Q: What is 3D Lightyear File Preparation Software?
3D Lightyear 1.0 File Preparation Software is used to prepare STL and SLC files to be built on a 3D Systems' Stereolithography system (SLA). It provides the functionality of Maestro 1.9.1, and adds many new features. 3D Lightyear accomplishes these primary objectives:

• SLA build preparation on the Windows NT 4.0 platform supporting all current SLA systems
• Windows NT look and feel improves ease of use over Maestro 1.9.1
• 3D Lightyear is the foundation part preparation software for future SLA systems. This initial release, Version 1.0, replaces Maestro 1.9.1

Q: When will 3D Lightyear be available?
3D Lightyear is available now. Contact your local 3D Systems' office for more information.

Q: Does 3D Lightyear prepare build files that are compatible with all SLA systems?
Yes, as long as they are running DOS Buildstation 3.83 (or higher) for SLA 190/250 systems, or Windows NT Buildstation 5.0 (or higher) for SLA 35/500/3500/5000/7000 systems.

Q: How much does 3D Lightyear cost?
The pricing and upgrade structure is:

• Included free with all new SLA systems
• Free to all users who purchased any SLA system from 3D Systems after August 31, 1997
• Free to all SLA users with software maintenance in effect as of 12/31/98
• Otherwise, contact your sales representative for pricing.
• 3D Lightyear licenses can be shared by all co-workers within an organization at no additional charge

Q: What are the benefits of upgrading to 3D Lightyear Software?

• Lowers costs in acquisition & maintenance (hardware & software)
• Single, familiar, easy-to-use user interface (Windows applications)
• Smaller .bff files for faster file transfer and lower storage requirements
• Better performance reduces front-end bottlenecks
• Unlimited copies
• QuickCast and automatic support generation included at no extra charge

Q: Is 3D Lightyear more powerful than Maestro?
3D Lightyear is up to 70% faster than Maestro, repairs files up to 150 times faster, and sends up to 70% smaller build files to your large-frame SLA to keep your SLAs more productive and to minimize required storage space.

Q: What are the new features of 3D Lightyear?
New features include:

• A single module integrated user interface
• Streamlined .bff files that are from 1/10th to 2/3rd the size of buildfiles from Maestro
• Up to 150 times faster .stl file verification and repair
• Up to 6 times faster buildfile preparation (slicing)
• Automatic part placement
• Drag & drop part positioning
• An all-new Windows NT application
• Platform setup wizard
• Improved line-width compensation
• Direct screen print function
• Extensive, interactive online help
• Multi-level Undo
• Pre-defined and Saved Views

Q: Why is 3D Lightyear easier to learn and use compared to Maestro 1.9.1?
3D Lightyear provides a single user interface that reduces the complexity of part and build file preparation for entry-level users, and supports a high degree of control over part building parameters for advanced-level users. Maestro required many steps in order to prepare a build file. The user was required to use separate preparation, viewing and support editing modules, each with its own user interface.

Q: Are buildfiles produced with 3D Lightyear compatible with my existing SLA Buildstation software?
Yes and no. 3D Lightyear produces a build file set compatible with SLA 190 and 250, Buildstation 3.83, or higher. However, because the build files for SLA 350/500/3500/5000 and 7000 have been streamlined in 3D Lightyear, the SLA requires the companion Buildstation upgrade version 5.0

Q: Can I keep 4.1.1 on my SLA system as well as load the new Buildstation 5.0?
Yes. Buildstation 5.0 and Buildstation 4.1.1 can co-exist on the same SLA system. Therefore, your Maestro software can still be used to produce files that can be built on your SLA system. In the long run, however, we are sure you will value the improvements 3D Lightyear provides and will want to transition to the new 3D Lightyear software exclusively.

Q: Is Buildstation 5.0 included with 3D Lightyear?
Yes. Because Buildstation 5.0 is required to run 3D Lightyear on all machines except the SLA 190 and SLA 250, Buildstation 5.0 is included with all new large-frame SLAs (SLA 3500 and SLA 5000, and SLA 7000), and in the 3D Lightyear upgrade package.

Q: What is 3D Systems' recommended workstation configuration for running 3D Lightyear?
The following recommendations should be considered the minimum for acceptable performance under average workload conditions. It is possible to run 3D Lightyear on a lesser-equipped workstation, but performance will suffer. For installations that have heavy processing loads (i.e., that build many, complex parts in a single build), more RAM, a faster processor and a higher-end graphics card can be used to improve performance.

