NeBuLa2 0.2c   /   (FLEMTEAM)
CopyRight By Pascal Dallongeville 2002


About:
******
NeBuLa2 is a 3D accelerated winamp vis plugin. My first preoccupation was
to make something fast and that reactive well to music.

NeBuLa2 is actually the second version of Nebula, I totally rewritten the
code from scratch in order to get a better compatibility (now support old
3D cards like Ati Rage Pro, Voodoo, ...) and speed: with my
GeForce DDR I got about 110 FPS in 1024*768*32bpp Fullscreen with 
NeBuLa 0.31 (highquality texture) and now I got about 160 FPS (who said
such fps isn't very usefull ;) ? )


Requirement:
************
It needs DirectX8.1 and a 3D card in order to run.
Read FAQs section for futher informations.


How to Use it:
**************
NeBuLa is a visual plug'in for Winamp, use it like all other visual plug'in
for Winamp (if you don't know how to use a visual plug'in for winamp, check
Winamp WEB page at http://www.winamp.com because I am too lazy to explain it).
NeBuLa2 effects have been made with a frame rate of 60 FPS in mind, so you
should configure NeBuLa2 in order to have about 60 frames per second. Also
NeBuLa2 is more addictive with trance/techno musics than with "soft" musics
(try to adjust music reactivity according to your musics style with 'F7' and
'F8' keys ). Also 32 bpp mode is highly recommended for this plug'in, 16 bpp
look really crappy on some video cards (read FAQS for futher informations).


Press 'F1' while plug-in is running in order to get help about Nebula
functionalities.


Enjoy and Thank you for choosing my plugin !


History:
********
NeBuLa 0.1a: (29/11/2002)
	- First Release, effects look bad ...

NeBuLa 0.2a: (2Z/12/2002)
	- 22 presets included ( make yours owns ! see the end of this file )
	- Added Preset Support (through preset files in Nebula2 directory)
	- Modified Waveform appearance

NeBuLa 0.2b: (28/12/2002)
	- Now 30 presets included
	- Minors fixes
	- Deleted Big Shapes effect

NeBuLa 0.2c: (09/01/2003)
	- First release on Winamp WEB site
	- Modified presets
	- shapes rendered in additive blend
	- minor fixe in grid effect
	- configuration fixes for voodoo 1,2,3 cards

FAQ:
****


1) I don't see "NeBuLa2" plugin in Winamp visuals plugins list:

	-> It appears you don't have DirectX8 nor DirectX8.1 installed on your
	system. So DLL cannot be loaded	and prevent Winamp to display the
	plugin in his plugin list. (Re)Install DirectX8.1 to solve the problem.


2) I have an error message like "Could not initialize Direct3D..."

	-> (Re)Install DirectX8.1 to solve the problem.



3) I have a message like "switching to the reference rasterizer..."

	-> This means the plug'in couldn't start with current configuration
	on your hardware video device, so it start using software reference
	device. This device his very slow and you should try to change your
	configuration (lower resolution, lower bit depth, etc...) and return
	to hardware device to get it running at usable speed (Press 'F9' key
	to display Device configuration dialog box or configure plug'in through
	Winamp with 'Ctrl'+'K' keys).


4) I have another error message ...

	-> Generally, error messages contain infos that should help you to fix
	the problem or at least to understand why there is this error (your 3D
	card may not support a required feature). Anyway be sure that you have
	installed the last video drivers (if possible DirectX8 compatible),
	this often fix problems !


5) Graphics are corrupted (blinking stranges patterns, etc...)

	-> Try to check "Force Compatibility" option in configuration dialog box
	( available when you right-click on the window's plug'in
	in window mode ). This problem usually occurs with bad video drivers,
	try to download the last video drivers to fix the problem without use
	"Force Compatibility" that is a lot slower !


5) NeBuLa runs too slow !!!

	-> Severals possiblities:
		- A previous display settings wasn't supported by the hardware
		device and NeBula2 switch to a reference (software) device which is
		really really slow ( could be a 0,1 frame per second !! ). First
		reduce settings in order the hardware device can work (I know this
		is hard with 0,1 frame per second) then press 'F9' to display
		device configuration dialog box and choose an hardware device
		(HAL instead of REF).

		- Your 3D card doesn't support "render to texture" like voodoos
		cards so NeBuLa run in compatibility mode which is a lot slower
		( can reach 30 FPS in 640*480 on voodoo2 card but this look ugly
		due to low resolution texture used ). You can check it through
		the configuration dialog box in window mode ("Compatibility mode"
		checkbox is checked). Try reduce settings to get betters
		performances (decrease window size, choose a lower fullscreen
		mode, choose lower quality through configuration dialog box).

		- Your computer and especially your 3D card is really too slow.
		It is surely time to change it ;-).
		

6) Colors are to bright, too dark ot it is all white or grey... 

	-> Adjust "Fade Out" setting with 'F11'/'F12' keys
	(this problem especially happen in 16 bits mode)
	


7) Music reactivity seem to not work correctly: there are tremors's
	transformation and this doesn't look really great...

	-> You maybe have an old Winamp version that interpret music differently.
	Install the last Winamp version should fix the problem !
	Otherwise you can try to adjust music reactivity with 'F7' and 'F8' keys.


Registration:
*************

There isn't really registration, NeBuLa2 is free to use, however if you really
enjoy this plugin, or if you decide to use it for party, etc ... you could
"register" by sending me what you want (post card, email, 10 Euros check ;),... ).
This probably encourage me to continue to write plugins for winamp .


Here is my address:

M. DALLONGEVILLE Pascal
18 rue Marcel Poulin (Maison n1)
60400 CRISOLLES
FRANCE


Disclaimer:
***********

This Software is provided free, and so I won't be held responsible for any
damage caused by it (loss of Data,Hardware,Life,etc...). You're aware !



Contact:
********

If you have a problem, a request, a suggestion or anything you want to say
about my plugins, have a look on my forum: 
http://boards.gamers.com/messages/overview.asp?name=flemteamvisplugins

Send me an email only if you really think forum isn't appropriate or can't
help you:
dallongevillep@hotmail.com



I WANT TO PARTICIPATE TO NEBULA2 DEVELOPMENT !
*********************************************************************
NeBuLa2 support presets through "preset files" in 
/winamp/plugins/Nebula2 directory (thoses files have a "nbp" extension).

You can learn how to make presets by reading "nebula.nbp" file.
If you made some nice presets you can send me them and I will add them in next
release and mention your name in greetings !
