Read Me - Ignis Fatui 1.1.0b0 (OpenGL)

Notes

Ignis Fatui is a screen saver that displays a simple, colorful particle system.

This version of Ignis Fatui is a port of the original OpenGL-based Mac OS X screensaver. This version runs under OpenGL. If you have problems running this sceensaver, a DirectX-based version for Windows is also available.

This software is in beta status due to a lack of sufficient testing, particularly for operating systems other than Windows XP SP2 or for multi-monitor configurations.

For updates and other versions of this screensaver, please visit http://www.whiteknightlogic.net/code.php?5.

Cheers,
Martin Thorne
martin.thorne@whiteknightlogic.net
April 5, 2007.

System Requirements

This software has not been tested with any versions of Windows Vista, and is not known to function properly under it.

Installation

  1. Extract the files from this .zip file using the zip extraction program of your choice. You have probably already done this.
  2. Place the IgnisFatuiDX.scr file in the directory containing all your other .scr files. This directory varies between versions of Windows, but it's probably something like "Windows\System32\". Alternately, you may move the .scr file somewhere where it won't be deleted, right-click on it, and choose the "Install" option.
  3. Open your "Display Properties" window by right-clicking on your desktop background and selecting "Properties". Click on the "Screen Saver" tab and select "IgnisFatuiGL".

Options

Ignis Fatui has a several parameters that can be set to adjust the behavior of the particle system. To change Ignis Fatui's options, open the "Display Properties" window by right-clicking on your desktop background and selecting "Properties". Click on the "Screen Saver" tab, select "IgnisFatuiGL" from the list of screen savers, and click on the "Settings" button.

Direction Selects the direction of motion for the particles. Select "Random" to select a different direction each time the screen saver starts up. Select "Cycle" to switch directions every few minutes.
Colors Selects the color scheme of the particles. Select "Random" to select a different color each time the screen saver starts up. Select "Cycle" to switch colors from time to time.
Particles Adjusts the number of particles on screen at a time.
Size Adjusts the size of the particles.
Speed Adjusts the speed of the particles.
Reset Resets all settings to their default values.

Ignis Fatui is neither computationally nor graphically intensive and should run smoothly on virtually any fairly recent computer. If you are experiencing slowdown or stuttering, try reducing the "Particles" or "Size" sliders. Some graphics cards ship with noticably slow OpenGL drivers. Running the DirectX version of this screensaver may greatly improve performance.

Development History

1.0.0
Initial release version (Mac OS X)

1.1.0b0
Initial Windows release (OpenGL)

1.1.0b1
Initial Windows release (DirectX)

Disclaimer

This software is provided as is. The author accepts no liability for any damage arising in any way whatsoever from the use, reproduction, modification or distribution of this software.

This software is Copyright © 2007 Martin Thorne.