery


Overview of Creating a New Skin

Here is an overview of the process for creating a new skin. The steps are:

1 	Create a directory for the skin under SKINS directory (eg. C:\3D-FTP\SKINS\ULTRA). Use name you give to the skin (Ultra in this example) as subdirectory name.

2 	Decide what elements are placed on the skin and create an initial draft for the skin layout. It is important that in this stage you make sure that all required elements fit to the skin.

3 	Open you favorite bitmap editing program (we use Adobe Photoshop) and start drawing the skin bitmaps. You need to save necessary bitmaps to \MySkinDir\ subdirectory (eg. \ULTRA\). Click here to read more about skin bitmaps.

4 	Start Skin Editor (from menu) for creating the Skin Layout.

5 	Select Skin Wizard command from File-menu.

6 	After completing the Wizard, start adding elements to skin by double-clicking name of the element and dragging the mover to properly position the element on the skin (drag from hatched border area).

7 	Set element properties (eg. Font color) via Properties window for each element on the skin.

8 	You can preview the skin (=bar meters and histograph starts to function) by selecting Preview command from the View-menu.

9 	Save skin layout (eg. \SKINS\ULTRA\ULTRA.3DD).

10 	Select Use This Skin from File menu. This installs the skin and loads it for use.

11 	Test skin in real life.

12 	When you think the skin is ready, open Skin Editor again and select Build Distribution-command from the File-menu. This builds skin distribution package and combines all necessary files to single file (w/ extension .3DS). Give it name like Ultra.3DS

13 	Send your new skin to Skin Gallery (see instructions at http://www.3dftp.com/skins.htm).

Related Topics:

Introduction to Skins Files and Directory Structure

Downloading, Installing and Selecting a New Skin

Creating Skin Bitmaps in Bitmap Editor

Building the Skin Layout with Skin Editor

Using Transparency Editor

Building the Skin Package for Distribution

Uploading Your Skin to Skin Gallery


Creating Skin Bitmaps in Bitmap Editor

As described in earlier topics, the skin consists of about 10 bitmaps and one layout file. The bitmaps are created in separate bitmap editor program and you are free to use any software you want. Good options are Adobe Photoshop and Pain Phop Pro, but even Paint program included with Windows can be used.

Main Skin Bitmaps

Main bitmaps are saved in BMP, GIF or JPG format. They can be saved under any names you like to give them (eg. main1.jpg, main2.jpg etc.) and bitmap size is dependent on what size skin you like to create (=size of the 3D-FTP main window). For example sizes like 640x480, 700x500 and 800x600 could be used.

NOTICE! We strongly encourage that you save main bitmaps in GIF or JPG format to keep skin size reasonable. The BMP format does not include any compression, so it's bad choice for main skin bitmap format.

1 	Main skin bitmap 1 (MAIN1). This bitmap has all skin buttons as 'Enabled' and it's the 'face' of the skin.

2 	Main skin bitmap 2 (MAIN2) - Mouse Over Buttons State. This is same as MAIN1 bitmap, but on this bitmap all buttons are draw as 'Highlighted' state. This bitmap is show when user moves mouse pointer on top of the button area (=this button area is defined in Skin Editor).

3 	Main skin bitmap 3 (MAIN 3) - Buttons Down State. This is same as MAIN1 bitmap, but on this bitmap all buttons are draw as 'Down' state. This bitmap is show when user presses mouse button down inside a button area.

4 	Main skin bitmap 4 (MAIN 4) - Buttons Disabled State. This is same as MAIN1 bitmap, but on this bitmap all buttons are draw as 'Disabled' state. This bitmap is show when button is disabled (as opposed to Enabled state in MAIN1).

For the main bitmaps the button positions are drawn in Skin Editor. In the Skin Editor you draw the rectangular area for each button - like for Connect-button, Disconnect-button, Download-button etc. So the button image is included in the main bitmap (=buttons are not separate files) and in Skin Editor you visually 'tell' where each button is (X,Y) and size of it (Width, Height). The 3D-FTP then automatically shows the highlight, pressed down and disabled state for each button as necessary. You can see samples of the main bitmaps by studying the files in \SKINS\XTREME\ subdirectory.

Horizontal Graphical Bar Meter Bitmaps

If you decide to include graphical bar meters on a skin, you must draw the bitmaps for the meters. The bar meters consist of 3 separate bitmaps, and they are all same size (something like 15x10 pixels, size varies).

