ExtendSim 8 was released on July 12, 2010. Upgrade to 8 now.

ExtendSim 8.0.2 was released August 18, 2011. This free update further optimizes the stability and quality of ExtendSim 8.

ExtendSim 7.0.6a was released November 14, 2009. If you you choose to continue using ExtendSim 7 and are using an earlier release of ExtendSim 7, download a patch file to update to 7.0.6a.

Note: The only change from 7.0.6 to 7.0.6a was made to the Rate library. If you had already updated to ExtendSim 7.0.6 which was released November 2, 2009, you only need to upgrade to 7.0.6a if you are using the Rate library (in ExtendSim AT or ExtendSim Suite).

To see the complete history of ExtendSim, go to the Evolution of ExtendSim.

Network licenses are available for ExtendSim. An ExtendSim Network License allows a specified number of simultaneous ExtendSim users in a network environment. For more details, see License Types.

Within the first 30 days of purchase, registered users are entitled to 100% trade-in credit for each single user license converted to a station on a comparable or higher network license product.

If it has been more than 30 days since purchase, registered users with a current license are entitled to 75% trade-in credit for each single user license converted to a station on a comparable or higher network license product.

If you are using a version prior to the current version, the trade-in credit will be reduced by the price of the upgrade.

To allow others to access your model or the ExtendSim functionality across an internet or intranet, you need an ASP license.

After a 60 day complimentary support period, Technical Support is available for registered ExtendSim users either under an annual ExtendSim Maintenance Plan or on a Per-Incident basis.

Maintenance Plan

Network Licenses -- A Maintenance Plan for support and upgrades is required. The first year, Maintenance is included; it must then be renewed annually at 20% of the cost of a then-current license at the time of renewal. The Maintenance Plan covers basic usage questions and troubleshooting as well as upgrades to major releases.

Single User Licenses -- A Maintenance Plan for support and upgrades is
optional, but highly recommended. The Maintenance Plan covers basic usage questions and troubleshooting as well as upgrades to major releases. Maintenance can only be purchased within 60 days of purchasing a new license or upgrading.

Single User and Network Licenses -- In addition to support and upgrades, the Maintenance Plan provides discounts on special ExtendSim webinars and trainings as well as first looks at upcoming products and features.

Per-Incident Support (for single user licenses only)

For usage questions and troubleshooting after the first 60 days, support may be purchased on a per-incident basis; each incident is a discussion and resolution of one issue. Per-Incident Support is available for purchase through the ExtendSim Store.

No. We do not offer specials or discounts on ExtendSim (unless you are purchasing a large number of licenses on the same order).

Our simulation software is an excellent value at full price, offering technologies and capabilities not found in software that costs much more. Keeping a simple, straightforward pricing plan saves us time and saves you money.

Downloaded products

Downloaded software cannot be returned. A license code is provided, but no physical product is shipped so there is nothing to be returned. Imagine That Inc. offers a free downloadable, working version of ExtendSim for evaluation. It is assumed that the buyer has reviewed his/her product of choice and is completely satisfied with its quality before effecting actual purchase of said product. If you have not tried the free demonstration version, please do so before purchasing any of our products. With knowledge of the above, no refund/return request should be solicited by the buyer/user on such basis.

Boxed products

		If you download the software, you cannot return the boxed product. Returns are only accepted if the product has not been downloaded.
		Return requests for boxed products must be made to Imagine That Inc. within 30 days of shipment.
		Request an RMA number from Imagine That Inc. or your ExtendSim Distributor prior to return.
		Package must be unopened.
		A 15% restocking fee applies.
		No refunds on shipping fees.

Training refund policy

See Training Cancellation Policy below.

Imagine That! warrants the CD on which the Software is recorded to be free from defects in material or workmanship under normal use for 30 days after the date of initial delivery. During the 30-day period, you may return the CD to Imagine That! and it will be replaced, without charge, with other media containing the Software. After the 30-day period, registered users can request a replacement CD for $25. Such replacement of the CD is your SOLE AND EXCLUSIVE REMEDY in the event of a defect.

ExtendSim User Guide

The ExtendSim User Guide explains and provides examples of different simulation approaches. This manual has step-by-step tutorials and models that show you how to build, run, and analyze ExtendSim models. Other sections in the User Guide show you how to enhance the look of your models, add animation and costing, print, import/export data, use the ExtendSim database and 3D environment, resource management, and so forth.

