This site contains information about the version of HyperStudio for Acorn computers running RISC OS, and links to other relevant sites.

Please choose:

	A brief introduction to HyperStudio
	Release Information
	Technical Support: Frequently Asked Questions
	Arachne Software's Installer Builder
	The Official HyperStudio Web Site
	The Arachne Web Site

Introduction

What is it? Why is it here? What can it do?

What is it?

HyperStudio is a Multimedia authoring package which has been designed to be both powerful and very easy-to-use. Versions of HyperStudio are available for the Apple Macintosh, the PC, and for Acorn RISC OS computers.

Why is it here?

Arachne Software has been heavily-involved in the development of the Acorn version of HyperStudio. Consequently, this site is predominantly concerned with the Acorn version.

The Acorn version uses the RiscOopLib C++ Class library which is described elsewhere on this site.

What can it do?

Popular features include:

A multimedia element can be added to your project in less than 60 seconds;
buttons can be any shape;
HyperStudio has built-in painting functions;
HyperStudio supports full text-editing within your project;
a supplementary scripting language is included;
commercial-quality presentations can be created without hiring a professional.

The Acorn version also includes features familiar to Acorn users:

Acorn draw files and Artworks files are supported as vector-based graphics;
Artworks files and text are antialiased, so they look very good on screen;
OLE support (Ctrl and double-click on an object to edit it in your favourite editor);
multiple stack support: Acorn HyperStudio allows any number of stacks to be open at once (memory permitting);
support for rectangular-pixel stacks for users with medium-resolution monitors.

Release Information

The Latest Release...

Version 3.06 gives Acorn HyperStudio most of the functionality of the latest versions for the Mac and PC. It's most significant new feature is a completely new animation system:

adds the ability to define a 'path' for the frames in an animation to move along, e.g. to show a flying bird or a walking elephant;
comprehensive editing environment included;
cross-platform design eases transfer of animations to/from Mac and PC HyperStudio;
imports frames from animated GIFs and Complete Animator files, as well as sprite files;
intelligent support for transparency in frames.

Version 3.06 is available as a free upgrade to existing users of Acorn HyperStudio, although it will probably not be send out automatically to all users. If you would like to upgrade, please contact TAG Developments Ltd on 01474 357350 or by email to care@tagdev.co.uk.

Previous Releases...

Version 3.01, while not introducing many new features, had several significant changes, many minor enhancements and a few bug fixes. It includes:

single-file stack format (stacks take less disk space, and can load much faster from CD-ROM)
when improving 32,000 or 16 million colour background images, HyperStudio now calculates an 'improved' set of colours instead of just using the default 256 colours
support for graduated fill effects (over the whole background or the selected region)
support for recording sounds from within HyperStudio (using the record button on the tape deck); supported sound samplers include Eagle M2 and the vti Parallel Port sampler
improved tape deck, showing more clearly where sounds are stored and allowing sounds to be renamed
replay files load faster
many other minor changes, including an improvement in the memory management for Draw files and ArtWorks files

Version 3.00 brings the functionality of Acorn HyperStudio in line with version 3.0 for the Mac. It includes:

the ability to add actions to any object on a card (i.e. text and graphic objects, not just buttons), and to any word or phrase in a text area;
the ability of any button in your project to open a web browser (hopefully Fresco) at any given URL;
improved drag & drop capability for adding things to stacks;
a new HyperStudio resource CD
a new edition of the HyperStudio documentation (HyperStudio manual and HyperLogo manual, each including a tutorial section).

Version 3.00 has been sent out automatically to all registered users. If you have not received your update, please contact TAG Developments Ltd on 01474 357350 or email care@tagdev.co.uk.
New HyperStudio and HyperLogo manuals are available at nominal cost.

Current Availability

I've not worked for TAG since 1998, and they appear to have stopped supporting the RISC OS version of HyperStudio altogether. It may still be possible to buy copies of version 3 from them, but I believe they have run out of manuals. As of November 2007, CJE Micros have stock.

Significant development was done on HyperStudio 3.06 before I left TAG. This includes a brand new animation system (from Mac/PC HyperStudio 3.1, if I remember correctly) and was used for TAG cross-platform multimedia productions including the TAG/BBC Elmer the Elephant. However, I'm not aware it was ever widely publicised to Acorn HyperStudio users.

If you would like an upgrade to 3.06 and TAG can no-longer help, please drop me an email including your HyperStudio licence key (as proof of purchase) and I'll see what I can do. I can't make HyperStudio upgrades freely available to download from this website because the copyright is owned by Roger Wager Inc (the authors of the Mac and PC versions) and TAG.

Version 3.1 was planned as the next major update after Version 3.06. This was to have included official support for 32 thousand and 16 million colour backgrounds, and the ability to store backgrounds in JPEG format. (It is already possible to use more than 256-colour backgrounds, but not all of the painting tools work, and stack export fails.) Unfortunately, it's highly unlikely every to happen. The same is true for the planned Web Browser Plugin. This would have allowed HyperStudio stacks to be embedded into a web browser (such as Fresco or Browse).

This document is thought to be correct at time of editing (24th November 2007) but we can make no guarantees concerning the accuracy of the information provided; this is the World Wide Web!
	Thank you for visiting this site, which was designed and tested with Fresco from ANT. If you have any comments or queries, please do not hesitate to contact the webmaster.