
Craps 4.0 Installation Notes and Other Good Stuff...

Thanks for trying PyroWare Craps 4.0!  This game is, we feel, the best
Craps game for Windows available.  We have worked long nights and
"observed" real Craps games in action to better simulate the thrill
of the Dice.



SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS:

An IBM Compatible PC, 80386 or better, prefer 80386DX-25 or faster.

Microsoft Windows, version 3.1 or later able to run in Standard or
preferably 386 enhanced mode.  If your machine is an 80386DX with
2 or more MB of RAM, you are probably already running in the cor-
rect mode.  Craps has not been tested with Windows NT.  Windows
3.0 is no longer supported.  If you are still using Windows 3.0,
do yourself a favor and upgrade!

A mouse.

A monitor (obviously).  Craps 4.0 has been exhaustively tested at
various resolutions up to 1280 X 960.  Optimum game play occurs at
any resolution equal to or greater than SVGA (800 X 600), although
Craps 4.0 works fine on a standard 640 X 480 VGA screen.  Things
just tend to get a bit crowded.

A desire to roll the bones!




INSTALLATION NOTES:

There are two ways to run this ShareWare version:

Method 1 - RUN SETUP.EXE.  This is the best option.  SETUP is typical
of any Windows setup program.  It will NOT modify any system or
Windows files.  Its only job is to decompress and copy files into
the directory of your choice.

Method 2 - Like any ShareWare program, Craps 4.0 will probably be bundled,
compressed, and up/downloaded from BBS systems.  I encourage this.
SETUP programs really aren't necessary in this case.  However, for Craps
to run, the following files MUST be in THE SAME DIRECTORY.

	The files are:
		CRAPS.EXE	The Game itself
		CRAPS.DDS	Necessary for dice animation
		CRAPS.DLL	Custom Mouse Pointers/Sound
		CRAPS.HLP	Help file
		README.TXT	This file

If these file names end in an underscore (ex. CRAPS.EX_), then they
have been compressed by the Microsoft utility COMPRESS.EXE.  SETUP.EXE
automatically decompresses during installation.  To create a BBS file
from a diskette containing SETUP.EXE and compressed files, the game
should first be installed using SETUP.EXE... then, the above five files
may be bundled (via PKZIP or similar) into a single file.

IN ADDITION, the file VBRUN300.DLL MUST be in one of these directories:
		C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM
		C:\WINDOWS
		or the Craps directory

To install MANUALLY:
You must manually install the files if SETUP.EXE is missing.  To do so,
copy the five required files into the directory of your choice.  Ensure
VBRUN300.DLL is present in one of the specified locations.

If you want to bundle the files for a BBS, as an absolute minimum,
please include the first five files above, as well as a note that
the game requires VBRUN300.DLL.  This large DLL does not compress
well, and many computers already have a copy in their WINDOWS 
directory.

If you want to Sell Craps as a ShareWare package, you MUST abide by
the VENDOR/RESELLOR notes found in the help file within the 
SHAREWARE AGREEMENT topic.  In addition, you must offer the package
with the setup program and related support files.  Call or write
with ?? or requests for the latest version.


To Install using SETUP.EXE:
Insert the Diskette into your disk drive.  While Windows
Program Manager is running, select FILE, then RUN...  A dialogue
box will appear asking for a COMMAND LINE.  Enter either
A:\SETUP   or   B:\SETUP  depending upon which drive you are
using.  Most systems use 3.5" disks in the A: drive and 5.25"
disks in the B: drive.  Follow on-screen prompts.

You will have the option of installing the GAME files, or the HELP file,
in any combination.  Sound is not available in the ShareWare version,
mainly because the SOUND files decompress to almost 5 MegaBytes, making
bundling and transmission difficult.
 
By default, the SETUP program will create a Program Manager Group 
named Craps, and install 4 Icons to the new Group... Craps 4.0,
Craps Help, This file, and the SETUP program, which can be run at
any time to add files or re-install.



TO PLAY CRAPS:
After SETUP.EXE has done its work, you can run the file CRAPS.EXE, or
double-click the Blue Chip Icon.

Craps rules and game play instructions are accessed with the HELP item
from the menu bar.


DICE ANIMATION:
Dice Animation makes use of a file called CRAPS.DDS, which is installed
in your requested game directory.  The dice roll animation is, we feel,
the most realistic dice in ANY game, and an entire program was written
just to create CRAPS.DDS, which is a database of rolls.