1 	Bitmap for one segment of the bar (Normal Picture).

2 	Bitmap for top segment of the bar (Top Picture). This might be same as Normal Picture.

3 	Bitmap for one empty segment of the bar (Empty Picture).

Bar meter bitmaps can be saved in BMP or GIF formats (transparent GIFs are NOT supported). They can be saved under any names you like to give them (like meter_normal.bmp, meter_top.bmp and meter_empty.bmp).

Histograph Bitmaps

The Histograph displays transfer speed variations and each vertical bar represents the amount of data transferred in 1-2 seconds. The Histograph makes it easy to spot transfer idle times and internet traffic jams.

The histograph is built using 3 bitmaps (similar to the bar meter bitmaps), and each vertical bar is constructed by using these 3 bitmaps. The final width of the Histograph element (=number of vertical bars show side by side) is defined in Skin Editor, but each vertical bar contains 10 segments, so final height is defined in bitmap editor. So if one segment is 20x8 (w x h), then final histograph is 10 x 8 = 80 pixels high. And if histograph is defined to be 480 pixels wide in Skin Editor, there is 480 / 20 = 24 vertical bars side by side (= it's automatically filled by as many bars as there fits).

1 	Bitmap for one segment of the vertical bar (Normal Picture).

2 	Bitmap for top segment of the bar (Top Picture). This might be same as Normal Picture.

3 	Bitmap for one empty segment of the bar (Empty Picture).

Histograph bitmaps can be saved in BMP or GIF formats (transparent GIFs are NOT supported). They can be saved under any names you like to give them (like histo_normal.bmp, histo_top.bmp and histo_empty.bmp).

List Scrollbar Thumb bitmap

The list boxes used in 3D-FTP do not include scroll bars. So you draw the scroll bar to main skin bitmap WITHOUT the thumb and define in Skin Editor where up and down buttons are on the skin. Also the moving area for scroll bar thumb is defined in the Skin Editor (normally between up and down buttons).

Skin Preview Picture

This bitmap is ALWAYS 140x100 in size and it must be in GIF format. This preview picture is shown in Select Picture dialog box and it's also used in 3D-FTP Site Gallery (http://www.3dftp.com/skins.htm) on the web.

Related Topics:

Introduction to Skins Files and Directory Structure

Downloading, Installing and Selecting a New Skin

Overview of Creating a New Skin

Building the Skin Layout with Skin Editor

Using Transparency Editor

Building the Skin Package for Distribution

Uploading Your Skin to Skin Gallery


Skin Transparency Editor

Instead of being limited to rectangular windows, in 3D-FTP you can create skins that are any shape and that can have any number of 'holes', ie. transparent areas inside the skin. This allows you to build very exciting looking skins easily.

Opening Transparency Editor

Please follow these steps when preparing transparency for the skin:

1 	Complete skin in Skin Editor by selecting bitmaps and selecting buttons and other elements for the skin.

2 	Select 'Transparency Editor' command from Transparency menu in Skin Editor.

3 	The Transparency Editor window opens, along with the main skin bitmap and you can start drawing the transparent areas for the skin as described below.

How Transparency Works in 3D-FTP

The Transparency Editor allows you to draw regions to the skin that defines the border for the transparent areas. Actually, the OUTMOST region defines VISIBLE AREA BORDER on the skin and anything left out of it is transparent. The regions inside that define transparent areas (or holes) within visible area.

These regions works as follows:

1 	Start by drawing skin WINDOW OUTLINE. Select 'New Region' command and then define region border by clicking along with the border with the mouse. You'll see rubber-banded line after each click that helps you to trace skin border more accurately. So this first outmost region defines visible area border of the skin and areas left outside of it are transparent.

2 	If you make a mistake, select Undo Click command or hit Ctrl-Z to undo last click.

3 	Complete outline by clicking close to starting point of the region and select 'Save Region' command. Now outline of the window is defined and all areas outside of this region will be transparent.

Drawing holes

If your skin design has 'holes' in it, draw more regions inside of the window outline region. There is no limit on how many regions you have, and all regions inside the outside region create a hole to the skin.

Actually you can have a skin that consist of many non-connected outside regions. This way skin has separate parts that are not visually connected and these in turn can have holes within them.

Saving and loading the transparency regions

After you have drawn all the regions, you save them by selecting 'Save & Exit' button. This will return you to skin editor and you can build the distribution package to complete the skin (and that package also now includes transparent areas).