Q: Which video cards have been tested for use with 3D Lightyear?
During our internal testing, we used the Galaxy AGP, Eclipse II AGP, and Star II AGP, all from Evans and Sutherland. However, our beta testing sites successfully ran using cards from other manufacturers, so we are not offering this information as an endorsement of a single manufacturer's products. In fact, we have not found a situation where a card that meets our published requirements failed to function. In all problem cases experienced thus far, either changing configuration settings or downloading different drivers from the manufacturer's website resolved the issue.

Q: What is included with 3D Lightyear Software?
The following is included:

• 3D Lightyear File Preparation Software version 1.0 (includes QuickCast and automatic support generation)
• Buildstation SLA Controller Software version 5.0, works on the SLA 350/500/3500/5000, and 7000 systems

Q: Is 3D Lightyear Year 2000 compliant?
Yes. 3D Lightyear is the recommended pathway for any Maestro user who requires Y2K compliance. 3D Systems will not be certifying Y2K compliance for Maestro.

Q: Will my old build files work on Buildstation 5.0?
No. Buildstation 5.0 does not process build files produced using Maestro software. The two are not compatible.

Q: Will my custom style files work with 3D Lightyear 1.0?
No, you must recreate new style files in 3D Lightyear 1.0.

Q: What is the cost of software maintenance for 3D Lightyear?
There is no separate software maintenance charge for 3D Lightyear software. Software maintenance is included with any 3D Systems' system maintenance contract except time and materials.

Q: What are Standard and Advanced user levels?
3D Lightyear is licensed in two levels, Standard and Advanced. The difference between the two levels is in the allowable range of the build and recoating process parameter values.

The Standard level is for users with less experience in Stereolithography, while the advanced level is for those users with advanced training or more SLA building experience. The Standard level aids the novice user with a set of 3D Systems'-tested process parameter ranges that produce successful results across a wide range of part geometries, build styles, and resin properties. At the Advanced level, experienced users who understand the effect of each change and how the parameters interrelate, can modify the process parameters within a wider range to achieve various results such as increased accuracy, surface quality, or improved build time but at greater risk of build problems.

Q: What are the requirements to get an Advanced licence?
Generally, users who have attended a 3D Systems Advanced Training Course, or that have three or more years of SLA experience receive the Advanced license. The qualification is determined by site.

Q: What if no one in my organization meets the qualification for an Advanced license. Can I still get one?
Yes. Contact your Regional Customer Service Manager, the 3D Customer Support Hotline at 800.793.3669, or your local 3D Systems' office, for information.

Q: Why did 3D Systems put ranges on the parameter values in the 3D Lightyear software?
Parameter ranges were implemented to help our customers select from tested values that exhibit a high build success rate. our prior software did not place limits on process parameters, which accounted for many build failures. The parameter ranges in 3D Lightyear were carefully developed taking into consideration the buildstyle, resin, and SLA systems.

Q: What do I do if I need a style not supplied or need to change parameters beyond what a particular style allows?
First, find a style for another resin that is similar to the one you wish to apply. This "donor" style must be from the same SLA machine type (SLA 350 and SLA 3500 are interchangeable); the same unit type; and the same hatch type (e.g., to create a QuickCast box, you must start with a QuickCast box style.)

Secondly, if one of these cannot be adapted to your needs, look on the 3D Lightyear CD-ROM at the "baseline" styles for your machine type. They are not loaded during installation, but can be copied onto the hard disk from the CD's "Standard Baseline" folder. Baselines are styles we have developed as starting points. You may find a style you can use which allows the parameter range you desire.

Finally, determine if you have a Standard or Advanced license. You can easily determine this by clicking the "Help" pulldown menu, then clicking the "About 3D Lightyear" menu item. The dialog states which license you have on that machine. If you have a Standard license, you might find an Advanced license will give you the range you need.

If you have an Advanced license, but you still don't have the desired range, call the 3D Customer Support Hotline at 800.793.3669, or your local 3D Systems' office. It may be necessary for us to develop a special style for your purpose.

Q: Why did 3D Systems move to binary style files in 3D Lightyear?
We moved the style files to a binary format when we put in the Standard and Advanced user interface functions. We found that many errors and subtle part building problems can occur when changes are made outside the GUI (Graphical User Interface), so we made sure that all changes are made through the same route.

