In this appendix:
What you'll find on the DVD
System requirements
Using the DVD
Troubleshooting
The following sections are arranged by category and provide a summary of the content you'll find on the DVD. If you need help with installing the items provided on the DVD, refer to the installation instructions in the "Using the DVD" section of this appendix.
Trial, demo, or evaluation versions of software are usually limited either by time or functionality (such as not letting you save a project after you create it).
In the Chapter Files directory you will find all the files for completing the tutorials and understanding concepts in this book.
Many of the files can be found in Maya Project folders. Each folder contains all the scene and support files for that project. You can copy these project files to your hard drive and then work directly from them. Working with files directly from the DVD, however, is not encouraged. This is because of the fact that Maya scenes link to external files such as texture maps and dynamic caches. Copy the entire project for each chapter to your local drive, including the empty folders, to ensure that the example scenes function properly.
You will need to be running Maya 2009 to fully use all of the files on the DVD (the software is not included on the DVD). Make sure your computer meets the minimum system requirements shown in the following list. If your computer doesn't match up to these requirements, you may have problems using the files on the companion DVD. For the latest information, please refer to the ReadMe file located at the root of the DVD-ROM.
A PC running Microsoft Windows XP (SP2 or higher) or Windows Vista
A Macintosh running Apple OS X 10.5.2 or later
An Internet connection
A CD-ROM drive
For the latest information on system requirements for Maya, go to www.autodesk.com/maya. Although you can find specific hardware recommendations on these web pages, there is some general information that will help you determine if you're already set up to run Maya: You need a fast processor, a minimum 2GB of RAM, and a workstation graphics card for the best compatibility (rather than a consumer-grade gaming video card).
To install the items from the DVD to your hard drive, follow these steps.
Insert the DVD into your computer's DVD-ROM drive. The license agreement appears.
Read through the license agreement, and then click the Accept button if you want to use the DVD.
The DVD interface appears. The interface allows you to access the content with just one or two clicks.
Wiley has attempted to provide programs that work on most computers with the minimum system requirements. Alas, your computer may differ, and some programs may not work properly for some reason.
The two likeliest problems are that you don't have enough memory (RAM) for the programs you want to use, or you have other programs running that are affecting the installation or running of a program. If you get an error message such as "Not enough memory" or "Setup cannot continue," try one or more of the following suggestions and then try using the software again:
- Turn off any antivirus software running on your computer.
Installation programs sometimes mimic virus activity and may make your computer incorrectly believe that it's being infected by a virus.
- Close all running programs.
The more programs you have running, the less memory is available to other programs. Installation programs typically update files and programs; so if you keep other programs running, installation may not work properly.
- Have your local computer store add more RAM to your computer.
This is, admittedly, a drastic and somewhat expensive step. However, adding more memory can really help the speed of your computer and allow more programs to run at the same time.
If you have trouble with the book's companion DVD-ROM, please call the Wiley Product Technical Support phone number at (800) 762-2974. Outside the United States, call +1(317) 572-3994. You can also contact Wiley Product Technical Support at http://sybex.custhelp.com. John Wiley & Sons will provide technical support only for installation and other general quality control items. For technical support on the applications themselves, consult the program's vendor or author.
To place additional orders or to request information about other Wiley products, please call (877) 762-2974.
Please check the book's website, www.sybex.com/go/masteringmaya2009, where we'll post additional content and updates that supplement this book should the need arise.