NOTICE! You cannot undo the region after you have selected 'Save Region' Button.

NOTICE! You cannot load the regions, but you must start over every time you enter Transparency Editor, so be very careful when drawing the regions. You must get it right in one try, and you cannot later come back to fix the errors you made.

Related Topics:

Introduction to Skins Files and Directory Structure

Downloading, Installing and Selecting a New Skin

Overview of Creating a New Skin

Creating Skin Bitmaps in Bitmap Editor

Building the Skin Layout with Skin Editor

Building the Skin Package for Distribution

Uploading Your Skin to Skin Gallery


Building the Skin Package for Distribution

After you are satisfied with the skin, select Build Distribution command from the File menu. This command packs all skin bitmap files and layout information to the single skin package file that can be easily distributed. The distribution file has always the .3DS extension.

Related Topics:

Introduction to Skins Files and Directory Structure

Downloading, Installing and Selecting a New Skin

Overview of Creating a New Skin

Creating Skin Bitmaps in Bitmap Editor

Building the Skin Layout with Skin Editor

Using Transparency Editor

Uploading Your Skin to Skin Gallery


Uploading Your Skin to Skin Gallery

We encourage you to send the skins you create to us to be included in the Skin Gallery. Do as follows:

1 	In Skin Editor, MAKE SURE that you have entered all author information in Properties window, like name, email address, installation directory, preview picture etc.

2 	Build the distribution package. Name the package using the name of the skin, like Ultra.3DS

Check the size of the resulting .3DS package, the smaller the better. All skins we have created have been < 200KB in size, so anything bigger than that is extra. Keep it small !!!

3 	Send email to skins@sitedesigner.com and attach skin package to the message.

Read more at http://www.3dftp.com/skins.htm

Related Topics:

Introduction to Skins Files and Directory Structure

Downloading, Installing and Selecting a New Skin

Overview of Creating a New Skin

Creating Skin Bitmaps in Bitmap Editor

Building the Skin Package for Distribution

Using Transparency Editor

Building the Skin Layout with Skin Editor


Contact Us

Email

Support Email:
support@sitedesigner.com

Sales Email:
sales@sitedesigner.com

Web

3D-FTP Web Site:
http://www.3dftp.com

OnLine Store:
http://www.3dftp.com/order.htm

Company Web Site:
http://www.sitedesigner.com

Mail

SiteDesigner Technologies Inc.
Olarinluoma 15
02200 Espoo
Finland

Phone & Fax

Phone	+358-0-4354 6161
Fax	+358-0-4550 616


General Settings

File Viewer

Program used for viewing files. You can select either default viewer based on file extension, or any Specific Program, for example Notepad.

Double Click Actions

Define an action for the file you double click in the file list.

Action if file already exists

Default action when target file with the same name already exists in file transfer.

Temporary Directory

When you view remote files, they are downloaded to this temporary directory.

Email Address

This e-mail address is used as password in anonymous login.

Show SiteManager at startup

When selected, the Site Manager window will show up automatically every time you start the program.

Remember last user directory

When selected, 3D-FTP will remember current local directory when you quit, and automatically restores it next time you start the program.

Blink Status During Action

When selected, status text blinks when FTP is busy.

Minimize Main Window to System Tray

When selected, program is minimized to system tray instead of task bar.

Enable Clipboard Monitoring

Monitor clipboard for FTP URL's and copy them automatically to queue.

Keep Files in Queue During Transfer

Don't remove any files from queue until every file in queue is transferred.

Enable Resume Dialog Timing. Show for N Seconds

When selected, Resume dialog is shown only for N seconds. If no option is selected when time is up, Resume (if target file is smaller) or Skip is selected automatically.

Autostart File Transfers

Automatically start file transfer when files are added to queue.

AutoScroll Queue

Always keep the file being transferred visible.

Open Queue Window Automatically

Opens up Queue Window when files are added to queue.

Number of Retries

Max number of times each item in queue is tried to transfer, before giving up and moving to next item.

Remove File from Queue

Decides what to do when queue item is transferred:

•	After successful transfer: removes item from queue only if the transfer was successful.

•	Always after transfer: removes item from queue whether transfer was successful or not.

•	Only manually: Never remove items from queue automatically.

You can also change this option for each file in queue from Queue Item Properties.