Developer Reference

The Developer Reference reveals the ExtendSim integrated development environment (IDE) so that you can create, modify, and debug ExtendSim blocks. It is also useful when working with the equation-based blocks.

ExtendSim 8 Addendum

This supplement to the two printed manuals of the User Guide and Developer Reference reflects the changes made to ExtendSim for release 8. It discusses the new Scenario Manager, Advanced Resource Management, enhancements to Equation and Equation-based blocks, and other pacesetting new features added to ExtendSim 8.

Printed Manuals vs. Electronic Manuals

Full versions of ExtendSim (single user and network) ship with the ExtendSim User Guide and ExtendSim 8 Addendum. The Developer Reference is available for purchase through the ExtendSim Store. Printed documentation is NOT included with the following ExtendSim products: Academic Network License, LT, and Demo. These products do, however, include electronic manuals.

The electronic versions of the User Guide and Developer Reference have been updated for release 8 and include all the information from the ExtendSim 8 Addendum. Electronic downloads of the ExtendSim manuals are available as a free download.

Check out our abbreviated list of solutions that ExtendSim has helped facilitate. Also, there are a number of case studies, papers, and articles published on the web and in magazines that discuss how ExtendSim (and Extend, as it was formerly called) is being used by others. References to ExtendSim can be found in a number of books as well.

To learn about what other ExtendSim users are modeling right now, go to the ExtendSim Exchange, a virtual meeting room to exchange ideas, discuss simulation techniques, post issues and solutions, and talk directly to other simulationists.

Our customers present papers independently of Imagine That, Inc. Unlike other simulation software companies, we do not pay our customers to write a paper. While we encourage our customers to present papers, we believe that the best interests of the simulation community are served by remaining neutral at academic conferences.

We could set up dozens of matrixes and comparative documents that boast about how awesome ExtendSim is and slant the results in our favor since we would be 'authoring the study'. But these kinds of comparisons from software developers are rarely helpful. We are happy to give you guidelines about how ExtendSim is designed and how it would handle the various challenges you could put it up against. But in the end, you are the best determinent of which tool would best suit your particular needs.

So, ask us questions - any question - and we're happy to answer about how ExtendSim works. If you want to know how it is as compared to other packages, we could provide you with our personal opinions, but it's probably best to ask those that have used multiple packages in their modeling careers. Check out what simulationists are saying the the ExtendSim Exchange:

In addition, our customers present papers comparing various simulation tools independently of Imagine That, Inc. A few are posted on the Case Studies & Papers page.

Please go to our ExtendSim Section 508 VPAT (Voluntary Product Accessibility Template) page.

If you own a current Maintenance Plan, upgrades will automatically be sent to you as they are released. Be sure to keep us updated if there are changes in license administration contact information. If you are not sure if your Maintenance is current, please contact us.

If you are not a Maintenance Plan holder, download an Upgrade Order Form. If you are using ExtendSim in an educational environment, download an Education Upgrade Order Form.

Upgrades are not available for purchase or download through the ExtendSim Store.

Updates (bug fixes and minor enhancements) are always available as free downloads. ExtendSim 8.0.1 was released November 18, 2010. This free update further optimizes the stability and quality of ExtendSim 8.

ExtendSim is upwardly compatible and will read in models built in ExtendSim 7 and Extend 6. However, ExtendSim 8 is not backwardly compatible. Models and blocks you build in ExtendSim 8 cannot be read by earlier versions.

It is always highly recommended to use the most current release of any software tool – as is the case with ExtendSim. Current releases take advantage of hardware and software advances and interact more appropriately with other new software packages. Plus, ExtendSim 8 can run models built in ExtendSim 7 and Extend 6.

There are only three reasons you would need to use the legacy product ExtendSim 7:

ExtendSim 7 legacy products are available for purchase and download through the ExtendSim Store. We recommend you purchase a Maintenance Plan with your license so you can get ExtendSim 8 sent to you at no charge when you are ready to upgrade. Otherwise, you will need to pay the full upgrade price. This offer is valid only while supplies last.

When sharing your ExtendSim models and/or custom libraries with fellow employees, customers, or others (“end users”), the end user will either:

		Already have a full version of ExtendSim.
		Not want to purchase the full version of ExtendSim.

