========Raven 2.0========
;--------v0.01a---------;
;-----------------------;
;----Refinished for-----;
;--the newest version---;
;-of Racer, and beyond--;
;-----------------------;
;------Harey--2015------;
;-----------------------;
=========================




;Credits-----------------------------------
;==========================================
Program by Harey. No Preview picture, and icon by Silver. Original Program and name by Oliver Pieper (note, this program shares nothing with the original program).




;Instal and First Run----------------------
;==========================================
Install is very simple on this program, just drag and drop the .exe to your Racer Folder. Currently this is the only way I can get Raven to run, so its suggested that you create a shortcut to your desktop for easier running. 

On that note, the first run you will be told to first of all select your Racer location, pressing okay will send you to the location selection screen, pressing cancel will stop the program. You will also be greeted with this, if the .dat file cannot be found.

The reason it asks for your Racer location, despite it sharing the folder with Racer is because it will eventually be designed to run in a seperate folder, which obviously is currently non-functional.



;Starting Out------------------------------
;==========================================
Raven was originally created by Oliver Pieper in 2003 for Racer, as a lap time database, and configuration utility. What I am labeling as the 2.0 version, actually loses a wealth of features (at least for now). While sharing the same name and images as the original tool, nothing else is shared with the original version of Raven.

 But you can now label the folder for your options as "raven_variants", "paint_variants", or "color_variants". The engine choices can now be under their own folder named "engine_variants", same goes with any other misc. options under "other_variants". A preview for the vehicle, and seperataly a preview for each option choice is avaliable. You can also goto the car's folder. Tracks are fairly simple, with their own preview, and a button to goto the track folder. Obviously the big Start Racer button, starts Racer.

The menu bar above, gives you a file menu, consisting of being able to select your install of Racer, viewing the directory name, reloading the car/track selection, and exiting the program. The next menu is to do with the Qlog, where you can view, or clear the Qlog. In the Qlog viewer window, you can resize the window, select specific entries, and under the File menu you can open the qlog.txt in your default *.txt viewer, as well as close the viewer window. There is also an About button, displaying a small amount about the program.

When you click on the Options for a vehicle you will be greeted with a new window, giving you a drop box for the paint color and one for the engine choice, there is also a list box for displaying other options. Pressing "Ok" will save your selection, while pressing "Cancel" will jump out of the window without making any changes.

--Future: there will be a checkbox to enable/disable the menu, and will be prechecked upon start up if the menu is already selected as on.
--Future: Qlog viewer will be color coded, INFO will be Green, WARN will be Yellow, and FATAL will be Red.




;Making it work----------------------------
;==========================================
If you have a car that used the old Raven program with its own raven varients you will have to make no changes at all.

If you want to make any new variants for it, Paint colors can be under "raven_variants", "paint_variants", or "color_variants". Engine or trans options can be put under "engine_variants". And anything that does not fit under Engine or Paint (for example wheels) can be put under "other_variants".

A variant.ini should be included in each variant option looking something like this...
Variant
{
	name=Example Name
}


--Note: you could also write the file as such below...
Variant
name=Example

It is also suggested to put in a preview picture, using a 1.33 aspect ratio (as in using 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768) in either .bmp, or .jpg




;Bugs, Issues, Contact---------------------
;==========================================
If you experience any bugs, issues, or feel the need to contact me for some reason please email me @ harey89@hotmail.com, Subject: Raven 2.0 (bug, issue, question). Or Contact me on RacerDepartment username Harey.

Known bugs are;
-that if you put the .exe anywhere other than the main Racer folder it will not start Racer (but all other functions will work properly).

-After clearing your Qlog, trying to view the blank Qlog will result in an error.

-Currently the Options can be run through an external .bat file, Java files are acting a little strange currently though, and external .exe files for options are not currently supported (sorry :[ )




;==========================================
;END README--------------------------------
;==========================================