ASCII Mode Settings

This list of ASCII filters is used when transfer mode is Auto: files matching filters in the list will be transferred in ASCII mode and files NOT matching will be transferred in Binary mode.

Keep Alive

Keep Alive is a special command that is send to server in regular intervals so it wouldn't disconnect idle client.


Hotkeys

F1 	 	Help
F2 	 	About
F5 	 	Refresh File List
Ctrl-A	Download
Ctrl-C	Connect
Ctrl-D	Disconnect
Ctrl-E	Select Skin
Ctrl-F	News Scroller wnd
Ctrl-L	Show Log Window
Ctrl-M	Site Manager
Ctrl-N	Rename File
Ctrl-O	Demo
Ctrl-Q	Quick Connect
Ctrl-S	Skin Editor
Ctrl-U	Upload
Ctrl-V	View File
Ctrl-W     	Show Queue Window
Ctrl-X	Exit
Ctrl-Z	Cancel
Del    	Delete file(s)
Ins          	Make directory
BackSpace	Change directory up one level
Enter	Go into a directory


HowTo
How to...

Connect to FTP Site

Use Proxy and Firewall

Use Quick Site List

Change Skin

Install New Skin

Create Skins

Download and Install Skin Editor

Resize Window

Access Menu

Uninstall

Access Commands for Files and Directories

Open Log Window

Open Queue Window

Refresh File List

Disable Directory List Caching

Create Plug-Ins

Install Plug-Ins

Command 3D-FTP via API


How to Connect
How to Connect to FTP Site

There are two ways to connect to an FTP site:

1 	Site Manager window

2 	Quick Connect window

Site Manager

In Site Manager window you can save information about FTP sites you most commonly use to permanent site list, where they are quickly available for reuse. You can open Site Manager window by clicking Connect-button. By default, this window displays list of predefined FTP sites and you can connect to a site by selecting the site name in the list and then clicking Connect-button.

If you want to connect to an FTP server that is not listed, for example to update your web pages, do as follows:

1 	Open Site Manager window

2 	Click Add-button

3 	Enter host address for this new site, e.g. 'ftp.myisp.com'

4 	Enter name for the site, like 'My Web Pages'

5 	If this is password-protected site, uncheck the 'Log in as Anonymous User' check box and enter your username and password to dialog text fields

6 	Click OK-button to save changes

Now new site entry is shown in the list and you can connect to it by selecting name and clicking Connect-button. This new entry is available when you next time run 3D-FTP, making connections in future easy and fast.

NOTICE! The 3D-FTP has special <Default Site Settings> entry that contains default settings for proxy, firewall, timeouts and other more advanced properties. When <Default Site Settings> are changed, they are globally changed for all sites that use Default settings, making it perfect place to set e.g. Proxy and Firewall settings.

Quick Connect

Sometimes you need to quickly connect to an FTP site to grab some file, but you don't want to add that site to permanent site list via Site Manager. This is perfect use for Quick Connect window, available in menu under Connect > Quick Connect. You can also access this window by using Ctrl-Q hot key.

Enter FTP site name and optional username and password to Quick Connect window and hit Enter (or click Connect-button) to establish connection. You can also access list of recently used quick connect sites in the drop down-list, as all entries are automatically saved for future use.

These Quick Connect entries are also available from Site Manager window, see the end of the site list.

Related Topics:

Using Quick Site List


How to Use Quick Site List

The fastest way to connect to FTP site in 3D-FTP is right-click with mouse on top of the Connect-button. You will see the list of 10 most-used sites, and you can establish the connection by simply selecting the site name in the popup-menu.

The sites that will appear in this menu (and order of them) are determined by internal connect counter that is incremented every time you connect to a site. So if you want new site to appear in this list, connect to it few times and it will appear in the list. You can see the number of connections and reset the counter for any site from Site Editor.


How to Use Proxy and Firewall

The access to FTP servers is many times restricted in the company networks. The company network is normally connected to Internet via proxy or firewall server, and in order to establish an FTP connection, you must tell 3D-FTP what proxy and firewall settings to use. If you use modem, ISDN-adapter or unsecured company network to access Internet, you can leave proxy/firewall settings empty.

In Site Editor (Connect-button > Site Manager, Edit/Add-button) you can click Proxy/Firewall-tab to see available proxy and firewall server settings for each saved site entry. You can change these properties separately for each site by unchecking the 'Use Default Site Settings' and entering proper values to this window. OR you can globally set proxy/firewall access to all sites (that are using 'Default Site Settings') by editing <Default Site Settings> entry in Site Manager (first site entry in the list). This is recommended way to set proxy/firewall properties, as you do need to enter values only once.