If the end user has a license for the full version of ExtendSim:
	In most cases, you can just provide your models and custom libraries to the end user. However, if your model uses blocks from the OR or AT libraries, utilize the ExtendSim 3D environment, or your custom libraries have been derived from ExtendSim libraries in the ExtendSim OR, ExtendSim AT, or ExtendSim Suite products; the end user must also have the comparable ExtendSim product. If the model you are sharing contains custom-built blocks, please see Delivering Custom Files to an End User. Other things to consider:
		To prevent blocks being added, deleted, or moved in your models, give the Model > Lock Model command and use a password.
		To protect the source code of your custom libraries, use the Library > Tools > Protect Library command.

If the end user does not have the full version of ExtendSim:

The LT and Demo versions are a perfect solution for end users who do not have the full version of ExtendSim. End users can either purchase an ExtendSim LT from the ExtendSim Store or download the free ExtendSim Demo from www.simulationdemo.com. Whether the end user utilizes the LT or the Demo depends on the amount of flexibility in model usage is required. You then need to deliver your models and other files (such as your custom libraries formatted for RunTime, DLLs, and Includes) to the end users. If you purchase an LT license for the end user, you may also customize its startup screen with your contact information.

Both the ExtendSim LT and Demo-Player versions are limited versions of ExtendSim designed for those want to:

	Evaluate the ExtendSim line of products
	Run models built by others

Both the LT and Demo allow users to:

	Explore the features and capabilities of the four ExtendSim products (ExtendSim Suite, ExtendSim AT, ExtendSim OR, and ExtendSim CP)
	Use it as a Player to run models of any size and view simulation results
	Build small models (up to 75 blocks in the LT; 25 blocks or less in the Demo)
	Change parameters in any size model
	Add or remove blocks and change connection lines in existing small models (models of 75 blocks or less in the LT; 25 block or less models in the Demo)
	Create new blocks and save them in libraries

Determining the best license to use for model viewing depends on the amount of flexibility you need. Generally, if you just need to view and run the model, use the Demo-Player. It is available as a free download, but does not allow you to:

	Build models larger than 25 blocks.
	Save models you build.
	Save changes to existing models.
	Print model worksheets.
	Use scripting or ActiveX automation to run or construct a model. (If you would like this capability, see the Distributed Analysis license.)

If you not only need to view and run models, but also print and save them, use the LT version of ExtendSim. In addition to allowing you to print models, you can also build larger models in the LT (up to 75 blocks rather the the 25 block limit in the Demo) AND save those models you build. It is available as a $100 download through the ExtendSim Store (discounts are available to students using the LT in a classroom environment). However, there are still some limitations with the LT:

	The models you build are limited to a maximum of 75 blocks.
	You may only save changes to models that contain 75 blocks or less.
	The model-building capability expires 180 days after installation. (Note: model-running capability never expires.)
	You may not use scripting or ActiveX automation to run or construct a model. (If you would like this capability, see the Distributed Analysis license.)
	There is no upgrade path and technical support is limited to installation questions.

Full versions of the ExtendSim products allow you to build models of any size, save changes to existing models and save the models themselves, print model worksheets, and use scripting to automatically construct a model.

As the developer, it is your responsibility to supply the end user with the necessary files and sufficient information to install those files. Use this as a guide to ensure the end user has all the necessary components to view and run your model:

		An ExtendSim license. If the end user does not own a comparable full version of ExtendSim, please supply or direct them to either an ExtendSim LT or Demo.
		Your ExtendSim models.
		Any custom libraries the model/s require. If the end user will utilize the full-featured version of ExtendSim and your model uses blocks from the OR or AT libraries, utilize the ExtendSim 3D environment, or your custom libraries have been derived from ExtendSim libraries in the ExtendSim OR, ExtendSim AT, or ExtendSim Suite products; the end user must also have the comparable ExtendSim product. If you do not want the end user to be able to build models with your custom library, convert the library to RunTime format. For those using either the LT or Demo-Player version of ExtendSim, your custom library MUST be in RunTime format so the end user can run models using that library. If you want the end user to be able to use your libraries to build models, you must also send them copies of your libraries that are NOT RunTime formatted. (To prevent access to the source code, you can use the Library > Tools > Protect Library command; this removes the source code from all the blocks in the library.)   If you do not want the end user to be able to use your libraries to build custom models, only send them your libraries that have been converted to RunTime format
		Any extensions required by your files.
		Installation and model usage instructions.
		If you wish to provide the end user with your contact information on the ExtendSim startup screen of the LT, include a copy of the “ex_name.txt” text file to customize the startup screen.

