SunFlow on WinXP's Desktop

[scorpius]

Here's how to setup sunflow so it's just one click away on your WindowsXP desktop. This assumes you have the jdk installed and working properly. You need the jdk (not just the jre) to make use of the '-server' option and to obtain much faster renders.

1. Set the classpath environmental variable. If you're using 4NT, this is the fastest way: set /u classpath=c:\sunflow\sunflow.jar;c:\sunflow\janino .jar
Otherwise, press 'WinKey+Break,' click on 'Advanced,' click on 'Environment Variable' and set it there. Either way, the classpath remains permanently set even after rebooting. The benefit of doing this is that you don't have to type in the paths to the jar files from the command line.

2. Create a new shortcut on the desktop and enter this in the target field: javaw.exe -server SunflowGUI Note that you should use 'java[color=black]w[/color].exe' not 'java.exe' so that an annoying dos box doesn't open up. Optionally set the 'start in' field to 'c:\sunflow\data' and you're done.

In addition to clicking on the icon, you can also very easily start sunflow from the command line to get access to HDR export, other features, and the help screen:
java SunflowGUI -h

I hope someone finds this info useful.

[RJii]

Originally Posted by scorpius Note that you should use 'java[color=black]w[/color].exe' not 'java.exe' so that an annoying dos box doesn't open up.

Just one thing: some errors don't yet get reported in Sunflow's console, but do instead get to the Win console. Things like exceptions and stuff. This has the effect of having you wonder what happened if you can't check both consoles. But I agree, it is slightly irritating to have two windows for one app (as with Blender also).

[kirpre]

When I set this up I get the following error when I try to run the command:

Error: no `server' JVM at `C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\server\jvm.dll'

It works fine if I run the command without the '-server' switch. It seems somewhere like I heard that with the '-server' switch it runs faster, so I would like to get that to work. Am I missing something Java realted?

[hayfever_]

Originally Posted by kirpre When I set this up I get the following error when I try to run the command: Error: no `server' JVM at `C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\server\jvm.dll' It works fine if I run the command without the '-server' switch. It seems somewhere like I heard that with the '-server' switch it runs faster, so I would like to get that to work. Am I missing something Java realted?

You need the JDK instead of the JRE

[kirpre]

What's the difference?

[fpsunflower]

Originally Posted by kirpre What's the difference?

JDK: Java development kit
JRE: Java runtime kit

The JDK happens to be the only way to get the optimized server VM.

After the JDK is installed, you may still get complaints that it can't find the server VM. If thats the case, check that your system path is pointing to the right version. Installing the JDK installs one copy with all the tools and both client and sever vms, and one copy that is just a plain install of the JRE. Type path at the command line to see which folder is getting used by default. If its the jre, go to the command panel like scorpius described and change the path.

Hope that makes sense.

[s_m]

I made this icon for my sunflow shortcut from sunflow page header.
Maybe useful for somebody.

[kirpre]

Could someone post a link to download the JDK, I found a lot of different links, but wasn't sure which one was the way to go. I have the JRE and just want the simplest version of JDK that I need to get the -server option running for Sunflow. Thanks.

[fpsunflower]

Originally Posted by kirpre Could someone post a link to download the JDK, I found a lot of different links, but wasn't sure which one was the way to go. I have the JRE and just want the simplest version of JDK that I need to get the -server option running for Sunflow. Thanks.

http://javashoplm.sun.com/ECom/docs/...actionId=noreg

You'll have to pick the right one for your platform (Windows I'm guessing?) which should be the first download link on that page.

Alternatively, if you are feeling a bit adventurous you can try the latest beta:

http://download.java.net/jdk6/binaries/

Grab the executable for your platform, the .jar files are debug builds which won't be of any help.

They post a new version of the beta every week or so but it seems to be rather stable.

[scorpius]

I tried making my own icon from that same header, but it was very difficult to extract just the sun without including some of the background/shadow.

[fpsunflower]

Originally Posted by scorpius I tried making my own icon from that same header, but it was very difficult to extract just the sun without including some of the background/shadow.

If you have photoshop you should be able to find the sun as one of the preset shapes. I just added a couple effects to it from there.

s_m, I've having trouble accessing the server you posted the image to =(

[s_m]

remade (more accurate on dark wallpapers) & reupload icon to different location: http://www.savefile.com/files/5381123

icon contains 16x16, 24x24, 32x32, 48x48, 64x64, 128x128 true color set

=)

[fpsunflower]

Originally Posted by s_m remade (more accurate on dark wallpapers) & reupload icon to different location: http://www.savefile.com/files/5381123 icon contains 16x16, 24x24, 32x32, 48x48, 64x64, 128x128 true color set =)

Very nice!