Please consult you network administrator for proper values to enter to Proxy/Firewall-tab and also consult if your company network uses proxy or firewall for outbound FTP server access.


How to Change Skin

You can change the current skin from Menu command. To access menu, click menu-button (if exists on current skin) OR right-click in the background of the skin (area where there are no buttons or other elements). You can find 'Select Skin'-command in menu under 'Skin...' sub-menu. You can also use Ctrl+E shortcut key to open Select Skin window.

Select Skin-window displays a list of installed skins and you can change the current skin by selecting a skin name in the list and selecting Apply-button. After the new skin has been 'Applied' (and you close Select Skin window by clicking Close-button), it will be used on program startup until new skin is selected.

Related Topics:

Installing New Skin


How to Install New Skin

The Skin Gallery (http://www.3dftp.com/skins.htm) contains dozens of 3D-FTP skins that you can download free of charge. To install a new skin, do as follows:

1 	Surf to http://www.3dftp.com/skins.htm with your favorite web browser

2 	Click the 'Download' link next to skin you want to download and save it to e.g. c:\temp directory (the skins are distributed as packed ZIP files)

3 	Unzip e.g. Ultra.zip skin to c:\temp

4 	Now c:\temp contains Ultra.3DS file (the filename is from the skin name)

5 	Select "Select Skin"-command from Skin... menu (right-click on the background of the current skin to see menu)

6 	Click "Install Skin"-button in Select Skin window

7 	Select Ultra.3DS filename from the file selection window from c:\temp and click OK

8 	Now the new skin is installed and name of it will appear in the list

You can see skin details by clicking the skin name in the list, and start using it by double-clicking it or clicking Apply-button.


How to Create Skins

In order to create a new skin, you need to download free Skin Editor. Click here to see instructions where Skin Editor can be downloaded and how it's installed. Also see the links in the front page of this help file to see detailed instructions about required files and steps to build the new skin.


How to Download Skin Editor

If you want to create you own skins, you need to download free Skin Editor from our web site. Please go to http://www.3dftp.com/download.htm to download latest version of Skin Editor.

The Skin Editor is available as ZIPped file (e.g. skined200.zip), and you install it as follows:

1 	Download Skin Editor (e.g. skined200.zip) and save it to 3D-FTP installation directory (e.g. c:\Program Files\3D-FTP

2 	Unzip the skined200.zip, SkinEditor.exe will be extracted

Now you can run skin editor by selecting Skin Editor command from 3D-FTP menu, or simply executing the program.

NOTICE! You must have 3D-FTP installed before Skin Editor can be used. Always unzip skin editor to the SAME DIRECTORY WHERE 3D-FTP IS INSTALLED!


How to Resize Window

When using 3D-FTP skins, you cannot resize the main window or file lists. But you can switch to special 'Standard Windows Look' skin where main window and file lists & queue window can be resized.

1 	Select 'Select Skin...' command from Commands Menu (under Skin... sub-menu)

2 	Click <Standard Windows Look> name in the skin list

3 	Click Apply-button

4 	Click Close-button

Now 3D-FTP looks like standard windows application and you can resize the main window and file lists with normal drag operations.


How to Access Menu

You can access menu either by clicking menu button (if available on current skin) OR right-clicking anywhere on the skin background in areas where there is no buttons or other elements.


How to Uninstall 3D-FTP

To uninstall 3D-FTP, do as follows:

1 	Go to Control Panel, and start 'Add/Remove Programs' by double-clicking it

2 	Locate ad select '3D-FTP' in the 'Install/Uninstall' list

3 	Click 'Add/Remove'-button

The 3D-FTP uninstaller is started and you are prompted to complete the uninstallation.


How to Access Commands for Files and Directories

Skins do not normally display all available file and directory commands, so easiest way to access all commands is to:

1 	Select file(s) or directory(ies) in the file list

2 	Right-click on top of the file list

3 	Select the command from the drop down menu

There are different right-click menus for both file lists (local & remote) and queue.