RunTime formatting is helpful for library developers because it limits the use of libraries and protects block source code:

		A library in RunTime format can be used by an LT or Demo-Player version to run models, but not to build models.
		The full version of ExtendSim cannot fully use libraries that have been converted to RunTime format. (The full version can open a model that uses RunTime formatted libraries, but the end user will only be able to run the model, not make changes.)
		Libraries that are in RunTime format have their source code removed.

The LT and Demo versions include RunTime versions of all of the standard ExtendSim libraries. Thus, only your custom libraries should be reformatted as RunTime.

To convert your custom libraries to RunTime format:

Note: ExtendSim libraries are platform specific so library conversion must be done on the end user’s platform. For example, the Macintosh LT version can only read libraries that have been converted to RunTime format on the Macintosh platform. Sometimes custom blocks use commands or components not available on the other platform so they may or may not be able to be readable on the other platform. However, most blocks are cross-platform compatible.

		In ExtendSim, choose Library > Tools > Convert Library to RunTime Format.
		Select the library for conversion. ExtendSim will make a copy of the library, convert it to RunTime format, and save it in the same location as the original library.
		Libraries converted to RunTime format keep the same name as the original, but add the extension “.lrx” (Windows) or “.rt” (Macintosh).
		Since the library name is the same, models opened by the LT or Demo version of ExtendSim will recognize the reformatted libraries as if they were the originals. (Note, however, that the full version of ExtendSim will not allow the end user to build models with RunTime formatted libraries.)

The LT startup screen can be customized with personalized text. For example, add your company name, URL, and telephone number so the end user can contact you.

Customizing the screen

To customize the startup screen of an LT application that is already installed on a computer, give the command Library > Tools > RunTime Startup Screen Editor in the LT application. A window appears asking you to open the “extrsr.rsr” file that is located in the ExtendSim LT folder. When you open the extrsr.rsr file, a second window appears for entering the text. You are limited to 5 lines and a total of 255 characters.

Creating a file for the end user
	To give an end user a text file that will display your custom information in their LT application, do the following:
		Install an LT version on your computer so you can test the customization.
		Use a word processing program and type up to 4 lines of custom text, with a maximum of 100 characters per line.
		Save the file as a text file named "ex_name.txt", typed exactly as shown here.
		To test the customization, place a copy of the "ex_name.txt" file into the ExtendSim LT folder and launch the LT.
		When the LT application is launched, the text will appear on the startup screen and the text file will disappear. (Which is why you need to use a copy of the customization file.)
		Give the copy of the "ex_name.txt" file to the end users and instruct them to copy the "ex_name.txt” file into their LT folder. (Each end user needs his/her own LT license.)

If you use screen shots that contain ExtendSim blocks on your web site or in any printed matter, please post or footnote this statement:

ExtendSim blocks copyright © 1987-2011 Imagine That Inc. All rights reserved.

You must get prior written permission from Imagine That Inc. before using any documentation from the ExtendSim manuals, blocks, Help, or the Imagine That Inc. web site in your documentation. Once permission is granted, please include this statement:

Portions copyright © 1987-2011 Imagine That Inc. All rights reserved.

If your blocks use copyrighted information from certain libraries in the ExtendSim products, your right to sell, give, or otherwise distribute the blocks you have developed is restricted. In that case, your blocks may only be sold, given away, or distributed to a recipient who has the same ExtendSim package that you used to develop your blocks. For more information, see the copyright notices at the front of the ExtendSim User Guide.

Public Training Course Refund Policy

In order to maximize the effectiveness of our training classes, Imagine That Inc. limits the number of attendees per class. Registrants who have been confirmed for a specific training class may reschedule or cancel their class:

	Up to 14 days before the course starts	Full refund
	One to 13 days before course starts	$500 cancellation fee
	No show or no advance cancellation	No refund

Imagine That Inc. reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any training class upon a fourteen (14) day notice to all confirmed registrants. Registrants may then reschedule into an upcoming training class or cancel the registration without penalty. The client understands and agrees that Imagine That Inc. shall not, in any way, be held responsible for any cost, including airfare, transportation cost, hotel expenses or other cost that the client may suffer in the event that Imagine That Inc. cancels or reschedules a class.

