Versions XObject for Windows
Detects QuickTime, DOS, Windows & file versions
Converts between short and long file names
You can use the Versions XObject for Windows
for free to detect QuickTime version numbers (both
for 16-bit QuickTime and 32-bit QuickTime). You'll need to register
the XObject to use any of the other methods without
seeing a copyright
notice alert box.
Version 1.1 adds support for converting between MS-DOS style short
file names and Windows 95 / Windows NT style long file names, which
might contain DOS-illegal characters such as spaces. This should
extend the useful lifetime of a number of XObjects that can only
work with MS-DOS file names. I have decided to make these
methods available as part of the Versions XObject, rather
than releasing a separate LongName XObject as I had
originally planned.
Version 1.1 also adds the
mWinNTVersion method to let you know whether your code is
running under Windows NT Workstation, Server or Advanced Server.
Finally, the mQuickTimeVersion method has been reworked to
isolate this XObject's QuickTime code from Director's own
QuickTime code. Version 1.0 could cause 16-bit versions of
Director to get confused or possibly crash when dealing with
QuickTime cast members or quitting.
The Versions XObject works with both Director 4 and Director 5.
Even when running under Director 4 (always 16-bit) and under
Director 5's 16-bit projectors or Director 5's 16-bit authoring
environment, the
XObject is able to detect 32-bit version information by
loading a small 32-bit application and 32-bit .DLL file
(included with the XObject, and located in the same directory).
Of course, you can't get 32-bit information when you're
running Windows 3.1.
The following methods are included:
I mNew
X mDispose
S mQuickTimeVersion
S mWin32QuickTimeVersion
SS mFileVersion, fileName
S mWindowsDirectory
S mWin32WindowsDirectory
S mSystemDirectory
S mWin32SystemDirectory
S mDOSVersion
S mWindowsVersion
S mWin32Version
S mWin32Platform
S mWin32Build
S mWinNTVersion
SS mGetShortFileName
SS mGetLongFileName
Sample cut-and-paste Lingo handlers are provided in the Director 4
testbed movie that's provided with the XObject (using the method
names above, but without the initial "m", to match exactly the
syntax of global handler names in the planned release of a Lingo Xtra
version duplicating this XObject's functionality). You literally only
need to cut and paste one script castmember and make sure the required
files are in the right directory in order to start using this XObject
immediately. You needn't actually write any Lingo code to interface
with the XObject directly.
The Director 4 testbed movie opens and
works fine without modification in Director 5. In addition to
testing all methods, there are also sample buttons:
- to decide
whether to install or update QuickTime
- to check the version
number of
the appropriate 16-bit or 32-bit version of the primary
Video for Windows file, MSVIDEO.DLL, in the appropriate System
folder
- to determine the appropriate 32-bit
System directory (which is a different directory that the
16-bit System directory under Windows
NT)
- to identify the first shortcut in the Windows 95
Accessories menu (which demonstrates how to convert
between long and short file names).
This XObject has been tested under Window 3.1, Windows
95 and Windows NT. The only current limitation is that
Director 5 is not able
to use inherently 16-bit XObjects from 32-bit projectors
or the 32-bit authoring environment under Windows NT; I
anticipate releasing an .x32 Lingo Xtra version of this XObject
soon to evade that restriction. This XObject works fine
with 16-bit Director 5 projectors, or Director 4's
authoring environment and projectors, under Windows NT.
Unfortunately,
the 16-bit Director 5 authoring environment doesn't run
under Windows NT, so you have to do your Windows NT authoring on
another non-NT Windows machine if you want to use XObjects
with Director 5.
The Versions XObject is one of a number of tools that are
useful for designing CDs that automatically install and
run themselves on both Windows and the Macintosh.
Check this Web site periodically for new installation
tools for use with Director projects.
Distribution of the
registered version of the Versions XObject
is being handled by g/matter (formerly known as
'gray matter design') in San Francisco;
you can contact them by Email at
support@gmatter.com,
visit their Web site at
http://www.gmatter.com,
or phone them at (415)243-0394.
I'd appreciate a note from you
if you pick up a copy of the Versions XObject here. I'll let you know
when updates are available, as well
as when other installation tools become available.
Email me at
gpicher@maine.com.
These two packages include the Versions XObject, five
other executable files
used by the XObject, a Director 4 demo
movie, and a Read Me document.
Note: the initial download packages made
available on this
page inadvertently omitted the FNAME32.DLL file
required by the short / long filename methods. If you
downloaded the previous packages and saw 'Can't load DLL' errors,
that problem is now fixed by the new packages above.
Choose the most convenient format for downloading.
-
The .zip format is standard for PC shareware distribution. You can
uncompress this .zip file on a PC with PKZip
for Windows
(recommended) or
for DOS
(harder to use) from
PKWare, or with
WinZip.
You can also decompress the .zip file on a Mac
with
UnZip
or
ZipIt.
- The .sit.hqx format is standard for Mac shareware distribution,
and can be downloaded to either a Mac or a PC with
Stuffit Expander
for Mac
or
for Windows
from
Aladdin Systems.
Hopefully, storing the Versions XObject in these two formats will make it
accessible to
most anyone anywhere, no matter how you connect to the Internet.
The Versions XObject currently only runs on Windows,
but you should be
able to download it using a Mac.
Glenn M. Picher: Dirigo Multimedia
Back to Glenn's home page
Download the Win Versions XObject (.zip)