How to Open Log Window

Log displays history of commands sent between 3D-FTP and FTP Server. If current skin doesn't have log element, you can open separate Log Window to view the log data. There are many ways to open it:

1 	Hit Ctrl-L hot key

2 	Selecting Log Window command from menu

3 	Click Log Window button (if available on current skin)

The log window is automatically opened when you start 3D-FTP, if it was open when 3D-FTP was last time closed.


How to Open Queue Window

If current skin doesn't have queue element, it doesn't mean you can't use queue and it's features. Just open separate Queue Window using one of these methods:

1 	Hit Ctrl-W hot key

2 	Select Queue Window command from menu

3 	Click Queue Window button (if available on current skin)

The queue window is automatically opened when you start 3D-FTP, if it was open when 3D-FTP was last time closed. It is also automatically opened when you add files to queue AND skin does not contain queue element.

NOTICE! You can turn this automatic open off from General Settings (see menu for General Settings... command).


How to Refresh File List

The 3D-FTP uses (by default) file list caching on remote servers to speed up its file operations. The caching means that file listing is read only once from server and then saved to local hard disk, and on subsequent request the file listing is read from local hard disk. The local cached file listing is re-read (=refreshed) from server after it's over 7 days old (see Site Editor to change this setting).

This caching causes you to see file listings that might not contain all files and directories that are on the remote server, or see file sizes and dates that are not up-to-date. To manually refresh the file listing (=command 3D-FTP to re-read file listing from server), hit F5-hot key or select 'Refresh' command from file list right-click menu (right-click on top of the remote file list).


How to Disable Directory List Caching

In Site Editor (Connect > Edit/Add-button) you can from Advanced-tab disable remote directory listing cache. Uncheck the "Use default site settings" check box and enter 0 to 'Cache Days' text field.

If you alter 'Cache Days' setting in <Default Site Settings> site entry, cache is disabled on all sites that use default settings. You can also specify some other values, for example 1, to enable cache and tell 3D-FTP re-read cache contents when it's older than 1 day.


How to Create Plug-Ins

Please visit our web site for full instructions on how to create Plug-Ins and download free 3D-FTP Plug-In SDK that includes Visual Basic and Visual C++ samples, and API documentation.

The address is http://www.3dftp.com/api.htm


How to Install Plug-Ins

To install Plug-Ins, do as follows:

1 	Surf to http://www.3dftp.com/plugins.htm

2 	Click Download-link next to Plug-In you want to install

3 	Save downloaded ZIP to \PlugIns\ directory under 3D-FTP installation directory

4 	Unzip plug-in

The ZIP normally contains two files SAMPLE.EXE and SAMPLE.INI and plug-in will be available in Plug-Ins menu AFTER THE NEXT TIME 3D-FTP IS STARTED.


How to Command 3D-FTP via API

You can control 3D-FTP with your favorite programming language via 3D-FTP API. Please visit our web site for full instructions on how to use this API and download free 3D-FTP Plug-In SDK that includes API documentation and samples in Visual Basic and Visual C++.

The API documentation and SDK can be found at http://www.3dftp.com/api.htm


Ordering FAQ

Is it safe to use my credit card over Internet?

YES. Providing you a secure online experience is one of our highest priorities. We recognize that your privacy and security are of the utmost importance and have devoted a great deal of effort to ensure that your personal information is safeguarded. Therefore we utilize industry-standard Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) data encryption to secure credit card orders and always store you order information on off-line storage.

What payment methods do you provide?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit cards. You can send your credit card information to us either online using secure order forms or by fax or phone. We also accept checks and corporate purchase orders.

How long it takes you to process my order?

We process online credit card orders real-time. This means that order information, including your credit card data, is verified during the order process and you will get the unlock codes and download addresses immediately after order is completed via email. The real-time order processing works 365 days per year and 24h per day. For phone, fax and mail orders take normally 1 business day to process.

I would like to order by fax. Is it possible?

Yes. Complete the online order steps 1 and 2 and select credit card over fax option. You will get the ready-to-use form on screen that you can print out, complete and fax to number (203) 699-8235. Or you can select Purchase Order option, to fax order to us along with official corporate purchase order.

Do you sell my personal information to the direct marketing companies?

Absolutely NO. We do not sell any information retrieved during the ordering process (or any other process for that matter) to anybody. All information is securely stored on off-line storage for our own use only.

I purchased the download version of the 3D-FTP and now my hard disk broke down and I lost all data, including the 3D-FTP. What can I do?

