Quick Start Guide for CommunityViz 4.1

Have you downloaded and installed a 30-day free trial of CommunityViz software? Then it's time to give yourself a tour. Feel free to look around on your own, but if you'd like some recommendations here is what we'd suggest:

1. If you haven't already, watch some of the video demos, especially the Overview.
2. If you haven't already, install the tutorial dataset on the Resources page. These will give you some sample analyses to work with. Make sure to install them onto your C:\ drive; working over a network is not recommended.
3. Start Scenario 360 from the desktop icon. This will automatically launch ArcMap with the Scenario 360 extension enabled. (If ArcMap is already open, just click the 360 icon on the Scenario 360 toolbar.) Scenario 360 is one of two CommunityViz 4.x components and the best one to start with.
4. On the "splash screen" that appears, choose Open Existing Analysis and open to C:\CVFiles\Communityville. A CommunityViz "analysis" is like an ArcMap project, and Communityville will give you something to start with.
5. Check to make sure everything is there. There are many CommunityViz components hidden in the background, but right away you should find:
   
   • Scenario 360 toolbar, with most but not all buttons active (not gray)
   • Scenario 3D toolbar (If either toolbar is missing, check ArcMap's Tools > Extensions command and then ArcMap's View > Toolbars command.)
   • Two new tabs at the bottom of your table of contents: 360 Analysis and 360 Setup
   • A "task pane" of large, labeled icons on the 360 Analysis tab, covering the bottom of the table of contents
6. Look around some more if you want. Click the icons and explore (but don't yet use) the first-level commands on the Scenario 360 toolbar. Click the icons on the S360 Analysis tab and the S360 Setup tab to get a hint of what's in store.
7. If you plan to use Scenario 360, do Tutorial 1 and/or 2. These will give you an introduction and overview to Scenario 360.
8. If you plan to use Scenario 3D, do Tutorial 4 or at least follow the steps in the Scenario 3D Quick Start found in the Scenario 3D Help. (Scenario 360 and Scenario 3D both have their own built-in Help systems.) (Scenario 3D is terrific, but it's not the only way to make 3D scenes with CommunityViz. You can also use the Google Earth Exporter from inside Scenario 360, or use Scenario 360 as an extension to ArcScene.)
9. Take a breather! Think about everything you've just discovered and how you can use it in your work.
10. Decide what to do next. Do you want to start trying some of these tools with your own data? Do you want to do some more tutorials first? Do you have some specific questions? The choice is up to you. It may be helpful to know that
    
    • There are many more guides and resources, including support forums, on the website
    • The Help system is extensive, and scanning the table of contents is a good way to find the information you need
    • Once you purchase a permanent license with support, friendly and helpful people are available to guide you and answer any kind of question you may have
11. Get a permanent license. From the website, click Purchase and step through the secure on-line ordering process. Shortly thereafter, you'll receive a license ID and password you can use to activate your permanent license. Any work you've done with the trial will still be usable.
12. Email or call! We're always happy to hear from new customers, to learn about your projects, and to help you along your way.