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- Installing, runing and setting up.
- Configurating 3D device.
- Possible troubles and solutions table.

       For installing Modeler you will need the following components:

  • zmodeler.zip The executable of the program.
  • zm_dlls.zip The programs' libraries.
  • stdplugs.zip Standart set of plugins.
  • win_dlls.zip Windows DLLs for runing. You might already have them.
           You will also need to download several import/export filters for Modeler.
    1) Make a folder for modeler and unpack the zmodeler.zip into this folder. You will get a zmodeler.exe file.
    2) Unpack the zm_dlls.zip also into this folder. Thus you get a struct.dll and 3dengine.dll in the same folder (with zmodeler.exe).
    3) Make two subfolders: FILTERS and STDPLUGS and unpack the stdplugs.zip into STDPLUGS folder. Also, if You have downloaded any import/export plugins then unpack them into FILTERS folder.
    4) Check out the Windows/System directory for the MFC42.DLL and MSVCRT.DLL files. If you havn't found them there, then unpach the win_dlls.zip into Windows/System folder.
          Ones you have unpacked the zipped files you will get the folowing structure in your directory:
          Also, checkout that *.zmp files are in the STDPLUGS folder and *.zmf files are in the FILTERS folder.


          Execute the ZModeler.exe file to start the program and dock all toolbars under the main menu. The bottom-right view is 3DView by default, but the view is OFF at startup.
    Now we shall select a 3D device. For that purpose follow the steps:
    1) Hit Ctrl-Shift-Z. Modeler will build a selft-test object of a "Z" letter. You will immediately see it in all views. The 3D view should change a background color to light-blue. and a blue object will appear in it:
    2) Goto Main menu and select Options/3D View/Select Device...
          RGB Emulation is a software mode. It is selected by default at first startup. If you have a 3D accelerator, than it must be lised in the Device Selection: dropdown box. As a rule a Hardware accelerator is named Direct3D HAL. Select it and hit OK. If any error messages will appear, than ZModeler will return to software mode and I don't recommend you to use your 3D accelerator in ZModeler.
    3) Now we shall adjust custom Direct 3D settings: Goto Main menu and select Options/3D View/Custom settings...
          The meanings of each options are the following:

  • ZBuffer - Enables depth buffering. (recommended)
  • Smooth textures - Linear smoothing of textures.
  • Dithering - Enables dithering (mixing of colors) in 16bit mode for better effects. (recommended)
  • Specular - Enables specular highlights.
  • Use lighting - Enables Direct3D lighting engine. (recommended)
  • Use alpha blend - Enables alpha-blending transparency. (slows down)
  • Use alpha test - Enables alpha-text transparency. (slows down)
  • Color Keying - not implemented.
  • Use Fog - raughly implemented (not recommended)
  • Use Textures - Enables displaying of textures (recommended).
  • Textures Blend - Enables blending (mixing) of multiple textures (recommended).
  • Use custom flags - Enables custom flags for triangles (slows down).
    Note that several items has no visual effect right now. Also note, that if ZModeler will report an error after switching any of that option then I recommend not to use this option or use software mode.


           There are some usual error that cause Modeler to fail starting. Here a troubleshooting table:

    Problem description

    Caused by

    Solution

    ZModeler asks for MFC42.DLL or MSVCRT.DLL and doesn't start.

    The specified file is missing or not founded by Modeler.

    Locate the specified file on Your HD or download the win_dlls.zip from Zanoza Site and unpack these files into Windos/System folder

    ZModeler asks for 3Dengine.dll or struct.dll and doesn't start.

    The specified files are missing.

    Make sure that these files are in the same directory with Modeler. If you havn't them then download the zm_dlls.zip from Zanoza Site and unpack these files into the folder of ZModeler.

    ZModeler warns that someone compnent is missing in STRUCT.DLL or 3DENGINE.DLL and doesn't start.

    Modeler dlls version mismatch.

    Download newer win_dlls.zip from Zanoza Site and unpack these files into the folder of ZModeler.

    ZModeler start but right menubar is empty. It also write 0/0 plugins loaded successfully in the start screen.

    The plugins are missed or not founded by Modeler

    Make sure you have named folders correctly (FILTERS for *.zmf files and STDPLUGS for *.zmp files). Also make sure, that these folders are subfolders in the Modeler directory.
    If You haven't these folders then you must make them. If You havn't plugins than You should download the stdplugs.zip from Zanoza Site.
    If Modeler still fails loading plugins anyway than move it into shorter path directory like C:\ZM

    ZModeler doesnt' starts and fails on loading of plugins.

    There is an invalid plugin or version mismatch.

    Remove all plugins from STDPLUGS and FILTERS foders and start again. If ZModeler starts ok then you can add one by one these plugins back and starting ZModeler after you add any new plugin. If it fails that the last pluging you have added is invalid. You can also ge updatements at Zanoza Site.

           Also if You have something wrong with 3DView like missing of textures, then you should switch Modeler to software mode, by selecting RGB Emulation in Device menu and adjusting custom setting for that mode.

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