You can any time come back to our web site and download unregistered copy of 3D-FTP. Install that and enter your serial code to start up screen. The new copy of 3D-FTP is immediately translated to full registered version without any evaluation version limitations.


Select Skin


Simple steps to order 3DFTP
Simple steps to order 3D-FTP

Immediate delivery on-line registration is available for 3D-FTP. To order 3D-FTP, please follow the instructions at:

http://www.3dftp.com/order.htm

The order process is secured via industry standard SSL2 encryption. The credit card processing is automated via real-time verification system, so your order is processed immediately and you'll get unlock key any time of day/night 365d/24h.

Please read. Ordering FAQ by clicking here.

Information About Steps to Complete the Order

Step 1 - Select Products for Your Order

Enter number for each product you want to be included in the order. You can leave Quantity field empty for products you do not want to be included.

Step 2 - Enter Address and Select Payment Method

Enter your delivery and billing address (yes, you need to enter shipping address even though you selected download option). For your protection, the billing information is used to verify all credit card orders, so please make sure that address is entered exactly as it appears on you credit card bill.

Step 3 - Enter credit card information or phone or fax the order to us  (Secured)

If you selected online credit card payment method, you are connected to secure server to complete the order and you are prompted to enter your credit card information on screen. Make sure that all information is entered correctly and press Purchase-button to complete the order. If you chose other payment method, you will see order form on screen and you can print it out and complete order with phone or fax.

Step 4 - Order Complete (Secured)

You will see the confirmation on screen about completed order. You can print out the screen and use it for future reference.


Site Editor

FTP Host Address

Enter domain name (or IP address) of the FTP server. Examples: "ftp.sitedesigner.com", "ftp.yourdomain.net".

FTP Port

FTP port number, usually 21.

Site Name

Custom name for the site. Examples: "The best MP3 site", "Simtel Archive".

Log in as Anonymous User

When checked, 3D-FTP will log in to the site as anonymous user, using e-mail address as Password. You can change e-mail address from General Settings.

Prompt for Password on Connect

When checked, 3D-FTP doesn't save the user password. Instead it asks password every time user connects to the site.

FTP User name

Name to be used for login to FTP server. Also called as UserId or Login name. See your ISP instructions for file transfers for your login name.

FTP Password

Password used together with FTP User Name to log in to the FTP server. If you leave this field blank, the password is asked every time before connecting FTP server (you get also this value from your ISP).

Local Init Dir

If defined, 3D-FTP will try to change to this local directory after successful connection.

Remote Init Dir

If defined, 3D-FTP will try to change to this remote directory after successful connection.

Retry Delay

Delay between connection retries (in seconds).

Number of Retries

How many times 3D-FTP will try to connect if connection fails.

Connect Timeout

The maximum amount of time (in seconds) the 3D-FTP will wait for response from server in connect.

Transfer Timeout

The maximum amount of time (in seconds) the 3D-FTP will wait for response from server in file transfer.

Cache Days

Number of days cached directory lists are read from cache instead of server. Value 0 means no cache is used. You can use Refresh command to always read fresh directory list from FTP server.

Passive Transfer

Normally, when a data transfer is initiated, the server requests connection from 3D-FTP. This may pose problems for some security-enforced networks (i.e. networks with firewalls). Passive mode specifies that 3D-FTP will initiate all connections and the server will only wait for requests. It's not recommended that you turn this feature on unless you are experiencing problems with the default settings. Consult your network administrator for more information.

Enable Firewall Access

When checked, 3D-FTP will use settings below to connect FTP server through firewall or proxy server.

Firewall Type

Select the type of the firewall. Consult your network administrator for more information.

Firewall Host

The host address of the firewall. Required always if firewall access is enabled.

Firewall Port

The port number of the firewall (default 21).

Firewall Username

Firewall Username. Not needed for all firewall types.

Firewall Password

Firewall password.  Not needed for all firewall types.


SiteDesigner

SiteDesigner is a complete solution for building professional web sites with cool special effects without any programming.

Features

Getting Started Quickly

SiteDesigner provides easy to use SiteWizard to get you quickly up and running with your new web site. Start by selecting the web site type and pages to include. Then enter some company or personal information to customize pages. Finally select the look and feel for the site by selecting SiteTheme from over 30 professionally designed SiteThemes, and that's all. SiteDesigner generates customized new web site that you can further modify with versatile tools.