[hafunui]

Originally Posted by kirpre When I set this up I get the following error when I try to run the command: Error: no `server' JVM at `C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\server\jvm.dll' It works fine if I run the command without the '-server' switch. It seems somewhere like I heard that with the '-server' switch it runs faster, so I would like to get that to work. Am I missing something Java realted?

I get that too. I even installed the JDK fpsunflower mentioned.


edit, and without -server i get "Could not find the main class. Program will now exit."
what did i do wrong this time :-?

[fpsunflower]

Originally Posted by hafunui Originally Posted by kirpre When I set this up I get the following error when I try to run the command: Error: no `server' JVM at `C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\server\jvm.dll' It works fine if I run the command without the '-server' switch. It seems somewhere like I heard that with the '-server' switch it runs faster, so I would like to get that to work. Am I missing something Java realted? I get that too. I even installed the JDK fpsunflower mentioned.

Check your system paths. When you install the JDK you get _TWO_ copies of the VM, one that has only the client and one that has both server and client. Repoint your PATH environment variable to point to the one with both.

Look around your program files directory, you should be able to spot the right one because it will have a client and server directories inside its bin.

You can also copy the server directory to the copy of the JRE that doesn't have it if you don't want to change your path.

Let me know if that isn't clear.

[hafunui]

I'm not to sure about -any- of this.

How exactly do i set the variable? I did the set /u classpath blahblah, but it didnt work, so im guessing this is totaly wrong. If i try to set it in the advanced panel with winlogo+break i get VARIABLE NAME: VARIABLE VALUE: im not sure what to put in there.

And i have jdk and jre inside the java folder in program files. only one has any directories in bin, and its jre > client

And when i do this without the -server i get another error "Could not find the main class. Program will now exit."

[fpsunflower]

Originally Posted by hafunui How exactly do i set the variable? I did the set /u classpath blahblah, but it didnt work, so im guessing this is totaly wrong. If i try to set it in the advanced panel with winlogo+break i get VARIABLE NAME: VARIABLE VALUE: im not sure what to put in there.

Its the PATH environment variable you are looking for, not CLASSPATH. But this is a bit confusing since it shows up in several places. Try the following:

Originally Posted by hafunui And i have jdk and jre inside the java folder in program files. only one has any directories in bin, and its jre > client

Inside the jdk directory there should be a jre directory with a server directory in it (jdk > jre > bin > server) Try copying that to the (jre > bin) that contains the client folder. You end up with client and server side by side inside java\jre\bin.

Originally Posted by hafunui And when i do this without the -server i get another error "Could not find the main class. Program will now exit."

Make sure you type the command line as shown in the readme file from where you unpacked the jar files.

Let me know if this works for you.

[kirpre]

Thanks fpsunflower, that did the trick. I just copied the "server" directory from my JDK folder to the JRE folder and it fired right up.

Back to rendering.

[hafunui]

Originally Posted by fpsunflower Originally Posted by hafunui How exactly do i set the variable? I did the set /u classpath blahblah, but it didnt work, so im guessing this is totaly wrong. If i try to set it in the advanced panel with winlogo+break i get VARIABLE NAME: VARIABLE VALUE: im not sure what to put in there. Its the PATH environment variable you are looking for, not CLASSPATH. But this is a bit confusing since it shows up in several places. Try the following: Originally Posted by hafunui And i have jdk and jre inside the java folder in program files. only one has any directories in bin, and its jre > client Inside the jdk directory there should be a jre directory with a server directory in it (jdk > jre > bin > server) Try copying that to the (jre > bin) that contains the client folder. You end up with client and server side by side inside java\jre\bin. Originally Posted by hafunui And when i do this without the -server i get another error "Could not find the main class. Program will now exit." Make sure you type the command line as shown in the readme file from where you unpacked the jar files. Let me know if this works for you.

K, i copied the server folder ( it was in jdk>jre>bin ) and it must have worked, because now it skips to the next error. that class path one.

PATH already has "%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\S ystem32\Wbem;C:\Program Files\Common Files\GTK\2.0\bin" in it. should i replace it or add on to it somehow?

[fpsunflower]

Originally Posted by hafunui K, i copied the server folder ( it was in jdk>jre>bin ) and it must have worked, because now it skips to the next error. that class path one.

Ok. Just to double check, type:

java -server -version

and make sure it says something about the server vm.

Originally Posted by hafunui PATH already has "%SystemRoot%\system32;%SystemRoot%;%SystemRoot%\S ystem32\Wbem;C:\Program Files\Common Files\GTK\2.0\bin" in it. should i replace it or add on to it somehow?

Don't change anything here, if the above works, you're good to go.