The Gallery is provided in three versions to accomodate viewer preferences and to address the differing capabilities of computers currently in use. These include a 3D (VRML) virtual world format in high and low resolutions as well as a conventional HTML point & click format. The HTML format provides superior imagery, but is surpassed by the 3D format in interactivity. All versions of the Gallery require a computer equipped with a web browser such as Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer (version 4.0 or greater). This is all you need to view the HTML version. The 3D gallery is written in VRML97 and requires an additional browser plug-in to allow your computer to display it properly. Cosmo Player (version 2.0 or greater) is recommended. [Cosmo Player is included in Netscape Navigator release 4.5 for those who are equipped with this browser.] The software discussed above can be retrieved by clicking the links at right. 

A fast computer (Pentium II, Alpha, G3, or equivalent) with graphics acceleration is recommended for the high resolution 3D gallery, which is quite large: 2.9 MB to be exact. Be sure that you have enough system memory to support files of this size. You should also have a fast Internet connection (ISDN or better) or a considerable amount of patience. For those without supercharged machines, the low-resolution 3D gallery is recommended. This version lacks many of the bells and whistles found in the full-resolution gallery, but still provides a decent touring experience. A third alternative presents the gallery in traditional HTML web page format. If you don’t have a VRML97 plug-in and don’t want to install one, choose the hi-res HTML option. If you don’t have fast Internet access and you don’t like to wait, choose the hi-res HTML option. 

For optimal viewing, a screen resolution of 1024x768 pixels with 16-bit color is recommended. The contrast and brightness of your monitor may also need adjustment to make darker tones visible. We suggest setting the contrast to maximum, then adjusting brightness until the gallery can be seen clearly.

Known Problems
Textures in the high resolution 3D gallery may not display properly on all computers. This problem is related to inconsistencies in the way that different video cards display VRML data. If you notice this problem, you might try  accessing the hi-res 3D gallery from a different computer or visit the hi-res HTML gallery. (Note: the low-res 3D gallery does not have texture-mapping.) 

Lastly, movement through the high-resolution 3D gallery may be sluggish on all but the fastest computers. During the design process, it was felt that speed must be sacrificed to preserve the integrity of the artwork rather than vice-versa. Given the rapid pace of technological development and plummeting prices of high-tech hardware, this may not remain a problem for long... 
 

The Gallery and its contents are copyright © Kenneth Eward 1998, all rights reserved.