MapTool Launcher v1.0.

1
Settings Dialog
With the MapTool Launcher, Windows users of MapTool can use a GUI to set various parameters for the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) environment that MapTool runs within.

Screenshot 1: Settings Dialog

JVM Options

When started, the ettin!s "ialo! will #e shown unless this feature is disa#led via the chec$#o% in the #ottom left of the dialo!. There are three JVM options that ma& #e set via the ettin!s "ialo!. 'll options are specified in me!a#&tes. Max Mem et this to the ma%imum amount of memor& the JVM can allocate and thus MapTool will have availa#le for use. MapTool re(uires that &ou set the ma%imum to at least )*+ M, to start. In -).#it environments the ma%imum value that can #e set will #e appro%imatel& /*-+ M, thou!h it ma& #e sli!htl& less. ettin! this to more than half of the ph&sical memor& si0e is not recommended. The default is )*+. Min Mem 1 et this to the minimum amount of memor& the JVM should allocate at startup. This should #e set to no more than the Max Mem num#er and !enerall& should #e set to a lower value. The default is +2. Stack Size 1 Use this to !ive the e%ecutin! threads of MapTool more stac$ space. 3ar!er values are !enerall& onl& needed when emplo&in! ver& complicated macros with nested loops. The default is ). ettin! these options to values lar!er than actuall& re(uired #& MapTool to run will not result in increased performance and ma& actuall& decrease performance if e%treme values are entered.
Startup Option

The 3auncher defaults to showin! the ettin!s "ialo! upon startup. 'n option is provided to chan!e this #ehavior. Show at Startup 1 Unchec$ this option to prevent the ettin!s "ialo! from #ein! shown on su#se(uent startups.

Configuration File

'll options are saved to a confi!uration file located in the same director& when &ou clic$ on the 45 #utton. This file is named 6mt.cfg7. "eletin! this file will cause the 3auncher to displa& the ettin!s "ialo! a!ain when &ou start it. The confi!uration file is a simple te%t file with the options listed one per line. MAXMEM=256 MINMEM=64 STACKSIZE=2 JVM= a!a" #$%M#T=&rue The M'8M9M, MI:M9M, and T';5 I<9 options are the same as those presented in ettin!s "ialo! as descri#ed previousl&. The =>4M=T option in the confi!uration file reflects the state of the Show at startup chec$#o% the last time the ettin!s "ialo! was shown. ;han!e this to 6false7 #& editin! the confi!uration file or #& un. chec$in! the option on the ettin!s "ialo!. The JVM option can onl& #e chan!ed #& editin! the confi!uration file. ettin! JVM to 6?ava7 will cause a command prompt window to remain open when MapTool is launched. This is useful when de#u!!in! pro#lems as it will allow &ou to see an& error messa!es that ma& #e !enerated while MapTool is runnin!. 'dditional JVM options ma& #e added to the end of the line as would #e used when startin! a Java application from a command line. @or e%ampleA JVM= a!a" '(u)er*lan+ua+e=ES '(u)er*re+,on=MX This would start MapTool with the lan!ua!e set to panish and locale to Me%ico. This method can onl& #e emplo&ed if there alread& e%ists translation files for the desired lan!ua!e. If &ou ma$e chan!es to the confi!uration file and MapTool no lon!er starts, delete (or rename) the file and the 3auncher will recreate the file with the defaults.

Configuring Shortcuts for the MapTool Launcher

The MapToolLauncher pro!ram must #e located in the same folder as the MapTool ?ar file (e.!. maptool. /.-.#*B.?ar) #ut &ou can create shortcuts to it that can sit on &our des$top or the Cuic$3aunch panel in the Windows Tas$#ar. Dou can also add optional ar!uments in the shortcuts to increase the allocated memor& si0e and ena#le the the command prompt window to see an& error outputs.
Creating a Shortcut on the Desktop

There are several methods to create shortcuts to pro!rams in Windows. 4ne wa& is to hold down the 'lt $e& and then ri!ht.clic$.dra! from the MapToolLauncher icon to &our des$top. This will create a shortcut that loo$s li$e Screenshot 2. 4nce placed on the des$top the shortcut can #e renamed in the normal manner. Screenshot 2: Shortcut on desktop.

Increasing Memory Allocation in the Shortcut

>i!ht.clic$ on the shortcut and select =roperties from the pop.up menu that appears. The =roperties dialo! will open with the hortcut ta# active as shown in Screenshot 3. To start MapTool with /B)2 M, for the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), locate the Tar!et te%t field in the =roperties dialo! then add a space and 1024M to the end of the line. This can also #e seen in Screenshot 3. The memor& ar!ument ta$es the same form as is used #& the .8m% Java command line option.
Enabling Debug Output

9na#lin! de#u! output is done in the same manner. impl& add a space and the word debug to the end of the Tar!et line. :ote that &ou must have #oth a memor& allocation si0e and the word debug for this to wor$.
e!uirements

The MapTool3auncher relies upon a correct and wor$in! Java installation. This means that the Java e%ecuta#les must #e in the &stem path. The launcher wor$s in the same manner as the #atch files included in the MapTool 0ip files. If those wor$ then the launcher will wor$.

Screenshot 3: Properties