s s s s ssss sssssssss s s s s ssss ss ssssss
$ $$SSsss._ $$SSsss._ $
$ $$$$$$$³$$s._ sss $$$$$$$³$$s._ $
$ $$$$; '*$$³$b. $$$ $$$$; '*$$³$b. $
$ $$$$ $$$$$b. $$$ $$$$ $$$$$b. $
$ $$$$, `$$$$$ $$$ $$$$, `$$$$$ $
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n o r t h e r n d r a g o n s
FILES (build 156)
=================
ND_Etherium_prty.com - Assembly compo version.
ND_Etherium_best.com - Best version to use Geforce 4 or similar required.
ND_Etherium_good.com - Entry level version of the 4kb. Radeon 8500 +
ND_Etherium_soft.com - Uses software to texture mirror instead of hardware.
ND_Etherium_orig.com - Old build 146 as released at ASM 2k3
REQUIREMENTS
============
For full effect, please run this production on Geforce 4 style hardware or
similar. Requires pentium style fpu support.
Operating system: Windows 2000, XP*. Windows 98 Untested.
Requires Microsoft Direct X 8.1a or above. Tested with Direct x 9.0a
*Note: Running on Windows XP post SP1 - requires admin access since it
writes a temporary file in C:\.
NOTE ABOUT TEXTURES [Why Does my Etherium look Different?]
==========================================================
Please note that some video cards do not support the texture addressing mode
used by The Etherium (D3DTADDRESS_MIRROR). This used to result in a texture
"band" which appeared on the edge of the spheres. We have tried to prevent
this problem by detecting video cards that dont support it, and implementing
what should be in hardware in software.
This may mean Etherium may appear slightly different on your machine as
opposed to another machine. If you do see the texture "band" your video
card is falsely reporting its capabilities. You can try running the software
version of the mirroring.
To run the software mirroring version - run "ND_Etherium_soft.com"
FIXES & ENHANCEMENTS
====================
v156 - Final for release to Assembly for the DVD [what you have now]
v155 - Working on the detection of failed render state setting.
v154 - Final code for texture mirroring in software implemented if your
video card [hasnt got what it takes]
v153 - Experimental code for software based texture mirroring. [see v154]
v152 - Experimental code for software based texture mirroring. [see v154]
v151 - Stars have their own texture. The texture is based on the formula for
a circle, so it has soft, rounded edges for reduced aliasing.
v150 - Experimental code for software based texture mirroring. [see v154]
v149 - The splash screen is now in GDI mode.
v148 - Now uses compatible floating-point compares. [K6 now supported!]
v147 - More internal code tweaks.
v146 - Internal code tweaks.
PROLOGUE
========
Nitimur in vetitum semper cupimusque negata
The Etherium is a Northern Dragons 4K Intro
Visit us at: http://www.northerndragons.ca
CREDITS:
========
Drunken Hyena - 3D Consultant and Halibut Target
Moon Runner - Emergency testing on Geforce 4 4400
Polaris - Audio framework, code, sphere algo and group lead.
S_Tec - Coding whiz kid and visual stylist
Umdesch4 - sound crafting/music composition & coding
SPECIAL THANKS TO
=================
Visa Forstén (Dairos / Unique)
For submitting our production to Assembly 2003.
Joonas Wahlsten (Soufly/ Northern Dragons)
For being our designated prize collector and the Northern Dragons
voice in Finland!
VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO:
=======================
* Umdesch4 would like to thank Christopher Desjardins of (Dance Addicts)
For audio sanity testing and constructive feedback
* S_Tec thanks his family, room mate, teachers, and fellow students, who put
up with his long hours of coding. He also thanks those who took the time to
offer constructive criticism and general encouragement.
* Polaris would like to thank his lovely wife Michelle for not kicking him
out of the house during the month of August or threatening divorce while he
spend hours glued to the computer screen. Seriously however, this wouldn't
be possible without her loving support.
RESPECT & GREETS TO:
====================
Dairos / Unique
Elmindreda / Hypercube
Frankie / Smash Designs
Miss Saigon / Threesome
Adok / Hugi
Five By Five
Rest of the Northern Dragons team for making this possible!
And anyone else we might have forgotten!
FACTS
=====
We are pleased to bring you:
* 70000 textured and lit triangles - 2.5MB
* 5 unique textures - 5MB.
* 2 minutes of audio - 10.25 MB
This is a total of 17.75MB of data, packed into a 4KB executable, for a
compression ratio of 4500 to 1.
Other things we offer:
* Unconstrained B-spline camera motion.
* Reflective water
* Smooth scene transitions
* Antialiasing
* Reverberations on the music.
* Music powered by Seattle's Best Coffee
How was this done? Hours and hours of work is our biggest secret. :)
For other details, feel free to contact us. <www.northerndragons.ca>
FAMOUS QUOTE
============
If we get to here, and it's still less than 4kb... I'll buy you dinner!
- Polaris to S_Tec in regards to the feature list.
=== END OF FILE ===