Okay, I just purchased a license for GS (thanks again, foodstamp) and have a very basic question. I've looked through the FAQ, readme, manual, and the forums here but maybe my questions are so basic no one has asked them before.

I recieved the license and key file and the password file. There didn't seem to be a place on the site to use the password to download a copy of A7 Commercial, so I assumed I should apply the key to the trial download. I did that and everything was okay, but I don't see anywhere in the About or onscreen where it says what license I have (Extra, Commercial, Pro). I assume I have Commercial, but how do I know, or do you just use code and syntax that only works with Commercial and assume you have Commercial by the license you purchased? As in just don't use anything with a P in front of it?

In other words, is the trial the full version with capabilities only limited (or not limited) by the type of license you apply to the trial? Sorry for the very basic question, but it's a little confusing.

Also, when a product update comes out do you download the complete version and reinstall? That seems to be the case, but just thought I'd check. It's good to get all the real rookie questions out of the way right up front...

yes, you have to download the trial version and then apply your key. you can see what edition you have in wed's about box.

updates get installed over your existing installation. they usually haven't been a full installation.

@ventilator: That update thing seems to have changed with A7.
Otherwise I have no explanation for the hugh file size of the updates. They are as big as the trial download afaik.

@JustOneOldMan:
Applying the key is pretty easy. You copy and paste the .key file into the main 3dgs folder.
Example:
C:\Programs\GStudio7\

That should be all you have to do

Oh and yes the trial version is the full version but limited to the "trial-limits" depending on the key (licence) specific features get "un-locked".

If you want to be sure with edition, you can run script:
Code:

---

var ed;

PANEL ed_pan = 
{
digits(10,10,"%.0f","Arial#16b",1,ed);
flags = VISIBLE;
}

function main()
{
	level_load(NULL);
	wait(3);
	ed = edition;
}

---

Look at the helpfile.

Thanks everybody.

@Vladim647: Thanks for the code snip, works great.

@ventilator: You're right about WED's About box, I hadn't noticed it in there. I looked at SED and MED and it's not in there, must have overlooked it in WED. Thanks.

@Xarthor: Ya, I got the key in okay, but then I wasn't sure if everything was the way it was supposed to be. Also, I thought the updates were done by just downloading the trial again. When I click on Updates under WED/Help it just takes me to the standard download page, and the only thing I see there besides the trial are the updates for older versions.

Anyway, that answers my questions. I've downloaded most of the tutorials and anything else I could find, guess it's time to get the coffee made and start playing. I don't think the switch over from Torque is going to be too bad, GS seems to be much more intuitive up front and the large volume of tutorials and help files are nice...

Congrats on your new Dev Suit, hope it all works out ok for you.

Thanks Nems, I'm sure it will. I'm already noticing a big difference in communities. Over at GG I've watched new people come in over the last few years and everyone is nice when they just post to say hello, but they get a little nasty the first time someone asks a "silly" question. Or they answer questions with a "Use the search" when the search over there doesn't even work most of the time.

As far as the software goes, I'm having a good time with it. Spent a little too much time playing with the Pong demo, but I couldn't let the computer beat me at it.

My biggest problem has always been (and still is) that I don't do graphics, so it's nice to see all the community donated stuff on the site. At least I can have some placeholder things while I'm working. Really nice of the members to make those things available.

If this package works out as well as it looks like it will, I still think I'll get the Pro version after while. It's a big price differential for the additional capabilities, but they're things I'd like to work with. I'll see you around here and over at that other place now and then...

Cool and your right about Pro, its worth the features.
Good to see 'the other place' in your sig, makes for another good place to go for serious developers looking to talk and share.