Like a cartoon, the animation is created by showing a series of frames.
Unlike a cartoon, we cannot control, to the necessary degree, the speed
of your personal machine.  Too many variables come into play, the two
primary being processor speed and video Card speed.  The dice are set up
to roll correctly on a 386DX-40.  The first time the game is run, you
will be requested to SET DICE SPEED for your machine.  The Play field
will be displayed, and a small window will Pop-up and allow you to try
different animation speeds.  Select the speed which looks best.  It will
be saved and written to disk.  You can adjust animation speed ANYTIME
by selecting SET DICE SPEED from the menu.



IF THIS IS AN UPGRADE FOR YOU FROM AN OLDER PYROWARE CRAPS GAME:
You may safely delete any old CRAPS.INI files, which can be found
in your C:\WINDOWS directory.  Craps 4.0 will write a new INI file,
named CRAPS40.INI.  Also, the new HELP file, CRAPS.HLP, has been
improved and re-written for the new game.  Please delete any old
CRAPS.HLP files.



PROGRAMMER'S NOTES:
Craps was written using Microsoft Visual Basic versions 1.0,  2.0, and 3.0.
I maintain Source code for versions 2.0 and later.  If you are a VB prog-
rammer and would like the source code, please write for details.  

CRAPS.DLL was compiled with MicroSoft Visual C++ and handles only Sound
and Custom Mouse Pointers.



VERSION INFO:
Version 1.0 released - Summer 1992

Version 1.2 - repairs of a bug which permits saving of a game between
sessions, improved dice animation and handling, and other minor
modifications.

Version 1.3 - improvements include modifications to speed screen refresh
and fixing place bet bugs. 

Version 2.0 - added many features, including automatic Dice rolling and
statistical features, a true Windows Help file, and CRAPS.EXE was
brought up to VB 2.0 standards.

Version 3.0 - was a total rewrite with many new bets, more compact in size,
and with SAVE SETTINGS support.

Version 3.1 - combined the statistics window and the bar-graph window
and improves the appearance of some of the dialogue boxes.

Version 4.0 - another complete rewrite.  Changes too numerous to mention.
Biggies are Sound support, new playing field, improved animation,
elimination of Auto Dice, and new bets including the long awaited
DON'T COME!


Shareware Notes:
This game is ShareWare.  Please, enjoy it for 21 days.  Give it to a
friend.  Upoad it.  Swear at it.  But please, if you continue to play
the game, you must register with us at PyroWare.  This is a legal (and
hopefully moral) requirement.

The good news... if you have a sound card, the registered version includes
5 MegaBytes of digital sound, crafted to replicate a Craps table in a
casino.  Background is continuous, with bystanders, slot machines, clacking
chips, all the atmosphere we could create.  The sound blends seamlessly.

The registered version also includes an AUTO DICE feature, which will roll
for you any desired number of rolls, with or without any automatic bets
activated.  This is useful for statistical analysis.  It's also fun
to watch.

Registration for 3 compressed disks of your choice is $15.95.  Please see
SHAREWARE AGREEMENT in the HELP file for more info.

To my friends in CANADA:
Please note that registration $$ must be either...
	US funds drawn on a US bank, 
	International Money Order in $$U.S. (best), or
	US Currency

Why?  The greedy banks here charge a hefty $5 to cash a check
drawn on a foreign bank!	

                  PyroWare          
                  1109 Manor Way
                  Roanoke, TX, USA
                            76262

		  Phone: (817) 431-0751

I cannot return a call unless you are a registered user of PyroWare
Craps for Windows.


Enjoy the program, and good luck "Rolling the Bones".  Hopefully, if
you are a novice to the exciting game of Craps, you may learn enough to
make intelligent bets in an actual Casino, and walk away from the table
a winner!

ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Q: Why can't more than one person play at a time?
A: The game in its present form is a compromise between functionality
   and appearance.  To have nice piles of chips on a nice back-
   ground requires screen real estate.  Most users still run
   WINDOWS in a 640 X 480 mode, which limits the number of bets
   which can be displayed.  Each person would require his/her own
   bet stacks. Just not enough room!

Q: Seven seems to come up at the worst time, or too often.  Did you
   program it this way?
A: No.  It's gambling.  I made it as random as a PC can make it.


	Have Fun!
	
	Kurt