On-Site Training Refund Policy

When an on-site training class has been booked, the dates reserved have been set aside exclusively for you so that time period is unavailable to others who might want training. Travel and other arrangements for the course trainer are also made at the time the training is booked. Thus, our Refund Policy for on-site training different than for the Public Training:

	Notify Imagine That Inc. of cancellation at least 21 days before the scheduled start of the course. This ONLY applies if the training was to be held within the contiguous United States. (For training in Alaska, Hawaii, and all countries outside of the USA, the full refund only applies if you cancel at least 30 days before the scheduled start of the course.)	Full refund (or no charge, as applicable)
	Notify Imagine That Inc. of cancellation between 20 and 2 days before the scheduled start of the course. This ONLY applies if the training was to be held within the contiguous United States. (For training in Alaska, Hawaii, and all countries outside of the USA, the partial refund only applies if you cancel at least 5 days before the scheduled start of the course.) The partial refund (or partial charge, as applicable) consists of: No refund on instructor expenses. We will do our best to recover instructor expenses from vendors (airlines, hotel, etc) and will refund or credit you for any expenses we recover. But there is no guarantee that any of the instructor's expenses will be recoverable. A $500 cancellation fee if the course was to be held within the contiguous United States; $1,000 cancellation fee otherwise.	Partial refund (or you will incur a partial charge, as applicable)
	Unless you provide at least a 2 day advance notice of cancellation AND the training is within the contiguous United States, there is no refund on quoted charges for the training. (For training in Alaska, Hawaii, and all countries outside of the USA, there is no refund ((or you will be charged, as applicable)) unless you notify us of cancellation at least 5 days in advance of the training.)	No refund (or a full charge, as applicable)

ExtendSim can import data from and export data to an MS Access database using the Data Import Export block. In order to do this, the MS Access database must be setup as an ODBC data source.

The steps for making an MS Access database an ODBC data source are as follows:

To import data into/export data from an ExtendSim model using the database:

TIP: Make sure field names in the ODBC data source table do not contain special characters, spaces or use reserved ODBC words, e.g., "Timestamp", "SELECT", "INSERT", etc.

Showing simultaneous movement requires the use of a Transport and/or Convey Item block. To animate the simultaneous movement of items through a model, follow these steps:

Connect a Switch block from the Utilities library to the "Q" (Item Quantity) input connector on the Create block. If the Switch is On, a quantity of 1 is sent to the Create block and an item is created. When the Switch is Off, a quantity of 0 is sent to the Create block and no item is created.

Use a Write block (Value Library) as an interface between the Database and the Optimizer. Follow these steps:

When the Optimizer changes the variables, they will automatically be changed in the Database.

In other simulation tools, the items (AKA entities or transactions) are put on the event calendar (scheduled for future consideration when a time delay is encountered). In ExtendSim, the blocks have an entry on the event calendar. Some blocks contain their own event calendars with an entry for each item in the block.

Scheduling the blocks rather than the items has a number of advantages:

		Because there are typically fewer event scheduling blocks in the model than there are items to be scheduled and the number of event scheduling blocks in a model does not change, the ExtendSim event calendar is relatively small. This eliminates the need for time consuming insertion and deletion of events on the calendar. This is particularly important in large model where searching the event calendar for the next event can be a large portion of the execution time.
		It is very easy to change the event time. Because the block’s event time is stored in a fixed location, the future event time for the block can be changed with a simple assignment.
		Items are not necessary for an event. A block can schedule an event without needing to create (and then dispose of) an item.
		Any block in the model can schedule an event. This makes it particularly easy to build modeling components which simulate system features such as preemption and reneging. These types of features normally require internal or dummy items in other simulation tools.

ExtendSim uses both a push and pull mechanism to propel the items through the model. Residence blocks (residence blocks are any block that can hold an item for a non-zero amount of time) attempt to pull items in until it is full or until there are no more items to pull in. Then the residence blocks will try to push items out until there are no items left or the downstream path is blocked. In some cases, the residence block will hold the item for a specific time delay before attempting to push the item out.

The item waits in the last upstream residence block. Residence blocks are any block that can hold an item for a non-zero amount of time. Examples include queues, activities, resource blocks, and some decision blocks. If the last residence block is a generator type block, the item will be held until a new item is created or the activity pulls the item. This is the only time that an item will be destroyed if there is downstream capacity.

Yes, ExtendSim puts the blocks on the event calendar in simulation order. Blocks with a lower simulation order will receive their event message first. You can change the simulation order with the following steps:

		Go to Run > Simulation Setup > Continuous tab.
		Turn on Show Simulation Order from the Model menu.
		Select an event scheduling block and choose Set Simulation Order from the Model menu.
		Note that the simulation order will only make a difference if two or more events occur at exactly the same time. If the events are not exactly at the same time, the events will occur in chronological order.