Also, some of the newer styles are cyclic styles (much like the Tooling styles in Maestro, but even more complex.) In these cyclic styles, there are many parameter dependencies that if combined improperly, can result in build failure. With this added complexity, the possibility of build failures also increases. Therefore, in 3D Lightyear, all style changes are made throughout the user interface, where they can be checked for parameter compatibility.

Q: Does 3D Lightyear run on a DEC Alpha NT machine?
No. The only supported system is Intel® Pentium®/Windows NT 4.0.

Q: I have only an SLA 250 system. Why did I receive Buildstation 5.0 for Windows NT? Does this mean the 250 can now run on Windows NT?
All shipments of 3D Lightyear include Buildstation 5.0. Because 3D Lightyear needs Buildstation 5.0 when used on SLA 350/500/3500/5000 and 7000, we decided to make it a part of the 3D Lightyear package. SLA 250 users will continue to run with the current Buildstation software, version 3.83 (Update 1), 3.84, or the Y2K compliant version 3.86 when available at the end of September.

(If you have never seen the Windows NT Buildstation software, and are curious about how it differs from the SLA 250 Buildstation software, you can load Buildstation 5.0 on a desktop machine running Windows NT.)

Q: Do I have to upgrade my Buildstation Controller operating system to Windows NT 4.0 in order to run Buildstation 5.0 SLA Control Software?
No. Buildstation 5.0 runs under both Windows NT 3.51 and NT 4.0

Q: Why doesn't 3D Systems upgrade the Buildstation Controller operating system to Windows NT 4.0?
All new SLA 3500, SLA 5000, and SLA 7000 machines ship with Windows NT 4.0. Customers that wish to convert to Windows NT 4.0 can purchase and install it. (It is highly recommended that when upgrading to Windows 4.0, you leave Windows 3.51 on your system leaving it as a "dual boot" system.) For 3D Systems' maintenance customers your 3D Systems' Field Engineer will be happy to help you with installation at your next scheduled visit. Time and Materials customers can request a Field Engineer's support in loading both Windows NT 4.0 and Buildstation 5.0. Please contact the 3D Customer Support Hotline at 800.793.3669 for information and support on upgrading your existing SLA system to run under Windows NT 4.0.

Q: Does the 3D Lightyear program run on Windows 95/98?
3D Lightyear was developed specifically for the Windows NT 4.0 operating system, using the OpenGL graphics API. However, with two exceptions, most of the program appears to run on Windows 98 (which is delivered with OpenGL), and on Windows 95 if the OpenGL extensions are installed. (We did not do any specific testing using Windows 95 or Windows 98, so there may be some other function issues of which we are not aware.) The modules that we know do not run are Verify and Prepare (slicing, merging and converging.) Those processes use operating system calls that are not support in Windows 95 or 98. Therefore, although you can run 3D Lightyear on Windows 95 and 98, you will not be able to prepare buildfiles for your SLA system.

Q: How do I get a license to run 3D Lightyear or Buildstation 5.0?
With 3D Lightyear, 3D Systems has implemented web based licensing. This convenient method allows a user to get a license for our software 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Q: What do I need to get a license from 3D Systems' web site?
You need two items to get a license: a License Authorization Code for the product you are registering, and the HostID number from your workstation or SLA controller. The License Authorization Code is obtained from the License Authorization Card enclosed in your shipment of 3D Lightyear. The HostID is obtained by running a license manager utility called "lmutil." See the Installation Instructions for details on how to run the "lmutil" program.

Q: I followed the instructions to obtain the HostID of my machine and the program said it is "ffffffff". When I tried inputting "ffffffff" to the website licensing, it says it's an invalid HostID. What's going on?
The HostID is obtained from the address on the network card. To get the address, the system must be configured with both TCP/IP and NetBEUI protocols active. Check with your IT department to ensure these conditions are met. If you continue to encounter problems, contact the 3D Customer Support Hotline.

Q: I get two HostIDs when I run the "lmutil" program. Which one do I use?
Usually the first HostID listed is the one you should use to obtain the license. The second one listed usually ends with "0000" and should not be used. If you continue to encounter problems, contact the 3D Customer Support Hotline.

Q: The web license server appears to be down. How do I get a license?
Call 3D Systems' Sales Administration at 661.295.5600 extension 2369.