3D FAQ for ROOMS
1. Running ROOMS on my PC
2. Controlling my view and ROOMS display
3. Content for my ROOMS world
4. Other topics
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Does ROOMS change my existing setup?
No, ROOMS does not change your existing setup.
When you install ROOMS it is installed entirely into its own folders.
When you run ROOMS it sits over your existing desktop.
It leaves your desktop and other folders unchanged.
If you decide to un-install ROOMS only it gets un-installed.
How much space does ROOMS take up?
You need about 15 megabytes free on the drive where you install ROOMS.
And you need 50 megabytes free on your C: drive for ROOMS to run
(and you should have at least 16 megabytes of memory).
Can I run FreeWare ROOMS forever?
Yes. There is no timeout for FreeWare ROOMS. If it does everything you want,
you got it!
So what more do I get by registering?
Some worlds are designed to be run only with the ROOMS World Viewer license.
So by registering for the World Viewer license you increase your
choice of worlds.
FreeWare ROOMS includes a free 14 day trial of the ROOMS Creator license.
This lets you create and run your own worlds. If you want to create and
run these worlds after the free trial period, you need the ROOMS Creator
license.
FreeWare ROOMS also includes a free 14 day trial of the 1-Above-3D Screensaver.
If you want to use journeys though ROOMS worlds as your screensaver
after the 14 day trial period, you need the 1-Above-3D Screensaver license.
Can I configure my keyboard/joystick/mouse like my favorite game?
Yes, but you need either the ROOMS World Viewer license or the ROOMS Creator license.
Can I only get into design mode with ROOMS Creator license?
Design mode is accessed via the Design menu.
During your 14 day free trial of ROOMS Creator functionality you can make use of
all the resources of the Design menu.
After the trial period is over, you still have access to these resources but you
cannot save any changes you make.
You need to purchase a ROOMS Creator license if you wish to re-activate
the design mode resources.
How do I uninstall ROOMS or its worlds?
Use standard Windows Add/Remove programs. When you opt to remove ROOMS, the ROOMS
Version Manager dialog is displayed and you can select a CoolWare package to
uninstall, or you can uninstall all of ROOMS.
How do I pause ROOMS when running a program?
Turn the "background running" option off. That way ROOMS only runs (uses
CPU etc) when it has focus.
You can either uncheck "Background running" from the Options sub menu
of the right click main popup menu, or you can uncheck the "Keep ROOMS running
in the background" box in the Options page of ROOMS Setup and Start.
How do I make ROOMS run more quickly and smoothly?
Several factors can affect the speed at which ROOMS runs. Two major
factors are the background render area and display color depth.
Impact varies from computer to computer, so be prepared to try things out
(remember, ROOMS is designed to be flexible which means you have that much
more control).
First you might try changing the render area to 400x300 via the Graphics
tab of the ROOMS Setup and Start utility (NB This does not change your Windows
display settings). Reload the current world or stop and restart ROOMS for
these changes to be adopted.
If that does not help, check your color depth via Windows Display Properties
applet. On some computers 24 bit color significantly degrades OpenGL
performance and 16-bit color (or 32-bit color) is faster.
Also check ROOMS F1 help for a discussion of speed factors (see Graphics
under ROOMS Setup and Start help, and performance under the Technical notes
section in the main Help contents).
I simply *cannot* get unzip and install to work
Three things to try:
first - download again (OK, you did that already)
second - run a virus check for space-corrupting viruses
third - run the ROOMS setup.exe program directly from the folder where
unzip deposits it (i.e. do not let your unzip program run setup.
Just double-click or right click and open/run the setup.exe program
directly from Windows explorer)
ER1002 - ROOMS cannot make use of the ROOMS Registry entry
Three things to try:
first - Use the ROOMS Setup and Start utility to select a different world
file (ending .rwq) to use, in case your current .rwq file is missing or has been renamed.
second - Start your prefered world by double clicking (or opening) its .rwq file
in the ..\rooms\worlds\.. folder directly from Windows explorer.
third - Start ROOMS directly from your Windows explorer by double clicking
(or opening) the rooms.exe file in the ..\rooms\bin\.. folder.
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Can I change the level of detail on-screen?
Yes, you can control ROOMS image quality independently of your screen display size.
Can I create "standard" wallpaper of the views I see?
Yes, if you like you can save what you see in a ROOMS world as normal 2D wallpaper.
Note that you may need to run ROOMS with the OpenGL library for 2D wallpaper
to be created, because ROOMS cannot extract the final rendered image from
some hardware accelerated DirectX scenarios.
Can I create screen savers which traverse my ROOMS worlds?
Yes.
When you install ROOMS, the 1-Above-3D screensaver is installed at the same time.
This screensaver displays journeys through ROOMS worlds. You set it up from the
usual Windows Display Properties dialog. If the "1-Above-3D" entry does not
appear in the list of available screensavers, you can add it by checking the
screensaver check-box in the Options tab of the ROOMS Setup and Start utility.
The ROOMS Setup and Start utility is launched from your Windows Start button menu.
Can I see a map of my world?
Yes, ROOMS supports a top-down map view of your world as well as the more usual
immersive view. If you like you can do everything in map view.
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How do I add a new room?
You add a new room through an existing wall. Right click anywhere and get
into Design Mode by clicking the Design Menu option. Right click anywhere now
and you get the Design popup menu.
To add a new room, first decide which wall you want to add your new room through.
Right click on your chosen wall. From the Design popup menu select the "Add room..." option.
This launches the Room Wizard. The Room Wizard takes you through the properties
for your new room. When you complete the wizard a new room is created before
your eyes.
Experiment with a trial world and see what happens when you try out different
combinations of room properties.
Can I create ROOMS shortcuts based on my Windows desktop?
Yes, in fact you can populate any room with shortcuts to files from any folders
on your PC (and the desktop is just a special folder).
The only limit is the space available in your virtual rooms (and you control that).
Can I change worlds just like I change wallpaper?
Yes, download new worlds from this Web site (under the heading CoolWare).
Or, you can load new worlds which you and your friends create.
We regularly publish worlds. Some work with FreeWare ROOMS and some need
a .
Can I create my own worlds?
Yes, although after the 14 day free trial period you need a
to create (and distribute) worlds.
Can I add new rooms to any world?
Yes. If you have the ROOMS Creator license, you can modify any FreeWare world
(as well as create your own). And that includes adding new rooms.
Note that you still also need a World Viewer license if you want to modify any
World Viewer CoolWare worlds.
Can I change any texture/image?
Yes, any texture/image/picture you see in a ROOMS world can be replaced or edited.
You can use images from a digital camera, or a scanner or something you download
off the internet (make sure its in bitmap format).
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