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User Guide (Manual)
I have a bundle version of Vertigo 3D Dizzy and didn't get a printed manual. How do I find out how to use my software?
The Vertigo 3D Dizzy CD-ROM contains a PDF version of the Vertigo 3D Dizzy User Guide. The Read Me file includes installation instructions as well as important user information. You can order your own copy of the Vertigo 3D User Guide for $10 US by calling us at 1-888-4-VERTIGO (in North America) or 1-604-684-2113.
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Installation
Where are the installation instructions?
They're in the Read Me file included on the Vertigo 3D Dizzy CD-ROM.
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Working with Adobe Photoshop
Sometimes Photoshop crashes without warning when I'm using Vertigo 3D Dizzy. What can I do?
You probably didn't have enough system RAM. Sometimes it's difficult for Photoshop to manage RAM, especially when using a third-party renderer such as LightWorks®? or ThinkFish? LiveStyles? Unfortunately, third-party renderers don't check back with Vertigo 3D Dizzy when they run out of memory, hence the sudden crash. Here are a few things you can do that may help:
Keep the About This Macintosh dialog box open so you can monitor your RAM usage at all times. To open the dialog box go into Finder then Choose About This Macintosh... from the Apple menu.
If you're rendering a complicated model, make sure you have plenty of RAM available, especially if you're using LightWorks renderer. All renderers use system RAM, not Photoshop RAM. Turn virtual memory on, or use RAM Doubler.
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Working with Lights
I'm having trouble finding and selecting my lights.
Your lights will be easier to pick out against a black background. Turn off the background image by clicking the Display tab, then clicking the Image checkbox. You may have lost a light inside your model. Turn off your model display by clicking the Display tab, then clicking Model checkbox. Try choosing different camera views from the Camera view pop-up menu. You can save your current view, then go back to it
at any time during your work session. To get an overall look at your scene, choose Top view, then use the Truck tool to move out, then pick your light from there.
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Rendering Images
I can't render large images at 300dpi. Why?
This is a limitation of your system memory, as rendering at high resolutions requires a lot of RAM. You can reduce the amount of RAM required by working with the smallest Photoshop selection possible when using Vertigo 3D Dizzy. Use the Photoshop Marquee tool to make your selection before opening Vertigo 3D Dizzy.
Vertigo 3D Dizzy and third-party renderers like ThinkFish and LightWorks use system RAM, rather than RAM allocated to Photoshop. Assigning more RAM to Photoshop won't help if you encounter low memory-related messages. Instead free up more system RAM (i.e. close other applications that may be open or
turn on virtual memory).
The general formula for memory calculation is: Photoshop has a 10 MB buffer with the image in it. When you choose Dizzy, Photoshop needs to allocate two more buffers, one for input, one for output, each equalling 10 MB, so Photoshop needs 20 MB free (after loading the initial 10 MB image). Then, to load QD3D (it's only about 2-3 MB, but let's say 5) in the system heap, and then we allocate a further 10 MB compositing buffer in either the system heap or the Photoshop heap. So there are four 10 MB buffers, plus the 10-15 MB that Photoshop needs outside the image buffers.
For an image which takes up "n" megs, you'd probably need to give Photoshop (4 x n + 10) megs, and ensure that at least 5 more megs are free outside of Photoshop for QD3D.
LightWorks and Thinkfish use extra RAM over and above what is specified here.
NOTE - All calculations are based on a single layer image, for multi-layer images switch the "4" in "(4 x n + 10)" with "layers + 3".
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Using Vertigo 3D Dizzy in Windows
Can I use Vertigo 3D Dizzy in Windows?
At this time Dizzy is only available for the Macintosh. Keep checking our website for updates on this and other cool 3D tools for Windows and Macintosh.
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Speed
To speed things up, try turning off the background image and the grid.
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Lights
You often do not need more than two lights in your scene. Too many lights will make your images appear flat and may give you dirty shadows. One light gives you the best shadows. Experiment with Ambience for more effects. For example, if you take the Ambience Intensity down to about 50-60%, and the Ambience Color to a mid-grey (50-75%), your model will render with more contrast against the lights in your scene. This gives your scene more depth and drama.
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Camera
Position the camera angle on your model and Set View.... Then add your light(s). Go to a different view i.e. the Top view and zoom out so that youcan see your light icons. Set that view as well so that you can easily return if you need to adjust the lights.
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Rendering
Some photorealistic third-party renderers such as LightWorks may require a lot of memory, which means you may encounter Out of Memory messages when attempting a render. Try turning virtual memory on and allocating more system RAM (i.e. close other applications that may be open or turn on virtual memory).
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