Mathematically Beautiful Screen Savers (MBSS)

Mathematically Beautiful Screen Savers

MBSS Fireworks 2.2 -- New (Jan 7, 2006)

Overview:
MBSS Fireworks makes a single claim: to be the most photo-realistic real-time 3D animated fireworks simulation available to the general public. Define a complete fireworks show including hue transitions, atmospheric conditions, gravity, burst styles and a myriad of other properties. This first-of-its-kind product uses Microsoft DirectX to create fantastic displays of color and motion. Field-level Online Help is included as well as a nice variety of default settings. If you have questions regarding the product, please refer to the FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions). This product is being offered as Shareware. See the Registration window from the product's Properties Window for details. MBSS Fireworks has raised the bar in establishing a new standard against which all other fireworks simulations will be compared.

Features:

Version 2.2: Fixed issue related to playing sound files.
Version 2.1 (Build 1000):

Setup Color Filtering Special Effects.
Create Video Files from Particle Animation.
Blend Effects with Windows Desktop Wallpaper.

Version 2.0:

New Hue Cone allows for complex Hue and Intensity setup.
Product enhanced to work internationally per Windows Regional Settings.
Improved display methods eliminate frame dropping and startup/shutdown delays.
Product is installed via a Windows Setup program:

ZIP file extraction is no longer necessary.
Setup program will install Product to appropriate Windows folder.
Setup program allows Product to be selected as current Screen Saver.

Version 1.8:

Added ability to cycle through Templates in a selected Directory.
Added Advanced Settings -- Hue Wheel Brightness Bias Bubble.
Added ability to capture Image (preview or full screen) to Windows Clipboard.
Direct link to PayPal from Registration dialog to simplify the payment process.

Version 1.7g:

Increased the maximum number of sparks from 30,000 to 99,999.
Major performance improvements with respect to the math code.
Customize the Hue Wheel color preferences.
Added four (4) new Themes.

Version 1.7e: Define On-Screen Countdown messages for presentations.
Version 1.7c:

Performance Improvements:

Major improvement when running in True Color 32-bits per pixel.
Minor improvement in High Color (16 bpp) and True Color (24 bpp).

Effects are properly displayed at non-default (640*480) resolutions.
Customize the Hue Wheel bias from Advanced Settings dialog.

Version 1.7:

Performance Improvements:

Tuned the C API Blending Function.
Use the DirectX Flip method instead of the BltFast.
Performance improvements are best seen on slower hardware.

Custom Resolutions can be setup to the Maximum Width / Height.

Version 1.6: Default behavior on installation is to cycle through Themes
Version 1.5:

Added Spark Brightness properties to Burst Configurations
Launched shells advance vertically with realistic damping
Theme properties have been updated for improved displays
Use Hardware properties when in High Color Mode
Select Themes when Cycling through Effects

Version 1.4: Added support for 3D-Stereo overlapping sound effects
Version 1.3: Theme and Help Topic updates
Version 1.2:

Passwork Protection Supported
New Geometric Burst Pattern
Eliminated Screen Lock-Up Issues

Version 1.0:

Fireworks Styles include: Bursts, Scintillators, Rings, Twisters, Decay Sparklers, etc.
Define Atmospheric Damping
Define Blending Effects (smoke)
Define Vertical Gravity
Define Burst velocity and multipliers
Define Hue Wheel transition effects
Setup cycling for common properties
Field-level online help for all properties
Save Templates to share with other users

User Feedback:

Your fireworks are the best. Keep up the good work.
Found your Fireworks screen saver last night and love it! What a great Easter present.
Fireworks! Wheeee! (The registration check was in the amount of $100).
The best screensaver I've ever seen -- Kudos!
This is the bests fireworks display that I have ever seen. I want to marry you.
I agree with your assessment. This product offers be best fireworks display ever.
The smoke and particle effects are amazing! Enclosed find $30 for three copies.

The ZIP file for MBSS Fireworks includes these parts:

MBSS Fireworks Screen Saver file
MBSS Fireworks ReadMe Text file
MBSS MBSSM4.DLL (math engine)
MBSS Online Help file
Various Sound Effects files
After downloading the Install file to a Windows folder, simply double-click on the file to start the Installation. The final step of the installation will allow you to set MBSS Fireworks as your Windows Screen Saver. If the product does not run, then you may be missing a DLL or DirectX. Click here for instructions on retrieving the DLLs. Refer to the FAQ if you encounter other issues.

Download: MBSS Fireworks (mbss_fireworks_setup.exe ~ 810 KB)

Stereo Sound Effects files produced by Daron Sneed:

Download: Fireworks Stereo Sounds (8-bit) (fireworks_stereo_8bit.zip ~ 260 KB)
Download: Fireworks Stereo Sounds (16-bit) (fireworks_stereo_16bit.zip ~ 1,530 KB)

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© 2008 Patrick D. Grengs II (The Creator of MBSS Light TM) All rights reserved.