If you add new dialog items or static variables, they will need to be initialized. The easiest way to do this is in the on openModel message handler. This is called whenever a model is loaded. If you delete or change the dimensions of dialog items or static variables the data in the existing blocks may not match up correctly with the data in the existing blocks. To avoid this, delete the existing blocks and re-add them to the model. You can also use the "hide" feature to hide the dialog item. You should do this if your blocks are being used in models where it would be inconvenient to replace each instance of the blocks.

The error message is probably the result of not having sufficient permissions on your machine to check out the license. The check-out process requires some administrative rights on the client machine and many companies are restricting these rights from users.

Try using the right-click command 'Run as administrator'. If this doesn't work, then you may not have sufficient permissions on the machine to check out a license.    

If the proper version of Excel is not installed on your computer, you will see the error: OLE CreateObject Not Successful when you try to access an Excel spreadsheet from ExtendSim. Possible causes of receiving this error are:    

		Excel is not installed on your computer.
		Excel is installed on your computer, but the installation is damaged. In this case you will need to re-install Excel.
		A “click-to-run” version of Excel is installed on your computer. This version does not support communication between outside applications such as ExtendSim and Excel. See http://support.microsoft.com/kb/982431 for more details. In this case, you will need to uninstall your click-to-run version of Excel and install a full version of Excel. Instructions for this are on the above Microsoft web site.

Because ExtendSim has its own compiler, it executes compiled code. Windows can interpret this code as data, rather than code, that is executing. The default setting for Data Execution Prevention (DEP) is "Turn on DEP for essential Windows Programs only." Some Windows installations don't use the default; this causes a problem for ExtendSim. To correct this problem, find your operating system below and follow the instructions.

Windows 7 instructions:

	1	Open Control Panel
	2	Click "System and Security"
	3	Click "System"
	4	Click "Advanced System Settings"
	5	Click "Performance Settings"
	6	Click "Data Execution Prevention"
	Then...
	7	Click "Turn on DEP for essential Windows Programs..." OR... Add ExtendSim.exe to the list.

Vista instructions:

	1	Open Control Panel
	2	Click "System and Maintenance"
	3	Click "System"
	4	Click "Advanced System Settings"
	5	Click "Performance Settings"
	6	Click "Data Execution Prevention"
	Then...
	7	Click "Turn on DEP for essential Windows Programs..." OR... Add ExtendSim.exe to the list.

Windows XP instructions:

	1	Double-click "System" control panel item from Start menu->Settings->Control Panel to open the System Properties dialog
	2	Click the "Advanced" tab on the System Properties dialog
	3	Click the "Performance" Settings button
	4	Click the "Data Execution Prevention" tab
	5	Only if the "Turn on DEP for all programs..." radio button was selected, click the "Add..." button and add Extend.exe in the Extend6 folder. If the other radio button was selected (the default), this is not the cause of the crash.

After a 60 day complimentary support period, Technical Support is available for registered ExtendSim users either under an annual ExtendSim Maintenance Plan or on a Per-Incident basis.

Maintenance Plan

Network Licenses -- A Maintenance Plan for support and upgrades is required. The first year, Maintenance is included; it must then be renewed annually at 20% of the cost of a then-current license at the time of renewal. The Maintenance Plan covers basic usage questions and troubleshooting as well as upgrades to major releases.

Single User Licenses -- A Maintenance Plan for support and upgrades is
optional, but highly recommended. The Maintenance Plan covers basic usage questions and troubleshooting as well as upgrades to major releases. Maintenance can only be purchased within 60 days of purchasing a new license or upgrading.

Single User and Network Licenses -- In addition to support and upgrades, the Maintenance Plan provides discounts on special ExtendSim webinars and trainings as well as first looks at upcoming products and features.

Per-Incident Support (for single user licenses only)

For usage questions and troubleshooting after the first 60 days, support may be purchased on a per-incident basis; each incident is a discussion and resolution of one issue. Per-Incident Support is available for purchase through the ExtendSim Store.

If you have multiple ExtendSim licenses on your computer (for example the Demo and full version), it is generally better to open the ExtendSim license you want to use first, then open the model. If you double-click on a model to open the application, it will open the last ExtendSim license installed.

If you receive an error message regarding QuickTime as you attempt to launch ExtendSim, there is an older version of QuickTime installed on your machine. Either update to the latest QuickTime release or uninstall QuickTime to get ExtendSim to launch properly.

