Viewer Getting started FAQ

From RexWiki

What is realXtend Viewer?

There are currently two generations of realXtend viewer technology available.

The original realXtend viewer is an open source browser (GPL license) that you can use to experience rich multiuser virtual worlds. The latest release version is 0.42.

The Naali (arctic fox) viewer is based on new technology. At the moment it isn't quite as feature complete as the previous generation viewer, but the technology underneath is much more modula rand extensible, which makes creating new features much easier. Naali is intended to replace the original viewer in the near future, currently it is already usable for basic viewing and communications. The license for the Naali viewer is Apache 2.

Installation

The original realXtend Viewer installation file can be downloaded from http://www.realxtend.org/page.php?pg=downloads. After downloading the setup file doubleclick it to start the installation.

The latest Naali versions can be downloaded here: http://code.google.com/p/realxtend-naali/downloads/list Installation is similiar to the first-generation viewer.

Supported operating systems?

Only Windows is currently supported on the first generation (XP and Vista have been tested). No support for Mac or Linux at the moment.

In addition to Windows (XP, Vista, 7) the new Naali viewer runs on Linux and compiles on Mac, but have limited resources available for testing and help would be appreciated to ensure Naali runs properly on these platforms as well. Multi-platform support is important for us, unfortunately each new platform greatly increases workload in testing.

Hardware requirements?

See Viewer System Requirements

Can I make the Viewer run any faster? How to improve my FPS?

If you are using an NVIDIA graphics card, setting the following values can result in very significant performance boost (doubles framerate in some cases):

• Go to Nvidia control panel -> Manage 3D settings
  • Set the "Multi-display/mixed-GPU acceleration" to "Single display performance mode"
  • Set "Threaded optimization" off

How do I connect to a realXtend server?

The easiest way to get a feel for the realXtend system is to download the Naali viewer and use the "Quick login to demo worlds" -functionality. If you like what you see, you can get deeper into the experience by creating your own perosnal avatar you can then take with you wherever you go on your virtual journeys.

If you want to test the whole realXtend system on your own machine (both server and client), see Quick Guide for testing realXtend locally

If you are running a local realXtend server on the same computer with the default world, you can login with the following details:
User Name: testuser@127.0.0.1
Password: test
Connect To: Authentication Home Grid

For more info, see How to Connect to a Server page.

I have an ATI card or an older nVidia card and am experiencing severe graphical glitches.

Ok, this isn't really a question, but I'll humor you anyway. This is caused by some problems with ATI's handling of OpenGL as well as some of the hacks required to graft the Ogre engine onto the Second Life client. Post process effects as well as any meshes with more than one material set (such as additional materials on mesh limbs) will cause these glitches. Unfortunately, if Direct3D were made availible at this time, the Second Life user interface would disappear as the interface was coded for OpenGL. Hang tight, a DirectX client will be coming along before too long.