The maxdSetup application can automatically download the latest version of maxdView and create a start-up script that will make it easy to run the application.

It is possible to safely install a newer version of maxdView on top of an existing version (i.e. in the same directory). Your existing configuration files and application settings will be preserved.

Part 1 : Download the file

Selecting the "Download latest 'maxdView' from website" option displays a panel in which you can optionally provide the name and port number of a proxy server if required.

Press the "Try to connect" button to initiate the download.

maxdSetup will contact download site and report the version number, release date and size of the latest version of maxdView.

Press the "Set download options" button to continue with the download.

The form that is now displayed prompts you for a location in which to save the file that will be downloaded. By default, the location will be the directory in which you placed maxdSetup. Unless you are aiming to customise the installation in some way, it is best to accept this default.

Press "Commence download" to start the file transfer.

If there is a problem during the download, you will be informed and given the opportunity to try again.

Part 2 : Unpack the file

Once the download is completed, press the "Unpack this file" button to continue to the next step.

A form will be displayed which allows you to select which JAR file will be unpacked and which directory it will be unpacked into. By default, the file that you just have downloaded will be selected for unpacking.

You must choose a directory into which you want maxdView installed. It is recommended that you use a different directory from that which you have placed maxdSetup. The browse button opens a file chooser dialog box which will enable you to create a new directory if you wish.

If maxdSetup detects that there is already a version of maxdView in the directory that you have chosen, you will be warned and given the option to cancel the unpacking operation.

When you have picked your installation directory, press the "Start unpacking" button to continue to the next step.

After the unpacking has finished, press the "Create 'runme' script" button to move to the final step of the installation process.

( note: on MS-Windows machines, this button will be labelled "Create 'runme' batch file" )

Part 3 : Create a 'runme' script

The final task is to create a script (called a batch file on MS-Windows systems) that will invoke Java with the correct parameters to run maxdView.

The form has fields in which you specify where you would like the script to be written and from which directory you wish to execute maxdView. The default settings for both of these fields will be the directory that you chose to unpack the file into in the previous step.

Press the "Choose the run-time options" button to display a series of forms which enable you to configure a number of relevant Java parameters.

Run time configuration step 1 : the Java Virtual Machine

You can choose which Java Virtual Machine (JVM) will be used to run maxdView. The one being used to run maxdSetup will be selected by default. This option will usually be suitable. If you have more than one JVM installed, you can pick a particular one by pressing "browse" and locating the directory containing the JVM you wish to use.

Having chosen the desired JVM, press "Continue" to move to the next form.

Run time configuration step 2 : memory allocation

Unfortunately, Java applications have to have have an upper limit on the amount of memory that they are allowed use. They are given a default upper limit, the actual value is system dependant but it usually around 64 megabytes. In many cases, this is sufficient, but where working with large data sets, it is quite possible to for the application to run out of memory, even when your computer actually has plenty of available memory.

It is suggested that you do not allocate more RAM than you actually have as Java does not perform well when it's memory is getting paged out to disk.

Once the memory limit has been chosen, press "Continue" to move to the next form.

Run time configuration step 3 : proxy server

If your internet access is through a Proxy Server, you will need to inform the JVM about it in order to enable maxdView's networking features. Specify the proxy host name, and optionally the port number, if required.

Finally, press the "Create the script" button to generate the script with the options that you have chosen.

Once the script has been created it can used to start maxdView by double-clicking on it (on MS-Windows systems) or typing "runme" into a shell or command window in the selected directory.