iPackager version 2.0.3 allows you to speed up titles build with iShell version 2.0.1 or later (we tested version 2.5.3). The load time of your iShell screens will be reduced between 2 to 4 times on the MacOS Platform and 1.5 to 3 times on Windows Platform both measured on a 4x speed CD-ROM.

Description:

iShell is one of the most exiting new Multimedia Authoring tools on the market. One of the biggest advantage of iShell is the way it stores the media. It uses the MacOS (or Windows) folder as container for its media, and the media itself is stored in standard formats like QuickTime Movies, PICT, WAVE and RTF. This makes it very easy for the designer to create and change a media.

But this big advantage also reflects some disadvantages:

1. By using the standard MacOS (or Windows) folder as its container, iShell Runtimes become slow on CD-ROM or DVD. You will notice this as soon as you have eight (8) or more different media on one screen. Why is this? The CD-ROM is, in fact, a fast storage device as long as it doesn't have to change the position of its reading head during reading. When you store files in a folder, you don't have the guarantee that the files are stored sequentially. When you open an iShell screen containing eight (8) or more media, it is possible that the CD-ROM reading head has to be moved eight (8) times (or more). Also, another factor that slows down the reading of the media is the MacOS File System, because it is very slow in the opening of files. All eight (8) of the media are stored in eight (8) different files, so this slows down the opening of your iShell screen yet again. (Developers of cross platform iShell titles may have noticed that on Windows this is less of a problem.)

2. Another disadvantage in using a standard MacOS folder as container, is that it is easier for other people to steal your media and your iShell screen-description files (the famous .k files). Some developers solve this problem by hiding their media folder, but this trick is well known and there are a lot of third-party tools on the market that allows you to copy those kinds of folders. Also, on Windows, this trick doesn't work.

Solution:

For all these problems there is now a solution: iPackager. By storing all the media and iShell screens in one big Media database file, you will notice speed increases in the range of 2 to 4 times on the MacOS platform and 1.5 to 3 times on Windows platforms (as measured with a 4x speed CD-ROM). Because the media is stored in a database format that is unknown to other developers, it is very difficult to steal your media and iShell screen-description files.

Advantages:

• Your media is better protected because it is stored in unknown database format.
• It works cross-platform.
• Easy to use.
• Completely automatic.
• On a hard disk your title takes up less space and copies faster from one hard disk to another.
• Doesn't change your work process. You can still use the standard media folder and combine it with the media database.
• Small memory footprint.
• It works with Switch or Browse techniques,
• Can be used as final step in your development process or can be used during development.

iShell versions supported:

• iShell 2.0.3

Price:

Price is $550.

Price for registered users of iPackager 1.2 or earlier is $295.

Services includes:

• Free support by e-mail
• One developer license
• Invoice by mail
• Free of royalties, (you can build as many titles as you want).

How to contact us:

Marc Van Olmen
SKY4 STUDIOS
Vaartstraat 92
2520 RANST
Belgium
Tel: +32 3 475 19 98 (Please try to use e-mail)
Fax: +32 3 475 95 52
e-mail: marc@sky4studios.be