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[ Overview of Tools on CD | Index of Tools On CD | Samples ]

What's On This CD?

Welcome to the Graphic Artist Tools CDROM 2.1 and to the world of PlayStation game development. With this version of the CD , you'll find a wealth of files that include software tools, 3rd party plug-ins, tutorials, and sample code for creating award winning -- and lucrative -- games. This HTML page is designed to be run from the CD, so please make sure the Graphic Artist CDROM is in the drive.

Warning: The Graphic Artist CD is only meant to be used to help you install the software, but it is not the primary source for documentation. Use the Technical Reference CD for all of your documentation needs. The small amount of documentation that exists on the Graphic Artist CD is duplicated and is searchable on the Technical Reference CD.

Within this CD you'll find the following:

  • Software for PlayStation game development. It's all here -- graphics tools and file formatting converters, and many Windows based programs that are not included on the Programmer Tools CD, as well as tutorials, sprite software, and animation software. For an index to all of the software on this CD, read \doc\content.pdf. To read more about the types of software on this CD (and where to find them), read the document \doc\cat.pdf.
  • 3rd Party Software If you are working with 3rd Party software, you'll find information and relevant files for


    Warning: Read this document from the CD: This document is designed to be read directly from the Programmer Tools CD, since some of the hyperlinks are hardcoded with directory paths that may differ from your computer's environment. So please point your browser to this document on the CD, not to a copy on your hard-drive. You can also read PDF versions of this file on this CD and on the Technical Reference CD.

    Warning: Please Install Adobe Acrobat Some of the hyper-text links in our HTML documents point to Adobe Acrobat ".pdf" files. Therefore, you should have an Adobe Acrobat reader available on your system. If not, please follow the instructions \doc\hadobe.pdf. For other information read the document \acrobat\16bit\readme.txt or \acrobat\32bit\readme.txt.

    Warning: These HTML documents are best viewed with HTML 3.0 compatible viewers (or later versions) that can process tables. You can download the latest and greatest browsers from Netscape (look for the Netscape Navigator) and Microsoft (look for the Internet Explorer). (Free browsers are available all over the 'Net, but for legal reasons, we cannot bundle them with this CD. )

    Internet Explorer 3.0 and Hyperlink problems with CD
    Internet Explorer 3.02 suffers from a bug that prevents it from being able to parse some of the hyperlinks in this document correctly. Internet Explorer 4.0 has fixed this bug, so you may want to download it from
    http://www.microsoft.com.

    Internet Explorer and PDF file problems
    Some versions of Microsoft's Internet Explorer (prior to version 3.02) may have difficulty in showing the ".pdf" files. To see the PDF's, make sure you install Adobe Acrobat and do the following with Adobe Acrobat:

    1. Choose File > Open, then click Browse.
    2. Choose All Files from the Files Of Type pop-up menu.
    3. Choose the Programmer Tools CD's drive letter, then select the document that is indicated by the hyperlinked name.
    4. Click Open. Now you should be able to read the PDF file.
    If you still have problems, problems could include a damaged PDF viewer or a full browser cache. In any event, read the document \acrobat\16bit\readme.txt or \acrobat\32bit\readme.txt or just contact Technical Support.

    Netscape Navigator and PDF file problems.
    If you click on a PDF file link, and Adobe Acrobat doesn't launch, you may need to re-configure your system to use Acrobat. The following instructions are for Netscape Navigator 3.0, but they may apply to later versions of Navigator. First check to see what Plug-Ins are already available:

    1. Choose "Help > About Plug-Ins".
    2. Search for Adobe Acrobat. If it doesn't exist, you'll need to install it using the steps given below. If it does exist, make sure the file listed as the "File Name" itself exists.
    3. If it doesn't exist, click on the menu item "Options > General Preferences".
    4. Select the "Helpers" tab.
    5. Select "Create New Type...".
    6. For "Mime Type", type "Adobe/pdf". For "Sub Type", type "PDF". For "File Extensions", type "PDF".
    7. For the "Action" field, choose the "Action" field and click on the "Browse" button. Click down the directory structure to the appropriate Acrobat Reader which you installed -- for example, a default installation may have placed the reader in "c:\Acroread\Acroread.exe".
    8. Click on "OK".
    Again, if you still have problems, problems could include a damaged PDF viewer or a full browser cache. In any event, read the document \acrobat\16bit\readme.txt or \acrobat\32bit\readme.txt or just contact Technical Support.


    How do I install the software?

    If you have Windows 95, you can simply run "setup.exe" in the root directory of the CD. Just click on its icon within the Windows 95 explorer. Alternatively, you can install the files manually by following the installation instructions in \doc\install.pdf.


    Technical Support, Web Sites, and Addresses

    If you're having problems, we highly recommend that you first search the Technical Reference CD -- it's the same tool we use at Technical Support when we attack a problem. Chances are that somebody has had your problem before, and it's been solved and documented on the Technical Reference CD. But don't bang your head against the wall! If (and only if) you are a licensed developer, you can reach technical support for your region at the following addresses and telephone numbers. For more information and for a set of bug report forms, refer to the Technical Reference CD.

    SN Systems. These chaps write the compilers for the standard PlayStation development kits, as well as develop the CD-Emulator and their own Windows debuggers for all of the development boards. All licensees of SCEA and SCEE are welcome to email bug reports or ask questions about the compilers. They are super friendly, and as many developer will attest, super helpful.
    E-mail: support@snsys.com .
    Web Site: http://www.snsys.com.

    Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. SCEA is available to licensees who have signed an agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc.
    E-mail: DevTech_Support@playstation.sony.com
    Web Site: http://www.scea.sony.com/dev
    Developer Support Hotline: 650-655-8181, Monday through Friday, 8am to 5pm, Pacific Standard Time.
    Mail: Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., 919 East Hillsdale Blvd., 2nd Floor, Foster City CA 94404

    Sony Computer Entertainment Europe. SCEE is available to those licensees who have signed an agreement with Sony Computer Entertainment Europe.
    E-mail: dev_support@interactive.sony.com
    Web Site: https://www-s.playstation.co.uk
    Developer Support Hotline:+44 (0) 171 390 1680
    Mail: Waverley House 7-12 Noel Street London W1V 4HH

    The Technical Reference CD. The companion CD, the Technical Reference CD included in your software kit, is an indispensible tool which you will use over and over again. It is the definitive resource for programmers. It contains every document, technical note, and manual written for this release of the PlayStation software and hardware, in pre-indexed Adobe Acrobat format, including dumps of the BBS's from SCE in Japan, SCEA in America, and SCEE in Europe, as well as this HTML document. With its powerful search engine, you can quickly locate the information you need. The Adobe Acrobat Reader is already included on the Technical Reference CD. Just click on the installation icon to set it up on your Macintosh or PC. For more information, read \doc\hadobe.pdf.


    We appreciate your comments and suggestions about our HTML documentation project. Contact us at DevTech_Support@interactive.sony.com

    Copyright © 1997 Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    PlayStation and PlayStation logos are trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. All other trademarks are property of their respective owners and/or their licensors.