Virtual Reality Toolbox

Installing a VRML Plug-In (Windows)

When you install the Virtual Reality Toolbox, the Virtual Reality Toolbox viewer is set as the default viewer. If you want to use a Web browser as a VRML viewer, use the following procedure to install the blaxxun Contact plug-in. You can use this plug-in with either Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator. The blaxxun Contact plug-in is the only supported VRML plug-in.

Note    The blaxxun Contact installer installs the plug-in for the current default browser only. If you change the default browser, you need to complete the install procedure a second time. The blaxxun Contact executable files are located at C:\<MATLAB root>\toolbox\vr\blaxxun.

You must use blaxxun Contact 4.4 with Version 3.0 of the Virtual Reality Toolbox. This version of the blaxxun Contact VRML plug-in is distributed with the Virtual Reality Toolbox. You can download blaxxun Contact 4.4 from http://www.mathworks.com/support/product/VR/.

If you have the MATLAB Web Server installed on your machine, make sure that the Web Server is stopped before you install the blaxxun Contact plug-in. Also, verify that you are connected to the Internet before starting this installation procedure:

1. Start MATLAB.
2. In the MATLAB Command Window, type

• vrinstall -install viewer
  

1. MATLAB displays the message

   • Do you want to use OpenGL or Direct3d acceleration? (o/d)
     

3. Check the graphic card manual to determine the acceleration method to select. If you are not sure, select Direct 3d by typing

• d
  

1. The blaxxun installer starts running and displays the following dialog box.

   

4. Follow the instructions on the remaining screens.
5. In the MATLAB Command Window, type

• vrinstall -check
  

1. If the viewer installation was successful, MATLAB displays the following message:

   • VRML viewer:    installed
     

   If the viewer installation was unsuccessful, MATLAB displays the message

   • VRML viewer:    not installed
     

Known Issue with the blaxxun Contact Plug-In

The blaxxun Contact VRML plug-in can fail to update the virtual scene when used with the Virtual Reality Toolbox 3.0 and Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 and above. Netscape users do not experience this problem.

If you are using Internet Explorer 5.5 or above, you must manually change a network security setting before you can use blaxxun Contact 4.4 with the Virtual Reality Toolbox Version 3.0. Upgrading your version of blaxxun Contact does not resolve this problem.

Changing the Default Network Security Setting

You must change your default network security setting before using the blaxxun Contact plug-in with Internet Explorer 5.5 and above to ensure that the virtual scene is updated appropriately:

1. Open Internet Explorer.
2. From the Tools menu, choose Internet Options.

1. The Internet Options dialog box opens.

3. Click the Security tab.
4. Select the Custom Level button.

1. The Security Settings dialog box opens.

5. Scroll down until you see Microsoft VM. The first subheading is Java permissions.
6. Select Custom.

1. The Java Custom Settings button appears in the lower left of the Security Settings dialog box.

7. Click Java Custom Settings.

1. The Local intranet dialog box opens.

8. Click the Edit Permissions tab.
9. Scan the main headings and subheadings (marked with a lock icon) until you see Access to all Network Addresses.
10. Under Access to all Network Addresses, select Enable.
11. Click OK.

1. The Local intranet dialog box closes.

12. In the Security Settings dialog box, click OK.

1. You are asked if you want to change the security settings for this zone.

13. Select Yes.
14. In the Internet Options dialog box, select OK.

Virtual Reality Toolbox Viewer

Installing a VRML Plug-in (UNIX/Linux)