Installation of Visual Spec
This version is a major release - you need to completely re-install Vspec, even if you previously installed older version.
 
When installing Visual Spec some Windows dll will be installed/updated. If you encounter problems, please contact me. I have tested the package with XP and Vista.

Installation Guide 

  • Step 1
Install the 3.6.1 package
  • Step 2
Download and unzip the additional files
  • Step 3
Install the latest executable "Quick Upgrade" - There is no quickupgrade yet...

Installation Step 1 

This release is the Vspec 3.6.1 release.

Download in only one package of 33 Mb 

Vspec.zip 
Full package, includes Library of Spectra and Bright Star Catalog, manuals and two freeware "Spectrum" and "Gnuplot".

This version includes two exciting new features:

  • Explore you spectrum profiles with a thumbnail explorer windows
  • Directly query and load BeSS spectra

If you are a previous user of Vspec and if you already filled your preset for BeSS Observation sites and Instrument, save apart the files list_intru.txt andlist_obs.txt. The re-installation will replace them with default settings.

Content of the installation .

    Libspec directory 
    Spectral library. Copy the zip file in the Vspec.exe directory before unzipping. It creates a sub-directory "libspec" and copy the 123 reference spectrum of the library. - 
    if you have installed Vspec already, you do not need to download this package again 

    Brscat.xls 
    Bright Star Catalog. Copy the zip file in the Vspec.exe directory before unzipping. It installs the bright Star Catalog in the Excel format - new file since 2.0.5 version
    if you have installed Vspec already, you do not need to download this package again 

    help.pdf, vspec_complement0x_en.doc
     Updated for version 3.3.0 - And the complement of documentation up to latest function.

    Aide.pdf, vspec_complement0x.doc 
     Updated for version 3.3.0 - Et les complements de documentation incluant les dernières fonctions.

    GnuPlot
     The executable required for GnuPlot (V4.0) to run in command mode and additional VSpec files like the command file gnutest.txt and the style file std.gnu. Copy the zip file in the Vspec.exe directory before unzipping. Make sure the files are DIRECTLY in the Visual Spec directory and NOT in a sub directory - Gnuplot is a grapher application, public, but copyrighted, visit the GnuPlot official website. 

    Spectrum directory
    The Spectrum application from R.O.Gray to generate synthetic spectrum from an atmospheric model. Models are provided in the models sub-directory.

    Bess_VO directory
    This directory is empty but it will be filled by the spectra from the BeSS Database from Paris-Meudon (GEPI) upon query.

    Hires.zip (Optional)
     You can download here an additional "goodies" which contains 38 ascii txt files frm the luke.lst line list from R.O.Gray, Appalachian State University. Copy the zip file in the Vspec.exe directory before unzipping. Warning, this is a 3Mb size file. You can use Vpsec without it.

Installation Step 2

To get the latest version download the quick upgrade in a temporary directory and follow instructions here

Download the quick upgrade of Vspec (V3.5.1) here 

How to install Visual Spec 

Download of the complete installation package. For safest transfer the installation package has been broken into 6 packages. Follow the process below to complete the Vspec installation.  

1. On your hardisk, create a temp directory 

2. Download the five or "all-in-one" packages.

3. Unzip the five DISK*.zip package using any of "unzipping" program of your choice 

4. Run the setup.exe file from your temp directory 

5. Follow the installation program 

6. Go in the vspec directory you have defined during the installation process and Run Vspec

Make sure you have downloaded the latest quick upgrade of Vspec at this step

10. Replace the current vspec.exe by the new one 

11. Run vspec.exe 

Having issues, questions or suggestions ? 

Despite my efforts, bugs or unexpected troubles may occurs. With the help of many of you, here are some tricks you can find useful... 

    Warning 1: never delete the directory which are indicated as the default directories for images or profiles. You will have to re-install Vspec. 

    Warning 2: in French environment, if the message "VB6fr.dll est introuvable" appears, get the file

    Warning 3: with XP or Vista, if you cannot run excel functions like finding spectral types or coordinates, make sure you authorize Excel application to run macros (Security levels)

    Warning 4: It seems that VSpec has issue when installed in another drive than c:/ - under investigation

Contact 

Just E-mail me ...