Adding Cool Effects with AddIn Elements

You can spice up you web pages by adding interactive elements and cool effects with easy of drag'n drop. For example, add Digital Clock and Wall Calendar to the page. And make navigation easier by dragging Drop Down Link Selector to the page and tell hottest news with News Scroller AddIn (see example of News Scroller below). SiteDesigner ships with more than ten AddIn elements, and you separately install more: Like publish information directly from databases with available DataTable element.

Drag'n Drop Editing

In SiteDesigner all editing is done in WYSIWYG Page Editor. You can drag Title, Text Elements, Pictures, Java Applets and AddIn elements to the web page with the mouse and position them with pixel level accuracy without writing a single line of HTML code. SiteDesigner generates all HTML code for you and ensures that all the pages display correctly on all major web browsers. You have a rich selection of tools to make you pages stand out: change font names, sizes and colors, add pictures, links, tables, bulleted and numbered lists and more.

Managing Your Site Efficiently

Keeping your web site always up-to-date is very challenging. SiteDesigner provides you advanced tools to make this challenge more manageable: SiteThemes, Master Pages and Navigator elements. SiteThemes bring a consistent appearance for the whole site. When you select a new theme, the whole site gets a new look immediately.

Master Pages allows you to create page templates that can contain common elements you want to show up on all pages, like page backgrounds, company logos, banners and navigators. And when Master Page is changed, all changes are automatically made visible on all pages using Master Pages. Navigators are automatically updated link lists that read their contents directly from the site structure. So when ever you add, move or delete pages, these Navigators are updated - automatically.

Transferring pages to web server

One Button Publishing - Publishing your web site to any web server couldn't be easier. Just click Publish Now-button and built in FTP (File Transfer Protocol) takes care of the rest. SiteDesigner knows exactly what pages and pictures needs to be transferred, automatically.

Test drive SiteDesigner yourself, and download your FREE 60 day evaluation version from:

http://www.sitedesigner.com/downloadsites.htm


Technical Support

You must be registered user of 3D-FTP to get technical support. Please include your name and 3D-FTP registration code (unlock code) with your support request. Use address support@sitedesigner.com  for all questions and support requests.

If you have an idea about new feature for 3D-FTP or suggestion about how we should improve the program, please let us know at support@sitedesigner.com


Access Commands for Files and Directories

<HowToAccessCommands>


Access Menu

<HowToAccessMenu>


Building the Skin Layout with Skin Editor

<Building the Skin Layout with Skin Editor>


Building the Skin Package for Distribution

<Building the Skin Package for Distribution>


Change Skin

<HowToChangeSkin>


Command 3D-FTP via API

<HowToCommandAPI>


Connect to FTP Site

<HowToConnect>


Contact Us

<Contact Us>


Create Plug-Ins

<HowToCreatePlugIns>


Create Skins

<HowToCreateSkins>


Creating Skin Bitmaps in Bitmap Editor

<Creating Skin Bitmaps in Bitmap Editor>


Disable Directory List Caching

<HowToDisableCache>


Download and Install Skin Editor

<HowToDownloadEditor>


Downloading

0,<Downloading Installing and Selecting a New Ski>


Downloading

<Downloading Installing and Selecting a New Ski>


here

<HowToDownloadEditor>


Hotkeys

<Hotkeys>


How to...

<HowTo>


Install New Skin

<HowToInstallSkin>


Install Plug-Ins

<HowToInstallPlugIns>


Installing and Selecting a New Skin

<Downloading Installing and Selecting a New Ski>


Introduction to Skins Files and Directory Structure

<Introduction to Skins Files and Directory Structure>


Open Log Window

<HowToOpenLog>


Open Queue Window

<HowToOpenQueue>


Order 3D-FTP

<Simple steps to order 3DFTP>


Ordering FAQ by clicking here.

<Ordering FAQ>


Ordering FAQ

<Ordering FAQ>


Overview of Creating a New Skin

<Overview of Creating a New Skin>


Read More about SiteDesigner 2.0

<SiteDesigner>


Refresh File List

<HowToRefresh>


Resize Window

<HowToResize>


Skin Transparency Editor

<Skin Transparency Editor>


Technical Support

<Technical Support>


Uninstall

<HowToUninstall>


Uploading Your Skin to Skin Gallery

<Uploading Your Skin to Skin Gallery>


Use Proxy and Firewall

<HowToUseProxy>


Use Quick Site List

<HowToQuick>


Using Transparency Editor

<Skin Transparency Editor>