ArchVision Composer

Getting Started with ArchVision Composer

System Requirements

Minimum:

The following minimal combination of hardware and software is required to install and operate ArchVision Composer.

Computer: System running at 800 megahertz (MHz) or better.
Operating System: Microsoft® Windows 2000, or Windows XP.
RAM: 512 megabytes (MB).
Free Hard Disk Space: 15 megabytes (MB).
Software: Adobe® Photoshop 6.0 or greater (to use the Photoshop plug-in)

Installing ArchVision Composer

Pre-Installation Note:

ArchVision Composer uses the ArchVision Content Manager (ACM) to obtain a license and RPC Content. In order for ArchVision Composer to be able to access RPC Content, an ACM must be present either on the network or on the local machine depending on the network environment. ArchVision recommends installing and configuring the ACM, prior to installation of ArchVision Composer. Please consult the ACM Help file for additional information about using/configuring the ACM.

Step 1: Double click on the self-extracting installation file.
Step 2: Click Next to continue the installation process
Step 3: Carefully read the License Agreement, and select Yes that you agree to the terms set forth to continue. If you do not agree to the terms, please select No. You may also return to the previous screen by pressing the Back button.
Step 4: Select Browse to specify an installation location. If an installation location is not specified the installer will install to the default location (C:\ProgramFiles\ArchVision\ArchVision Composer). Select back to return to the License Agreement screen, next to continue, or cancel to terminate the installation procedure.
Step 5: Select whether the ACM will be installed on the Network or Locally. ArchVision recommends placing the ACM on a network Server where the RPC content resides, however it may be configured locally if other clients will not access the ACM.
Step 6: The ACM Installer will then scan the network for ACM Services currently running. If multiple ACMs are available the preferred ACM should be selected.
Step 7: Select Finish to finalize the installation process.

Running Composer

The following steps will explain the process to launch ArchVision Composer.

Step 1: Click the Start Button on your Desktop.
Step 2: Next select Program Files
Step 3: Select ArchVision
Step 4 Then select ArchVision Composer
Step 5 Finally, click ArchVision Composer

Launching Composer from Adobe Photoshop

To launch ArchVision Composer from inside Photoshop (version 6.0 or higher), it is necessary to have the Export To ArchVision Composer Plug-in for Photoshop installed. The plug-in is free and is installed with Composer.

To start ArchVision Composer from inside Photoshop:

Step 1: Select File from the toolbar
Step 2: Next select Automate from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: Then select Export to RPC Composer from the drop-down menu.

Step 4 Options are available to export the selected layer or all layers to ArchVision Composer.

Step 5 After image data has been manipulated by ArchVision Composer it can then be exported back into Photoshop using the Render to External Application option. This option is available under the Render menu on the toolbar.

Configuring ArchVision Composer

Composer is dependent on the ArchVision Content Manager(ACM) to obtain a license. When ArchVision Composer is purchased, a license is made available to the ACM selected during the purchasing process. The license is assigned to a particular ACM according to the ACM's unique ID number. To access the license via the ACM, the user must perform an import. Once the Composer license is received by the ACM, it is then necessary to configure Composer to locate the ACM. All licenses are displayed under the Licenses tab of the ACM.

Configuring the ACM

The ACM manages all content from a central location. It is recommended that the ACM be installed onto a Network Server if RPC Content will be accessed by multiple users. Users not sharing RPC files can install the ACM locally.

Creating Paths

Composer receives all RPC Content paths directly from the ArchVision Content Manager. Therefore it is necessary to Add Paths to the RPC Content using the ACM.

To Configure a Path:

1) Select the Paths Tab of the ACM
2) Select Add Path then browse to the location of the RPCs and select ok.
3) Select Scan Paths.
4) Verify all available RPC Content located when the path was scanned.

The next step is to Open Composer and configure a path to the ACM. The ACM must be running for Composer to access a license. Once this step has been configured, you will not need to perform it again unless new RPC Content is added, removed or the path changes.

To Configure a Connection to a Local ACM:

1) Select the Place Tab.
2) Select Configure Content to open the RPC Content Configuration Dialog
3) Click on the Update Tab.
4) Select Local and specify a path to the running ACM. The file to browse for is rpcacmapp.exe.
5) Finally, select Update and all Content available in the paths of the ACM will now be available for use in Composer.

All RPC Content in the path of the ACM should now be available to place into a Composer scene. If the path is configured correctly, all licensed content will render without the watermark.