The ExtendSim 3D environment accepts 3D objects in DTS format. Several common editors that support exporting a DTS object (with an added plug-in) are Milkshape, 3ds Max, and Maya.

If the 3D editor you are using to edit your existing objects does not have a DTS exporter, you will need to import the objects into an editor that does. Once you have the objects in a editor that supports exporting a DTS object, you can modify them for use in ExtendSim. 

For more information, see How do I create a new object for use in the ExtendSim 3D Window?

The ability to construct 3D objects is not built into ExtendSim.  To build a new object for use with the ExtendSim 3D window:

	The ExtendSim 3D environment accepts 3D objects in DTS format. Use a 3D object editor that supports exporting objects in the DTS format. Most editors do not have a native DTS format ability, so this will involve adding an exporter plug-in to the editor. Several common editors that support exporting a DTS object (with an added plug-in) are Milkshape, 3ds Max, and Maya.
	Create the object in the editor. While designing the object, keep in mind different types of objects have different requirements. For example, an ExtendItem (an item that travels from block to block) should have a mount point on the top and bottom. To learn more about requirements for DTS objects, see the ExtendSim Developer Reference.
	Export the object from the editor to a DTS file. DTS objects have certain requirements. As an example, all DTS objects used by the GarageGames Torque engine require a bounding box. The exporter plug-in will, in some cases, provide the ability to add a bouding box automatically.
	Add the exported DTS file and associated texture files it requires into ExtendSim. Information about adding an object to the ExtendSim extensions folder is available in the ExtendSim Developer Reference.

This is a simplified description, as each of these steps is potentially complex, but complete otherwise.

For more tips on creating 3D objects, consider Creating Game Art for 3D Engines (written by Brad Strong, published by Charles River Media). It covers the use of 3DS Max to build objects for the Torque engine (the engine the ExtendSim 3D window is based on).

Feel free to contact ExtendSim Technical Support for questions about this process.

There are several books that could be quite useful if you want to learn more about the Torque Game Engine, how to modify the ExtendSim 3D (E3D) window, or how to add components or behavior to the ExtendSim 3D functionality.

The ExtendSim User Guide and Developer Reference contain a lot of information about the E3D environment. We suggest you look there first.

If you are trying to do customization of behaviors or events in the E3D window that are beyond the scope of the material in the User Guide and Developer Reference, we suggest:

	Creating Game Art for 3D Engines. Brad Strong. Charles River Media.   This book is a description and a tutorial for building objects for use with the Torque (E3D) engine. It uses the 3DS Max software package as the design software.
	The Game Programmer's Guide to Torque. Edward F. Maurina III. GG Press. A guide to the Torque Game Engine (TGE).
	3D Game Programming All In One. Kenneth C. Finney. Premier Press. Another guide to the Torque Game Engine (TGE).

These notes are a series of observations about the process of creating a DTS object for use with ExtendSim. It is not a tutorial or step by step procedure for doing this. Note these observations are based on using 3DS Max and may have some assumptions or information as a result of that.

	As much as possible, the object should be moved to be centered at 0, 0 in the XY coordinate system and should have its base at 0 on the Z axis. Do not put the object in one of the corners.
	Object scaling is a big and important question. By default, the object may need to be scaled. One option for scaling the object is to select all parts of the object and use the scaling tools in the 3D object application to uniformly scale the object larger or smaller. This is a convenient solution for the case where the exported object appears okay, but is either too large or too small in the ExtendSim environment.
	After moving or scaling your model, you may need to reset the transforms. This makes sure that each part of the model is correctly tagged internally with its location and scaling information. A slightly complex method for doing this that works cleanly and has the added benefit of combining multiple parts of the model (which is helpful if there is no reason to separate them in the DTS model), is described below as the Box Trick.
	The names of nodes or bones need to conform to certain rules. The rules require a specific layout of the node hierarchy and that some node names follow certain naming conventions. GarageGames.com DTS Exporter Reference is a document that covers in great detail how everything works, plus has some extra goodies to help you solve some of the more complex problems you may encounter with the engine and DTS export tools.
	Node names need to be unique (which is not a requirement for all 3D modeling environments, so this may not be the case in your model). Node names of mesh components require the detail level number to be the last character in its name (as described in GarageGames.com DTS Exporter Reference) so you cannot just add 1, 2, 3 etc. to the end of the existing names to make them unique.
	A DTS object requires a bounding box. This is a box around the outside of an object that defines the shape within the engine. The box must be called bounds. The orientation of the bounding box defines the orientation of the final object. The box should completely enclose the shape at all points. Depending on which DTS exporter you are using, there may be a facility for creating the box from within the exporter.
	JPG or PNG textures that are associated with the object will need to be included with the final DTS object. Please note that if these texture files are not a power of 2 on each side, (ie. the number of pixels across each of the sides is not one of 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, 128, 256, 512, …) the texture file will need to be modified to meet this criteria. This modification can be done by clipping or stretching the file. Which of these methods you choose to use depends on how the texture is mapped to the object. (The simplest thing to do is to try both and see how the object appears in the ExtendSim 3D window.) Note that the texture does not need to be square, (ie. the number of pixels in width does not need to match the number of pixels in height) but each side needs to be a power of two in dimension.
	Don’t forget to add nodes that are specific to ExtendSim and/or the Torque Engine. Specifically the most common nodes you will want to add are a mountPoint at the bottom of the object and a mount0 node at the top.

Note the following text is from the GarageGames.com website:

	Resetting Transforms: "The Box Trick" There is a foolproof way to reset the transform of a mesh in 3DSMAX. Most of the built in methods for resetting the transform are not as clean doing "The box trick". When you have moved, rotated, or scaled your model you will need to use this trick to cleanse its transform information. This method is preferred over the reset x-form function in MAX. Reset x-form does it's work by sticking a modifier in the 3DSMAX modifier stack. This adds additional data that must be interpreted by 3DSMAX in order to output the correct data, and it is not always correct or accurate. It works, but it has proved problematic in the past on certain shapes.
	Procedure 8.14. The "Box Trick"
	Create a simple box shape. Align this box with the origin of the bounding box. Convert the box to an editable mesh. With the box selected, go into the modifier panel and click the "attach" button. Select the character mesh to be attached to the box. The character should now be a part of Box01. (If you have more then one mesh that you would like to be a single piece in the final DTS, attach them all, one by one.) To remove the extra box geometry hanging around, choose "Select by Element". Select the box shape then delete it. Rename your character mesh so that it conforms to the export parameters (detail number, etc.)
	Your character mesh has a brand new transform, identical to that of the box when it was attached.

	The ExtendSim 3D environment accepts 3D objects in DTS format. Use a 3D object editor that supports exporting objects in the DTS format. Most editors do not have a native DTS format ability, so this will involve adding an exporter plug-in to the editor. Several common editors that support exporting a DTS object (with an added plug-in) are Milkshape, 3ds Max, and Maya.
	Create the object in the editor. While designing the object, keep in mind different types of objects have different requirements. For example, an ExtendItem (an item that travels from block to block) should have a mount point on the top and bottom. To learn more about requirements for DTS objects, see the ExtendSim Developer Reference.
	Export the object from the editor to a DTS file. DTS objects have certain requirements. As an example, all DTS objects used by the GarageGames Torque engine require a bounding box. The exporter plug-in will, in some cases, provide the ability to add a bouding box automatically.
	Add the exported DTS file and associated texture files it requires into ExtendSim. Information about adding an object to the ExtendSim extensions folder is available in the ExtendSim Developer Reference.

Feel free to contact ExtendSim Technical Support for questions about this process.

ExtendSim does not run on a Macintosh with Lion installed. Lion does not support PPC based applications (which ExtendSim is), therefore ExtendSim 8.0 or earlier will not run on this version of the OS.

And we won't have a fix unless Apple adds support for previous versions into Lion. In the meantime, Imagine That Inc developers are hard at work on an Mac Intel-based version of ExtendSim, but unfortunately it will not be released until ExtendSim 9 is released. So, if you intend to run ExtendSim on your Mac, please consider delaying upgrading your machine to 10.7.

We have discovered a potential problem when running Excel macros from ExtendSim using OLE/COM if the Google Desktop add-in is installed and active in Excel. During the running of the macro, the following Microsoft Visual basic error can occur:

Run-time error '-2147417848 (80010108)';

Automation error
The object invoked has disconnected from its clients.

To fix this problem, make the Google Desktop add-in inactive in Excel. To do this:

	Go to Excel Options > Add-Ins > Manage
	Select "COM add-ins"
	Click the "Go" button
	Uncheck the Google Desktop add-in

We have contacted Google to notify them of this incompatibility.

Feel free to contact ExtendSim Technical Support for questions about this process.